New to the board. Looking for my 1st Dobe

deadhead · 06-30-2008, 04:22 AM

Hello all,

My name is Jeff and I'm in the process of trying to find my 1st Doberman puppy. I live in NJ and have 2 boys ages 12 and 15. Our family pet is a Toy Manchester Terrier named Shadow. I've contacted a few breeders and have been asking questions about temperament, socialization, and trainability. Since we're an active family I believe this is a good breed for us.

The funny thing is the reaction I get from people that don't really know much about the dogs. You would think I was getting a wolf as a pet.

**voodoolizard** · 06-30-2008, 08:14 AM

welcome from the UK !!

do your research.. dobes are great !!
you might be able to get a recomendation for a breeder if anyone on here knows one in your area !!

is shadow a male ?? if so you will need a female dobe !!

good luck

**azdobes** · 06-30-2008, 08:51 AM

Welcome from Arizona. Voodoolizard is right - don't mix male/male or female/female. Get a Dobe that is the opposite gender of Shadow.

The reaction you describe from "the uninformed" is common and, in my opinion, one of the reasons why many areas struggle with breed-specific legislation.

You can't study enough. Even if you've had Dobes for many years you will still learn something new with surprising regularity. Good luck.

dobegal · 06-30-2008, 08:51 AM

I'm from Fl but grew up in Cape May, what part of Jersey do you lives in.

deadhead · 06-30-2008, 09:26 AM

I live in Westfield.

Shadow is a male and I've been told by quite a few people that we should get a female. I'm reading everything under the sun. My wife is a little nervous with the breed and how it's going to go with younger nieces and nephews. The next stage for us will be to visit breeders and spend some time with their dogs. Owners we've met are the best advocates as they love their dogs and believe the breed is highly misunderstood as well as misrepresented by the media.

dobes4us · 06-30-2008, 10:08 AM

Hello and welcome from Ohio. Make sure all the health testing is done and you see proof (our first I was told it was done and none had been BYB) Check out the DPCA website for breeders and info.

**RedFawnRising** · 06-30-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead

I live in Westfield.

Shadow is a male and I've been told by quite a few people that we should get a female. I'm reading everything under the sun. My wife is a little nervous with the breed and how it's going to go with younger nieces and nephews. The next stage for us will be to visit breeders and spend some time with their dogs. Owners we've met are the best advocates as they love their dogs and believe the breed is highly misunderstood as well as misrepresented by the media.

Tell your wife my bitework-trained first Dobe used to let twelve young nieces and nephews clamber all over him and we even caught the three year old nephew riding him like a pony, steering him by his ears!

Just do lots of reading beforehand, lots of questioning, and after you get your new family member, do lots of training and exercise, and involve the kids.

Welcome, this place is great and hopefully someone here can assist you in the search for the right dog.

gracieface · 06-30-2008, 01:44 PM

dobes and kids are a natural mix, mine don't live with kids but love them, and are ready to stop strangers from coming too close. You'll be so thrilled in the end, just keep to the reputable breeders (lots of help on here for that).

**lolonurse** · 07-01-2008, 12:34 AM

Hi deadhead (are you really a Dead-head? i am!) - from San Diego (originally from New Yawk. We had 4 Dobes until 2 months ago, when our favorite (I know - NOT a PC thing to say) died suddenly of DCM. Be SURE to ask about health testing and longevity!! But it is true - Dobermans are victims of movies and drama and hype - they are sweet, gentle, people-oriented family members. We have 2 males and a female (all neutered). They are placid and patient around people, and very non-threatening. They sit or lay down when they are around kids. If your kids are gentle and respectful but firm with the pup, he/she will be wonderful with them. And many people told us that Dobermans "CAN'T" live together, especially males - and we had 3 males and a female, all playing, sleeping and eating together. Puppies learn what you teach them. lois

workingk9s · 07-02-2008, 10:14 PM

Welcome from AZ. Good luck in your search!