Doberman or Rottweiler

[Doberluv]

It also depends on what you want to do with your dog. If you like agility, I'm pretty sure Dobermans excell over Rotts. They're incredibly flexable, agilile, quick and very fast runners. As it was said, Rotts were bred for herding. They are a very old breed. A Doberman was bred to protect his master and is a relatively new breed. He is made up of many breeds. The Rottweiler gives him the muscles, coloring and some of that protective temperament. The Manchester Terrier gives him the tenaciousness. The Greyhound gives him the speed, agility, sleek look and the mellow, sweet side of him, I think. There's German Pinscher, possibly Weimeraner, possibly Great Dane and some others....the records were mixed up way back when and there is some speculation as to what all went into the Doberman along the way. They changed after Herr Doberman began this breed, which started out very aggressive. Anyhow, they have become finely tuned by infusing all these different breeds. But yes...the only job they were designed to do was protect their family, not sheep, not equipment....just their master or family. So, they are indeed very loyal, tending toward obedience, since they were designed to work along side man, although at times, can be quite distractable. But they are excellent obedience pupils. They're known for their playful, silly business and never seem to grow out of it. But in a flash, they're up at the slightest abnormal sound and tend to not back down in the face of a threat. Of course, not all live up to the standards, but that's the idea.

In either case, go to a reputable breeder. Be really careful.

Whenever there is a dog breed which is a fad...the latest "thing," you get a lot of byb's and some poorly temperamented dogs, not to mention, unhealthy ones.

Good luck. They're both lovely dogs.

 

[TroyF]

Kinda good for Rotts because that means they are not used for this sport.

Absolutely. I'd hate to see the problems if they were.

Bet you didn't expect Finland to shut out the Russians.

 

[Gwinnywillow]

Dobermans have totally delightful and perverse senses of humor. Rotties have no sense of humor by comparison. They are a bit on the duller side.

 

[rottiegirl]

Why would they, a 30 to 50lb pit bull would tear it apart? The difference between pit bulls and nearly every other breed is that pit bulls actually like to fight. I do mean like in the enjoy sense of the word. Most often they don't make a sound and just go at it in a clinical manner; tails are wagging the whole time. I don't condone it so don't start yelling at me. It's just the facts.

I have no idea why rotties would be used, but I have seen it a few times on animal cops. Dog fighters match dogs by weight, so they probably wouldnt put a 90 pound rottie up against a 30 pound pit. I am just saying that they have been used before. Its pretty rare though. Bull terriers love a good fight, but they pretty much are never used.

 

[Amstaffer]

Why would they, a 30 to 50lb pit bull would tear it apart? The difference between pit bulls and nearly every other breed is that pit bulls actually like to fight. I do mean like in the enjoy sense of the word. Most often they don't make a sound and just go at it in a clinical manner; tails are wagging the whole time. I don't condone it so don't start yelling at me. It's just the facts.

The tail wagging this is an excitement and balancing thing. Pits are in a different league in fighting other dogs because of power but also because of a complete refusal to quit. A Rott has more overall power but they would surrender long before a Pit would. I have owned both Rotts and Pits and Rotts are brave and super strong but don't have near the intensity when it comes to other dogs.

You know how some labs will chase a ball until they drop dead if you let them. Well Pits are like that with other dogs. Sal loves to wrestle with the Pit bull who lives next door. They love each other and never even mouth each other, but they would wrestle until they both drop dead if we let them.

It is truly sad that man has bred an animal to fulfill their own desire to be macho and tough. However along the way all the other traits in the Pit Bull are fantasic. I wouldn't change a thing about Athena and Sal.

 

[Doberluv]

Dobermans have totally delightful and perverse senses of humor.

LOL! I had to laugh. Perverse is right....warped really. Lyric is a constant source of comedy around here. I could swear he's trying to make the biggest goof ball out of himself most all his waking moments. But I've never had a Rott before so what do I know? They have sort of a stodgy face. But hey, that might be part of their gig. LOL. (just kidding)

 

[TroyF]

I wasn't refering to the tail wagging but that does add to it. It's more in the way they look for it (at least the gamey ones). I kind of equate a pit-bull to a hockey player - at least some hockey players. Good guys, athletic and like to fight. Doesn't mean they're bad. Average other dog is going to bark and posture and fight as a last resort.

 

[Amstaffer]

LOL! I had to laugh. Perverse is right....warped really. Lyric is a constant source of comedy around here. I could swear he's trying to make the biggest goof ball out of himself most all his waking moments. But I've never had a Rott before so what do I know? They have sort of a stodgy face. But hey, that might be part of their gig. LOL. (just kidding)

Rotts have their silly side too but overall I think they are more serious than Dobes. They are more serious than Amstaffs that is for sure.

 

[rottiegirl]

I have always heard that red male dobermans are especially goofy.

 

[Doberluv]

I have always heard that red male dobermans are especially goofy.

I'm not sure Rottiegirl. My blk/rust boy is goofy enough. I don't think I could take much more! LOL! But one thing I have heard is that way back when, there was a red Dobe who had the most phenomenal and lovely, sweet disposition and it is often thought that many red Dobes who probably have his genes are tending toward an extra sweetness. I don't know how pronounced that is or if it's even true. My black boy is pretty awesome. Of course, I'm biased. LOL.

My son, when young had a friend with a Rottie and that dog was pretty cute and goofy...very sweet. So, I'm sure they all have their own individuality.....thank goodness.

 

[rottiegirl]

I'm not sure Rottiegirl. My blk/rust boy is goofy enough. I don't think I could take much more! LOL! But one thing I have heard is that way back when, there was a red Dobe who had the most phenomenal and lovely, sweet disposition and it is often thought that many red Dobes who probably have his genes are tending toward an extra sweetness. I don't know how pronounced that is or if it's even true. My black boy is pretty awesome. Of course, I'm biased. LOL.

My son, when young had a friend with a Rottie and that dog was pretty cute and goofy...very sweet. So, I'm sure they all have their own individuality.....thank goodness.

Every dobe that I have met were goofy. None of them were too serious. I had a dobe/rottie cross that was pretty goofy, so that characterictic probably came from the dobe in her, lol. I prefer black over red, but I have always been fascinated by white dobes.

 

[Zoom]

I spent most of today with a black/rust dobie on my lap and two more lying at my feet...the biggest bunch of sweeties I've met! The two females are anything but goofy though. The male is in rescue right now so we're trying to encourage the good side to his goofiness.

 

[filarotten]

You know I am going to go with the rottie. Roxie is an awesome dog. She is one of the best dogs I have ever had, and she is extremely smart. Very loving to her family, confident, and a wonderful mom and teacher to the pups I have brought home thru the years. she is also good with children. That has always been important to me. I don't want a dog that I can't trust around children. My old boss had a female doberman. She was actually a sweethear, but, she didn't have a watchdog bone in her body. He was robbed three times while she was there.

 

[Fandogg]

IMO if you want only 1 dog get a Dobe if you want to have a couple dogs get a Rott...still shouldn't leave the Rotts alone while unsupervised as they can be dog aggressive sometimes but not as much as Dobes. Ofcourse everydog is completely different these are just generalizations.

 

[filarotten]

I can't see dog aggression in Roxie. She really isn't a fighter. She loves the dogs in her house, and is very tollerant of puppys and other dogs people have brought over to our house thru the years. But, if another dog starts a fight she will hold her ground. She doesn't like cats though. But she has never been raised around them.

 

[rottiegirl]

IMO if you want only 1 dog get a Dobe if you want to have a couple dogs get a Rott...still shouldn't leave the Rotts alone while unsupervised as they can be dog aggressive sometimes but not as much as Dobes. Ofcourse everydog is completely different these are just generalizations.

I have seen many dobes who got along with other dogs extremely well.

 

[amymarley]

In most cases, it does not matter what type of dog you get to get, to get along with another dog. ALL dogs, no matter what bred or mixed breed.... ,test them together, you may or may not see a great, everlatsting friendship....

I find myself surprised over and over again here, too much "wondering" and not enough actual learning. Don't always talk about animals or "dogs" on a site through a computer, or try to find answers, or pm about it. You should be educationg your self or actually "doing" it.

NO, I am not speaking down to people here at all, but first off, don't get your advice over the net, second, learn from a good source about animal. Volunteer at a shelter or a training group, See how they react and inter-act, don't just go to a forum for advice. Live and learn....

I see tooooo many people living on or off web sites they read.... that is not always the right answer.j Anyone can put up a web site....

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

With children in mind... just make sure that either breed has no aggressive issues in their background.

Yeah, I agree with this. Regardless of the breed, you should make sure of this. Even with a mixed breed. That way you can be pretty sure about it. I also reccomend socialising the dog with kids and other dogs.
Good luck to you.
Hannah

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

I think a doberman might be a good choice for you because the only rottweiler I know kept biting me for food and I don't know any dobermans, though.

 

[Amstaffer]

still shouldn't leave the Rotts alone while unsupervised as they can be dog aggressive

I owned two enact Males (Rotts) that were a year apart in age and left them alone together 5 days a week/ 8 hours a day. Never had a problem, they never even growled at each other. They also were very good with other dogs. My aunts Shitzu even attacked my 135lb male and he did nothing back but show his teeth and growl. The secret is socialization and lots of it!