Is a Doberman unsuitable?

[vieshot]

I sometimes daydream about my next dog and I have had it in my head for quite a long time now that I would like a Doberman. However I read today that they are big wimps with weather. So when it's pouring with rain they would rather stay in bed or when it's very hot they won't enjoy being out?

I need something that will happily hack out with me, whatever the weather, good energy levels etc. Yet I also Want something that's a deterant for unwanted visitors.

A dog that wil spend hours down the stables having to put up with an array of other mutts etc. is a dobe unsuitable?

 

[Alec Swan]

Dobies aren't really for me, as a breed, but as with a lot of other dog breeds, if you start off with a puppy, and if you start as you mean to go on, then you will probably find that they are no more mere hearted, than any other breed. Treat any type of dog as a pansy, and that's what you'll end up with!

Alec.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Have a Labrador instead. Mine was tough and willing to stay out in all weathers and I could trust her with any livestock we rode through. She was a star. Saying that I have never had much contact with Doberman so couldn't say what they are like.

 

[ladyt25]

Never had a Doberman but did quite fancy one. The ones I have seen about don't seem to be that fussed about the weather. I ended up with my own 'mini' Doberman (ok, she's the same colour, that's about it! ha ha).

 

[vieshot]

Have a Labrador instead. Mine was tough and willing to stay out in all weathers and I could trust her with any livestock we rode through. She was a star. Saying that I have never had much contact with Doberman so couldn't say what they are like.

Noooo. To chummy for me.

 

[Honey08]

As a breed that is often outside as guard dogs, surely they are out in all weather? My friend had one years ago that didn't mind weather, and we are up in the Pennines where there really is some weather!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I know a few, yes, they can be wimpy with the rain and a bit sensitive to things like noise, totally scatty...be giving lovely heelwork one minute then the next - sod this, I'm off for a gallop, WHEEE!!!
But a good visual deterrent. They've been superceded as police/security dogs by other breeds in a lot of countries but are still good fun sporty dogs IMO.
Dobiegirl and Stormox will be on shortly to fight their corner

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Noooo. To chummy for me.

If they are black and run at the gate with their teeth bared in the dark an intruder wouldn't think labrador.

 

[legend22]

Had dobbies for 25yrs but have had rotties for the last 15 yrs or so and much prefer them!

 

[emm0r]

I vote rottweiler.... But then I am slightly biased. Mine is fab around horses, amazing with children, is a soft as butter, loves other dogs and is a good deterrent! So trainable and loving! anyway Rottweiler

 

[vieshot]

Had dobbies for 25yrs but have had rotties for the last 15 yrs or so and much prefer them!

How come?

 

[Dobiegirl]

Mine are not whimpy, they have been out in the garden all day virtually sunbathing and then under the hedge when they needed to cool down.

Even if it is chucking it down they still want to go out for their walk, the snow had no affect on them either. What I would say being a single coated breed if they were doing a lot of standing around in cold weather(cant believe Im saying that as mine are never still) they will need rugging.

Mine are not afraid of loud noises in fact they will actively try and find out what caused the noise.

They are a breed that need a lot of socialising with other dogs when young as they can be aggressive, mine were all adopted at 18months but put the work in and are rock solid with other dogs.

They do need a lot of exercise and although it sounds lovely having them when you are hacking that would be fine if you could guarantee a cat never crosses their path or a passing rabbit or deer otherwise you can kiss them goodbye as they disappear off hunting.

Rotties are steadier than Dobes and easier, but for me I like a challenge and I just think they are one of the most beautiful elegant dogs out there.

 

[zoelouisem]

We had 2 male dobes growing up as kids by day they were on the yard all day by evening they slept in our beds with there head on our pillows.
Have to say ours didn't really hunt one was not very clever at all, and one did when he was younger untill he got bitten chasing a rat and the small terrier had to rescue him. They did however used to lick the yard cats almost to death!!!!
One never got cold although he was a good thief so had quite a layer of fat to insulate!! they other one however used to have a wax jacket for when it rained as he did get cold when wet.
Ours were on the yard from day 1 as puppies I think that helped. They were also very well trained my dad had to get 121 training for them both, that was the condition my mum allowd my dad to have them!!!
I really miss have dobes when I get a bigger place another dobe is defiantly the first thing I'm going to get!!! ;-))

 

[E13]

I just googled Dobermans to gaze at some cute photos and a lot of the photos were of dobes with cropped ears. Is this illegal now? Just wondering. I much prefer the natural ears anyway. Poor dogs if it's just for aesthetic purposes!

 

[vieshot]

I just googled Dobermans to gaze at some cute photos and a lot of the photos were of dobes with cropped ears. Is this illegal now? Just wondering. I much prefer the natural ears anyway. Poor dogs if it's just for aesthetic purposes!

Illegal to be performed in this country. Not illegal to import a dog who already has the procedure done but you pay a hefty price for it.

 

[Clodagh]

I love dobes but would say perhaps they are the weimeraner/pointer of the guarding breeds, so deep down they are big goobly bouncy dogs, under that well 'ard exterior.

I had a pure bred bitch in Australia and she was lovely, truly horizontal but a good guard dog. Also a cross with a kelpie male who was a fantatical guard dog and a bit tricky, but that could well be the collie side.


I like the look of cropped ears, personally, although I know it is inhumane and wouldn't actually have one/get it done.

 

[Sprout]

I have one, and she is my second.

They make great guard dogs at home, but out and about people can be VERY intimidated by them and in the current climate of reported dog attacks people dont give Dobies the chance to behave before they start screaming dangerous dog.

Mine have been very wimpy about wet and cold weather, and with black coats, they get very hot in the sun.
They are very loyal, but can be quite difficult to train, and socialization is a must.

Hope you find a breed to suit, whether it is a Dobie or something else.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I also aesthetically like the look of cropped and docked Dobes but yes, it is illegal here, although notoin some parts the continent. As discussed on here before, you can import them but not campaign them at KC events.
I competed against a cropped/docked dog a few years ago with my old dog at a non-KC event, think he was Polish or Slovakian or something, eastern European anyway.

 

[stormox]

Well, CaveCanem - I don't know if Im here to 'fight my corner' but I will try to give an unbiased opinion, my own Dobe, who Ive had for 4 months now, is getting better at coping with the rain, maybe he was kennelled a lot before I had him (at 1 year old) and didn't go out much in rain. But he is cropped and docked as he came from Russia. I don't find the docking too awful, as Im used to docked terriers. But the cropped ears are not nice- they are open to all rain and dust, as there are no hairs inside to protect them. They feel hard and not nice and silky when you stroke them. And he gets sunburn inside them. I personally can see no reason to crop a dogs ears.
I don't think a Dobe would be for everyone. They are unbelievably athletic and fast with very quick reactions. They are intelligent, but not as biddable as other working dogs like B.Cs or GSDs. They are natural guards, always watching and looking for threats (indeed this is what theyr bred for) so you have to be very careful when theyr off lead, especially as they have a very strong chase instinct, and grey-hound like speed!
Having said that, they can develop a very strong bond with their owner and I wouldn't like to be without my lad now.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I have had dobermanns for 30 years and would never have anything else. clever. quick minds, athletic, could run all day, the most loyal dog you could wish for. They are quite sensitive dogs and very loving and affectionate and gentle. However, they are a guarding breeds and are naturally suspicious of people, quick to suss someone out and to establish their territory and very protective of it and its person. They are ok with snow and cold if on the move but do need a jacket for rain, mine won't go out in it without at least a rain jacket lol. Mine have always been sun worshippers though, tess is still out sunbathing. first time owner especially I would suggest a b1tch, a bit easier than dogs. I would also avoid the east European imports/lines, as they are less cautious about temperament than the bona fida breeders here. If you are serious about it then let me know and I can put you in touch with some good people.

 

[ecrozier]

Never had a dobe but would echo those who suggest considering a Rott instead - mine in his younger days would hack miles with me, very little chase instinct or at least wouldn't go far in the process, totally weather proof, happy to chill all day at the yard in any weather. Great deterrent to intruders too! Only downside is hair ( moults like a lab) and also the perception of them makes people nervous!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

My rescue Dobe was rescue because (I) he was too wimpy to be a guard dog and (ii) he absolutely hates hates hates getting wet.

If you want a dog to live outside, as a guard, it is fairer to choose a breed with a thicker coat, like Rottie. My dobe won't go out in the wet without his thermatex with cordura outer greyhound coat!

On the flip side, I have only ever met very even tempered Dobies with people and children, tho they can be reactive to other dogs and livestock, whereas some of the other guarding breeds ESP in a pack of two or more, have had that 'don't look at me in the wrong way' bit to them ie more of a proper guard dog.

I love my Dobe and you can certainly walk one late on a dark night without feeling unsafe! groups of youths just admire the dog! But people will judge anything large and black and tan.

I should add that Dobies look as if they wouldn't moult but they do, in a continuous slow moult, and the hairs look a bit like pubic hairs....

 

[vieshot]

Not sure how I feel about a house full of pubic hair...

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Not sure how I feel about a house full of pubic hair...

Ha ha, it's not like pubic hair, more like eyelashes! you don't plan on keeping dog outdoors do you? xx

 

[vieshot]

Ha ha, it's not like pubic hair, more like eyelashes! you don't plan on keeping dog outdoors do you? xx

Christ no! My dogs are part of my family. They sleep in my bed!

 

[Blanche]

A bed full of pubes , that'll take some explaining !

 

[CorvusCorax]

PMSL - I sent a letter during the week and taped it closed and there was a Floofyhair stuck under the tape, short, black and wavy, but I'd already used my last stamp on the envelope....I bet the recipient is going to think I am a right perv

 

[Blanche]

CC - snigger!

 

[Dobiegirl]

As Chestnuttymare said their hairs are like eyelashes so no embarrassing explanations needed and I do find they dont moult that much. Our Lancashire Heeler has a double coat and she sheds more than the 2 Dobes put together and she is tiny compared to them.

OPIf we havnt put you off owning a Dobe make sure you do your research and find a good breeder, there are some very shy nervous dogs out there who are no more useful than a chocolate tea-pot. There are also quite a few breed rescues and unless you are lucky enough to get a pup they will come with a few problems but a good rescue wil help you and find the right dog for you.