[cassieatll]

I wonder if anyone has any advice for someone looking to buy their first Doberman? I am going to look at a 6mo old boy Friday and I can't wait but I am nervous as well. I do not care about papers, just looking for a good dog that will be a good "protector" but I am also concerned because we have a 2 and a half pound Yorkie as well. Give me your feedback please! My uncle raised them when I was younger and he always had them with his little poodles so I am hoping this will be ok.

Thanks!

 

[KevinK]

Welcome!

If you want a good protector, you should look into a breeder from working lines that has the right kind of dogs you are looking for. When you say you don't care about papers, does that mean you are ok with a mix? Or you want a purebred, but don't care if he's not registered? Just curious.

Get the opposite sex of your yorkie, and be prepared to keep a very close eye on them. Even if they are best buds, because of the size difference the lil one can get hurt pretty easily.

Do you have plans for any working sports?

 

[Adara]

Are you looking at a rescue dog through a rescue group? Or a purchase? Do you think you deserve a healthy puppy with a good temperament? If so, and if you are buying, please do not support a BYB but support a responsible breeder. While "papers" don't mean much as far as health, etc., you do want a healthy dog so get a puppy from a breeder who health tests PEDIGREES, temperament tests, shows or works the lines. These dogs will have papers and will have medical documentation for the sire/dam at least to look at. Don't sell yourself short.

Many good rescue groups can do temperament type testing on dogs/puppies also and give you an idea as to what to expect.

 

[cassieatll]

Sorry, guess I should have put more into my post. When I said I didn't care about papers I just meant I didn't care if it was reg. or not. The one I am going to look at has papers but hasn't been reg. yet so I told him it didn't matter to me (I'm not interested in breeding). I do want a purebreed though. On the opposite sex thing, does it matter if they are both fixed males or does that still cause a problem? Never thought about that, thanks.

The guy I am going to is a breeder and trainer and personal friend of my husband. He trains them to sit, heel, and stay before they go to their new home even. He has the parents on site but I have never heard of those tests. The pup has had all of its shots and worming and has it's tail and ears cropped but that is all I know so far. Are there things I should look for in his personality that would be a red flag?

Oh and no working "sports" just working on the farm .

 

[KevinK]

You definitely should not get a male, if your other dog is a male. Both parents being on site, and the dog not registered would be 2 red flags for me right off the bat. Doesn't mean to totally rule him out, but I probably wouldn't go see a dog if I knew these 2 things.

Has the breeder explained to you why you shouldn't get a male when you already have a male in the house? There's tons of info on this site that you can find, if you need help let us know.

I would ask about what training methods he uses as well, so you can be on the same page when the dog comes home.

 

[HerMewMew]

I would only make this suggestion because it's come to my attention since I brought Kira Hime (my dober girl) home. We have two Siamese cats who are less then pleased at the way she wants to play with them, and rightfully so.

My mother is visiting with her "7lb. Taco Bell Dog" at the moment and this is another area where I am speeking from with first hand knowledge.

Both dogs love and like each other, however Kira is the equilivant of a Mack Truck and does not undrestand the potential of hurting the little pup while they are playing. I have trained her (for the most part) to lay down while the Taco Bell dog jumps on her face, bites ner nose, ears ect.ect.ect.

Kira loves it... She's like... "Bite my face, Bite my face!!!"

Then Kira will get excited... and stand up....
"Alright no more playing now!"
However both dogs still want to play...

Constent supervision is needed!!!
REALLY!!!

I would feel horriable if Kira hurt (or KILLED) the little thing while just playing, it would only take one "good chomp."

A 70+ pound Doberman "accidently" stepping or wanting to "play" with a 2.5 lb. Yorkie could be or would be an "EPIC DISASTER"!

SERIOUSLY...

Broken bones... Injuries... god help them if the playfull dobbie puppy "nips" or bites too hard playing...

What if the Yorkie is on the floor and the Dobbie jumps off the couch or bed and....

In a perfect home this would be just that... Perfect...

However it has potential to have a very sad outcome.

Meaning you wouldn't be able to keep your new Doberman puppy because the two dogs are not compatiable as companions. Or your Doberman could searously hurt possiably kill the little Yorkie.

I would suggest waiting until the Yorkie has had it's last breath and until then hold off on the Doberman Puppy.

Maybe adopting a senior Doberman with less energy and play,play,play would be a road to travel down?
:emo11:

 

[cassieatll]

Well bummer, this all makes me very sad. I knew the size thing would be an issue but I thought maybe it would be one we could work with. As far as them both being males I didn't realize that would be a problem if they were both fixed. I really need a good dog to be around the house/yard with me due to safety concerns but I am not willing to risk the health/safety of my daughters Yorkie who we love very much. I have wanted a Dobbie for a long time but I guess this isn't the right time...

 

[KevinK]

Well bummer, this all makes me very sad. I knew the size thing would be an issue but I thought maybe it would be one we could work with. As far as them both being males I didn't realize that would be a problem if they were both fixed. I really need a good dog to be around the house/yard with me due to safety concerns but I am not willing to risk the health/safety of my daughters Yorkie who we love very much. I have wanted a Dobbie for a long time but I guess this isn't the right time...

If safety/protection is a main concern, you're going to need to look into a few things. Firstly, you'll want to pick a dog like mentioned above from strong working lines, that have the right drives and temperements. You're going to need to do lots of training, and you're going to need to really understand how to work your dog. True working and/or personal protection dogs are not for everyone, especially as a first time doberman owner. So I would learn as much as you can in the meantime, so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it's a good idea for you and your family.

 

[Paladin]

Welcome!!

We have a female dobie, Roxy, and a female yorkie, Muffin. The yorkie is about 4 pounds. They get along but we do have to watch them because Roxy does not seem to know she can hurt her by pawing at her. She is learning but in the meantime we watch them carefully to make sure that our yorkie does not get hurt by accident.

 

[Darkevs]

Hello and Welcome to Doberman Talk!!