Doberman temperament

[Doberluv]

This is a pretty good description of correct Doberman temperament. As we know, they are not all of good temperament. This is one big factor in reputable breeding and judging, striving to meet this standard, not easy.

We have talked about breeding upright ears into some dogs and talked about trained protection dogs and natural protection dogs. That is what gave rise to my starting this thread. This is only one page of description. I know I've seen so much more, but this is a start. If anyone is interested in getting a Doberman, or just interested in the breed, here's something worthwhile to read. I'll hunt around for some more stuff when I get time.


http://www.caradobe.com/temperament.html

 

[DoberAdmin]

Thanks for the link. I try to read everything I can about Dobes.

DA

 

[Baileys]

We owned a Doberman mix when I was a kid, he was a sweet dog, but I wasn't old enough to remember what mix he was, so all I can say about him was he wasn't the brightest bulb in the box. We called him straight gut because he ate whatever wasn't nailed down, and some things that were. *grin*

Aside from that, the only other thing I've ever heard about them is that they are a very unstable breed. (Dunno if that's fact or fiction, but this is where my information came from.) One of my cousins had two of them for years. I think they must have been ten years old at least, and one day she was playing outside and her mom let the dogs out to do their business, and they attacked her. My aunt said they seen her and went straight for her, there was no provoking action from her or anything. Of course, they had to put the dogs down, and the vet told them that there is something in the Doberman breed/family that when they reach a certain age, their brains/bodies stop making a certain chemical and it causes their brains to swell to the point that they either turn cross, develop dimentia, or just go crazy. He told them that any breed in that family (wrotts included) were extremely prone to this.

Dunno how true that is, but that's the only thing I've ever heard about em.

 

[Doberluv]

That is not true. There was a reason the dogs attacked. It could have been a prey drive thing gone awry or some other canine behavior, not Doberman behavior specifically. There are many, many (the vast majority) Dobermans who live out their lives with no such incidents. This was an isolated thing and it can happen with any breed. And again, I don't believe that there was no reason. It could be a reason we don't understand. There are certain phyisical maladies that can occur in any dog; thyroid disorders, brain tumors and some other things. Again, this is not specific to any one breed. Physiologically and behaviorally, a canine is a canine with some small breed differences.

 

[stirder]

well, from everything Ive read about dog attacks, there are no "unstable" breeds. only ignorant and/or irresponsible owners. of course when a breed becomes popular the money grubbers start breeding them and dont give a thought to their temperament or physical health, they only care that it looks enough like the breed to convince buyers that it is purebred. then you can easily get a dog that is unstable, especially considering atleast some of the folks who buy from that sort of breeder dont know anything about dogs and are not going to try to learn.
the majority I have read about seem to be situations where the owner didnt socialize or train the dog, didnt supervise interactions between the dog and children or anyone else, and/or didnt contain the dog (allowed it to roam free). this is why I absolutely HATE!!!!! breed bans. its not the fault of the breed, and not fair to condemn the responsible people who own that breed. it is the fault of the owners if the dog bites or is in any way remotely dangerous. any dog, no matter how large or small, no matter how gentle and how much you think you can trust it, could easily get confused or hurt and attack someone if you dont socialize, train and supervise the dog. there are 4 people who are allowed to be with strider alone. myself, my wife, my father, and our vet. the vet wouldnt be allowed alone with him on our property though. as much as I think I know he wouldnt hurt someone who he knew I accepted, if they were alone together they might play to rough and get hurt, they might get scared of his play and kick him and then hed bite, and many other situations I havnt thought of including he could jump up or bark/growl in play (where I would know it was merely play, I know his sounds) and they could get scared and sue, say that because of him they are afraid of dogs. who knows, too many what ifs to allow that.

 

[Baileys]

Like I said, I didn't know how true it was. I didn't intend to slur the breed, or try to give it a bad name. That was the only interaction I'd ever had with them, and wanted to share, also to know whether it was actual truth or fable. Thanks for lettin' me know it's not.

 

[Zoom]

A couple of Dobe owners at the dog park both have pretty stable Dobes, but they do admit that a large (and probably) growing number of Dobes are nervous and unstable in the fact that they're not quite sure what is going to set those dogs off. A nervous dog is a bite lawsuit waiting to happen.

I think I'd like to own one someday, but my boy-ance and I already have five other breeds that we'd like to own ahead of it. It may be a while.

 

[Doberluv]

I think the reputable breeders lately have been doing a stupendous job of breeding very nice Dobermans.

Just as an aside, to demonstrate how stable my Dobe is: The other day I took him with me while I left my car to get some work done on it and took Lyric walking through town. We walked to the other end of town after window shopping and went into a neighborhood where there was a garage/yard sale. I asked the owner if it was OK if I had Lyric with me and she said, "He looks pretty well behaved. Sure." So, as I was looking at some books that were in the yard, I put Lyric in a down/stay next to me. There were lots of people milling around and a woman by accident stepped on his foot. Lyric just stood up. That's it...no other reaction whatsoever. The woman stood there frozen for a second, staring, like she was expecting something to happen. (like it wouldn't have already if it were going to) Then she apologized to Lyric. He said that he knew it was an accident and that his mom does that too sometimes and that he forgave her. LOL.

 

[Old Dog]

There have been at least one doberman or more in my life for 25 years. I have owned well bred and backyard(rescue) dobes.They are a wonderful breed and true as in any breed you can find those that have temperment problems but on the whole they are a people loving breed not to be stuck out in the yard and forgotten. Most are mush's but if a threat arises to there owners they will come to there defense. Most bad behaved dogs are a product of there owners and this holds true for all breeds. I put my last dobe to sleep last november at the ripe old age of 15 she was a dear and is sorely missed she was a rescue dobe.

 

[luvmydogs]

this may be a lil bit off topic. but when i was younger i was invited to my friends house who had a dobie, and she locked him in a room while she had me as her company. i was sitting on her floor, and her mom just got home and let the dog out...he jumped on me, and almost bit my nose off.lol seriously he wanted to bite my face. to this day i am still afraid of dobies..the only breed that scares me after this traumatic event of course. get me in contact with a dobie- i dont care how sweet he may be- i'd pee my pants, right now, at age 31.lol of course a dobie can be a onderful pet, but i dont think anything or anyone can erase that event from my mind....theyre beautiful dogs though. very beautiful