They might not be 90-100 lb dogs. Some males are only 70-80lbs. Their perfect weights will be different from each other, so you can't expect to feed them both the same amount for their whole lives. It's hard to tell what they look like in their pictures because they are sitting and laying down.

Also, if they aren't being separated, I recommend you separate them. Having two male dobes is a big no-no and having litter mates is also not a good idea.

 

They are fed separately and in separate rooms. Max is bulky and has a healthy rib outline where he isn't overweight but neither under weight. Max is super athletic and will clear a five foot fence like its nothing. Kane tends to look good some days and lanky on others. That's why I'm wondering if I should increase his food, change foods or supplement him with wet food.

 

As long as he is looking good and not skinney continue to feed as you have been and he will mature at his own rate. Some dobes go through lanky stages, some are just lanky forever. It all depends on breeding and brothers will not be identical.

If you have not read up on and researched male-male aggression, you might want to do so. This breed is notorious for Male-Male aggression, and not just at meal times.

I am pretty sure that Dobelove didn't mean they should be separated only during mealtimes, they should be separated ALL THE TIME -- elsewise you are likely to have some nasty dog fights, and big vet bills, at some point.

 

I also suggest separating them during feeding and other times. The male/male aggression starts some nasty fights.

I can't imagine having to feed a dobe 5-8 cups of food a day, especially a good food. I know danes that eat that much. I'd just feed the amount that keeps them looking healthy and no more/less than that. Also, I don't know your dogs' ages but it could be that the one is looking lanky simply because he is still growing. Their final weight, yes, can be controlled by how much you feed them but you really should feed them just enough and let them find their final weight on their own. Many beautiful male dobs weigh in the 80-90 lb range (and 110 lbs for a male dobe is grossly overweight :[ )

Edit: I just saw you say that they just turned two but my suggestion on feeding them the amount that's right for them still stands.

 

Oh I'm aware of male to male aggression. They started exhibiting it about four months ago and we separated them so they stay apart at all times. Someone locally recommended a pair of muzzles and shock collars to teach them to overcome their male aggression because they found it worked for their dobies.

 

Oh I'm aware of male to male aggression. They started exhibiting it about four months ago and we separated them so they stay apart at all times. Someone locally recommended a pair of muzzles and shock collars to teach them to overcome their male aggression because they found it worked for their dobies.[/QUOTE


You should consider neutering them to decrease the male on male aggression.

 

shocking them, muzzling them, what a life that is.

Have you considered finding an awesome home for one of them and you just keep one yourself.

If they do happen to accidently get together one day you could be in for a nasty dog fight with one or the other or both being seriously injured or even killed.

Is it worth it just so you can keep two males?

And just because they are brothers does not mean they will look the same or act the same.
I have found that most pups resemble their grandparents, not the parents.

Please do what is best for the dogs, not what is best for you.

Hugz to Kane and Max!

 

shocking them, muzzling them, what a life that is.

Have you considered finding an awesome home for one of them and you just keep one yourself.

The food advice thus far has all been very good, so I'll indulge in a slight derail:

It concerns me too that you've had to resort to shock collars and muzzles to keep them "safe." Doesn't it make more sense to find one of them another home where they can be a happy dog? No muzzles or shocks required?

I saw this thread you had from earlier: http://www.dobermantalk.com/general-training-obedience/55403-socializing-dominant-brothers.html

Seems like you got similar advice. Just consider what the dogs would want. You shouldn't feel guilty about finding one a new home; you should feel happy that you were able to provide them with the best possible living arrangement.

 

Our vet uses the rule of 1 cup per 20lbs of dog depending on quality of food. Higher quality=less food.

5 cups sounds like a lot for an 80lb dog. Personaly I wouldn't want to risk health for bulk.

 

Hey, agree with the other posters, just feed them as individual dogs for each ideal weight, play it by ear and adjust as they mature.

Looking at your picture of Maximus in your gallery, what is the deal with his elbow? Does he have a hygroma there? Or just a kennel callous?

 

I have to feed my 72-74 lb female Dobe 4-5 cups of a food a day. She's very very very active and that's what it takes to keep her lean.

 

As for the elbow, that's old. Its actually healed up. It was a callous. As for feeding, Max is an easy keeper. He does well on 4-5 cups. Kane just seems so high strung that he almost runs and paces off his weight. If you give Kane free roam he will run relentlessly for hours all day. The only way to get him to be still is to crate him. His brother though will run around then lay down for a while and relax. As a result it can take 6-7 cups plus 2tbsp of Lard. That's why I'm wondering if I should supplement him with wet food or something like Origin or Blue Buffalo with 38% protein.

 

What food are you feeding now and how old are your dogs?

I feed raw but and I do have friends who own a pet supply business that specializes in upper end foods. They could probably supply a recommendation for me.
I will say when I was feeding processed food I never went by the recommendations on the bag. They seem to be way over feeding dogs.

 

Here is another idea. How about giving Kane some probotics with his food. Maybe he is not absorbing all the nutrients from the food. Or try giving the same amount of food but in 3 meals a day. Each dog is different.

 

As for what food I am feeding, I am feeding a brand called Priority Nutra Balance. The first ingredients are meet. It doesn't contain any rice. Its a lamb and rice formula. I've been actually looking at putting my dobies on Blue Buffalo or Orijen. Our malamutes do well on what we feed now. They get 3 cups per day and they are of good tone and health. Its just Max who is on 4-5 cups (I've actually cut him back to 4 cups since he has filled out and is more stable in his weight) while Kane is on nearly 6 cups a day.

I will definitely try the priobiotics with Kane. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

As for what food I am feeding, I am feeding a brand called Priority Nutra Balance. The first ingredients are meet. It doesn't contain any rice. Its a lamb and rice formula. I've been actually looking at putting my dobies on Blue Buffalo or Orijen. Our malamutes do well on what we feed now. They get 3 cups per day and they are of good tone and health. Its just Max who is on 4-5 cups (I've actually cut him back to 4 cups since he has filled out and is more stable in his weight) while Kane is on nearly 6 cups a day.

I will definitely try the priobiotics with Kane. Thank you for the recommendation.

If you are worried about your dogs weight I would first stop feeding Safeway brand dog food and find something better

 

My old boy Daims was always light on from the ages of about 10mths to 4yrs due to several reasons...one, like yours he would run all day if you let him, he wasn't a heavy boned dog (med boned) but probably the other big reason was he was entire. I couldn't tell from your photos if your dogs were entire or neutured...but if they're entire...that can factor in.

The weight itself is really not important...far more important that the dog is healthy and is the right weight for himself (ie: gleaming coat, energetic, light cover over the ribs etc.) I did feed him in excess of the recommended for his food (eukanubbra performance....it was the only high end food available in those days) until he settled into his adult weight at about 4yrs. He was never a heavy dog and maintained his weight at around 34-36kgs ...before that he had hovered around 32kgs...but he was incredibly fit and healthy and that was what mattered most. He was also smack bang on standard at 27 1/2 inches.

with the availability of different quality foods these days...don't be afraid to try different brands/formulas to find the one that suits the dog best....and be guided by the individual dog and its responses to each food. There's no "one size fits all" nor is there a one size that your dog ought to be....each should be tailored to be fit & healthy in themselves.

 

I am sorry but looking at the several threads that RTCXi has started, it sure seems to me that he has his own agenda in asking the questions he does. I wouldn't waste my time or energy responding. This is the first time I have said this, but I think you are trolling.

 

The only reason we feed our dogs Nutro Balance is because it was recommended by several of our vets who are research vets in the area of canine nutrition. However due to Kanes high activity I am planning o move him and his brother over to Blue Buffalo or Orijen once I have researched them further and discussed it with our vet.

 

several of our vets who are research vets in the area of canine nutrition

Gotta admit that this phrase piqued my curiosity. You are involved somehow with the animal feed industry? With dogs or other animals, commercially?

 

@Audrey1 I'm sorry you think im trolling because im not. Im not confessing to being an expert and I am seeking advice and recommendations.

 

@Audrey1 I'm sorry you think im trolling because im not. Im not confessing to being an expert and I am seeking advice and recommendations.

You have gotten plenty of great advice and recommendations, and you seem unwilling to change anything for the better (not talking about changing dog food), which is probably why people are starting to wonder if you're a troll.

I hope you aren't, because you seemed legit in the thread about breeding that I replied to.

 

I am definitely not a troll. I've taken some of the advice on other matters and begun putting it into practice and I appreciate all of the advice and information offered. Thank you very much.

 

Well, I think a whole lot of folks reading along are just crossing their fingers (but not holding their breath) that you do not become the next BYB or commercial kennel pumping out Dobermans.

I know that sounds harsh, but hey--I am the girl who will usually point out the elephant in the room.

I'm trying to bring across a gentle tone here on this next thing, which can be hard to do in cyberspace, but...frankly your general dog knowledge seems to be on a very novice level, much less your breed-specific knowledge, and yet you're already contemplating breeding Dobermans.

That's very worrisome, in the way watching a young green belt plan to falsify his level of training and enter an international MMA competition would be.

I'll end, with a fond wish that you are sincere, will listen, and will learn a whole bunch more about dogs and Dobermans, before ever bringing any new innocent lives into an already overcrowded pet population.

 

Let me calm your worries. Im not planning on gettig into breeding for years. I am just seeking knowledge right now. I would get involved with a reputable breeder and learn as much as I can and show before I seriously vested myself in breeding.

 

We are invoved with high-end show horses and exotic animal import for zoological facilities and private collections. As a result of our involvement we have frequent contact with practicing vets and research vets who specialize in nutritional research for domesticated and large predators.

 

IMO If you really were involved with such knowledgeable vets, you would not be raising two males of the same litter together.
Not only because of what everyone has already said about two male dobermans together but because of something called "litter mate syndrome" that I would suggest you look into.
I know you are keeping them seperate know, but you would have known about this sooner and never had kept them together from the start

 

We are involved with several vets for domesticated and exotic animals from UC Davis and the University of Colorado. We utilize both research vet facilities for dogs, large animal and exotic animal examinations and quarantine. As for the food, it was Priority Nutro Balance. I am well aware of Nutro the brand. There is Priority and then there is Priority Nutro Balance which is the higher end label that is meat based. We just picked up Blue Buffalo Wilderness and are going to see how they do on it.

 

If you are close to UC Davis there is a very knowledgeable vet who has Doberman experience in the Sacramento area. Jean Metzler 916 987-2055. She'd get you on the right track for food and dobermans in general. She'd also suggest not having 2 males.

 

@MaryandDobes - That was a grammatical error on my part. I apologize for the confusion. I was exhausted when I typed that. I'm sorry. It has rice. What I meant to say is it doesn't have corn. My apologies.

@Adara- Thank you very much for the name and number. I will definitely give her a call.

 

It sounds to me that your dogs are not allowed to have an exemplar life because of being separated all the time. They deserve one on one love and affection from someone who is responsible enough to know that keeping two males together when you don't know what you are doing is highly dangerous and not the best life for the dogs.
I sincerely hope you will consider rehoming one of the boys. As far as electronic collars and muzzles on the dogs just shows how little you care about the welfare of these animals.

 

I personally don't use muzzles or electronic collars on them. That was simply a recommendation from a person we know who has dealt with multiple males at once. I never said I agreed with it or put it into practice. As for time and dedication to them, I think they would consider themselves rather happy because they are with us all the time. My wife takes one of them with her to work for 14 hours a day and the other brother is always with me in my work and travel. With that said, they get more attention and time to play and free roam than most people afford their human children. Anyhow, as I've expressed before I'm well aware of male to male aggression with dobermans and other breeds. My two current dobies aren't the first dobies I've been around or owned. Growing up we owned dobies as well.

 

Is it always the same dog with you and the other with your wife? If so, you may want switch up each day so that each dog doesn't feel they have exclusiveness to a particular person. You may have to males that just don't want to live together and that will not be much fun for you and your wife.

Also, my boys are very different in personality, Apollo is an old soul who has been mello from day one of puppyhood, whereas Ares is more high stung and energetic.

 

I have two males, litter mates also. Apollo has always been fuller bodied than Ares. Ares has always been more slender and finely built. Being litter mates doesn't mean they will be built the same. I feed them both the exact same of food per day. All that happened when I tried to increase Ares food when he was younger was that he got runny poops. They have good poops, ribs are not sticking out and their coats look good so that is how I measure that their food intake is correct.

I would re-home one of my boys before having to go with muzzles/electric collars, but that's just me. My boys are not left alone together when I'm not home. When I'm home they do everything together along with my female, eat, drink, potty and hang out with me. I show no favorites and have no favorites among them, appreciating their individual personalities.

For anyone else thinking of going with two males, don't. I wouldn't do it again. Both my boys were neutered at 9 months and still they had a few rounds with each other over the years. I can only hope that now at 4 years of age they have sorted things out and realize that the only top dog in our home is me.