I'm contemplating getting a new family pet, after losing both of mine over the last two years, and the doberman is what has caught my attention. I have had labs and a beagle before, so this will be different.

Any experiences with them? I am finding that they are fantastic family dogs, loyal, and all around great dogs as long as you can give them the attention necassary (as with any dog).

Anyways, would appreciate any feedback, possible breeders, pros/cons and whatever else I'm missing.

Thanks in advance!

They're active and need real exercise and training and you need to be consistent with it.

If you can give them that they are phenomenal dogs

We had them growing up and they were incredible dogs. Just make sure you socialize them early, otherwise they can be a little too protective when guest come over.

I can't help you with breeders, but as soon as I am able to add a second dog I will be getting one.

Thanks to both of you. I have read about socializing and training as well. I am putting together a plan for that to schedule out both, and looking to get professional training too to add on the regular training.

Those seem to be the thing hug things to focus on, so it's great to hear it repeated from the OB.

On my 2nd and 3rd right now. Great dogs, all with their own unique personalities. Relatively active and need some sort of outlet or playtime each day to keep them occupied and from digging holes all over the yard.

You may want to know the sire and dam's hip dysplasia history or grading and I believe also von Willebrand's can be tested for. Lost our first one early to cardiomyopathy which can run in the breed.

My wife would be very happy if I shared your interest. She had them growing up and would like another as our next dog but I'm not into it.

My uncle had a car yard growing up and when he sold it the dogs went to their home. I was scared sh*tless every time they were around because they hated most all humans besides my aunt. I can not get that out of my head even though I know their entire purpose was protection as guard dogs.

Good luck to getting a great new pup

Thanks for that info.

I was looking at some breeders in Midland and Ft Worth, and each mentioned a few conditions they test for, so I'll have to keep an eye on.

ETS: From the ad I saw...

Registered/registerable, Current vaccinations, Veterinarian examination, Health certificate, Health guarantee
Additional information: Cobra is a Full European Doberman. She will come
up to date on vaccinations and deworming upon
leaving our home. Tail is docked and dewclaws
removed. I dont mind meeting if you have a long
drive or we also can use a puppy courier we know
we can trust. Cobra is clear from the bleeding
disorder so many dobermans carry (vonWillebrands).
Her parents are also tested and cleared from
degenerative myolepathy, another doberman disease.
She will also not be affected by Dilated
cardiomyopathy, as we have tested the parents to
make sure we have nothing but healthy puppies!
Cobra is the largest female and will make for a
great protection dog. She is currently weaning and
will have her first shots april 12!

Check out teamdog.pet

$14/month and it's worked phenomenally on my dog.
I've paid professional trainers in the past for standard training on precious dogs and thus worked as good or better

And you'll bond with that dog faster. You'll be amazed how fast he picks it up. I started mine in training the day I got him at 7 weeks old and he picked it all up like nothing

The cardiomyopathy apparently runs in the Europeans, which is what our first was. Apparently it can be caught early and medicated to help extend life. Having one with a clear history is great. Sounds like the breeder you are considering is knowledgeable so that's a good start.

Cannot beat this breed in my opinion. Naturally great family pets and guard dogs. Never needed a gun safe until my doberman died.

Thanks everyone, I should have stated talk me out of it ..I'm becoming a fan

They have a tendency toward crime.

Previous dogs... not precious dogs

Can't have y'all thinking I'm a *****

I have stated on other threads that my dad was the first LEO in our county many years back to be a K-9 unit. Since that time 40 years ago, our family has remained in law enforcement and has had lots of experience with many other departments across the nation and Texas in regards to preferred breeds. Dobermans and Rottweilers are hardly ever the breed of choice anymore in LE. When I say that I qualify that stament as to how they were used 25-30 years ago versus now.
The reason was very simple.....there were many instances of them turning on their partners and trainers/handlers. All dog breeds will have good and bad examples due to individual traits or training issues. Labs, Goldens, German Sheperds, Belgian Malinois, have not demonstrated that trait, with as many frequencies of occurrences like Dobies or Rotties.
I will restate my comment again that certainly not all are bad and not all are good in any breed. I am sure there are folks who have had great experiences with Dobies and Rotties and love them to death, but percentages, at least in regards to many law enforcement entities I have had experiences with, no longer prefer them as they used to years back.

Ukraine Gas Expert said:

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I'm contemplating getting a new family pet, after losing both of mine over the last two years, and the doberman is what has caught my attention. I have had labs and a beagle before, so this will be different.

Any experiences with them? I am finding that they are fantastic family dogs, loyal, and all around great dogs as long as you can give them the attention necassary (as with any dog).

Anyways, would appreciate any feedback, possible breeders, pros/cons and whatever else I'm missing.

Thanks in advance!

---

Friend of mine is a breeder and has a few pups left from his most recent litter. If you're interested in speaking with him to learn a little more about the breed, shoot me an email - boatsandhose2012@gmail.com

Our has been awesome. He just turned one and does very well with our six month old and guests. He's very curious and still a little lanky, so the only issue has been him stepping on people's feet accidentally.

We wanted a dog that "looked" intimidating, but served as a great family dog and so far he's fit that standard quite well.

Nice looking dog, and thanks for sharing.

CactusThomas said:

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Cannot beat this breed in my opinion. Naturally great family pets and guard dogs. Never needed a gun safe until my doberman died.

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I'm not a dog lover, but we had a doberman years ago on about 6 acres in the country. It was an outside dog and never caused us problems. Very loyal. Cars would drive up the gate, the dobie would run to the gate and the car would turn around and leave.

Was killed by a pack of wild dogs or coyotes, from what the vet determined.

We like the ears to stand up. Saw a post that vets aren't into doing that much anymore.

Just because they test for DCM, vWD etc. doesn't mean 1.) the dog will not be affected 2.) the dog will be clinically affected.

The thought is that about 50% of dobermans now have the DCM genetics. How it works and affects dogs isn't 100% understood, so take "testing" with a grain of salt. Breeders are now keeping and breeding some of these dogs (nothing clinically affected) as taking out carriers etc. is what got the breed into this issue in the first place.

Hip and elbow issues - that's something you absolutely need to ask for. I don't do OFA's, but I have a board certified radiologist vet read all mine.

I have a friend in Hemsptead who follows all Doberman Club of America breeding practices along with the Doberman Diversity Project, works his dogs, etc. I'm not sure when his next litter will be, but go message him on Facebook (I hesitate to give out his number.) His name is Rene Benavides. He has working line Dobermans, I would stay away from any show lines. Temperaments can really get out of hand, especially on the Euro show line dogs. And just because they have IPO titles does not mean they are legitimate bloodlines.

https://www.facebook.com/DobermannBergkonig

Have owned three over the years and if I was in the position to get another medium to large dog I would not consider any other dog. They are the best IMO.

Have owned several and have a 7 month old pup now. Absolutely love the breed and they've all been fantastic with my kids, even when they were little and would pull on his ears.

It's been awhile since I had one this young, I forgot how much energy they have. Definitely need an outlet for that and training. My little guy loves training and I only have myself to blame when he doesn't get it.

Awesome.

What type of training/activities are y'all doing? I'm thinking walks will be an easy thing where I live, nice open spaces for exercise, a backyard with less distractions, and I'd likely sign em up for advanced/pro training to help me.

Dobermans are cool. Super sweet with a lot of energy.

We had a red female. Cut the tail, but not the ears.

She killed 23 of our chickens one day. Dad tied all of the dead chickens to her collar. She never touched another chicken.

I don't want a big dog again, but had a great experience with the one we had.

We lived on 5 acres...

Someone suggested TeamDog.pet earlier. That's what we did, at least at the start. It was a great method to get the pup to pay attention to me rather than all the other stimuli going on around him. At this point, he loves it when we take time out of the day to go through commands. These dogs need a job for mental stimulation and training fills that role nicely.