Red American Doberman-Update he's 10 months old and huge!

[OveroHunter]

I got a call today from my SO… “Do you want the good news or the bad news?”

Good news: He got me a present
Bad news: It’s a Red American Doberman

Lance and I have discussed that we already have enough dogs. We have 3 outdoor Australian Shepherds and 1 indoor Beagle. Plus we live on a working guest ranch that does not need to be overrun with dogs. Apparently it was “a hell of a deal” :no:. Something like he is out of a world champion sire but the breeders were business partners and they had a falling out and the other partner won’t release the papers so this dog with papers is worth $2,500, but we’re getting him for free because the other partner who has the puppy wants to make sure he goes to a good home since he doesn’t have papers… One hellofa deal…

Anyway, we are very experieneced with shepherds, but I know squat about Dobermans… I know we will give him a good home, that’s not the problem, but can someone tell me what to expect with these dogs?? I’m clueless!!!

[StGermain]

Dobies are my favorite breed of dog, and I’ve had at least 1 for the last 25 years. Currently I have Jake, a red Dobe. Dobermans are protective but not aggressive, sensable, and good around livestock. Very trainable, not as neurotic as some working dog breeds.

My vet said in the '60’s when doberman would come into the vet school where he trained, everyone would hide behind the examine table. Now, he says, he hasn’t seen a bad doberman in the last 25 years.

Congratulations on your new best friend.

StG

[OveroHunter]

The more I read about them, the better they sound. I still want my SO to think I’m mad at him though!

How are they about training to be off leash? My Aussies stay off leash during the day and we put them up at night. Of course it’s much easier for us to do this than most people because we have 230 acres that are down a long drive way off the main road…

[caffeinated]

I’m no expert but living with a big red dobie now. He is basically a very good dog but can be a little ADD and very excitable when PEOPLE! COME! HOME! (prone to whining and wiggling and acting like it’s the MOST EXCITING THING EVER!) which is fine, but can sometimes be overwhelming/annoying.

He’s fine with kids and strangers, not so much with smaller animals/cats who run away (basically, he seems to have a high chase drive. A cat who doesn’t run, or stands up to him, he will ignore or actively avoid. A cat who runs? PLAYTIME! CHASE YAY!!!)

I’ve noticed the same with people, actually - he is a large dog and his ears were cropped so he does look like a scary guard dog to some people. And if people react to him by being obviously scared/worried or shrinking away (especially if they make noise), he will go a bit into chase mode.

He does learn some things quickly (basic commands and routines he learns really well. But tasks, like bringing a toy to you, or fetching? not so much) and most of the time has good manners, but if new people, other dogs, or some other major distraction is around it can be hard to keep his attention.

He doesn’t really “get” horses but didn’t grow up with them. That said, he handled going to Rolex surprisingly well, though we had to really keep his attention diverted when horses came through and there was applause, or he turned into a very vocal whiny mess.

And this part is pretty true to what I know about the breed, and that is he is an intensely people-loving dog in general. He wants to be around people, and touching people, at all times. He likes to lean on people, and likes a snuggle on the couch more than anything. It’s kind of sweet, though trying to do dishes and cook can get interesting because he will velcro himself to your legs as you’re trying to walk around.

[caffeinated]

@OveroHunter;5841804

How are they about training to be off leash?

Can’t generalize, but ours is actually quite good off the leash the vast majority of the time. The “velcro dog” tendency might make that easier. Ours does need repetition and consistency to stay really good, but sometimes he’s easier off leash than on. He also is quite good at respecting boundaries, and knowing where he is allowed and where he can’t be. If there’s any kind of barrier/fence at all, even one he can easily get through, he respects that too (we have a baby gate at the stairs to keep him from going up, and usually it’s only halfway across to make it easy for us to get up and down, and though he fits through just fine, he respects it as a boundary)

[StGermain]

I have several cats and my dobes have never threatened them, or even taken much notice of them. They’ll chase a bunny or corner a 'possum, though. Off-lead doesn’t usually take much more than a snap of the fingers to get their attention, then they’re right back to you. My dogs aren’t whiney, but I discourage extra noise from all my dogs (presently the dobe, 2 GSD, Giant Schnauzer, Standard poodle and and English Setter).

StG

[Bacardi1]

While I’m very sadly Doberman-less at the moment, I’ve had 3 over the years (all adopted), & except for the blue one who was born deaf, the other two were happily & easily off-leash trained. Even our adorable deaf blue one could be let off-leash at times. They’re definitely “people” dogs, & unlike other breeds, aren’t inheritently interested in wildlife or livestock. They normally want to be exactly where you are.

[Pcostx]

Dobes are NOT ‘outside’ dogs. Is he going to be inside with the Beagle or outdoors with the Aussies?

If he’s going to be left outside all the time you’re better off finding him a new home before you get attached.

Sorry to sound harsh, BUT Dobes are sensitive (despite their tough dog image) and want to be with their people.

Good luck.

[OveroHunter]

He’s going to be the Beagle’s new best friend. I found online how they are very sensitive to cold weather. However, as we live above our barn (fourth stall on the left is the stair case up to our apartment!), he will be outside when we are, which is often, but never without us there with him. SO wants to buy him a sweater for the winter so he can stay outside while we are out without getting too cold.

[tradewind]

Dobes are fabulous, and very smart…Very easy to teach…Since greyhound was used in the original creation of the breed some of them are more prey driven than others. Start training him to leave the cats (if you have them) alone. There is no limit to what you can teach a dobe…Some members of the breed are prone to heart issues, so make sure he stays lean, well muscled and active. They are extrodinarly attached to their people, so they need plenty of interaction. A nice waterproof, horse style coat like the ones that Rambo makes will be needed in the winter. They really do not tolerate cold at all. They are reasonable with strangers if well socialized young, and will defend you to their last breath if need be…Once a person has a dobe, they generally speaking will always have one…There is nothing like a really good dobe. Have fun with your new pup…

[CHSatwork]

My Grandmother raised GSD’s when I was little so I was raised with them. In my teens/twenties I had dobies. Various colors. Loved them. Now I’m back to GSD’s. Just adopted two a few weeks ago. I find a lot of similarities. Both breeds are highly intelligent and aim to please their owners. Both are loyal to their families and proud of what is “theirs”. None of my dogs have ever been aggressive (neither breed). All have been great with other dogs, children, and visitors. I had one GSD who was not good with livestock the rest have all been great. All the dobies were great with all other animals. Good luck I’m sure you will love your new baby.

[WoofNWhinny]

[QUOTE=OveroHunter;5842317]
He’s going to be the Beagle’s new best friend. I found online how they are very sensitive to cold weather. However, as we live above our barn (fourth stall on the left is the stair case up to our apartment!), he will be outside when we are, which is often, but never without us there with him. SO wants to buy him a sweater for the winter so he can stay outside while we are out without getting too cold.[/QUOTE]

Love the breed! I’ve trained more dozens of Dobies than I can count. :eek:

But good, Dobies are definitely indoor dogs. You’re right that you’ll need a good coat for him, they do not handle the cold well at all. In fact, there may well be cold, wet, or icy days when he’ll be much happier saying inside and watching you from the window!! :lol::yes:

They tend to be a light-touch breed and they tend not to shake off heavy-handed corrections as easily as harder-headed breeds. They also tend to learn quickly. He’ll be more like your Aussies than your Beagle. They are also very people-oriented and do not do well when isolated, so it sounds like he’ll have a good situation with you. However, Dobies can be quite destructive when left alone, so make sure you teach him to feel secure and safe when left.

[OveroHunter]

[QUOTE=WoofNWhinny*;5842494]
He’ll be more like your Aussies than your Beagle. ;)[/QUOTE]

Thank God :winkgrin:

It sounds like he’ll be like he’ll be a lot like my Aussies other than loving the cold! They were so easy to train and house break. Y’all have me pretty excited to meet the new puppy tomorrow!!

[tradewind]

I think you should post pictures asap, so we can all get our dobie puppy fix!

[ManyDogs]

DH got me a doberman years ago (guard dog) as I traveled alone a lot in Alaska and DH worked in Prudhoe Bay. Baron was trained to grab and hold, not attack, and was a good boy. He loved our cat and was very protective of her. Baron had a old comforter that he dragged around as his blankie :lol:.
He came to us trained, of course, and was 18 months old, so I can’t say much about training one.
If we brushed our teeth, put on our shoes, or got the car keys, he would go get his leash off of the closet doorknob so he could go with us. :lol:
As someone who owns 10 dogs :eek:, one more won’t make a difference to you (she says :D). Enjoy! And we need pics, of course.

[HydroPHILE]

As luck would have it, Megan, I have a great deal of experience with Doberman Pinschers. I sent you a PM with more in-depth contact information to me. I have owned, rescued, and trained Dobermans. They are fantastic dogs.

(Don’t tell my dogs this, but they are my favorite breed of dog.)

A well-bred Doberman is sharp, intelligent, noble, protective, graceful, and at the same time goofy. My first Doberman was a 9-1/2 year old retired breeder from well-established and old bloodlines (no Z-factor anywhere) but owned by a backyard breeder who had shown Dobermans in the 70s/80s and then just bred.

After teaching her something a handful of times, she picked it up. She immediately bonded to me. She did, however, HATE cats, and she tolerated small dogs. She had a medium but manageable prey drive. She was a one-person dog. I tell my mother, she loves me…she just tolerates everyone else. Without professional protection training, she picked up on cues such as “watch it” and “no touch.” She could make a large muscle-bound man cower just by sitting calmly beside me at a heel and watching his every move.

They are cold weather sensitive. Mine preferred her throne on the loveseat on a fleece blanket I think a horse-styled doggie coat is in order for yours.

When she passed away (stupid previous owner never disclosed secret health issues that were terminal,) I waited and obtained another Doberman Pinscher for the sole purpose to train and sell (with that understanding from its breeder.) Just like my first girl, he was intelligent. He didn’t have a high prey drive, but he excelled at obedience.

One thing with Dobermans is they require a firm but intelligent and understanding owner (they tend to be sensitive to corrections and only need to be told “yes” or “no” once) that will start training at an early age, teach boundaries, and give it plenty of exercise.

To prepare you for Doberman ownership, might I recommend a movie? “The Doberman Gang”

[vtdobes]

You will so fall in love with this dog! I’m on Dobe’s # 3 & 4…and will never ever own another breed. They are THE BEST DOGS EVER!
Mine are so unbelievably smart and loving and protective. I’m doing agility, rally, obedience and conformation with them at the moment. They are good off leash (once properly trained) and good around the horses, other dogs and cats.

Oh, and breed is Doberman Pinscher…the breed is not referred to as an “American Doberman”. Unless you are specifying between American vs European bloodlines. Both of mine are European bloodlines but were born in the US.

[OveroHunter]

He’s coming tomorrow! I’ll definitely get some pics up as soon as he gets here. Unfortunately, Lance is taking me out for my (very belated) birthday to dinner and a show (Wicked, omg so excited) tomorrow night so he is going to be with his dogsitter for the first night we have him :(. He couldn’t come any other time so we had not choice. His dogsitter has another puppy (Aussie :)) his age so I’m sure they’ll have a blast together while we are out.

Hydro, I can’t wait until you come out and meet him!

[HydroPHILE]

Random: My SIL and I are going to see “Wicked” for the early show on Oct. 2nd for my birthday

I’m sure your dogsitter will be run ragged with two same-age pups.

In case someone neglected to mention, they can sometimes be same-sex aggressive (especially the males) so watch out for that.

[tasia]

Love Dobies!!! I’ve had 2 red females. Loyal, smart, kind!! They want to be as close to their person as possible, will sit on your feet. I had one and a tea cup yorkie, the yorkie was the nasty one LOL. My next dog will be a dobie!!