LaneyB

Hi!

I am a new member of this forum from Michigan. I currently have an 8 month old male German Shepherd puppy. My 10-year-old lab died a few months ago. Eventually I would love to get another dog, and I am very interested in Dobermans. After my little landshark shepherd I am more interested in rescuing an older dog. I have been reading this forum to decide if I would be able to provide a good home for a Doberman.

From what I have read, I would definitely need a female to avoid same sex aggression. My puppy is not a dominant dog and gets along well with other dogs. I was planning to do agility with him, but I do not think he would enjoy it so I am now looking at tracking and maybe dock jumping since he loves water. I have also considered sheep herding since he seems like he might be good at it. I have a personal trainer that works with him, and he has also taken puppy obedience and adolescent obedience. He will start basic obedience in January.

My plans for my new dog would be mostly for companionship. I do believe that dogs should be in activities to keep them mentally stimulated, and also for exercise so she would be enrolled in dog classes regularly. I don't know what type of classes until I get to know the dog and figure out what she seems to like. She would be an indoor dog, and I do crate train until they are reliable in the house.

Here is a good example of what I am looking for : Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Doberman Pinscher | Barrington, IL | Cinnamon

I really like this girl. In fact, I keep going back every day and looking at her. I don't have a preference for color (I do like the black a bit better but care far more about a good match) or ears or tail. I am also not sure if now is a good time to add a dog since my puppy is so much work. I know my lab was a help with the pup, and it was so nice to have an older dog in the house just for company. My yard is fenced in, and I meet almost all of the requirements of the rescue except my puppy is not neutered yet. I will not neuter until he is at least a year, and maybe not until 18 months.

Thanks for having such an informative forum!

Amelia_

Welcome to the forum!

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4Dobes

Hi welcome

Cinnamon looks gorgeous and provided she can accept your wee pup I don't think you should have any problem.
You seem committed and understand that dogs need exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy so I would go for it.
Taking on a rescue is so rewarding.
Good luck I hope she finds her forever home with you both.


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brw1982

Welcome to the forum.

I have a good friend who trains in agility and she's a GSD person. They're great dogs and wonderful to train with, overall, but I would recommend you have your boy's hips scored before forging too far ahead in agility and getting your hopes up. I've trained alongside my friend Renee for nearly 3 years now (her GSD girl Spirit is within a few weeks of the same age as Fiona) and we recently found out Spirit's hip dysplasia has advanced so quickly she's no longer allowed to even play fetch, she's began really struggling with laying down and standing up from a down, let alone training in anything (she's now officially been retired from all formal training).

Her dysplasia was diagnosed as mild when she was 1-year old but the doctors thought Spirit could continue to train as long as it was done intelligently. It advanced far more quickly than they thought it would. They're preparing to have a total hip replacement done on Spirit in the next couple months. They think they can just do the one hip that's really severe and the other seems to be progressing at a much slower rate, so they're hopeful it will help. Spirit is just over 3 years old.

Not all GSD have horrible hips but most of them have hip problems to some degree. So, just know to be aware that agility can be really hard on a dog's body even when built correctly, it's exponentially more difficult on a dog with no so great structure/frame. You may already know all this but that's my cautionary tale from watching what a friend is going through.

I'd say if you feel like you've more than got your hands full right now with your pup, wait to bring home another dog. It's nice that you're considering an older rescue to pair with your boy. Tali was 2-years old and Fiona was 1-year old when I brought Tali home. There's still stuff to work on depending on the dog(s) but I found it enjoyable to add a young adult who had nice manners and good basic training when I was still trying to wrangle a crazy older pup. It can be a good combination.

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Old Drum's Crimson Crisp, "Fiona"
Old Drum's Fiery Rumors of Taliesin, "Tali"

LaneyB

Thanks everybody!

I believe it is in my contract to have my puppy's hips done even if we don't do agility. Unfortunately the breeder had a facility to do the x-rays that burned down, but I live right by a vet hospital so I'm sure I can get it done there. She also lost many dogs in the fire, including my pup's mom.

During a few of the puppy classes they would have them go through the tunnel, or walk through a hoop, and Ruki never seemed to enjoy it. He would do it, but just didn't seem into it. But when we did a little easy scentwork he would be very excited. So that was why I thought maybe tracking instead of agility.

To be honest, I don't have a big preference for either. I do the dog classes and training because the breed I have chosen pretty much requires it in order to have a peaceful, tired pet. So I didn't get him with a passion for agility, I have a passion for HIM and I will do whichever sport he seems to have the most fun doing.

We are going to some individual training this next weekend at a farm, and in addition to introducing him to farm animals he will practice a bit of tracking, and no-impact agility so the trainer can help evaluate which class he should take next. I think my options are basic obedience where they do some rally obedience and tracking at the end of each class, or a class to train for CGC. I think I would rather do basic since I am not the best trainer and he is nowhere near ready for CGC.

flaminscotch

Having always had Dobermans and GSD together, they work well.

We started with Axl, GSD, my husband had him when we moved in together in1997. We purchased a Dobe, and they loved each other.
We currently have Claire, 7yr old GSD, perfect, and an adopted male Dobe, now 16 months.

They are completely different dogs!!! Couldn't live without either.

ZeldaRules

Welcome to DT please share photos of your GSD pup! GSDs are my first love. A mature Doberman would be fine in your home, you could always foster to test drive before you make a commitment. If you are interested in adoption I would contact the rescue and explain your situation, reasonings for neutering your male when he is mature, and your goals. Maybe they will oblige if you only foster an already spayed female. Adoption dogs must be altered before adoption so that shouldn't be an issue.

MeadowCat

You don't happen to have an Alta-Tolhaus pup, do you?

Welcome to the forum! Would love to see pics of your dog!

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LaneyB

Hi Meadowcat,

Yes, he is an Alta-Tollhaus pup. I am happy and sad to say he is one of Maika's last litter. She was an awesome dog. I was so excited to be able to have one of her puppies. And he has a great temperament, just like his mommy.

MeadowCat

My old trainer has an Alta-Tollhaus dog, too! Her girl is Via, out of the Allie/Xbox litter in August 2010. She's a great dog.

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sandy2233

Welcome from Wyoming.

LaneyB

I met Allie a few times when I was visiting before Ruki was even conceived. She was beautiful and friendly. She was pregnant the first time I went to Alta-Tollhaus, but Julie felt her puppies wouldn't be a good match for me (I never asked why). I didn't know until after the fire that Allie and Maika were sisters - I think half sisters. I know Funny is the dam for both.

VZ-Doberman

Welcome to DT.