[DobieNewbie]

My history with dogs is pretty limited or probably very limited in comparison with some of the owners contributing to this site. Now in my early 40s it's been nearly 14 years since my last dog. I've been considering the purchase of another dog now for about a year and have decided that if I travel down that path again I'd like my companion to be a Doberman.

I haven't had many opportunities to be around this specific breed but of those I've had the fortune of encountering I have good memories. However, there is one whose image has remained with me, surprisingly, since I wasn't actually introduced to the dog. It was more of a chance encounter while I was strolling through Augsburg, Germany while his masters were out walking him. I don't speak German so starting a conversation with the owners would have been awkward at best.

He appeared larger in both muscularity and skeletal build than all dogs I've seen in person and most I see in photos online. His stance gave him a noble and self assured appearance. A set of deep eyes scanning over a wide muzzle spoke of great intelligence. I recently stumbled upon the site for Doberman Review and saw photos there of a couple of Italian Dobermans that reminded me of the Doberman I saw in Augsburg.

After spending a large amount of time reading the information provided by many breeders on their websites and viewing the photos of their stock it feels as if it has all melded together. So I was hoping that maybe a contributor here has had experience with a breeder of import stock that they would be willing to recommend. Should I carry through on the purchase of a pup I would like one of companion quality but would still like one of sufficient quality that I might attempt to earn a working title of some sort.

Sorry for turning this thread into a novel.

 

[Okie-dobie]

Hello and welcome to the forum. BackinBlack has an import and I'm sure would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

brumwolf could recommend a few breeders I'm sure.

 

[LapDog]

congratulations on your decision Im sure the people across the ocean can help or someone that has gone to someone across the ocean for a dog I have no idea how it works lol.

 

[MandysBlackRoses]

Hello and Welcome to DT!

 

[Acooper]

Hello and welcome

I am sure you will be able to get some input here. And if/when you do find that perfect dog............you must share it all with us, because we here at DT are all Dobie mad creatures

 

[TracyJo]

Here is a link to the AKC and FCI standards:http://www.dobermantalk.com/showthread.php?t=1971

The topic of European bred v. US bred is a heated one - I am not trying to discourage a conversation or your attempt to gain information - just want to prepare you for what could turn into a heated thread.

We have members here to prefer one to the other, we have members here that have both US and Euro bred dogs and can give you advice on their differences. We also have members that say a Dobe is a Dobe no matter what side of the pond they were bred - But most importantly all of our members are truly dedicated to and love this breed and will be able to help you.

 

[robinb]

My 3rd Dobe boy who I owned from 94 until 05, was sired by Bonnie Wittrock's, Ch Cara's Talon (I'd have to look up his many working titles) and out of a imported bitch. Talon was 3/4 Euro breeding, so my Baron was pretty close to all Euro. I showed him in 95 and he did real well with just a few shows, my career at the time just didn't allow me the time to continue. He was a very striking dog who I think might have finished. On the big side of the standard but within the standard, and with the beautiful Talon head. He was a great dog who I loved dearly. He was always with me, went to the office, everywhere. But you need to know he was of the working lines not a couch potato. I have a farm with lots of room to run and the dog was always supervised and with me, day and night. My current Am bred dog had lots of drive, Baron had more, plus more hardness, more nerve and more courage. The courage is a double edge sword as they can hurt themselves as they will take the plunge and ask questions later. He was also my 3rd dobe and I did obedience work with him in class for a couple of years. If all goes as hoped I will have a Talon daughter next year. The good ones are great but they also could get in trouble in the wrong situation and without lots of training. I will tell you that I'm glad he wasn't my first dobe, although he was probably my favorite. My Talon son had perfect health until Cancer got him at close to 11 and he went fast with it. The night we put him down my vet remarked on how strong his heart was.

 

[DobieNewbie]

Contributions

Just wanted to extend my thanks to those who took the time and interest to respond to my post. My plan is to perform more investigation into Doberman ownership and its related consequences and responsibilities before making a purchase if at all. A dog is deserving of it. So thanks to all.

Robinb, I wanted to extend my sympathies for your loss. I hope you find as good a friend in your next dog. I also wanted to ask how a dog of his qualities handled being around infants and toddlers. Was he fond of them?

 

[Dobesanddragons]

But you need to know he was of the working lines not a couch potato. The good ones are great but they also could get in trouble in the wrong situation and without lots of training. .

These remarks sound like a Dobe thing. Dobermans in general regardless of breeding (take DobeKim's rescue for example or my Am. bred show dogs) don't usually make good couch potatos at all. They need jobs, they need to work, it has less to do with Am, Euro, breeder, or rescue - more to do with the breed.

 

[Dobesanddragons]

My history with dogs is pretty limited or probably very limited in comparison with some of the owners contributing to this site.

Should I carry through on the purchase of a pup I would like one of companion quality but would still like one of sufficient quality that I might attempt to earn a working title of some sort.
.

Most Dobes are smart enough and have enough drive and brains to earn a working title of some sort if that is what you are trying to accomplish. That shouldn't be a problem.
Dobermans are one of the smartest breeds out there, they are also eager to please provided you provide the right leadership and like to exercise.
Think about your general lifestyle before getting a Dobe. If you go to work, do you come home filled with energy? Dobermans don't do well without lots of exercise, they will become creative and find outlets for their frustration of not having a job to do and not enough exercise. These dogs crave human interaction.

how much time do you have to devote to training? If you have not owned a puppy or dog for a very long time, you will need to go to a good dog club and brush up on your obedience knowledge and give the dog a job to do and classes to take. This is a good idea regardless of your training knowledge, as classes hugely benefit the puppy as well. Also take the time to understand deeply about socialization and all that entails, it will be a big part of your puppy's life and it is an important part of raising of working breed puppy, esp. a Doberman.

Puppies are a ton of work, they have so much to learn and so much energy. Think about your current schedule and if that allows for time to train a puppy. And keep in mind many Dobermans (esp. the males) remain puppies for longer than you might think, even 2-3.5 years (some take even longer to mature mentally).

Read up on male Dobermans and females and the differences between. For instance, it isn't uncommon for males to be same sex aggressive. They are generally bigger.

Your general questions have been answered before in the archives many times. I think you might get a lot of information that way about Dobermans in general.
What I suggest is going to shows, getting Doberman specific magazines, then making a short list of breeders that interest you. Search Dobe clubs, see if there is one in your area. Attend Dobe functions, the National, WAE tests, and check out the Dobes. Spend some time with Dobermans, at shows, or wherever you can and learn more about them to see if they fit your needs. Read all you can on the breed, don't be narrow minded (sometimes people only want ONE color) and keep searching for information wherever it is available.

 

[robinb]

I actually have a new dog who I love very much, unfortunately when they all leave you they also that part of you. I don't have kids and rarely have or had families with kids to my house. From when he was a 10 week puppy until 1999, I worked for the state senate in the leadership office's in the legistative building, so Baron was exposed to everything and everyone from puppyhood on, as he went to work with me. Infact, he passed his CGC at 11 months. Baron was very protective of his household, including his cat, who he loved dearly, but a neighborhood cat should not come hiss at his. I would have trusted him completely with my kids, but I think that he would have intervened if lets say another kid slugged one of his. The dog didn't have a mean bone in his body but if somebody had got in my house and went after me they would have had a real problem. One other thing that I should mention is he had a higher suspision level than any of my other dobes, what I mean by that is he didn't want to be everybody's best friend and it took him time to warm up to a new person but once he was around the person for a time and warmed up to them he never forgot them. The dog I have now, if you came over to visit and had a new toy, Rex would be your buddy in minutes. Baron was harder to bribe, he wanted to size the situation up first. One thing that I would suggest you do is go to DPCA site and somewhere there you will find a list of articles written by many experts of the breed. Bonnie Wittrock has authored a few there and they would be useful for you to read.

 

[robinb]

dobesanddragons

I didn't mean to imply that any dobes are good couch potatos, the point that I was trying to make is that the 3 Am bred dogs I have owned, would probably have got themselves in less trouble in the hands of a person who didn't train hard. I should have worded it different.

 

[Riagogogo]

Rudi=Couch Potato

We went to a pet expo event on Saturday representing the Dobe rescue I volunteer at. 1 hour trip up, spent 5 hours meeting and greeting people and their dogs and 1 hour trip back. Then went straight to my sisters house. Rudi-straight to the couch, took nap. Then we ate dinner. Then left him at my sister's (still on couch) for 4 hours while we went antique shopping, came back to her house and he hadn't moved. Fast-forward to Sunday......I spent the day painting the interior of my house.....Rudi on couch. He went out a few times to sniff the air (potty) and came back inside to the couch. I bet he is on the couch right now.

He loves to please and do jobs for me when I ask. He did very well in his obedience classes. He's just not a worker. He doesn't have a high drive. He a couch potato....but miraculously has the body of a streamlined dobie.


I should've never let him on the couch.

 

[Okie-dobie]

Beautiful picture of Mr. Rudi!!

 

[robinb]

Rudi looks like my guy on the sofa. My boy Rex gets to play almost daily with a good friends rescue dobegirl, Molly. They just love each other.