Doberman vs. GSD
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I've had limited experience with dobes, but from what I've seen, the dobes tend to be serious when in public, while privately they are absolute goofs.
The GSD is a lot less concerned with his public image. The GSD tends to be more object oriented while the dobe is handler oriented (The GSD wants his toy, his food, his bed, etc. The dobe wants his person.)
I think that GSD's typically are higher energy, not that dobes are low energy
Are you talking for pet quality or working in terms of doing protection? They have very different working styles. The GSD's are more forgiving of handler mistakes.
The GSD is a lot less concerned with his public image. The GSD tends to be more object oriented while the dobe is handler oriented (The GSD wants his toy, his food, his bed, etc. The dobe wants his person.)
I think that GSD's typically are higher energy, not that dobes are low energy
Are you talking for pet quality or working in terms of doing protection? They have very different working styles. The GSD's are more forgiving of handler mistakes.
Well you have the 'goof balls at home' part RIGHT! LOL.......but I bet GSDs are too 
Dobes DO shed, and they do it all the time. I am sweeping up little black hairs ALL THE TIME! It is NOT a food quality issue.........Orson eats VERY good quality and is healthy with a shiney coat and healthy skin. They just shed, period.
GSDs......better in many types of climates. Dobes....DO NOT tolerate the cold well at all. They are single coated and I know Orson shivers inside the house at night with no blankie, LOL
Both highly intelligent, easily trainable dogs...........loving, loyal, handsome (dobes more handsome..........hehehhe)
Dobes DO shed, and they do it all the time. I am sweeping up little black hairs ALL THE TIME! It is NOT a food quality issue.........Orson eats VERY good quality and is healthy with a shiney coat and healthy skin. They just shed, period.
GSDs......better in many types of climates. Dobes....DO NOT tolerate the cold well at all. They are single coated and I know Orson shivers inside the house at night with no blankie, LOL
Both highly intelligent, easily trainable dogs...........loving, loyal, handsome (dobes more handsome..........hehehhe)
I honestly think Dobes shed just as much as GSDs, you just don't have the undercoat issue. I was expecting them not to shed a lot and I was surprised that they do leave a trail of little black hairs wherever they've been.
I haven't lived with either breed but in my limited experience, GSDs are responsible. I don't know how else to describe them. They're not exceptionally silly as adults, though I've met some that are over-the-top affectionate/exuberant and some that are extremely serious, most hang somewhere in between. I find Dobermans are more goofy and playful as adults, and far more "velcro" than the sheppies.
Corgipower's comment about GSDs being more object oriented seems about right to me.
I think both are really high-energy, people-oriented breeds with a strong work ethic. Love 'em both!
I haven't lived with either breed but in my limited experience, GSDs are responsible. I don't know how else to describe them. They're not exceptionally silly as adults, though I've met some that are over-the-top affectionate/exuberant and some that are extremely serious, most hang somewhere in between. I find Dobermans are more goofy and playful as adults, and far more "velcro" than the sheppies.
Corgipower's comment about GSDs being more object oriented seems about right to me.
I think both are really high-energy, people-oriented breeds with a strong work ethic. Love 'em both!
Then you've never met Tigger and Rover.
I've never seen two dogs (that aren't in a sport, mind you) that are more handler-oriented.
-Rosefern
I've never seen two dogs (that aren't in a sport, mind you) that are more handler-oriented.
-Rosefern
but having had four GSD's and having been close friends with a dobe breeder was where i was speaking from. my gsd's were very bonded to me, but once they had their toy, it was like "i got what i came for, i'll see ya later."
The GSDs I've met (my grandmother had several) are not overly fawning. They will not follow you to the bathroom, and may actually let you move into another room without them following. I've heard that this would be very unusual for a Dobe.
Double coats= necessity if you want to be active in the cold and rain.
Single coats are better if you want to be able to stay out of the rain, or use them as a bed warmer (more heat escapes to the human!)
Double coats= necessity if you want to be active in the cold and rain.
Single coats are better if you want to be able to stay out of the rain, or use them as a bed warmer (more heat escapes to the human!)
It is for the dobes I know as well. Orson LITTERALLY MUST be touching us as much as possible. If he is not able to squeeze in and lay with us.........he will lay at our feet TOUCHING them in some way, LOL
But remember......THAT is what they were bred for in the first place, Personal Protection, not GUARD DOG........but a BODY GUARD. So it is in their make up to want to keep you close enough to 'keep an eye' on you at all times
I agree with ACooper and corgipower - Dobes are the quintessential bodyguards. It's what they were created for, it's what they live for.
Dobes = less coat, no tumbleweeds of hair! But it's a double edged sword, some Dobermans need winter protection since their coat does not naturally provide it. And if you've never had a Doberman Hair Splinter in the sole of your foot before... you. have. been. warned.
I want a good GSD someday, but IMO it's easier to find a good dobe than it is to find a good GSD... the fault of the exaggerated show type I think. I don't want a GSD as long as a limo with its butt dragging on the ground, but at the same time I don't want an uber-working line dog descended from generations of podium dogs. Finding the happy medium has proved to be quite a challenge.
Now, if I was looking for a good dobe... that's relatively easy!
Dobes = less coat, no tumbleweeds of hair! But it's a double edged sword, some Dobermans need winter protection since their coat does not naturally provide it. And if you've never had a Doberman Hair Splinter in the sole of your foot before... you. have. been. warned.
I want a good GSD someday, but IMO it's easier to find a good dobe than it is to find a good GSD... the fault of the exaggerated show type I think. I don't want a GSD as long as a limo with its butt dragging on the ground, but at the same time I don't want an uber-working line dog descended from generations of podium dogs. Finding the happy medium has proved to be quite a challenge.
Now, if I was looking for a good dobe... that's relatively easy!
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While I own / breed Dobermans, I train with a GSD breeder / owner / trainer. Consequently, there are a lot of GSDs in her classes as they are often her puppies and their owners.
It *seems* that you can drill a GSD for a lot longer than a Doberman. The GSDs don't seem to mind doing the same exercise over and over, while the Doberman is like I did it 3 times, I got it right, let's move on. The Doberman gets bored. The Doberman is a thinking breed, often described as not blindly obedient. They say that it is one of the reasons that police forces don't use them much these days - that the Doberman is not going to run into a burning building because you tell it to, it's going to stop and think h'mmm, that doesn't seem safe, how else can I accomplish this task? While other breeds will do as told because they were told. I see the GSDs in class to be like that - they do what they are asked, while the Doberman tries to put a new spin on exercises. I just don't see the sense of humour (usually) in the GSDs that I see often that I do in Dobermans. They make fun of my Dobermans and their "prissiness", the way they don't really want to lie down on the cold mats or in the dewy grass while the GSDs just plop down as told.
I'm not saying the Dobe is better than the GSD (they are for me, but not for everyone). I'm just commenting on some of what I see.
It *seems* that you can drill a GSD for a lot longer than a Doberman. The GSDs don't seem to mind doing the same exercise over and over, while the Doberman is like I did it 3 times, I got it right, let's move on. The Doberman gets bored. The Doberman is a thinking breed, often described as not blindly obedient. They say that it is one of the reasons that police forces don't use them much these days - that the Doberman is not going to run into a burning building because you tell it to, it's going to stop and think h'mmm, that doesn't seem safe, how else can I accomplish this task? While other breeds will do as told because they were told. I see the GSDs in class to be like that - they do what they are asked, while the Doberman tries to put a new spin on exercises. I just don't see the sense of humour (usually) in the GSDs that I see often that I do in Dobermans. They make fun of my Dobermans and their "prissiness", the way they don't really want to lie down on the cold mats or in the dewy grass while the GSDs just plop down as told.
I'm not saying the Dobe is better than the GSD (they are for me, but not for everyone). I'm just commenting on some of what I see.
I don't think I would look at it that way Reggin.
What I got out of Mary's post is this........and please correct me if I am wrong Mary.
Think of the GSD as an intelligent soldier, but STILL as soldier that follows your every command (once trained) If the commander orders everyone to jump ship even though the ship is perfectly fine, and there was no logical reason, the GSD would do it because he was told to. (good soldier)
Now think of the Doberman as an intelligent civilian. Give him the same order to jump ship..........the ship is fine and there is nobody in the water needing saved. The doberman is going to think "why? that water is cold and you don't NEED me to jump in do you?" That's not to say he wouldn't do it..........it means he would think about it and try to figure out a better way, LOL
Dobes have dedication and drive galore.........they just like to have their own thoughts as well.
What I got out of Mary's post is this........and please correct me if I am wrong Mary.
Think of the GSD as an intelligent soldier, but STILL as soldier that follows your every command (once trained) If the commander orders everyone to jump ship even though the ship is perfectly fine, and there was no logical reason, the GSD would do it because he was told to. (good soldier)
Now think of the Doberman as an intelligent civilian. Give him the same order to jump ship..........the ship is fine and there is nobody in the water needing saved. The doberman is going to think "why? that water is cold and you don't NEED me to jump in do you?" That's not to say he wouldn't do it..........it means he would think about it and try to figure out a better way, LOL
Dobes have dedication and drive galore.........they just like to have their own thoughts as well.