bleh60

I think the problem here is not the breed its his fathers mindset. I have changed a few minds with my foster dogs, neighbors, kids, my family included(although they didn't necessarily strongly dislike them). When you meet people who are stuck on the 70s and 80's impressions of your breed it can be hard to change their minds. I remember going to dinner two different times with different cousins and my foster work came up. They were not hell bent against dobes, but I couldn't change their minds just over a meal, I would have needed them to come over some time when I had a foster. One of my neighbors has admitted(while she was petting my foster no less) that she used to be afraid of them and she had a bad experiance with them; now she always pets them and is eager to meet them.

Look I am not trying to say go tell your dad 'screw you I am getting this dog', but I think that if he has a negative stereotype based simply on old movies and rumors, then its worth it getting out there and meeting the breed(and maybe even getting involved in some rescue work). IMO your dad should be willing to do that, if he still isn't comfortable with it then you have something to think about and may want to wait.

__________________

There are three kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.

Crow

Over time, you might well find that your dad learns to love your dog.

My dad is a farmer and a diehard Border collie/working sheepdog man. For him, collies are the finest breed on earth. He knows them inside out and loves everything about them. After collies, in my dad's world, come other rural working dog breeds - gundogs, working terriers etc. He also adores German Shepherds.

When he first met Charlie, his first words were "looks like the sort of dog that should be bringing down wild boar" (well, that's fair enough). Then he kept telling me that Charlie had no personality (he can't read Charlie like he can read a collie, because of course Charlie is so different to a collie), that Charlie is dimwitted (he's not, but I have to concede he doesn't have the mental agility of the average Border collie), and that he was "neurotic" (because Charlie is a one-woman dog and would be next to me 24/7 if he could).

BUT after a couple of years and many visits, gradually he started to understand Charlie as Charlie and not as some inferior variant of a collie. He realised that Charlie does in fact have lots of personality, just expressed differently to a collie's. And he realised that Charlie is a hound-dog, loyal as hell, cheeky, funny, good-natured, protective, and a great companion. Now he loves Charlie to bits and Charlie will go sit up against him, with that Dobe lean, and my gruff old dad gets this pleased look on his face and pets him and all is well with the world.

In short, give it time and let your parents get to know your dog. If they are at all doggy, they'll eventually come round.

__________________
Charlie, smiling as usual

dobesanddragons

What makes you want a Doberman? What are your plans for this dog?

Goldens and Dobermans, as you probably already know, are vastly different breeds. Strangers/random people are only allowed into my house when approved by what you seem to call "the inner circle". If we accept, they accept. My dogs are well socialized, social, love to cuddle and very good natured and well trained and as long as we are around and accept that individual, they do too, we don't have a problem. Most guests don't stay for extended amounts of time.

However, some do. Here is one small example: We have had friends stay the night and if they go around the house at night I have heard reports back that the Dobes protect our room (I am a deep sleeper) and will remind them to return to their secure areas for the night. One friend of ours spent the night in the bathroom before Those same dogs french kissed him that very day and were playing fetch with him when we were all hanging out together but when he started creeping around the house for a glass of water at night, the dogs were not impressed...

By the way, we now always keep the dogs shut in our room at night if we have guests. Any breed can show protective tendencies, but being protective is in the nature of the Doberman.

Dobes are watchful, that is in the Doberman standard, so is fearless, alert, and determined. In general, this breed is pretty good at knowing what a potential threat is, and what isn’t and socialization helps with this so much. Also consider a lot of how a dog acts in the moment depends on many things, their temperament/personality/genetics, their environment, their owner/s, the person/people they are with, and how people feel about them. I notice people that are at ease with my dogs get the same response back from the dogs, but people who are scared of them and act suspicious get a different response depending upon the level and a lot of other factors. We can't answer your question for sure as we don't know all the dynamics coming into play.

But take note, this is a PROTECTIVE breed by nature, the only breed that was bred and created for personal protection of their person, they are an active working breed. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Don't think this breed is a Golden in a Dobe suit in terms of temperament, that is a wrong assumption. Many Dobes will and have protected, even on this board, protection is after all, in the nature of the breed. This breed comes with a high responsibility in so many ways that other breeds just don't. I wouldn't call this breed an easy breed or a starter breed or a casual dog owners breed. They require and demand a lot of dedication, socialization, training, and so much more. Don't take offense to this, this is meant to educate and help you make decisions, I am not saying you don't "have what it takes", just throwing some thoughts out there, with the questions you are asking it makes me wonder if you are ready for such a huge commitment. Many insurance companies will not insure homes with Dobes. And many places that rent will give you a hard time, many don’t allow Dobes at all. They are breed banned in some hotels and camp grounds as well. And if something happens, since you have a Dobe, it is always the big bad Dobe’s fault (even if it really is not!) due to the general public perception, which adds more legal things to think about when owning this breed.
I am glad you are researching. Here are some links for you.
Q & A Archives - DPCA Breeders Education
Article Menu - DPCA Breeders Education, Doberman Pinscher Club of America, Dobermans, Clubs, America, USA
PEC Welcome
And some for finding good breeders
Buyer Beware
Breeders and Contracts
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR A REPUTABLE BREEDER - DPCA Breeders Education
Buying A Doberman Pinscher Guideline - DPCA Breeders Education
Breeders - The Good And The Bad - DPCA Breeders Education

__________________
Our aspirations are our possibilities -- Robert Browning

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything -- Unknown

Holiday Quote ~*~* People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year,but they should really be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas ~*~*

dobesanddragons

Plently of pets? What happened to all of them? For some reason when you said this it made me wonder, how many dogs have you really personally owned at 23 years of age and where are they now? Just my thoughts so I thought I would ask.
Glad you are knowing that advice given is to help you and any future pets that you may have.

__________________
Our aspirations are our possibilities -- Robert Browning

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything -- Unknown

Holiday Quote ~*~* People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year,but they should really be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas ~*~*

tranquility

Awesome stuff. I especially liked your above hehe.

__________________
Striving to become the most educated future 'yellow eyebrow dog' (aka Doberman) owner.

edh

I think it is really better if you get your father on board before you get the dobe. I would hate to see a dobe in a house where someone doesn't love him. A dobe will know when someone doesn't like him.
Ed

SARGE2008

They do get a bad rap from movies-tv and just plain ignorance,
We walk our girl in the park and people get so scared go off the walking trail way into the grass. One lady started to hyper ventilate as we walked by her --I keep her on a close lead and do not let her bother people unless they ask to pet her.. It is frustrating at times but I am sure your new dobe will win them over in a very short time -They are the best!!!

Mjwill

I've had many rats ( i know not the same) Ferrets, hedgehog and i basically take care of the two goldens that we currently own.

Like A Boxer

What are the ages and sexes of the Goldens you have?

__________________

Morpheus

at least Your homeowners insurance will pay for the lawsuit if the dog does bite someone...oh wait...your FATHERS insurance will pay....hummmm something to think about.