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Considering a Doberman puppy

685 views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Bonnie's Grandpa  
#1 ·
I lost my 14 year old pitbull to cancer last May.

Thought I’d never have another dog after that, but it’s time to start thinking about a puppy.

I prefer dogs to people and I can’t get used to not having one.

A slight complication is that my brother and his French bulldog have recently moved in.

Would a Doberman be patient with a cheeky 10 month old French bulldog?

Thanks
 
#3 ·
The French bulldog loves other dogs so I think it would be good for him to have a sister.

I love home to bits but he’s obviously not the best guard dog.

Bit of a change from having a very game pitbull.

More like a spoiled toddler than a dog.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Depends on the dogs and owners. Seriously...
Are you willing time and money wise to commit to good training, for both you and your brothers dog?

Dobes have big play energy, and based on what I've seen in dogparks the smaller snappy breeds are less comfortable, more reactive in defensive/aggressive way. Bonnie found her friends playing dobe fights amongst the pitties, GSDs, Mals, and a big French Mastiff who wrestled for hours with her.

The dobe puppy in bitey phase is a terror...

If you put the work in, you'll have your next soul dog. The question mark is the frenchy. Imma get in trouble for saying this but at least here in socal with frenchies apparently the social media influencer breed in demand...🤡

I jokingly call them "bomb dogs" because you never know when they will go off like a grenade...🤪 (altho ghere have been a couple exceptions, sweetest ever...so YMMV, my $0.02 in advice is EXACTLY worth what uou paid for it...🧐
You are in the right place. Start searching threads and ask questions, lots of actual experts here who will graciously help as can.
You'll learn that
Dobes are velcro dogs, only breed bred specifically as man protectors,
With multiple breeds and drives...
In some ways they are closer to the german terrier breeds- and will probably feel very similar to your pitty- and I find dobes can get along well with pitties, rough play included.
But dont expect them to be like herding breeds that feel the need to be the sheriff when puppies misbehave, or hunting breeds bred for getting along in the pack, obedient enough to return game to the hunter.

Dobes basically DGAF about other people or dogs unless they are family. And you have to be the good dad, kind, patient, positive, consistent and firm as needed. Otherwise they train you...

They can get along with other animals if you teach them manners. Maybe talk it over with your bro? Great shared task...sounds like an opportunity right now with the frenchy pup, as an easy way to start. You'll be that much further ahead when you have saved up and budget for a dobe from a good breeder.
That's important. Pay me now or pay me later...
Good luck!
 
#6 ·
My pit had no interest in people or other dogs.

She was a handful in all honesty, but was the best dog ever.

She was illegally imported by a idiot at 2 weeks old.

I’d have another if I could but it’s not an option in the UK unfortunately.

I grew up with a boxer, had an English bull terrier before my pit.

My only concern with a Doberman was their tolerance of small dogs.

Bobby (French bulldog) is very well socialised and has a good nature.
 
#5 ·
I have a 15lb chihuahua mix. She and my Doberman are besties. It may take you stepping in sometimes to tell the dobe that the small dog is done playing. I gave him three chances as a puppy. If he ignored signals and corrections from the grown dogs three times I would step in and give him a short time out. That lets the puppy learn doggy language. Let the adult dog appropriately correct the puppy, even if the puppy freaks out a little. As people, we will want to coddle and intervene for puppies, but that can result in a dog that won’t know how to respect other dogs.

Now my Doberman is two and the chihuahua 100% rules the house. Even now sometimes she will shake off and he will try to keep playing. She’ll give a very short “ruff” at him if he keeps pushing her buttons and he knows to walk away. O do still have to supervise and even tell him to cool it sometimes, because he can get into a very high energy state and won’t listen to her. But usually I just have to watch and they work it out.

Chihuahua pinning the Doberman puppy
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The troublemakers
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She can still pin him even though he’s six times her size by weight
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