Has anyone owned a Doberman? Are they good family pets? Five kids + big dog indoors, yea or neigh?

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About the only thing I would add is:

Any dog that is not socialized to be around other people and animals will be more likely to be defensive, nervous and agressive.

I’ve had a couple of friends who had Doberman’s and they were loving, affectionate animals and incredibly well-trained and obedient. (Virtue of working dogs is they are typically easier to train). Both of them took their dogs with them anywhere they could from the time they were puppies and introduced them to people. They went to the park regularly, again interacting with people there. Both those dogs would romp around with strange kids, chase balls with them etc. They only time they barked or growled was when the doorbell rang, or they heard a strange noise outside. Even small dogs will be agressive around strangers if they haven’t been socialized.

Again, may have had a bad experience but the breed I would definitely stay away from is chows. My brother-in-law had a couple, they were very well trained to the point they would only take food from him or my sister. But they were never friendly towards anyone else, very standoffish, not overtly agressive to family but definitely not friendly. And hostile to anyone who didn’t come over regularly.
 
Razz(name removed by moderator) ~ thanks so much for taking the time to write such helpful posts! You bring up some excellent points that we’ll certainly consider.

My husband is thinking small dog - just because they are easier & take up less space. I would say the space thing is the main issue.

Growing up we had German Shepherds. I loved our dogs - and I totally understand the importance of establshing who’s in command. (I have 5 kids - lots of training in that regard!) But I grew up with more property than we have - so that’s a concern for a larger dog. We could easily spend an hour outside playing / walking a bigger dog so time wise, that’s not a concern. I didn’t consider GS’s because they do shed like crazy.

No offense to small dog owners - I loved our little guy who died last month, but I just didn’t feel he had the same emotional connection to me that I’ve had with larger dogs. He was lots of fun & SUCH a good dog - but nothing much going on upstairs if you know what I mean. Plus I don’t like yappy dogs… or nervous dogs. Little dogs are sort of all over the place. I want a dog who can play hard outside - walk or run several miles with me - and then lay down on the rug when we come in… not as a puppy of cousre - but as a dog.

So what’s the perfect breed for us?

Oh - one thing to add - the watchdog part would be a benefit - so long as the dog knew who was friend or foe. Three of my kids sleep in bedrooms two floors below us… would be nice to know the family dog was on guard in the night. I wouldn’t mind being known as the house with the BIG dog if it kept my kids safe. Wouldn’t want a dog that bit other kids or friends though… I thought I read that Dobermans in particular can distingish between the two? Wonder if there’s any truth to that?
 
I am very wary of Dobermans as family pets, although I am sure there are others who have had some good experiences with them. They seem a bit high strung and protective. My neighbors had one, and although it was a sweetie with them, they had to put a muzzle on it when anyone came into the house:eek:

My daughter has had two Golden Retrievers, and they are friendly and affectionate and patient with kids, delightful dogs. The only problem I saw was they absolutely love people and want to be up against them or be petted, or be in the midst of things all the time, and that can be annoying. They train quite easily to a cage, like it’s their den. They do shed, in clumps, and need to be groomed frequently to prevent that, but kids can crawl all over them, dress them up, etc. and they love it. And they love to play, esp. with balls. They need to have some running room and love water. If you have a pool, the dog will be in it. My neighbor puts out a child’s pool for her Golden in the summer and he happily splashes away for hours.
 
I am going to disagree with most everything I’ve read so far saying you ought to reconsider the Doberman. I grew up with one and she was wonderful. Yes, they are very loyal to their own families and very wary of others; they are wonderful with kids, especially the females Dobes. They are not in the least like a pit bull, nor a Rottweiler, which are also very loyal family dogs.

First question to ask is what do you want for your kids? If you want one which is loyal and will alert and defend the family, get a Doberman or German Shepherd; if you want one which is just more of a family pet than protector, get a Lab or Golden Retriever.

Any animal can be trained or bred to be mean; they are not normally, inherently mean (I’ll grant the exception to pit bulls).

The post which mentioned that the Doberman needs lots of exercise and attention is correct. They are highly intelligent and will not so much get into trouble as do things for attention. They need space to run and play, and you will need to to take them. That said, so does any dog of any size.

I am biased, true; but would get another Doberman in two seconds, from a reputable breeder, not the pound or rescue. Good luck!
 
Sarabande said:
I grew up with a dalmatian and she really shed ALL OVER THE PLACE, much more than the golden.
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Dalmatian hair is so hard to get rid of!! It’s stiff and penetrates fabric. Vacuuming doesn’t always do the trick. My friend had 2 and going over there was an exercise in choosing clothes that you didn’t mind covered in dog hair.
 
Phemie said:
Dalmatian hair is so hard to get rid of!! It’s stiff and penetrates fabric. Vacuuming doesn’t always do the trick. My friend had 2 and going over there was an exercise in choosing clothes that you didn’t mind covered in dog hair.
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For anyone with pets I highly recommend the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser model. As long as you keep the parts inside of the collection bin free from dust that thing does wonders. It is kind of gross, but I can fill the whole bin from my living room alone every other day.
 
Nobody has even mentioned a Lab. We had one when I was growing up and that dog was the best. He saved my baby brother’s life a few times, by blocking his way when he was walking into danger.

We lived out in the country, between a main highway and a large bay. “Pitou” stopped baby brother from both walking off a cliff to the beach below and walking out into traffic.

One day when brother was about 3 or 4, mom came out calling for him. He’d been playing outside and she couldn’t find him. When he didn’t answer the call she started calling the dog, figuring they were together, but he didn’t come either. She searched high and low and eventually found them both in the angle of the L shaped house, brother asleep propped up against Pitou. When she found them the dog looked up at her as if to say “Sorry I couldn’t come, he’d have hit his head on the cement if I’d moved.”

Don’t know if he shed much, he died before I was old enough to be concerned about that.

I like boxers too. DS2 has one and when I visited for the first time last summer it acted like it wanted to eat me when I first walked in, barking at me. One step towards it and it bolted. It was wuss. I sat down let my hand hang over the arm of the chair. Next thing I know, he’s got his head under my hand and he’s petting himself with my hand. From that day we were best friends. They slobber though.

I like Bassets too, just not the slobber.

Hmm, don’t think there are many dogs I DON’T like – the only one I can think of is the Chihuahua. Can’t stand that yappy breed at all.
 
Let me preface my comments with this: I am not a dog person, I love other people’s dogs, but will never have one in my house. (I’m not really an indoor pet person in general)

However as a former propety manager (in my life pre kids) let me give you a take you might not be considering. Any apartment complex with more than about 5 apartments or that is owned by any type of partnership or corporate entity most likely has a policy banning any breed considered dangerous or a nuisance mandates by their insurance company. Every complex I ever managed had these types of policies. This includes dobermans. You may own you house now, but in the future if you ever have to rent this could become a MAJOR porblem. Also many HOA’s, Townhome and condo associations are also banning them for liability reasons. Certain cities and towns have also inacted similar banns. Our city bans the ownership of pitbulls. All of these issues can come into play when owning a breed that is considered by most insurance companies as dangerous. (You might also want to consider neighbors and policies on noise if adopting a dog known for howling, two complexes I managed also banned Bassets and beagles for this reason, my company had to enact that policy after a REALLY bad and loud expierence with a basset that howled 24/7)

I know that there are lots of opinions about the fairness of rating entire breeds as dangerous, but keep in mind that insurance companies work with probabilities and percentages, and fair housing prevents using the owners behavior as a method of judgeing who can and can’t have pets. The “dangerous” breeds historically have had a higher ratio of serious bite and injury incidents than say a tea cup poodle or a lab.

Also as someone who was bit as a kid by a friends over protective dog (it was part huskt part chow)…their dog was wonderful with their family and totally sweet with them and most the time with friends too, but the minute we started rough housing and it thought I was a threat, it attacked. Luckily it only got me on the butt, and it wasn’t serious because their father pulled him away, but it could have been. It also put a permenant strain on my parents and their parents relationship.

Just thoughts to consider. Also have you considered adopting from your local shelter. They often do a lot of behavioral testing on animals before adopting them to houses with kids, and they always have dogs in need of a good home.
 
Alix1912 said:
However as a former propety manager (in my life pre kids) let me give you a take you might not be considering. Any apartment complex with more than about 5 apartments or that is owned by any type of partnership or corporate entity most likely has a policy banning any breed considered dangerous or a nuisance mandates by their insurance company. Every complex I ever managed had these types of policies. This includes dobermans. You may own you house now, but in the future if you ever have to rent this could become a MAJOR porblem.
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You bring up an interesting point - not so much because I expect to rent - but because we camp all over the country, often staying in KOA campgrounds. I will have to check on their policies regarding dogs. We never had an issue with our previous little guy… but maybe like the complexes you mentioned, a doberman or other large breed might be a no-go or perhaps they charge a large fee to cover their insurance? Hmmm…
 
yellowbird said:
You bring up an interesting point - not so much because I expect to rent - but because we camp all over the country, often staying in KOA campgrounds. I will have to check on their policies regarding dogs. We never had an issue with our previous little guy… but maybe like the complexes you mentioned, a doberman or other large breed might be a no-go or perhaps they charge a large fee to cover their insurance? Hmmm…
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We stayed at a KOA in Arizona (near the Grand Canyon) and their policy strictly prohibits certain breeds (not sure about Dobermans, but I did overhear the clerk telling a potential client on the phone that their insurance regulations would not allow a pit bull on the premises.)

Now my two cents’ worth… the best dog we ever owned was our “Heinz 57 Walmart parking lot special”, Bruno… he was actually half GS and half Lab (we think) and he and his littermates were being given away by the animal rescue group in our town. They even paid to have him neutered! I took him to obedience training and he was the best dog we’ve ever owned. He passed away last year at the age of 10 (heart condition) and his “successor” (no such thing as a “replacement”!) is our Weimaraner, Edgar. Edgar is just a big, dumb goofy dog, who has a thyroid condition which contributes to his weight problem (that and the fact that his favorite activity is sleeping on the couch 18 hours a day!) He has quite a personality and I can understand how William Wegman made a fortune photographing this breed! Most Weimies, however, do require a lot of exercise (Ed barely tolerates his daily “plods”) and are extremely intelligent, but they do like their creature comforts and are very much “people” dogs.
 
My family (including cousins) have had several dobermans and never had a problem. Yes they are protective, but they can be trained to listen and behave. We used to house sit for my cousins when they went on vacation and had no problem with the dogs listening to us while we were there. No one else could come to the door while we were there including the mailman without warning barks, but no problems with them. Ours was more likely to jump up and lick you to death. She never bit anyone. Good luck with whatever kind you chose.
 
yellowbird said:
You bring up an interesting point - not so much because I expect to rent - but because we camp all over the country, often staying in KOA campgrounds. I will have to check on their policies regarding dogs. We never had an issue with our previous little guy… but maybe like the complexes you mentioned, a doberman or other large breed might be a no-go or perhaps they charge a large fee to cover their insurance? Hmmm…
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Never thought of the campground issue, but that makes sense. They probably have to carry very similar liability insurance. Also keep in mind that many HOA’s are inacting breed restrictions. Both a condo complex I managed and a townhouse complex that I owned in had breed restrictions. My grandpa’s neighborhood of free standing houses also has them.
 
Phemie said:
Nobody has even mentioned a Lab. We had one when I was growing up and that dog was the best. He saved my baby brother’s life a few times, by blocking his way when he was walking into danger.

We lived out in the country, between a main highway and a large bay. “Pitou” stopped baby brother from both walking off a cliff to the beach below and walking out into traffic.

One day when brother was about 3 or 4, mom came out calling for him. He’d been playing outside and she couldn’t find him. When he didn’t answer the call she started calling the dog, figuring they were together, but he didn’t come either. She searched high and low and eventually found them both in the angle of the L shaped house, brother asleep propped up against Pitou. When she found them the dog looked up at her as if to say “Sorry I couldn’t come, he’d have hit his head on the cement if I’d moved.”

Don’t know if he shed much, he died before I was old enough to be concerned about that.
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What a wonderful story!!! (I actually did bring up my lab early on in the thread. 🙂 ) I love labs as well. We have a yellow lab who has been wonderful. She’ll be two this February. When I got pregnant, my husband thought it would be a great time to get a puppy in order to “acclimate” us to taking care of a baby. haha! We had wanted to get a dog anyway, but I wasn’t at first keen to doing it especially since I was having a lot of morning sickness and knew I wouldn’t be so great with disciplining a puppy as I got bigger with the pregnancy. But I fell in love with our little lab as soon as I saw her and never looked back.

My husband did an incredible job training her. He also trained her as a hunting dog. After the baby was born, I did have to re-establish myself as the boss to her since my concern did come to fruition as I had some complications during the pregnancy which didn’t allow me to do too much. But even so, as a puppy she did do well. I’ll never forget how the night I was in labor, she was up with me the entire time, watching over me. Each time I’d get out of bed, she’d get out as well and looked so concerned for me. It was very sweet. Now, with our daughter and me whenever we’re alone and my husband isn’t here, she will bark her head off if a person or animal is on or near the property to warn us of strangers. We always joke, though, that she’d kill people with dog kisses once the person was in the house.

It’s very true that large dogs need exercise. If we don’t with her, she’ll be mischevious or just full with too much energy. We walk her and run her a few times a day. On nice days, I walk her with the baby for an hour at a time and we do a lot of fetching.
 
I’ve have several friends who have had Dobermans. They can be be wonderful family pets. But I would HIGHLY recommend that you do your research on the breeder you choose. Like German Shepherds, there are a LOT of sub-standard lines out there. If we’re talking about a chihuahua, it’s not quite as bit of a deal. But with a big dog like this, if the temperament is not good, you can end up with a serious problem.

Formal training is an absolute MUST.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher
 
I love animals and have always had dogs. There are no bad dogs just bad owners/handlers. I had 5 dogs and a rabbit (who thought he was a dog) when my daughter was born. They loved her and were always protective of her. If you have a large dog, it can potentially hurt someone, whether intentionally or not so training is required. At the vet, my dogs are asked to sit, I see other dogs trying to attack other dogs and their owners having a problem controlling them. Some breeds are not suitable in certain situations for example if a dog needs lots of exercise and you do not have the space or the time, do not get that breed.

My friend has a chow with a head the size of a bear’s. He is so friendly and loving. One of Vick’s pit bulls is now a service/therapy dog.

If you want a large dog who is loving and protective then I would recommend a German Shepherd. I have been given adult GS, kept an eye on them for awhile but had no problem at all. They love children are protective of them and are easily trained.

You can have problems with any breed if the dog has been mishandled /abused. Socialisation and interaction is very important. I have had many dogs and have 3 now. My dogs have never hurt anyone but I know they will jump to protect me if I am ever attacked.

I wish you all the best on making your choice.
 
OP:
I would suggest calling the AKC Kennel Club in your town and finding out the date of the next dog show. Go and watch the different breeds in the show ring and speak with the handlers concerning the breeds they are showing. Breeders will usual tell you their breed is the best and while that may be true they also have a litter on the ground they need to find homes for that maybe aren’t suitable enough for the show ring.

I married into a dog show family as my MIL was an AKC Best in Show judge and a long time breeder of National and International Champions.

My background fit in well as I worked alot with obedience dogs and home protection dogs and so made a smooth transition into the conformation ring. Needless to say I have spent years around many difference breeds and here’s my take on temperment in generally.

Any dog at any time can become aggressive given the right/wrong circumstance and that is generally where a human has misread the dog. Some owners are really and truely unfair to their dogs and so the dog is always feeling it has to protect itself even from the owner. This human behavior is ugly to witness.

I have owned and worked with Dobermans, Rotties, Pitbulls (and actually have one now that someone dumped here at my little farm) and they are all marvelously intellegent but also require an owner on their intellectual level. 😉 An owner needs to be able to understand and to be able to read a dogs intentions and that only happens when the owner takes an active ongoing part in training the dog and that training is ongoing throughout the dogs life and is continually refreshed. Through this training a very strong bond is built and an astute owner is quite able to read his/her dog very well and this bond is very beneficial for knowing when the dog is stressed, not feeling well, worried, in a state of high anxiety or at peace, happy, content and eager to please.

A lot of breeds have developed health issues through human intervention and indiscriminant breeding programs. Do research any breed that you are considering. Life span may be another thing you might want to consider in your search.

Any breeder will talk up their breed of choice because there is some bias so be aware of this too while looking for a specific breed.

As far as hair goes—I also have three cats and if you want to talk hair I can hang with the best of them.😃 However, I body clip my cats and while they may look like miniature lions the hair is a non issue in my house.

Prior to having this pit bull dumped at my place my intention was to go to the pound and to take home the oldest dog on the death list and just let it live out it’s life out here if that was one day or if that was a few years. There are so many that need homes and are great dogs that have just found themselves in terrible situations. Some of these poor souls have had their owners die or they have been deployed leaving the dog terrible confused and feeling abandoned and depressed. In a lot of the cases they are dumped at the pound because they soiled the carpet, chewed on shoes or furniture, or became so frightened of their living situations that they became aggressive because of their ignorant, abusive, overbearing and controlling owners.

So, I am so pleased to see that you have taken getting a dog serious enough to ask questions and to get opinions so to help you find the best fit for your household and also for your future pet. You sound like a great dog owner and lucky is the pup you take home.
 
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