a good friend of mine has a 22 month old red dobe boy named Jiminy. (Ive talked about and posted pics of him quite a few times on PT). He weighs about 80 or 90 lbs now, and is still developing more muscle tone, but he is on the large size for the breed, even for a male. he was socialized very well and at a young age, and therefore is AWESOME with other dogs, big & small, and people of all ages. he was around children while with the breeder (for the first 6 weeks of life) and even though he rarely sees kids now, he is very good and patient with all the children he meets.

he has a LOT of energy, and loves to push your buttons. he is very clever, has a LOT of personality, and is a total clown. he loves to be the center of attention and is quite the entertainer. jiminy is ever alert. he will suddenly leap out of what appeared to be sound sleeping to bark or investigate a suspicious noise. he barks (though not in excess) when he hears or sees people walk by the house or in the yard, and he is reserved with people he doesnt know, but has *never* shown any signs of aggression. he can be quite a handful and his energy is seemingly endless. but he calms down in the house pretty easily as long as he gets enough daily exercise. hes a very fast learner, and is generally pretty obedient. he has completed 2 basic obedience classes, and just recently passed the CGC! he especially loves car rides, being with his people, food, and.. THE DOGGY PARK!

dobes are strong willed and can be very hard headed, so obedience must begin as soon as possible, and you have to make it clear you are in charge. however, this does not mean you have to be mean and pushy! in fact this can have very negative affects. they do not do well with harsh training methods. positive reinforcement works best. thorough and early socialization is also a must, (though its probably the most important thing for all dogs, no matter what breed).

they are extremely affectionate, and bond very closely with their family. they are naturally protective so there is no need to "train" them to be guard dogs. a well rounded, well socialized dobe is sensible enough to differentiate between a friendly person and a threatening person. this is why early, thorough socialization is so important. they need to be exposed to all kinds of people and situations and be knowledgeable about the world they live in. they are aloof and cautious around strangers, but they quickly accept people once they know its okay. they have good sense and can read you well. dobes should never by shy or fearful.

dobes are awesome dogs; they are one of the most devoted and loyal of all breeds, but they are a LOT of dog- powerful, energetic, athletic, smart, and stubborn- they can be too much to handle for some people, and you can not let them walk all over you. you definitely have to be prepared. but in the right hands they are a joy to be around. jim is a ton of fun and just a big lover! not to mention GORGEOUS!