Discussion
Hi, potential Doberman owner here and looking for guidance/advice.
We’ve always had dogs, mostly labs. Now the kids are older, we’d like a Doberman (kids are 16 and 18)
I work at home and can give regular walks and we have a large self contained garden.
I really want a dog that I can walk off-lead in the countryside and one that is obedient. We are prepared to put in the time for correct training.
We socialise with friends that have dogs and want a dog that will get along with other dogs that it knows.
Does the above situation fit with a Doberman or should we just stay with a Labrador?
Thanks in advance.
We’ve always had dogs, mostly labs. Now the kids are older, we’d like a Doberman (kids are 16 and 18)
I work at home and can give regular walks and we have a large self contained garden.
I really want a dog that I can walk off-lead in the countryside and one that is obedient. We are prepared to put in the time for correct training.
We socialise with friends that have dogs and want a dog that will get along with other dogs that it knows.
Does the above situation fit with a Doberman or should we just stay with a Labrador?
Thanks in advance.
Flying machine said:
When you listed everything that you say you want in a dog my first thought was... Labrador!
Sorry, no help or experience with Doberman's (they look nice though). I have a Lab
You’re not wrong and in many ways the perfect dog is a Lab. Sorry, no help or experience with Doberman's (they look nice though). I have a Lab
However, we've recently lost our Fox Red Lab and want a change of breed.
I can't comment on what they're like, sorry, but just thought I'd leave this here:
https://www.greenacresrescue.org.uk/find-a-pet/dog...
A real stunner.
Best of luck in your search.
https://www.greenacresrescue.org.uk/find-a-pet/dog...
A real stunner.
Best of luck in your search.
Be prepared for over-reacting dog owners picking up their dogs if walking off lead - if my experiences with my rottie x are anything to go by (and was softest dog ever!).
If you do get one..please don't cut it's tail off, you still see a crazy amount with this done "it had an accident, honest!".
I've also got red fox labs so would probably vote that way but dobie's are stunning - had one growing up but it turned nasty.
If you do get one..please don't cut it's tail off, you still see a crazy amount with this done "it had an accident, honest!".
I've also got red fox labs so would probably vote that way but dobie's are stunning - had one growing up but it turned nasty.
ozzuk said:
Be prepared for over-reacting dog owners picking up their dogs if walking off lead - if my experiences with my rottie x are anything to go by (and was softest dog ever!).
If you do get one..please don't cut it's tail off, you still see a crazy amount with this done "it had an accident, honest!".
I've also got red fox labs so would probably vote that way but dobie's are stunning - had one growing up but it turned nasty.
Thanks. Any dog we get will be as born, ie with ears and a tail. If you do get one..please don't cut it's tail off, you still see a crazy amount with this done "it had an accident, honest!".
I've also got red fox labs so would probably vote that way but dobie's are stunning - had one growing up but it turned nasty.
The off lead walking is miles away from anyone and I never see another dog or livestock where I go.
Lab is a perfect dog but I think we need a change to get over the last one who was perfect.
We would love a doberman as on paper they would be a great addition to our family and should naturally guard for us (we live somewhere that warrants one).
We would have to have a male as our other dog is female.
And this is where I stumble. The males are f
king massive (im used to more medium sized dogs). My mate has a female and she's absolutely lovely, not too big and with a really nice temperament.
I have 2 mates with these dogs and both males are/were biters. One of them told me that these dogs need serious exercise, training and structure. Without that......
Although I would train the dog I doubt we could give it the time it needs.
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly. but proper procedures have been lumped in with wkers cutting their adult dogs ears with a scalpel in the garage 
We would have to have a male as our other dog is female.
And this is where I stumble. The males are f
king massive (im used to more medium sized dogs). My mate has a female and she's absolutely lovely, not too big and with a really nice temperament.I have 2 mates with these dogs and both males are/were biters. One of them told me that these dogs need serious exercise, training and structure. Without that......
Although I would train the dog I doubt we could give it the time it needs.
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly. but proper procedures have been lumped in with w
kers cutting their adult dogs ears with a scalpel in the garage m3jappa said:
We would love a doberman as on paper they would be a great addition to our family and should naturally guard for us (we live somewhere that warrants one).
We would have to have a male as our other dog is female.
And this is where I stumble. The males are fking massive (im used to more medium sized dogs). My mate has a female and she's absolutely lovely, not too big and with a really nice temperament.
I have 2 mates with these dogs and both males are/were biters. One of them told me that these dogs need serious exercise, training and structure. Without that......
Although I would train the dog I doubt we could give it the time it needs.
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly. but proper procedures have been lumped in with wkers cutting their adult dogs ears with a scalpel in the garage
Interested in why you see it as necessary - it is of course illegal in UK and classed as mutilation (there are exceptions). Do you see it as a need to produce a certain look? Not trying to shoot you down, just find it hard to get my head around cutting up an animal to produce a look. Then again, I also think some breeding to produce a look can be just as bad when it creates health issues so maybe I'm just too soft/hard in my views. We would have to have a male as our other dog is female.
And this is where I stumble. The males are f
king massive (im used to more medium sized dogs). My mate has a female and she's absolutely lovely, not too big and with a really nice temperament.I have 2 mates with these dogs and both males are/were biters. One of them told me that these dogs need serious exercise, training and structure. Without that......
Although I would train the dog I doubt we could give it the time it needs.
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly. but proper procedures have been lumped in with w
kers cutting their adult dogs ears with a scalpel in the garage To add (I know OP said they wouldn't anyway), my friend rescued a dog that was docked, and gets a lot of looks, finger pointing and occasional jab/comment when walking her. She often gets a lot of questions when going to vets until she explains situation (and no, she didn't choose it due to the docking).
Edited by ozzuk on Thursday 12th June 08:42
Cropped ears is literally not the breed standard.
Cutting off pieces of a living animal for your personal enjoyment has been illegal for nearly 20 years.
Lovely dogs but need a fairly active lifestyle to be fulfilled and unfulfilled dogs will be difficult. Doing some sport like IGP with them would be a good idea, to keep their mind and body working.
Cutting off pieces of a living animal for your personal enjoyment has been illegal for nearly 20 years.
Lovely dogs but need a fairly active lifestyle to be fulfilled and unfulfilled dogs will be difficult. Doing some sport like IGP with them would be a good idea, to keep their mind and body working.
m3jappa said:
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly.
Why do they need ears and tail done?Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly.
What purpose does it serve?
Can't fathom why cutting a dogs tail off and cropping it's ears is in any way necessary.
Muzzer79 said:
m3jappa said:
Amazing looking dogs though, but, and I know I'll get shot down they really do need ears and tail done. That's the breed standard to me.
Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly.
Why do they need ears and tail done?Is it cruel? I'm really not sure it is when done at a certain age and done properly.
What purpose does it serve?
Can't fathom why cutting a dogs tail off and cropping it's ears is in any way necessary.
StoutBench said:
Because he likes the way it looks. Disgusting and illegal thankfully.
Original theory stemmed from improving the dog's hearing, giving them tall, open, satellite ears. Not having the ears flopped over and blocking any sound.Doberman's ears are very reactive, you can tell their alertness level by the state of their ears, having them permanently standing up, makes them look alert permanently.
As has been said multiple times in this thread, docking the tail and cutting the ears is an aesthetic choice for many now, and it takes away from the beauty of the breed in my opinion.
We have a Doberman, had him from a puppy (now 4 yrs old).
He was hard work and still is sometimes. we put a lot of time into training and socialising him its always 1 step forward 2 steps back, you have to be very consistent . They are very clever dogs and need a lot of stimulation.
We also have a working GWP, much easier to train and a lot more obedient.
He was hard work and still is sometimes. we put a lot of time into training and socialising him its always 1 step forward 2 steps back, you have to be very consistent . They are very clever dogs and need a lot of stimulation.
We also have a working GWP, much easier to train and a lot more obedient.
v6oli said:
We have a Doberman, had him from a puppy (now 4 yrs old).
He was hard work and still is sometimes. we put a lot of time into training and socialising him its always 1 step forward 2 steps back, you have to be very consistent . They are very clever dogs and need a lot of stimulation.
He's very handsome He was hard work and still is sometimes. we put a lot of time into training and socialising him its always 1 step forward 2 steps back, you have to be very consistent . They are very clever dogs and need a lot of stimulation.
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