Soon to be owner questions....

Primo · 07-02-2008, 04:24 PM

I've been doing a lot of research and recently was directed to this website. I posted under the new member section and this is going to be my first of many questions.

I have 4 books from the local library and a good number of websites I've been referring to for the last month. The litter of puppies will be ready in August and currently I'm interested in a black male. I know the breeder in question well and adore the parents of the litter. They are currently 19 days old I believe maybe 20 and in the 5 pound range. The plan is to take one at 8 weeks and through my research that seems to be "A okay". The ears will also remain natural as I don't believe in ear cropping.

My parents have two Amstaffs and a Boston Terrier and after doing some research I'm not a bit worried about adopting a male. The last thing I want is a dog that isn't going to get a long with the family pets. I'm living on my own and currently in a different state but will be back in PA (Currently in Ohio finishing school) in 6-12 months.

I plan to socialize, socialize, socialize and will enroll him/her in some sort of puppy kindergarten. Right now I'm just looking for advice, opinions and whatever else anyone can throw my way.

I've research the VWD test through Vetgen I believe it is where you swab the inside of the pups mouth and send it off and am aware of the various health issues that can effect the dog. The heart condition is what worries me most and it seems to be most prevalent in males. (?)

Anyway I've got my sponge hat on and am ready to absorb as much as possible. I'm so glad i was directed to this site. If you want more info check my first post under "new members"

Thanks.

**JenTN** · 07-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Hi and welcome

If the puppy is going to be living with the other male dogs, you should definitely consider a female

Also, my short list for a "good breeder" would be one that has titles on their dogs and does health testing before breeding. That's my advice, and sleep now because you'll need it, lol.

Primo · 07-02-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTN

Hi and welcome

If the puppy is going to be living with the other male dogs, you should definitely consider a female

Also, my short list for a "good breeder" would be one that has titles on their dogs and does health testing before breeding. That's my advice, and sleep now because you'll need it, lol.

It likely won't be but when I go visit my parents (if we do decide on a male) he'll be around a 85 pound Amstaff and a 25 bound Boston Terrier (both males) I plan to socialize 10 times over but if a male is going to be a problem regardless then I will go with a female. I'd rather have the male because I prefer the size and in this case there are 4 red/rust 2 male/2 female and 2 black male and 2 black female.

The black female that is still available is the smallest of the litter. (Two black have already been claimed)

Sooo if i go with a female it's it's either going to be the smallest of the litter in black or one of the reds. I'm still not sure on the red. I love the parents both are fantastic, the male is black and the female is red, I like the look of the black/rust. Also am I being unreasonable to not want the smallest of the litter? I've read on here over the last day or so that the puppies aren't always a good representation of their size as adults. It also seems that males have more health problems. (?)

Like I said before I'm here for as much information as humanly possible. There seems to be a wealth of it here...... I'm also ready for the sleepless nights and the extended play sessions. It will all be well worth it in the long run.

EDIT: My second dog which is likely a year or so out from this puppy will either be a male or female Amstaff depending on the sex of the puppy. I just worry about other dogs, specifically my families dogs and my gf's parents dogs.

**JenTN** · 07-02-2008, 05:01 PM

Here's a link on male/male aggression in Dobes.

Male on Male Aggression

Primo · 07-02-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTN

Here's a link on male/male aggression in Dobes.

Male on Male Aggression

Thank you for the links they are very informative and exactly the kind of thing i'm looking for before I get this puppy. I won't have two same sex dogs in the same household, at least not two dogs from typically dominant breeds. If we decide on a male the next dog will 100% be a female and a Amstaff, and we'll likely stick with 2 dogs. If we do decide to add a 3rd it will be a Boston Terrier or a more docile breed. My parents have a male Amstaff (Dominant dog) and a Male BT and they get along famously but according to what I'm reading Dobermans seem to be one of the worst with male/male aggressive tendencies.

Now being that the dogs I'm concerned about won't be members of my direct household but rather my parents/family pets should I still really worry about a male? It seems like I'd be best served to get a female and avoid the situation all together. I've read that females tend to live longer and aren't as effected by some of the diseases present in the breed as the males. Is this true?

Primo · 07-02-2008, 06:53 PM

Anyone? I apologize for my persistence. I'm getting ready to head out for a while this evening and have been unable to get a clear answer on this, it's been eating at me all day. I'd rather have a male but will go female if it's going to be a problem for me down the road with dogs from my family and my gf's (all dogs that won't be living with us but will be dogs our pup will see on a relatively frequent basis.)

I imagine that as long as My gf and I are both Alpha it can be controlled but I have zero experience with the Doberman. All of my experience lies with the Amstaff and we haven't had a problem with either of our males, every breed is different so here I am with lots of questions. : )

zeus and me · 07-02-2008, 08:43 PM

my little guy zeus was the last pup of a litter....the only one not picked

...he was smaller then his sister when I got him. but he is a big beautiful boy now at 20 weeks he is about 47 pounds

**JenTN** · 07-02-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeus and me

my little guy zeus was the last pup of a litter....the only one not picked

...he was smaller then his sister when I got him. but he is a big beautiful boy now at 20 weeks he is about 47 pounds

Bo says "woof" from a fellow last of the litter

Bo was the big goofy one though, lol.

**JenTN** · 07-02-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primo

Anyone? I apologize for my persistence. I'm getting ready to head out for a while this evening and have been unable to get a clear answer on this, it's been eating at me all day. I'd rather have a male but will go female if it's going to be a problem for me down the road with dogs from my family and my gf's (all dogs that won't be living with us but will be dogs our pup will see on a relatively frequent basis.)

I imagine that as long as My gf and I are both Alpha it can be controlled but I have zero experience with the Doberman. All of my experience lies with the Amstaff and we haven't had a problem with either of our males, every breed is different so here I am with lots of questions. : )

I don't have a dobe, I am just referencing what I have read on here. Some members on here will forget more than I will probably know about Dobes. However, if it were me, I would stick with a female. Especially if there is a chance you and your gf could be moving in together in the next 12 years or so. But that's just me. My puppy is (we think) a lab/dane mix and if I get a Dobe within his lifetime, it will be a female, no doubt about it.

Remember also that if the breeder doesn't have a pup that suits what you want (size, color, health testing in the parents) it's best to wait and look around and find the perfect puppy for you.

BTW: if the breeder truly is a good breeder, I'm sure they would have no problem with you giving them a ring and asking questions and voicing your concerns

**Megs** · 07-02-2008, 09:19 PM

Hey there Primo, welcome to the forum.

I'm glad you understand the risks involved with keeping a male Dobe together with another male dog in the same household. Especially risky if these are intact males. Definately not a good idea. In the case of visits or playdates or whatever, a stable well-trained Doberman would probably be OK around your parents/friends dogs, if they too are well-socialized dogs. But always be aware, be cautious and supervise their play.

As for not wanting the smallest of the litter.... I wouldn't worry about that. One puppy will always be the biggest and one will always be the smallest. And you're right, the smallest pup won't necessarily be the smallest pup when full grown.

What's really important is the health of the whole litter overall: have both parents had their hips and eyes tested? Heart? Thyroid/liver? vWD? How old are the parents? Have they proven themselves to be of stable and correct Doberman temperment and structure by achieving titles in conformation or performance, or both? This stuff is important to help ensure the most positive contributions to the Doberman gene pool. Will the pups have received at least one set of shots and been dewormed a few times?

FWIW, my boy was the smallest of all the boys and about the same size as the smallest girl in a litter of 8. But he's definately not small in personality. This boy packs punch.