dukie

I have never had a doberman before. I grew up with German Shepherds and have had two labradors for the past 10 years. We lost our oldest labrador this past summer, so now we have one 10 year old female lab. She is the sweetest dog I've ever known. I am thinking of getting a female doberman. I have already been approved by the doberman rescue group in my area to adopt from them. I'm also considering going to a breeder and getting a female doberman puppy. Do you think that a female doberman could be a good friend to my sweet 10 year old female lab? She still has lots of energy, people can't even believe she is 10.

ZeldaRules

You should have your senior lab meet some adoptable Dobermans in the rescue and choose her new pal welcome to DT!

dukie

My lab grew up with a very tolerant lab. They would share bones, tug on each other's bones all in play, even smell each other's breath after eating to make sure they had the same meal.
I had a rescue rottie, as a foster, for 5 days, and she growled at my lab and showed teeth. She didn't like the smelling her breath after eating, or sharing bones. The rottie was a very nice dog, not abused, only given up due to finances, but still not a good match for my "very naive,typical lab". Can I find a Doberman that would match well for her, or do I need to stick with another lab?

Herb2relax

Welcome to DT!

I believe you could get a match with your lab. Even bringing in a female pup will have its chances; might work and then again it might not. Your female sounds like she could get along. You would just have to find one that could get along with her. Its not impossible but may take some searching.

My two females, one dobe;one terreir, are tolerant of each other and arent the best of buddies. I have to watch them closely and never let my guard down. They are always separated when I am not home. I know there will be no more females in my house until Kyrah has passed. She personally does better with males.

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What would I do without them?

Murreydobe

I think it would really depend on the dog. My husband brought home a mixed breed dog a few years ago. She tried to "share" bones with the dobermans I owned at the time. It didn't go over very well and she learned pretty quickly not to try that. However, the male I own now would let her take a bone right out of his mouth if she wanted. She still knows enough not to try that with the doberman bitch who lives here.

Beaumont67

My 11 y/o FM dobe is a big suck and we have my sons 7# YorkiePoo male frequently.
- Little Trevor likes to steal our Amy's squeakes and he gets away with it...but she takes the toy back, once it drops it.
- Amy shows more back bone with a marrow bone though...she will give the little dog a quick growl if he tries to steal it / although I knew she would never hurt him
- We also have little Trevor's sister come over...whie she is a 3 legged dog now, the other 2 dogs (big & small) are most respectful of her limitations and safe movements.
Having said that, our Amy dobe was trained extensively as a puppy...with manners and adult control.

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------------Kelly & (Amy - RIP @ 11.7 y/o)

BackDraft

Welcome from SUNNY South Florida

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