Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums banner

Is a Doberman right for me?

2K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Loupros 
#1 ·
Hey Guys,

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I am new here and I am really interested in this breed. I was just wondering if it would be right for me. Please note I won't be getting a dog 1-3 years from now but as of right now a Doberman tops my list. I would want a pup just so I would be able to raise it and not have to worry about its past. This will be a generally long post so you have been warned :).

First a little about my situation then I will go into reasons why I would want this breed. So right now I am 22 about to graduate from college. I am currently a Financial Representative and I can generally make my own schedule except they want me in the office at 7:30 am and to leave at 5 depending on the amount of meetings I have. From what I hear the job is very hard as it is 100% commission. I can have meetings anytime of the day depending on the client but generally it would be not later that 8pm. I will not be getting this dog until I have my own apartment in Chicago. I would like to have 1-2 kids within 5-7 years depending on my relationship status.

My reasoning on getting a Doberman is for multiple reasons. One is that I think they look really beautiful and majestic. Another is how obedient they can be, this is after watching countless videos on youtube. I realize how demanding a new pup would be. I was thinking of walking him (kinda want a male) twice a day, once before work and once when I get home. I would also plan on trying to come home for lunch and on the days I can't make it have a dog walker take him for a walk to let him got to the bathroom etc. I would love to meet with someone in Chicago who currently has doberman to pick their brain a little bit just to see how they are making it work!

With all that said what do you guys think? I am open to suggestions!

Thanks for reading all that really appreciate it!

Lou
 
See less See more
#2 ·
They're a very demanding breed exercise-wise, as well as training and spending time with them. Dobies are known as "Velcro dogs" :)

I'm a college student with a part-time (more closer to full-time) job, as well as being a volunteer firefighter... so I understand busy schedules are tough. But having no kids means I get to put as much of my free time in to my Dobie pup as I want, which turns out to be 99% ;)

I'm sure other DT members will chime in to help soon, good luck!


Sent from Petguide.com Free App
 
  • Like
Reactions: Elzajpn
#3 · (Edited)
Doberman's are very intelligent. Their potential for learning new things is amazing, but be prepared for the doberteen back talk (not kidding). It sounds like you are very organized. I think a Doberman could be a right fit, there's just a few things to keep in mind:

(1) They call them "velcro dogs" for a reason. You'll never have to go to the bathroom alone again!

(2) This is a very high energy breed. They need both mental and physical exercise. If they don't get enough exercise, they become destructive.

(3) This isn't the most healthy breed. They are prone to many health issues. Therefore; please take the time to research reputable breeders and/or get on a wait list with a reputable breeder. There is a lot of helpful information on here, and if you ever have any questions about a breeder, you can always post a thread and those here will be happy to give their input and help. The other option is to go through a reputable rescue/shelter.

(4) Dobermans can be sensitive and they require a lot of training.

(5) Dobermans are a very intelligent breed. They WILL outsmart you if you let them.

(6) They ARE an amazing breed that will forever change your life for the better!

I live in Indianapolis, and have been to Chicago many many times. There's a lot of great areas you could take your dog. I am a full time student, and my future career goals include a very very high stress time consuming job. However; I think people can make it work. My take is that it all comes down to a persons commitment.

I will say that having a Doberman in an apartment in Chicago would be difficult in my opinion, not to say it's not doable, but it would be difficult. I can't speak for every dog, but for my dobergirl, a walk in the morning and a walk at night wouldn't be enough. I take ******* to a park or somewhere safe to run just about every day. She also runs around in the backyard and has play dates with the neighbor's dogs. There are a lot of great sports and things that you could get involved in as well.

I'm a first time Doberman owner, and I will always have a Doberman in my life now. It was a lot more work than I thought, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Please keep us updated on your search!
 
#4 ·
Please consider a rescue. Doberman puppies are like toddlers on speed...running with knives. You can't possibly know how much effort they require until you're "in it"...kind of like pregnancy.

I say that because it would GREATLY help transition into "Doberman lifestyle" if you had LOADS of free time, or in a committed relationship who shares your passion, that could help bridge the time gap.

You say you're in Chicago- that means Illinois Doberman rescue is available to you. They would surely be able to match your circumstance with a fully evaluated dog once it's determined if a Doberman is a good fit for you.
You would also be giving a dog a second chance at life, and they DO seem to know this.

Illinois Doberman Rescue | Doberman Adoption | Rescue Assistance
Please reconsider on the puppy idea. JMO
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys

Tucknroll: Thanks, good luck with school and thanks for being a volunteer fireman I have a couple friends who do so also.

Kmbeach: Thanks for the information, I think I would be ready for the commitment, it would just be about timing more so than anything.

Q734: I checked out their website the other day and I definitely will consider a rescue. My only concern is that because I will be living in Chicago they would need to be good with other people and other dogs.

For the record the other breeds I am considering are, a Boxer (my cousin has 2; both of whom are extremely well trained), a Rottweiler, and a Pitbull.
 
#9 ·
I'm glad you're planning to wait 1-3 years before bringing home a Dobe. Since you're beginning a commission only job as your first job out of school I think it's important to get a realistic idea of what your monthly expenses will be, what your reliable monthly income will be, and what kind of time commitment work will really be.

Until you really know what your financial situation and schedule will be like there's no sense in adding another mouth to feed, and the time and energy commitment for meeting another living beings physical, mental, and emotional needs.

Q734: I checked out their website the other day and I definitely will consider a rescue. My only concern is that because I will be living in Chicago they would need to be good with other people and other dogs.
There's no reason you wouldn't be able to find a rescue who is good with people and dogs. Just because you get a dog as a puppy doesn't guarantee they'll be receptive to attention from strangers or be good with other dogs. It's a myth that all rescue dogs are damaged goods in some way. Plenty are really great dogs that have ended up homeless through no fault of their own. Some are given up due to people losing jobs, or homes, or going through divorce, etc. Not all rescues are rescues because they have behavioral problems.

If you go the rescue route and get an older dog you'll have the benefit of seeing their adult temperament so the rescue should be able to tell you in advance if a dog is good with other dogs and friendly with strangers, or not.

Let me preface what I'm going to say with the following - Dobes do not stand alone in being difficult pups to raise. I also wouldn't necessarily encourage someone in your situation to get a pup from many of the working group breeds. But you're planning ahead and life may develop to be just peachy and fancy-free for you, in which case dedicating the time and energy to a Dobe pup may be more feasible than I'm imagining will be the reality of your situation. :) So please do not take my post as being gruffly discouraging. I prefer to imagine how incredibly hard something can be and make sure I can commit to that rather than envisioning things through rose colored glasses and finding out I was way, way, way too optimistic in my assumptions. Easier to find out you've over-prepared than be under-prepared. :)

I think you think you know how demanding a Dobe pup will be. ;) But I do not believe you will fully realize how demanding a Dobe pup is until you're knee deep in it. :) It's one thing to read books, hear stories, and watch videos...it's quite another to live it 24-hours per day when you can't pop a bookmark in and go meet up with friends, or watch a 2-minute video and then take a nap, or hear someone else's story about an emergency vet trip while breathing easy that you're not the one now down $800 from your bank account... If you've not raised and cared for a puppy entirely on your own, you simply don't really grasp what to expect.

Two long walks per day and games/play/training could be just fine for exercising and entertaining a middle-aged Dobe with moderate energy level and low-moderate drive (depending on the intensity of training but let's say we're talking about just some basic obedience, manners, or tricks in the house - not labor intensive sport training like protection or agility or mentally challenging stuff that demands precision like upper level obedience). Two long walks per day would not be enough for the average adolescent Dobe.

At 4 and 5 years old (i.e., adults) both my girls still need free running play each day - a couple walks never wears out my two quite like balls-to-the-wall racing through the yard or some hard play or a couple hours of agility or even a good moderately challenging 5-7 mile hike. We can go for a 12-15 mile leashed walk and they're still looking at me like, "That was great! Now let's really do something!" It's not enough to just walk them. You have to exercise their minds, too, and use their drive - that innate yearning to be productively active or work. They need to be "doing" - mind and body. I don't think by any means it would be impossible in your situation, just that it's more challenging living in an apartment with a high-pressure job and no breed experience to rely on.

Again, I'm not saying "don't get a Dobe" or that you can't handle it...just trying to be clear about some potential challenges to raising a Dobe puppy in your situation. Better to consider it now than jump in and feel overwhelmed after you've already brought a pup home.
 
#6 ·
You did the intelligent thing by coming on here and asking questions, which is the first step! You will find the smartest and the most intelligent people when it comes to dobies. On DT you will find all the resources and materials that you will need to learn everything that it takes to raise this magnificent breed. I am a first timer myself and heard it all prior to getting Cali Shya and didn't think it was going to be that difficult, well I had a huge surprise when I brought her home. If you are looking for a dog that is athletic, full of life, never ending energy(Cali can play 24x7) and protective then you found the right breed. Continue to look on this site and browse through and keep asking questions as I did and you will be surprised how supportive everyone is. Good luck when the times comes and enjoy the love and attention this dog will bring into your life as mine has. :nicejob:
 
#7 ·
Funny you kind of sound like me. I'm a Certified Financial Planner but started in a job they called a "financial representative" (same firm maybe?) I almost moved to Chicago from KY but got hired at the office in south Florida first :)

I'll give you my opinion, be open to a rescue in addition to a new puppy. I know the lure of a puppy is exciting. I did it with Snoop when I was in college. Puppies are great but they are A LOT of work! The reason I adopted Hades at a year and a half is because I don't want to deal with a puppy again.

With rescues you are often adopting an adult (but they do have puppies) the lure of rescues for me is you kind of know what you're getting. For example, I wanted a laid back dog who got along well with my current dog. I also wanted the dog to have basic manners and to be housebroken. I also wanted cropped and docked (just my preference) Enter Hades. He's the perfect match! (Other than, I did want a black/rust dobe and hes albino but everything else matched.) And a steal at $400!!

Now a reputable breeder would match you with the best puppy but you'll still have to deal with housebreaking, ear posting, teething... I shudder to remember all this with Snoop (minus ear posting) I always say Snoop went from being a puppy to being a dog when he turned 3. I liked him much better after that. :p

If I were you the thing I'd be very concerned about is having to do all the walks and exercise with a dobe (especially a puppy) in those brutally cold winters!! Yikes! But I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold. I'm sure the Canadians on here are laughing at me right now :(



Sent from Petguide.com Free App
 
#8 ·
Welcome to DT from NY!

Stick around and learn more about this breed.

I am currently 23 and graduated from college about 8 months before Rouleaux arrived into my life. This breed is INCREDIBLY demanding. As with any dog breed, they demand structure and routine as well as an abundance of mental stimulation to any and all situations. They are, as stated above 100% devoted and loving toward their people. This breed can be destructive and have separation anxiety problems. My line of work involves me to be on call at various times of the week and most nights. When I am not at work, I am with my dog, whether at home or I have him with me where I go and incorporate him into my daily activities as appropriate. We also play with a decent group of dobermans at least once a week to keep him social, as well as a few trips to the dog park here and there (he isn't neutered so we haven't been in a few weeks, but will go as he is not terrible with the bitches).

He works for most everything he gets- especially meals and treats - although he can be a priss when it comes to the elements (does not like to sit or lay down in mud or snow). He s great with children but my ultimate goal is to make him the closest thing to "bomb-proof" as possible. As he is only 11 months old, this is still a work in progress.

You want to learn everything you can about this breed prior to buying or adopting one. This breed suffers from many fatal genetic health issues. You want to also research reputable breeders and the members here can help you look into one. I suggest finding a reputable breeder in your area and meeting their dogs to really get the idea of temperament and disposition. A puppy is cute but you don't want a 70# or more chaotic beast tearing apart your life, trying to kill other dogs or tearing apart your house and home.

Also, would this be strictly a house pet or will you be perusing sports and the like? It appears that since this breed is a working dog, it NEEDS a job to do.
 
#10 ·
Thanks everyone for the responses!

A CFP is actually what I am striving to be but that is 5 years down the road (hopefully) but I still need my series 6 & 63 and then getting my Chartered Life Underwriter.

The Dog will be a house pet and I am not too worried about the winters because I will be able to walk him up and down stairs after he has gone outside to go to the bathroom. I think that can be the only advantage in an apartment because of the amount of stairs there.

Brw: That is exactly why I am planning this out now it's just so i can get a general picture of what a Doberman would be like. Again, I will not be getting a dog until I feel the time is right for me.

After hearing what everyone has to say about a pup I think getting an adult rescue might be the better of the two just so I can gain experience with the breed and then later down the road get a pup.

I think what would be best going forward is meeting with people in the Chicago area who currently have a doberman to see how they are making it work.
 
#11 ·
What about volunteering or visiting a local Doberman rescue? Although you might fall in love and that 1-3 year timeframe might go out the window. :/


Sent from Petguide.com Free App
 
#12 ·
Volunteering would be tough in regards to time as I do not currently own a car and with work and school. I will definitely try to visit a doberman shelter as soon as I can.

Again thanks for all the information, you guys gave me some really good insight into the breed.��
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top