I've been around Dobies since the early 70's. The first one, my father bought my Mother for their wedding Anniversary. At the time we lived in an Apt. in Southern California which he adapted very well to. The key is exercise....they need to run around, play games with them, stimulate there minds. After all that, they love there rest time. Good luck!

 

We lived in an apartment for the first two years or so of our first dobe's life--exercise really is the key. We had extensive open fields on two sides of the building which gave us a place for an off-leash walk of about an hour EVERY day. He also went hiking, cross country skiing, and was out and about with us for most of every weekend. In addition, we participated in obedience classes once a week, and he was provided with lots of toys and things to chew on.

We also had a roomy eat-in kitchen (but we didn't have a table, so it had lots of empty space) to keep him in when he was a puppy and we couldn't be there. House-training was a little more complicated than it would have been if we had used a crate, but he was able to move around more if we had to leave him a little longer than was ideal. (We both worked, but staggered the times we worked so one of us could be home more often.)

Apartment life worked just fine for us--but I don't think I'd try it with a dobe again unless I had conditions like the ones described above.

 

We have a six month old that we're raising in a condo. I agree with the others that exercise (free run in addition to hikes, walks) is imperative. Potty training is extremely difficult, there are no two ways about it. You'll be up and down/in and out A LOT (it was literally about every 45 minutes for the first couple weeks we brought Finn home). Finn has some leash reactivity issues that have made our living environment harder on him than it would have been if he had his own private backyard. I'd say it can work but it definitely comes with challenges.

 

It's do-able if you're really committed and dedicated because it's more of an inconvenience than anything. I'm in an apartment with a Doberman, husky, and GSD. Leashing them to go do their business day in and day out is not fun! You also have to worry about not disturbing neighbors and that can be very difficult during crate training as some puppies tend to whine and cry through the night. I make sure my dogs ate very well behaved on leash and around the complex because they are scrutinized more due to their breeds.

 

I have not lived in an apartment however I did live in a 2 bedroom condo with my first girl with no problems, daily walks and runs along with obedience classes and training. No problems at all.

 

We are in a condo right now and I hate it - Can't wait to get back to my house with a yard. Vader is also 3 and still he needs a good hour of walking/off leash running a day. Plus we practice what we can here (agility & ob). I don't think I would do a puppy in a condo/apt. . . Potty training alone would be horrible - crate training difficult as neightbors probably wouldn't like a crying baby. You'd have to be amazingly dedicated. Plus the few time V has gotten up an night to go out - you have to get all dressed and find keys. I have about a month left here - each morning I take him out for potty I think of how many days I heave left before I can just let him out the back door.

Plus you can't really take them anywhere until they are done with their shots.

ETA: Make sure you cheack for breed restrictions - it is extremely hard to find apartments that accept dobes. Or other "agressive breeds" ie pitts, rotts, shepards, wolf hybrids etc. You don't want to add a puppy and then find out your complex doesn't allow them - plus if you have to move - finding dobe friendly communities is difficult.

 

Exercise as they have said is important, But I would also realize that most apartments are not well run. The fact is you live in their rooms, I would be interested in finding one that is pet friendly. Also realize you will have a dangerous breed of dog. I don't know of many renters that would allow them, at least not any I would want to do business with. Also just food for thought; what if they say yea sure Doberman's are fine when you have a 15lbs cute puppy, but 7 months down the road when you have a 50-60lbs dog that isn't as sweet faced as it once was and they want to change their minds. If you do find one Make sure it is clearly outlined in your contract. I'm sure others have had far better experiences with apartments, and you should definitely look at it as a whole not just my bad experience. Far more people have probably had good experiences. Just realize that it can go either way so planning and doing your homework is important. Good Luck!

ETA: While I lived in an apartment I did not have a dog. Though if I would have in that particular situation it would have been horrible. The breeder actually insisted I wait until we moved into a house.(we were closing in 7 months when I first spoke to her and she had a litter planned for that next year)

 

We live in under 800 sq ft, my SO, Aksel and myself. W brought him home at 8 wks and he's now 13mths so there'd been a lot of time to adjust. That being said, it was a big adjustment.
We've faced problems like potty training, there were times he pee'd in the elevator or while waiting for it if it was a busy day. Zoomies suck indoors, i've lost a few of my good drinking glasses off the tables when he's bumped into them. His crate is large and takes up a ton of room, I now have to squeeze in to sit at the table.
On the other hand, its gotten me to be more active since I have to go up and down a few more times a day, we have tons of near by parks as well so we have lots of options to go for walks and let him off leash. He's great with random noises, right now they're jackhammering the concrete off the balconies to re finish them (I cant even hear the tv on full volume and the floor is vibrating) he's sleeping on the couch next to me, sounds in the hallway sometimes spark his attention but never bother him and sounds from upstairs are like they don't exist. He was also forced to get used to random people and other dogs and a constantly changing environment (theres always something new in the lobby).
I wish we had a yard to let him out in, or more room indoors for him to play and have more of his own space...and me more of my own but what we have now works.
sorry for rambling, listening to a jackhammer for 8 hours a day eventually ruins your thought process

 

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and thoughts above!

Point well taken for "dedication" and "exercise"!

Let me be a a bit more clear. From the general concerns addressed above about apartment, I think probably what I meant was condo, although they are used quite interchangeably here. Anyway, it's a well-managed new building and from what I observed quite dog-friendly too! I've seen dogs of all sizes coming in and out of the elevator. They are all well-behaved, although so far I haven't seen a dobe yet... (I'll do the honor to be the first then! haha..)

I also learned that it important to crate-train and do housebreaking at the beginning to avoid any transition, say, from pad-potty, to eventually out-potty.

As for the difficulty I'll be facing with when the puppy is too little to control the bladder while waiting for/in the elevator, I think I have no choice but (and am willing to) get prepared for these incidents.

 

Crate size

I do have one question though. What the size of crate would you recommend? I want it to be roomy enough so that even when he gets bigger he'd still feel comfortable playing/napping/sleeping in or simply enjoying a moment of his own there. I want to make the crate a positive experience for my puppy.

Thanks!

 

I do have one question though. What the size of crate would you recommend? I want it to be roomy enough so that even when he gets bigger he'd still feel comfortable playing/napping/sleeping in or simply enjoying a moment of his own there. I want to make the crate a positive experience for my puppy.

Thanks!

I think the best way to go about the size of the crate is to buy a big enough crate to fit him when he is full grown. A lot of crates now come with dividers you can use while he is a puppy and growing. This will keep him confined enough not to relieve himself while in it but allow you not to have to buy a new crate in a few months.

 

It's usually not the size of the dog that is the issue with apartments or condos. It is the breed. Many MANY have breed specific lists that are pretty much carved in stone. This has been my recent experience. They usually refer to the Top 10 Aggression List that is compiled using the number of reported bites by breed. Dobes, Rotts, German Sheps, Malamutes, bully breeds, Akitas are just some that make up the list. The only reason Bacchus is allowed to live with me is that he is a service dog.

 

I do not agree at all with they way they base "Dangerous Breeds" on housing contracts. If that was really the case and they are going by "The List" of dangerous and aggresive dog breeds as well as most bites by breed. Then Daschounds and Chihuahuas should be included on the not acceptable list for housing purposes.

These are just SOME of the sites that have published a few different list, in some the Dobe isnt even included and in most its way after the chihuahua and daschound:

Worlds most aggressive dog breeds | Dogcentral pictures breeds interesting facts | Dog Central Pictures Breeds Interesting Facts

The Most Aggressive Dog Breeds; Dachshund #1?? For the Love of the Dog

Unleashed: The top 3 most aggressive dog breeds - Pets in Baltimore: Dogs, cats, animal shelters and rescues in Maryland by reporter Jill Rosen - baltimoresun.com


IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP OUT OUR BREED????

 

For the elevator, when their still tiny little puppy's I found that carrying them out worked best (This is my second time raising a puppy in an apartment building). When he got a little larger and I couldnt carry him sometimes if i knew there might be a chance id take the papertowel with me. The one trick i learned was that if he did go in the elevator to push the button for the floor above and then my floor again, gave me enough time to run and grab something to clean it up with.
I used the potty pads with my last dog (a minpin) and i regret it, I had such a hard time trying to ween him off of using them inside. With Aksel we started taking him outside from day one and it was much much better in the end.
The nice think about living in a small space is that I know what he's up to every minute, he never gets away with anything!

 

I am in a condo and brought Elke home at 8 weeks. Same issues as above - going outside on leash with keys in the middle of the night, up and down the stairs, etc. Right now we're working on not barking at every noise. I fortunately have a really nice lady below me who does not have great hearing and her English is not so good so she has not complained (Elke can be so loud!).

Make sure to check the CC&Rs regarding any restrictions.

 

This just made me laugh. I have no idea how I'm gonna deal with the acrobat challenge of finding-keys-keeping-on-leash-counting-down-for-elevator at the risk of accidental spill-over (on my pj's) and marking the elevator and the lobby, in middle of a WINTER night, except that I know I'll manage.

I think I'll probably start out-potty-training since day 1. (Even though it means taking him out once every 45min or even less in the first few weeks... he'll be at least 8-9wk or perhaps even 10-wk old when I get him from the breeder.)

 

I'm thinking I was lucky (or planned correctly-ha!) that when our dog was in his "gotta get up and go in the middle of the night" stage, it was wintertime. When the klaxon went off, there was no need to change out of nightwear--I could just throw on a long coat and slip into snow boots and we were ready to go.
Potty training in an apartment was not a fun exercise.

 

Potty training in an apartment was not a fun exercise.

Guess everyone who's had the experience has his/her fair share of the fun story. ha~~ hope I can post mine soon

BTW, I like the expression on your babe's face: so innocent AND guilty!!! good catch of a shot!

 

Riley will be 2 in August and I raised her in my 2 bedroom condo. Having a backyard is nice because not only do dogs NEED a daily walk, but they also need to have a nice off leash run as well. Other than that, I do not believe there is much of a difference. I honestly think that a lot of dogs that live in apartments/condos get the correct amount of exercise due to the fact that you HAVE to exercise them properly. I know a lot of people that think having a backyard is enough for a dog. UM WRONG. DOGS NEED TO WALK EVERY SINGLE DAY NO EXCUSES!!! And I am not a big fan of leaving any dog unattended. Not having a fenced in backyard also forces you to take the dog outside to use the bathroom, which is more work but definitely safer. I have a stake in the ground with a 75 foot leash so that Riley can run around outside (with me) for an hour EVERYDAY on top of 1-2 hours of walking. Chew toys are a must.. but that is a given no matter where you live. Hope this helps.

 

I also recommend a cow bell (or any bell) and hang it on the door you will be using to go outside for potty. I took Riley's paw and touched the bell and immediately took her outside (make sure your dog does his/her business before bringing him/her back inside) Riley caught on to this in about 3 days and started nudging it with her nose. The cow bell is pretty loud. I can hear her ring the bell when I am in another room. It works well for me!

 

Good idea too!

 

Making sure your apartment will allow Dobermans is number one on the list. Number two is exercise! I moved to an apartment with my 3 year old male (Logan), and we had a park up the street. Plenty of places to walk, and work on obedience. He wasn't a dog park safe dog either, so those were out. He also didn't need to be crated by that point and had run of the apartment. It can work, if you're committed to the exercise and don't mind paying more for rent.

 

Of the 5 Dobe pups I've raised, two would have been darn near impossible without a big fenced yard to blow the steam off in, 2 real difficult, and one if could have worked with lots of walking and attention. I'd highly recommend an older dog--either a breeder re-home or a rescue.

 

The first year we had Shanoa was a house but no fenced yard. I would never do that again and can't imagine having to raise a Doberman in an apartment. I'm not saying it can't be done, but for me it would be way too hard.

 

watching a puppy

I have a great place for my dogs now....a fenced acre and then a smaller yard around my house for when I need them more confined(like at night.)

I guess I wanted to respond to your querry because I haven't always had a great place for my dogs and often had to take them out for exercise, etc.... In the old days, we'd go to a local high school where there were fenced fields for a variety of play activities. ....always being meticulous about picking up after our dogs.

But even now, with my own property and complete fencing, I don't let my 3 month old out unsupervised. I take my coffee and sometimes a book and sit outside while she has the run of the place. I also walk down the little hill behind the house to give her more supervised area. I also walk her on a leash for a bit and do some basic obedience for a few minutes a few times a day. I have a whole box of toys that I rotate, including some treat releasers that entertain for more than a minute. And my older dogs are a big help in providing entertainment for the puppy.

I'm still the one that gets up and takes her outside and watches so that nothing eats her in the night. (I do live in the country)

I guess I'm thinking that apartment/condo life can work and it probably will be more work, especially if there is not even a little yard for 'yard duty,' but even with great yards and space, it still takes work to raise a puppy. If you have the time and dedication, it can be done in a condo/apartment. Just be sure you have some place for them to let off steam and an adequate budget for chew things and toys to keep them entertained. I look at investing in chew things as 'insurance.'

Also, should you go forward with this, be very up-front with the breeder. There is quite an energy and 'sharpness' range among dobermans. A good breeder can help you select the right breeding and the right individual.

I'm sure you've given thought to adopting an older dog that needs rehoming and avoiding the puppy issues.....

Have fun with your quest.

 

...
I'm sure you've given thought to adopting an older dog that needs rehoming and avoiding the puppy issues.....

Have fun with your quest.

Yeah... the thing is that I want to have the "puppy issues" as part of the experience.

 

Personally, I don't feel a Doberman was bred to be raised without the opportunity to run and explore...and is not a breed condusive to apartment living....jmho

If there is absolutely no way a human can live in any other situation, and they are positive they want a dog, I would look into a breed that is easily more adaptable to apt living..like a Yorkie, or even a Bulldog..

That is not to say a Doberman is not adaptable to just about any situation, but in that case an older, more calmer, settled and house broken Dobe, would be more suitable..way past the puppy stage..

Sometimes it is harder to put their best interest ahead of ours, but nevertheless it needs to be something taken into consideration, when choosing a dog..

There are alot of people in New York City that live in high rises in Manhatten, that have Dobes,(besides other large breeds) and they do have alot of dog parks there, but it still doesn't change the fact that Dobes just were not bred to be "couch potatoes", not meaning there is anything wrong with that, it just isn't what they were bred to do as a breed..So when acquiring a dog a person should consider their lifestyle, no matter how much they like the looks and aura of a certain breed...
I got a call from a gal that asked me to help place her boy of 7 yrs, because the apartment bldg she lived in was sold to someone that had a size limit on the dogs that lived there. (25# and under)...otherwise she would be kicked out if she didn't get rid of her dog..She said she loved her dog and couldn't afford to find another place, and whatever her reasons, were, she imho should have never moved there in the first place without some kind of guarantee that even if the place changed ownership she would be grandfathered in, ...long story short, her dog found a good home, but the point is even if you do live in a certain apt bldg, what's to say the landlord won't decide to change their policies, etc.? Condos are probably a little better, but not much, cause they have rules you have to abide by too, that may not be perfect for owning a Dobe...Just saying...
The reality of some situations in our lives may not be easy to accept of deal with, but it still doesn't change the fact you have to put the best interest of that innocent dog ahead of what we want for ourselves..We have our abiltiy to reason, they don't, they just trust us to do the right thing for them....

 

Retta, I politely have to disagree. I get what you are saying but people in houses can just as easily get laid off or have something tragic happen in their lives are could be forced to move to an apartment, couch hop, or live out of their car. Nothing is ever certain and secure. Houses and yards don't exercise dogs, people do and should. Dobermans can't run and explore if they are cooped up inside a house all day either. I know people in huge houses who own dogs and don't pay any attention to them. Regardless if you live in a mansion, an apartment, or a shack..breeds such as the Doberman are loyal and happiest wherever you are. Yes, I have 3 working breeds in an apartment and when they are inside they are somewhat of couch potatoes and lounge around with me, but I am highly active with them and they get their daily exercise requirements. From my personal experience, I think Dobermans make great apartment dogs as they are very adaptable and eager to please. It is the small breeds that I would shy away from in an apartment because they are usually very yappy and reactive to other people and dogs. There are times where my boyfriend and I have hung outside with one of the leasing agents with all 3 of our dogs and they just lay down beside us, quiet and not bothersome, as we talk and pass time. They are very well-behaved and don't complain about the amount of living space they have to come home to.


This point upsets me a little:

There are alot of people in New York City that live in high rises in Manhatten, that have Dobes,(besides other large breeds) and they do have alot of dog parks there, but it still doesn't change the fact that Dobes just were not bred to be "couch potatoes", not meaning there is anything wrong with that, it just isn't what they were bred to do as a breed..

I own a Siberian Husky but I am not in Alaska and she does not pull a sled. I also own a Doberman and GSD that do not do the jobs they were originally bred for. However, I keep their minds occupied with other activities. Just because I don't have my dogs doing what they were bred to do does not mean I deserve them any less or that they are not living a fulfilled life. If people were only allowed to purchase certain breeds who were going to work them as the creator of the breed intended, that would eliminate a lot of doberman owners just on this one forum.

 

I'm currently doing it in an apartment and it's going just fine. Just make sure you give your dog lots of excercise. I'm outside with him three or four times a day so he gets a run, some play like fetch every lunch, plus a couple of walks 30-40 minutes long (so far - he's only 8 months old right now).

Sure, a yard would be nice...but it can be done!

 

Well I agree with all of that Retta I understand your points better now so thank you for clarifying.

I will be the first to support all of that and say that it takes a special, dedicated owner to own these breeds in apartments. I am young and have a lot of energy but it is even exhausting for me at times, luckily I have the help of a SO. My world is pretty much my dogs, a lot of my social activities involve them. I am just so passionate about dog ownership and GSDs and Dobermans and could not fathom ever giving up my dogs because of a living situation. I do rescue so I hear the apartment/moving excuse ALL the time. I hate it because I have made it work in apartments for 5 years now and hate how easily a lot of people give up. Doberman ownership and doberman in apartment ownership is definitely NOT for everyone and the average joe! Honestly, I would not raise a Doberman puppy in an apartment.

 

one thing for sure.... I am so glad I am in a home as opposed to an apartment anymore. A fenced in back yard is a blessing for any dog... doberman or not. Back in the apartment days it was lots of walks frequently....today, open the sliding glass door and let them out...
IMO any dog can adapt to apartment living given a good owner that exercises them and lets them out plenty.

 

It's easy to raise one in an apt/condo, as long as:
1. You are beyond committed to provide physical and mental stimulation everyday.
2. Your current apt allows such a breed.
3. You will be committed to find another accepting apt if you move.
4. You are willing to go out every time your dog needs to potty, exercise etc even in horrible weather. (neither rain, snow,.....)

There are more points, but as you can see there's a lot depending on "you". Also, when they're pups, the most you can really do to physically to tire them out is with long walks and play. You cannot run with them until they're about 1.5 years old; if you do, you risk future bone and joint problems. Good luck.

 

There are more points, but as you can see there's a lot depending on "you"...

second on that!