New Dobie Owner from Indy - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Diesel_09 · 04-23-2010, 10:55 AM

I am very excited to have run across this forum. I found it in a Google search. I am a member of a similar board but for Labrador retrievers and knew there had to be one out there for Dobies.

My boyfriend recently rescued a doberman from a couple, he works with the husband. They had bought this pure bred pup, paid quite a bit. They cropped his ears, docked his tail, had him neutered, put up a privacy fence, and an underground electric fence in the front. Took him to obedience. They invested quite a bit of money into the dog but realized that they did not have the time for such a large companion. The pup was not socialized and spent most hours of his day in a crate. The couple knowing I had great living conditions and an avid dog lover, offered the dog to my boyfriend. Without discussing such a decision, my boyfriend showed up with our new addition. Again, being a huge dog/animal person in general, I gladly welcomed the pup.

This happened back in February. I already have two 3 y/o female black labs, both rescued and spayed. The Dobie's name was Sammy which unfortunately, one of my labs is Samantha and goes by Sammie. We changed the Dobie's name to Diesel. There's still confusion at times though.

Diesel turned a year the end of December so he is almost a year and a half. He weighs about 100 lbs, maybe a little more and is a very gorgeous dog. I am an experienced Labrador owner and have had Chihuahuas and Shelties too in the past but never a doberman. I have so far found this site very useful and will continue to learn from it. I just wanted to give a little introduction and thanks!

On a side note, I have also recently taken in a third black Labrador,, Boston, he's younger than the doberman by a few months. This lab is from one of my co-workers. She gave the lab puppy to her uncle as a present. Unfortunately, her aunt and uncle are old and fragile and can not take care of the dog. The dog broke her uncle's wrist a couple of weeks ago. Instead of giving him to a humane society, my friend told me of the situation and I took him in. He is male, a little over a year and just your typical lab puppy. Four large dogs is a lot to handle but so far, all is going well.

**ellenm** · 04-23-2010, 11:03 AM

Welcome to DT from Virginia!

I wanted to thank you for rescuing. You may want to reconsider having the male Lab stay on forever with a male Doberman in your household now. Males are known for male/male aggression issues upon maturity. Go to the DT archives or use the search function and read about male aggression issues just talked about on this forum.

Diesel also looks kind of thin in those photos....not close to 100# by any means. I'd guess 75# by the photo you posted. The general weight of a male Doberman is 85# roughly when fully mature. Is that an old picture?

Diesel_09 · 04-23-2010, 11:16 AM

Yes, I have definitely considered the male aggression and something I feared when I got my second female lab. I am only going to temporarily keep the third Labrador. I am looking for a home for him. Four dogs is quite a bit. I was nervous about the third large dog, let alone a fourth. I just couldn't see him being taken to a shelter. I am talking with a few rescues and people about re-homing Boston, I just want to make sure it is the right environment for a young lab.

Diesel is very thin. I am looking to put weight on him. He came to us very thin. He probably is closer to 75 lbs, I haven't weighed him, just heard an estimate from the bf, which is overshot. He is getting a lot more exercise, but I have taken this into consideration when feeding him. My labs had the same problem for a while when I moved from my apartment to my house. I switched to a higher calorie food and just recently, in the past few months, they have put on weight and look great! I am feeding Diesel three times a day, about 1.5-2 cups each time. His digestive system seems fine with this amount, it is not too much. Any suggestions are welcome though. I agree he is way too thin. I battled this for a while with my labs so I am hoping he will begin to gain weight soon. On a side note, he is heart worm tested and on prevention.

konamommy · 04-23-2010, 11:50 AM

That is wonderful that you are rescuing! What food are you feeding?

Darkevs · 04-23-2010, 12:37 PM

Hello and Welcome to Doberman Talk Forums!!!

It is all well and good to want to take dogs in when they are in need of a home but watch it, you can take on too much for one person to handle and then you will not be doing any good for them or you!
That Dobie is very thin.

Diesel_09 · 04-23-2010, 12:47 PM

I understand the situation of taking on too much. I have been warned by family and friends. My boyfriend does live with me and we share responsibilities. I understand time and cost which goes into owning large dogs. Again, I am only fostering the third Labrador. I know this isn't the place to advertise dogs for adoption but if anyone is interested or know of a great home for a 1 yr old male lab puppy please contact me for more info.

Yes, the doberman is very thin. We are working to get him to gain weight. As everyone should know, too much weight gain in a short amount of time is not good.

I currently feed Diamond Natural Extreme Athlete, which has more calories, while still maintaining quality, than most other dogs foods. I find that it works for my dogs and has helped, over months, put weight on my labs They were thin like the Dobie as well. They look great and have always been in excellent condition. I used to feed Eagle Pack Holistic to one of my labs and Canidae ALS to the other. I switched due to the need to have them take in more calories without having to consume a ridiculous amount of food. The doberman is doing great on the food and again, this will be a process to put weight on him and I think we're on the right track.

jdd · 04-23-2010, 02:55 PM

Welcome to DT! Lots of great ideas for almost anything you need! Glad to see Diesel doesn't really weigh 100 lbs!!! He'll gain the weight in time. He's lucky you were there to help him in his time of need.

Dobs4ever · 04-23-2010, 06:05 PM

Welcome from Missouri - Glad you saved this boy - Dobes are one of a kind dogs. Them ore time you spend with him the more you will love him. He is not a good outside dog like labs - He needs to be close to his family.

eegreen · 04-23-2010, 08:34 PM

Welcome from PA!

austina · 01-01-2012, 01:30 AM

my dobie is 9 month old..i really worried about him,since he gettg skinny.i give him food which is slightly steamed rice and meat with salmon everyday twice.i dont understand why isnt he still put on weight.but he seems normal in his activiteis

Lorrainew · 01-08-2013, 01:49 AM

I'm new on here yet I have been a member for some time. I have a dog named Riker. After 8 months I adopted a dog from the breeder. A female who was so attached to me she would often fight my dog which I got as a puppy. Three tiimes in the vet. Rips and tears on both of them. She always started the fight.She was bigger and more aggresive. The last time, as he got older and bigger he fought back and tore her up so bad I needed to put her down. Now I have a friend who has a rescue and to many dogs to keep. She has asked me to take her. She is suppose to be smart and very good with other dogs. Should I take the risk and get her so she can be company for Riker. He is home while I am at work , about 10 hours five days a week. I know he is lonely. He loves other dogs. But my cat and Riker are finally getting better together , would another dog be a bad thing for Riker and the cat?

Rosemary · 01-08-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austina

my dobie is 9 month old..i really worried about him,since he gettg skinny.i give him food which is slightly steamed rice and meat with salmon everyday twice.i dont understand why isnt he still put on weight.but he seems normal in his activiteis

If he's been tested for parasites, and is clear of them, he's likely just not getting enough to eat. Also, he probably should be on either a good quality kibble or a balanced raw diet.

VZ-Doberman · 01-08-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austina

my dobie is 9 month old..i really worried about him,since he gettg skinny.i give him food which is slightly steamed rice and meat with salmon everyday twice.i dont understand why isnt he still put on weight.but he seems normal in his activiteis

That's not a good diet for a doberman. He needs to be on a premium dog food.

VZ-Doberman · 01-08-2013, 11:20 AM

Austina..

Welcome to DT.

VZ-Doberman · 01-08-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorrainew

I'm new on here yet I have been a member for some time. I have a dog named Riker. After 8 months I adopted a dog from the breeder. A female who was so attached to me she would often fight my dog which I got as a puppy. Three tiimes in the vet. Rips and tears on both of them. She always started the fight.She was bigger and more aggresive. The last time, as he got older and bigger he fought back and tore her up so bad I needed to put her down. Now I have a friend who has a rescue and to many dogs to keep. She has asked me to take her. She is suppose to be smart and very good with other dogs. Should I take the risk and get her so she can be company for Riker. He is home while I am at work , about 10 hours five days a week. I know he is lonely. He loves other dogs. But my cat and Riker are finally getting better together , would another dog be a bad thing for Riker and the cat?

In your situation most definitely YES.....bad idea.

flaminscotch · 01-09-2013, 08:53 AM

To the OP, you clearly have a big heart.
It sounds like you are on the right track.
Thank you so much for saving Diesel. Very handsome boy.

I chuckled to myself when you mentioned having Labs and a Dobe.
Totally opposite in attitude, from my experience.
this is not a bad thing, just different.
My girlfriend has a black lab, 8yr old I think, and he is best friends with our 1.5 yr old adopted Dobe. Ben the Lab is sooooo laidback, and Zachary is the energiser bunny. They play well together though.

Welcome to DT.
there are many knowledgable and experienced people here.