Doberman or Rottweiler
- Thread starter Ash47
- Start date
My Dobe loves lots of other dogs, especially his own Chihuahuas. No matter what they do to him, how grumpy they get on account of his goofiness, (he can pester them sometimes wanting to play and they get ticked) he still never ever retaliates in any way. He is just a marshmellow, tolerant and sooooo sweet natured. (and low man on the totem pole)
He is dog reactive to strange dogs, but not necessarily aggressive. There are lots of dogs he meets who he wants to play with. They're all different. You can't generalize too much, even though there are tendencies in each breed. Dobes can be very dog aggressive, regardless of early socialization. But they're not all. And I suspect the same is true with Rotties. It can be a protection thing going on which makes them tend toward this way. It can be a leash frustration, which I suspect in my own dog a lot of the time.
That's more of a lack of training than temperament. Either one of those dogs can be dangerous and ruined if not handled correctly...socialized a lot and good training, kind handling. Heavy handedness has no place in dealing with these dogs.
As far as the goofies go, Lyric can be dead serious in a heartbeat. When it's working time, he goes into that mode. When someone he doesn't know comes up the drive way or knocks on the door, he gets very menacing sounding. He has come between me and a person who came in the house in the middle of the night. The goofiness is reserved for those he loves and knows. Otherwise, he tends toward suspicion of strangers but a healthy suspicion. Once he checks them out for a few seconds, and we're all talking, he really relaxes....always the gentleman. Can you tell I just love this dog? LOL. I must be sooooo obnoxious.
He is dog reactive to strange dogs, but not necessarily aggressive. There are lots of dogs he meets who he wants to play with. They're all different. You can't generalize too much, even though there are tendencies in each breed. Dobes can be very dog aggressive, regardless of early socialization. But they're not all. And I suspect the same is true with Rotties. It can be a protection thing going on which makes them tend toward this way. It can be a leash frustration, which I suspect in my own dog a lot of the time.
That's more of a lack of training than temperament. Either one of those dogs can be dangerous and ruined if not handled correctly...socialized a lot and good training, kind handling. Heavy handedness has no place in dealing with these dogs.
As far as the goofies go, Lyric can be dead serious in a heartbeat. When it's working time, he goes into that mode. When someone he doesn't know comes up the drive way or knocks on the door, he gets very menacing sounding. He has come between me and a person who came in the house in the middle of the night. The goofiness is reserved for those he loves and knows. Otherwise, he tends toward suspicion of strangers but a healthy suspicion. Once he checks them out for a few seconds, and we're all talking, he really relaxes....always the gentleman. Can you tell I just love this dog? LOL. I must be sooooo obnoxious.
That's a temperment flaw in any dog. Shyness or viciousness in a Doberman is poor temperament and is NOT the described correct temperament.They're very tenacious when of good breeding/temperament and socialization etc. Of course, there are some with poor temperaments, just as there are in any breed, usually due to poor breeding practices (byb) and poor owner handling, lack of socialization and proper training.
Here is a good description of correct Doberman temperament:
http://bakaridobes.westhost.com/publiceducation/PECTemperament.html
Here is a good description of correct Doberman temperament:
http://bakaridobes.westhost.com/publiceducation/PECTemperament.html
Thanks everyone for all your input. It is going to be a looong time before I even contact breeders. I am still really leaning towards the Rott. But, I will spend time with both breeds to see which one I would do best with. And don't worry, I will pick a very reputable breeder. I definetely don't want to get any dog from a BYB or puppy mill. Yuck.
D
It all depends on your situation and what you want in a dog. I prefer the Doberman because they are taller and look more muscular. People have become to comfortable with the Rott and I like a dog that people are afraid of and know not to mess with me or my house. Doberman's are definately more intimidating (with their ears cropped). Its all up to personal preference both are great with kids if raised with them.
You must mean More Muscular like in Toned or ripped....because I think most people think of the Rott are having much more muscle mass.
For the sake of all Rott owners facings BSLs I wish that was true. I would say of all the well known breeds, the Rott is the most feared dog (above pit bulls because they are much bigger) I don't think this is warranted but I think that is the case.
For the sake of all Rott owners facings BSLs I wish that was true. I would say of all the well known breeds, the Rott is the most feared dog (above pit bulls because they are much bigger) I don't think this is warranted but I think that is the case.
R
You are absolutely right, AmStaffer.
In being out and about as much as I am with my dogs, I get approached frequently by the GP. They, like most people, are fascinated with any dog who has some training. Most people will chat for a bit, and many MANY of them do not know what kind of dog it is, and will ask.
I see a majority of people instinctively recoil when they hear the word ROTTWEILER, even tho they have just been interacting with my clearly sociable, friendly, and well trained dog.
I have careful privacy fencing to keep the passersby from rubbernecking at my dogs defending their turf. Can't keep them from hearing them tho.
*evil grin*
In being out and about as much as I am with my dogs, I get approached frequently by the GP. They, like most people, are fascinated with any dog who has some training. Most people will chat for a bit, and many MANY of them do not know what kind of dog it is, and will ask.
I see a majority of people instinctively recoil when they hear the word ROTTWEILER, even tho they have just been interacting with my clearly sociable, friendly, and well trained dog.
I have careful privacy fencing to keep the passersby from rubbernecking at my dogs defending their turf. Can't keep them from hearing them tho.
*evil grin*
R
I have to say that rotties have way more muscle mass than dobes. You might be able to see the dobermans muscles better, because their fur is shorter than a rotties. The dobes that I have seen are pretty slender and I never really noticed much muscle. In my opinion, rotties are more intimidating, because they are twice the size of a dobe, and their head/muzzle is bigger.
R
How was I being so evasive the first time? There is no secret here. Its all in your head. It was pretty rude to call me evasive, so why should I even tell you? If you really have to know... he was produced by a breeder in Washington state. He was my next door neighbor when I lived there a few years back. He stopped breeding when his father passed away.
R
Rottiegirl, as a fan and eternal student of the breed, it's in my best interest to know who that dog is because he is SO lovely.
He has a head type that is needed in our Gene pool. So not only am I interested in knowing who he is, I'm interested in looking at his pedigree to see where he comes from.
A head that beautiful should really be appreciated. Knowing where it came from would be beneficial in looking at a long term breeding program.
That's why.
I don't understand why you don't wish to say, but if you choose not to, nothing I can do about it.
I have no hidden agenda.
I'd just like to know who the dog is for the above reasons.
He has a head type that is needed in our Gene pool. So not only am I interested in knowing who he is, I'm interested in looking at his pedigree to see where he comes from.
A head that beautiful should really be appreciated. Knowing where it came from would be beneficial in looking at a long term breeding program.
That's why.
I don't understand why you don't wish to say, but if you choose not to, nothing I can do about it.
I have no hidden agenda.
I'd just like to know who the dog is for the above reasons.