dobermans???
- Thread starter dogsarebetter
- Start date
I only have one Doberman, but not plenty others (atleast 30, I'd guess). Dobies are very sweet. The males are like velcro though and often attach themselves to one person and are totally devoted to that person. They love the rest of the family as well, but they bond close with one person. Females are similar, but do give you more space in general. They love to please their owners (though they can be a bit stubborn) and love to work and train. They come in 4 recognized and acceptable colours as I'm sure you know (black, red, fawn, and blue - all with tan markings of course). However, blues and fawns, being dilute colours are very prone to skin and coat issues such as alopecia. Reds can be aswell, but not as commonly. The blacks seem to have the nicest, softest coats most of the time but I've met many reds very similar in coat. You can get a Doberman pup with natural ears, whether you want to show it or not. However, some breeders crop all of the puppies because in the show ring, it makes their head appear nicer somehow and when they're pups they don't know who is going to be of show quality and who isn't. But like I said, it's possible to get a puppy from a reputable breeder uncropped. Anyway, others have said things that I would've said so I'll stop there. Hopefully someone devoted to the breed will come across this thread as they'll be able to offer more helpful information.
I am not sure where rabbits lives, but in general in the US it is very difficult to find a *responsible* and *ethical* breeder who will leave puppies with natural ears - for a variety of reasons. From placements, the risk of having a horrible crop done by an inexperienced vet, breed standard, etc. It is a breeders perogative to leave the ears natural or crop, and most who WILL leave them natural will only do so with people they know personally. In Europe and in other countries that have already banned cropping (and some docking as well), natural ears are much easier to obtain from a responsible breeder.
There is not a single ethical breeder of ALBINO dobermans (they are not white, they are albino). Plain and simple, the albinistic trait is deleterious to the breed and to the dog specifically, and if you want one, by all means, rescue. But do not even consider buying one, you will not be supporting the breed in any way, and your breeder is guaranteed to be a BYB.
Dobermans are not an easy breed at all. Many male dobermans are a handful to live with, especially when young -there is a reason that by in large, over 70% of all dobermans in rescue are young male dogs under the age of 3 - because they are, simply put, assholes. These dogs are very challenging, can take over quickly with poor handling and irresponsible ownership.
They are also not "goldens" - they are often to some degree dog aggressive (it is written in the breed standard) and can be very aloof with strangers, and some possess a high degree of suspicion (which should be there).
It all comes down to understanding what the breed was meant to be - it was bred as one of the sole breeds designed for personal protection - the doberman was bred to bite people. Not other dogs, not guard sheep, not sit on laps. They were bred to protect their families with aggression if necessary - and a truly solid doberman temperament will do just that - all three of my dobermans have shown willingness to protect in a variety of situations, even my youngest puppy at 12 months old. It is not a horrible thing in the breed, but it requires a diligent owner who is willing to 1) understand the breed 2) socialize and above all 3) TRAIN.
In terms of the breed - there are many things to consider. As a working breed, you really have to look at working ability and temperament very carefully - a dangerous dobe (and yes some do exist) is one that can threaten the very existence of the breed. Poor structure can lead to a lifetime of health problems... which leads me to the dobermans apparent downfall - this is not what I would consider a healthy breed. I love my dogs, but they have some major health afflictions, including CVI (cervical vertebral instability), DCM (Dilated cardiomyopathy), and cancer - 2 of which are believed to be clearly genetic. There are many other diseases, including thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism) and bleeding disorders (von Willebrands disease) that also need to be taken into consideration. So, in this breed - HEALTH TESTING becomes vital. It is a shame that the average life expectancy for this breed is under 10 years old - none of mine have made it to that. Longetivity in a line is something to strive for.
As for the colors, the dilute colors (blue and fawn) are known for their coat problems, a disorder called CDA (color dilution alopecia), which my own blue does have. By the time the dogs reach adulthood, their coats are often sparse at best, and fairly rough and coarse. Their coat is typically a lifelong battle of fighting staph infections, battling alopecia, and supplementing up the wazoo in hopes to keep what little fur there is!
That being said, they are a marvelous breed - I have rarely seen a breed so intuitive, willing to work, and such drive to please. They truly are family dogs - and want nothing more at the end of the day to be with you. But they are a thinking breed, and their motto should be "anything you can do, i can do better" - because a doberman will constantly try to outsmart you, do it their own way, and find some hole in the system and work it to their own advantage. I will never be without one, and they fit my life perfectly - my dogs are well behaved and downright loveable in public, well-mannered - they love to work and Rah DEMANDS it - but they love their cuddles and each one has slept in bed with me. But it is not a breed for everyone - and there is nothing worse than supporting a breeder that has CHANGED the breed (lowered drive, breeds for "color" only, doesn't health test, etc) - just to make it fit better into someone else's lifestyle. The doberman is what it is - if you don't want to play fetch for hours each day, then perhaps getting a doberman pup isn't for you
This dog had a bite history and came from a shelter- he was my first competition dog. He died of heart disease (DCM) and had a herniated disk in his neck as well as cancer.
Bowie's Modern Love, RN CGC SND
There is not a single ethical breeder of ALBINO dobermans (they are not white, they are albino). Plain and simple, the albinistic trait is deleterious to the breed and to the dog specifically, and if you want one, by all means, rescue. But do not even consider buying one, you will not be supporting the breed in any way, and your breeder is guaranteed to be a BYB.
Dobermans are not an easy breed at all. Many male dobermans are a handful to live with, especially when young -there is a reason that by in large, over 70% of all dobermans in rescue are young male dogs under the age of 3 - because they are, simply put, assholes. These dogs are very challenging, can take over quickly with poor handling and irresponsible ownership.
They are also not "goldens" - they are often to some degree dog aggressive (it is written in the breed standard) and can be very aloof with strangers, and some possess a high degree of suspicion (which should be there).
It all comes down to understanding what the breed was meant to be - it was bred as one of the sole breeds designed for personal protection - the doberman was bred to bite people. Not other dogs, not guard sheep, not sit on laps. They were bred to protect their families with aggression if necessary - and a truly solid doberman temperament will do just that - all three of my dobermans have shown willingness to protect in a variety of situations, even my youngest puppy at 12 months old. It is not a horrible thing in the breed, but it requires a diligent owner who is willing to 1) understand the breed 2) socialize and above all 3) TRAIN.
In terms of the breed - there are many things to consider. As a working breed, you really have to look at working ability and temperament very carefully - a dangerous dobe (and yes some do exist) is one that can threaten the very existence of the breed. Poor structure can lead to a lifetime of health problems... which leads me to the dobermans apparent downfall - this is not what I would consider a healthy breed. I love my dogs, but they have some major health afflictions, including CVI (cervical vertebral instability), DCM (Dilated cardiomyopathy), and cancer - 2 of which are believed to be clearly genetic. There are many other diseases, including thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism) and bleeding disorders (von Willebrands disease) that also need to be taken into consideration. So, in this breed - HEALTH TESTING becomes vital. It is a shame that the average life expectancy for this breed is under 10 years old - none of mine have made it to that. Longetivity in a line is something to strive for.
As for the colors, the dilute colors (blue and fawn) are known for their coat problems, a disorder called CDA (color dilution alopecia), which my own blue does have. By the time the dogs reach adulthood, their coats are often sparse at best, and fairly rough and coarse. Their coat is typically a lifelong battle of fighting staph infections, battling alopecia, and supplementing up the wazoo in hopes to keep what little fur there is!
That being said, they are a marvelous breed - I have rarely seen a breed so intuitive, willing to work, and such drive to please. They truly are family dogs - and want nothing more at the end of the day to be with you. But they are a thinking breed, and their motto should be "anything you can do, i can do better" - because a doberman will constantly try to outsmart you, do it their own way, and find some hole in the system and work it to their own advantage. I will never be without one, and they fit my life perfectly - my dogs are well behaved and downright loveable in public, well-mannered - they love to work and Rah DEMANDS it - but they love their cuddles and each one has slept in bed with me. But it is not a breed for everyone - and there is nothing worse than supporting a breeder that has CHANGED the breed (lowered drive, breeds for "color" only, doesn't health test, etc) - just to make it fit better into someone else's lifestyle. The doberman is what it is - if you don't want to play fetch for hours each day, then perhaps getting a doberman pup isn't for you
This dog had a bite history and came from a shelter- he was my first competition dog. He died of heart disease (DCM) and had a herniated disk in his neck as well as cancer.
Bowie's Modern Love, RN CGC SND
