Dobermann's General and Detailed?
I am truly thinking of adding (buy or adopt) a Dobermann to my family (myself and a overly socialized male Chihuahua). I have my eyes set on the Dobermann for several reasons, the main is for companionship, but also for deterrent (protection).
I have read just about all there is to read about the Dobe, temperament, job, intelligence, background, requirements, but what disturbs me for a lack of a better word is the gaze of the Dobe. It always seems there is something behind those eyes. Not necessarily wicked, evil or even "mean", but ... I can't put my finger on it. Is it just me?
Some of the material I have read on the Dobe says that they can be domineering, to what degree? As I said I would like a companion that can hold his own, but I do not want to be challenged at every turn either for the main job as I say is companionship (part of the family).
I will admit that I like the crop and dock appearance however, I am not a fan of causing unnecessary pain to anyone including my best friend. I also read that some vets won't or not good at such things. If so, how to find a vet that knows what he / she is doing IF I decide to do it at all.
Last but not least, I enjoy living in a small home, but have daily access to large amounts of land for a big dog such as a Dobe to roam and let loose. Would the small home be an issue for the Dobe when it is time to turn in for the night?
Thanks in advance!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
http://www.dpca.org/PublicEd/PEC/PECGeneticCardio....
Here is a website that you can read. On the left side of the page, there are many links for public education. Read all of them. I wouldn't worry about the size of your home so much. I live in a 1250 sq.foot brick ranch style home and have had up to 4 adults at one point. Go to the breeder referral list too. When you buy from a reputable show breeder, a puppy would already come to you with a lovely show crop. Now, for as what's behind those eyes.....IMO a BRAIN that you can almost watch trying to think things out before acting and watching YOU to see how YOU react to things. If you DO decide on a Dobe, get a b*tch since your Chi is a dog.
The Dobermann was created to work as a person protection dog & perquisites for that type of job were sharp intelligence, confidence, steadfast nerves, independence of mind, problem solver, wilful, determined, work driven & yes inclined to be dominant.
There are very few Dobermanns that are truly dominant - by that I mean a dog that will never look up to its owner as a leader & everything would be done on the dog's terms of or a battle would ensue.
Within a breed every dog or b*tch is an individual & there is a scale, if you will to which a dog will exhibit this with tractable [which is atypical for the breed] at one end & dominant at the other would depend on the individual dog. The majority of Dobermann will fall mid range.
I describe dominance in the Dobermann as the extent to which the dog would resist bending its will to its owner & throw its weight around]
What you see in a mentally sound Dobermann's eye when it is out with an owner it looks up to as a leader is steady calm watchfulness [it will take it cue from its owner on how to behave], confidence & aloofness [unless know to the dog again atypical for an adult to approach people unknown to it]
If you purchase a Dobermann from a good kennel that customarily docks dogs of their breeding, it will be professionally done at 3-days-old when the nervous system is not fully developed, some will use a local anaesthetic [which I think is a good idea as there is some discomfort] & if surgically removed with a knife, will be over quickly - not a fan of banding.
Dogs are cropped under anaesthesia & with proper after care which includes pain management it would not suffer.
What a Dobermann requires as an adult is regular hard exercise [1.5 hours daily] & a job/task to engage its highly intelligent problem solving mind. Provide that & it will be fine in a small house.
By nature the Dobermann typically has strong territorial watch dog abilities that need to be channelled correctly with training to avoid behavioral problems, but there its job ends. Personal protection behaviors are learned not innate to the breed & few Dobermanns have the working abilities to be trained to do the type of work the breed was created to do.
Hi there, we recently bought a dobe and let me say he is freaking adorable. we have a boston terrier aswel. It has got a lot to do with how you raise him. my dobe is not domineering at all. they are very smart so if you teach him well you won't have a problem. teach him to have patience. especially with food. the beginning is always the worst because it takes more time but they adapt and learn very quick. I do not think he will have a problem with the small house. they are just a bit jumpy and always want to be with you that's why it is important to teach him manners from the start. but they do fine if you are away for the day. they are independent and will be alone for a long period during the day especially if they have a friend. many people say you have to crop the tail with a dobe but if you don't want to then you don't have to. if you do it while they are small they will barely feel at in a few days. just get someone that can do it neatly.
they are beautiful dogs. the tails are done early after birth it is usually a done deal. ears optional. if your not showing personally i leave them as is same as my danes. temperament, i ask to see the parents along with their linage papers and chart tracking to make sure no inter breeding. they are on the lists of aggressive dogs so if you are renting it may become a problem. i recommend people;e wait until they are settled for along time to come till they get a dog on those lists. their are thousands of these dogs dumped in pounds because people can't keep them and few will adopt a large breed dog they have not personally trained and know. my daughter takes large breed dogs from kill shelters out hundreds a year healing, caring, fostering until homes can be found. unfortunately they are labeled.
they are scared but sweet loving. Dobbies cared for properly arewonderfull loving dogs. they need to be part of the family interacting as on. they are high energy extremely bright easily trainable as long as they get enough exercise play love. definitely need socializing with other animals and people in different environments all large breed dogs do. as do others interacting with them. unequivocal protective of their family. most people are detoured just by seeing or hearing them. good for us i never complain but i do take my dogs with me as much as i can socializing and they want to be with their people. you may find a new shadow no matter what size home you have. i have had danes Dobies in a apartment, to large acre farm they adapt quickly. we just change the type of exercise. more leash walking. they have no problemcurlingg up any where i am. Because they are on lists you need to make sure they are covered under your home owners policy. You need to Read it completely as there are many riders exclusions and amendments i have seen slipped different areas ofpolicy'ss excluding 100% to limiting the amount and what exactly it is for. pitts are the number one not dobbies or Shepard's now. my danes and dobbies like having a pet i had a pug they loved so they do get along with small critters and cats they adjust as long as they have their people.
good luck enjoy. oh you not alone re those dark brown eyes. once you know one you will see how expressive and readable they become.
That's your ignorance & bigotry-not reality,dear.
Ignorance is curable but you can't fix stupid.
Docking & dews are done by the breeder at 3 days. Cropping takes artistry & knowledge of breed standards *&* you never heard of ANESTHESIA & ANALGESICS?
No dog requires access to large amounts of land & NONE should be turned loose!
dobermans are a beautiful dog very loyal and like you said they are a scary looking dog as they are used as guard dogss ... alot of them are fine specially if you get them from a puppy but quite a lot of big dogs dont like small dogs!! so be careful