What Drew You To The Doberman Breed

[obbanner]

Ugh, tell me about the grooming. I've been used to short haired dogs (Boxer, GSP and Doberman's) so when we adopted my Mom's Sheltie I was not used to that long undercoat, so I'd forget she needed daily brushing. And that hair was all over the house which was very difficult to vacuum or sweep. She's been gone for a few years now and I'm still finding bits of her hair in nooks and crannies.

My wife had two Shelties when we got married. We didn't take them to shows and it was a struggle to brush them, so their brushings were few and far between. The tumbleweeds were all over. I take Sabrina to classes and she gets brushed at least twice a week. I have yet to find her Sheltie hair around the house. Frequent brushing does make a difference.

 

[kashi]

One of the many reasons I didn't go with a German shepherd, which is much easier to find in these parts, is my last dog was a GSD mix and even though his coat shorter the your average GSD he still had the double coat thing going on. We used to brush him with the rubber broom he loved that. We also had a husky (we think perhaps mixed with wolf as she would not make eye contact had a strong prey drive and coat was a weird dilute of grey and white, also didn't really care about pleasing us at all, there is a very stupid man in these parts that breeds these wolf dogs. She also didn't have the typical husky muzzle with the pronounced stop). The fur on her was a nightmare. It used to blow around the interior of the car making it impossible to breathe with your mouth open and make it feel like it was snowing in the car. Even with a daily brush you would get a shopping bag of fur off of her. It used to blow around our factory like giant dandelion like tumbleweeds. The chi and the Italian greyhound would look at the mounds of fur that came off of her in absolute disbelief.

 

[JanS]

I didn't go with a German shepherd, which is much easier to find in these parts,

Same here. I would guess over 75% of the people I train with have GSD's so when someone says something like "they're the one with a GSD" it really doesn't help much. We could always see a ton of GSD's, Goldies and Labs since everyone has them and most people breed them. I don't mind any of those breeds but they're dime a dozen and they all require a lot of grooming.

My choice of dogs has always been the sleek shorter haired dogs (GSP, Great Dane, Boxer, etc.) and the stunning beauty of a Doberman made them my first choice, then when you realize just what intelligent and regal dogs they are there's no going back.

 

[watson123]

My dad was a big reason that I got into Dobermans, he had had one many years ago and told me stories about it... so I started researching about them and I became absolutely hooked on the breed, I loved the looks, temperament, and everything else about the breed.

I don't think I could ever get another breed... Dobermans are just awesome!

 

[nygownthenfceast]

Was reading through another thread this evening and saw a post by @VonDoom (Post number 109 in the thread "Advocating Cropping & Docking") What a genuine reflection of his love for this breed. So that reading prompted this thread.

My reason is similar, having to do with the physical aspect of these rascals. I have fostered and adopted for a good while. Living the urban life, to me, did not provide what truly high energy dogs needed, space. My fostering had restrictions that I felt were appropriate for the environment. After settling on these acres, the second foster was a Dobe "Timber". Wow could that bugger run, he was a black and tan beauty. After Timber left I swore I would keep the next one. And yes I did, Bidgie came here at about 15 weeks of age. Currently it is just the two, Bentley and Bidgie (both are dobes).

So, what drew me to the breed was.....the way they run.

Like a small horse?

 

[BiggyRat]

Lol, The sound of them running does remind me of standing at the rail of a horse track.

 

[MyBuddy]

So, what drew me to the breed was.....the way they run.

As a horse person (hunter/jumper) I am attracted to the beauty and athleticism of the Doberman. They are the Thoroughbred of the dog world. To watch them move is like reading a beautiful poem

Like some of you, we had a neighbor across the street who had a Doberman and he was so much fun to watch playing with their teenagers. They would race around the house on foot and also down the road on an ATV. He reminded me so much of a horse! Sleek, powerful and gorgeous! I had Pomeranian's since we were married but there came a time when we were both ready for a larger dog. We played process of elimination with all the breeds and it was actually my sister who enlightened us on the Doberman. We didn't know that much about them. We already loved the look of them, but when she added that they are a great family dog, protective and loyal, we were sold. We've never been sorry!

 

[CrazyByzLady]

My stepfather was a policeman. My first Doberman was his dog. We loved each other, he was my best friend. That was my introduction to Doberman Pinschers. I rescued a couple, one was left tied to a remote fence along the PA Turnpike, he was cold, scared and SWEET. The female I had to purchase to get her out of a bad situation. The people that had her abused her and she became aggressive toward the abusers. The night I went to get her the family said she needed put down. She was hidden behind a potted plant. I paid her ransome walked to her, softly told her she was mine now. She came to me at my side and was a wonderful family companion for 14 years.

 

[DreamingDoberman]

I remember when I was about 8 or so I opened up one of my parent's magazines and it was a 2 page car ad and it had about 6-8 Dobermans standing around the car. I remember that moment so well and carrying the magazine to my parents and telling them immediately I wanted this dog for Christmas. My mom said "Oh a Doberman, my horse trainer always had Dobermans, they are the best!". My parents made a deal with me so to speak, if I researched the breed and learned EVERYTHING I could I just may be able to get one, one day. Of course, those were the days before the computers, internet, etc. So my mom took me to the library that weekend to check out the 2 books they had on Dobermans. I read them from cover to cover multiple times and would just stare at the pictures.
I did do my research but my dad dragged his feet some, 6 years later I did get my Doberman, I was 14. It was a July morning and my dad told me we were having a grille out and I needed to go into town with him to get hotdogs and chips. But before the store we turned down another road and pulled in a driveway. Behind the gates were 2 red dobermans. Before we got out of the car my dad said "we are just looking". Needless to say, I got my first Doberman, Zeus.
Ironically, enough 5 or so months later my mom was walk Zeus through a park and she saw another lady with a Doberman. They ended up talking and that woman needed to re-home her Dobe. So before I know it I had 2 Dobermans.

 

[MyBuddy]

My mom said "Oh a Doberman, my horse trainer always had Dobermans, they are the best!". My parents made a deal with me so to speak, if I researched the breed and learned EVERYTHING I could I just may be able to get one, one day

I really like your mom!

 

[strykerdobe]

Ok I will admit it. Magnum P.I. lol

 

[Ingrid H]

My stepfather was a policeman. My first Doberman was his dog. We loved each other, he was my best friend. That was my introduction to Doberman Pinschers. I rescued a couple, one was left tied to a remote fence along the PA Turnpike, he was cold, scared and SWEET. The female I had to purchase to get her out of a bad situation. The people that had her abused her and she became aggressive toward the abusers. The night I went to get her the family said she needed put down. She was hidden behind a potted plant. I paid her ransome walked to her, softly told her she was mine now. She came to me at my side and was a wonderful family companion for 14 years.

That is a beautiful story.

 

[David Ferguson]

My story in a thread I made yesterday.
https://doberman-chat.com/community/threads/throwback-to-the-past.23194/#post-400270

Love all these stories. Very touching.

 

[drago's dad]

drago is my 1st. i was heavy into rottie's for a long time, got my 1st in 1986, but they have so many health problems, i lost my best buddie when he was only 7 to cancer. my wife's rottie is 9 and has bad hips and tumor's. so i need someone to be my therapy dog (half way lol) help me protect the family and who makes me smile,drago does a lot of that already, the thing about him is he is a big goof who makes me laugh, i was not expecting that. this is us, he is annoying but i love him lol

 

[Mistwallows]

First off I want to say I think dobermans are very beautiful dogs. However I find other breeds to be as well. What made me become interested in Dobermans was my dad. Back in the 80s he used to show them and had a few litters. I remember the 2 he had when I was a little girl Princess and Rebel. Both dogs bring back found memories of love, loyalty and affection. I loved red but I was really bonded with Princess. I was having a lot of trouble in school from being bullied. And remember coming home crying and Princess would lick my face and would just lay there like she was going to take on anything that was going to make me cry. That had a huge influence on me and dobermans. I told my dad and mom that She understood me. They told me I was being silly and she was just a dog. But what really stood out to everyone and changed my dads opinion of "She is just a dog" was one day after school. I was being harassed really bad that day. I just wanted to go home and cry. Maybe I was to much of a wimp. I don't know. I didn't live very far from the school so I would walk to school and back home at the end of the day. Either way if I was a wimp or not. Two of the major bullies followed me home. I realized they where behind me and I got scared. I did not live very far from the school so I ran the rest of the way home. They caught up with me once I got into the yard and started to throw rock at me. Princess was out back and reacted. She jumped the fence and got between me and the two bullies. One through a rock at Princess and it hit her on the head pretty hard. Princess did not bite them, didn't even growl but went up to the one that threw the rock and knocked him over. (I have to say this isn't the first time a doberman has gotten between me and someone that was scaring me. Joker did it as well) That is when my dad stepped in and sent the kids packing. In the long run the bullies parents called the cops and told them that my dad had a rapid dog. Princess showed how great of a dog she was to the police officers that showed up and nothing came of it. But more so, she taught me so much that day. She showed me that she had my back and did understand. But she showed me that I had to stand up for myself. It took me a long time but I did stand up to those bullies and the bulling stopped. But that was what made me fall in love with the doberman breed. Sorry it is so long lol.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

First off I want to say I think dobermans are very beautiful dogs. However I find other breeds to be as well. What made me become interested in Dobermans was my dad. Back in the 80s he used to show them and had a few litters. I remember the 2 he had when I was a little girl Princess and Rebel. Both dogs bring back found memories of love, loyalty and affection. I loved red but I was really bonded with Princess. I was having a lot of trouble in school from being bullied. And remember coming home crying and Princess would lick my face and would just lay there like she was going to take on anything that was going to make me cry. That had a huge influence on me and dobermans. I told my dad and mom that She understood me. They told me I was being silly and she was just a dog. But what really stood out to everyone and changed my dads opinion of "She is just a dog" was one day after school. I was being harassed really bad that day. I just wanted to go home and cry. Maybe I was to much of a wimp. I don't know. I didn't live very far from the school so I would walk to school and back home at the end of the day. Either way if I was a wimp or not. Two of the major bullies followed me home. I realized they where behind me and I got scared. I did not live very far from the school so I ran the rest of the way home. They caught up with me once I got into the yard and started to throw rock at me. Princess was out back and reacted. She jumped the fence and got between me and the two bullies. One through a rock at Princess and it hit her on the head pretty hard. Princess did not bite them, didn't even growl but went up to the one that threw the rock and knocked him over. (I have to say this isn't the first time a doberman has gotten between me and someone that was scaring me. Joker did it as well) That is when my dad stepped in and sent the kids packing. In the long run the bullies parents called the cops and told them that my dad had a rapid dog. Princess showed how great of a dog she was to the police officers that showed up and nothing came of it. But more so, she taught me so much that day. She showed me that she had my back and did understand. But she showed me that I had to stand up for myself. It took me a long time but I did stand up to those bullies and the bulling stopped. But that was what made me fall in love with the doberman breed. Sorry it is so long lol.

That is amazing and beautiful!

 

[WMBigs]

We have had Boxers, love them but they do not do well on warmer days. We frequently hike in bear,cat,wolf country. I wanted the energy of the Boxer with more tolerance to warm weather. Tyson, our rescue Boxer died in 2012 are 11 years old. He was a character!! We saw a picture of Cody on Pet Finder. I thought I saw Tysons attitude in the pic of Cody. I had been researching Dobermans for a few years, they sounded like a good match for us. We drove 800 miles roundtrip to look at Cody, introduce him to Riggley. Cody was a stray, maybe a year old. Doberman mix. He has energy to spare. Easy to train. Super intelligent. Biggest baby. Protective. Never tiring. I had read the Boxer and Doberman had similar energy levels. Our experience does not support this notion. Cody never runs out of gas. 30F is perfect for 12 mile mountain bike ride. He was designed to blast through the forest, so gracefull!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

We have had Boxers, love them but they do not do well on warmer days. We frequently hike in bear,cat,wolf country. I wanted the energy of the Boxer with more tolerance to warm weather. Tyson, our rescue Boxer died in 2012 are 11 years old. He was a character!! We saw a picture of Cody on Pet Finder. I thought I saw Tysons attitude in the pic of Cody. I had been researching Dobermans for a few years, they sounded like a good match for us. We drove 800 miles roundtrip to look at Cody, introduce him to Riggley. Cody was a stray, maybe a year old. Doberman mix. He has energy to spare. Easy to train. Super intelligent. Biggest baby. Protective. Never tiring. I had read the Boxer and Doberman had similar energy levels. Our experience does not support this notion. Cody never runs out of gas. 30F is perfect for 12 mile mountain bike ride. He was designed to blast through the forest, so gracefull!

I concur that the Doberman is well-suited for blasting through the forest. It's so pleasing to watch.

 

[WMBigs]

Cody has taught me something really cool! He loves to play fetch, which quickly turns into keep away. So we started using two balls. I will throw one and he runs to it and brings it back. When he is about 20 feet from us, I will assume the throwing position. He will then accelerate to full speed and drop the ball in his mouth. I throw the 2nd ball and he tears after it. He does sound like a horse at that time. The ball he drops usually ends close to us and then we do it again, and again, and again, etc. We are usually by the river when doing this. We then play fetch into the river. A good hour of this makes life more relaxed later in the day.
I walked the dogs 4 miles this am. Ground still frozen, little mud yet. Riggley and I walked 4 miles, Cody must have done 8 or so. No forests, prairie grassland today. Cody runs in big circles casting a glance my way two times per circle. He's making sure I don't get lost. He sure is fun to watch. Powerful and graceful at the same time. When I call his name, he drops his front left shoulder to initiate the turn back to us, it looks so neat. He always runs in left hand circles, do Dobies in the southern hemisphere run in right hand circles?
This is our first Doberman, little previous exposure to them. Wondering if his exercise needs are normal? He insists on playing with his toys with us if he goes more than 2 days without a long run. He is a mix. I think with a hound or birddog?? We got him about a year old. A few years down the road, we may get a puppy doberman. Might reconsider that if Cody's need for exercise is normal. May get another Boxer then, ours have all been pretty relaxed yet always up for a walk or adventure. We had one Boxer from a pup, the other two were rescues. The pup grew to be a wonderful dog, but the rescues were/are pretty wonderful also.
MikeB

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Cody has taught me something really cool! He loves to play fetch, which quickly turns into keep away. So we started using two balls. I will throw one and he runs to it and brings it back. When he is about 20 feet from us, I will assume the throwing position. He will then accelerate to full speed and drop the ball in his mouth. I throw the 2nd ball and he tears after it. He does sound like a horse at that time. The ball he drops usually ends close to us and then we do it again, and again, and again, etc. We are usually by the river when doing this. We then play fetch into the river. A good hour of this makes life more relaxed later in the day.
I walked the dogs 4 miles this am. Ground still frozen, little mud yet. Riggley and I walked 4 miles, Cody must have done 8 or so. No forests, prairie grassland today. Cody runs in big circles casting a glance my way two times per circle. He's making sure I don't get lost. He sure is fun to watch. Powerful and graceful at the same time. When I call his name, he drops his front left shoulder to initiate the turn back to us, it looks so neat. He always runs in left hand circles, do Dobies in the southern hemisphere run in right hand circles?
This is our first Doberman, little previous exposure to them. Wondering if his exercise needs are normal? He insists on playing with his toys with us if he goes more than 2 days without a long run. He is a mix. I think with a hound or birddog?? We got him about a year old. A few years down the road, we may get a puppy doberman. Might reconsider that if Cody's need for exercise is normal. May get another Boxer then, ours have all been pretty relaxed yet always up for a walk or adventure. We had one Boxer from a pup, the other two were rescues. The pup grew to be a wonderful dog, but the rescues were/are pretty wonderful also.
MikeB

Dobermans, I think most would agree, need a good amount of exercise. However, I am surprised sometimes when I consider how little exercise seems to keep my boy on an even keel. Most of the time it's two walks a day, sometimes only one, or a short walk and a longish one at night.

Now, bear in mind that the way I do things, my Dobe gets a pretty hard workout on our walks. I let him pull probably 95% of the time. I don't provide any forward propulsion. I am pulling backward the whole time So he must be pulling well over my bodyweight. By the way, I have his lead around my waist in order for my biceps tendons to not have overuse injuries.

I guess I should mention that we sometimes go for runs instead of walks.

But yeah, it doesn't seem the breed needs an overwhelming amount of exercise.

On the other hand, if I am going out for several hours and leaving him (he's an 18 month old from working lines) alone with my wife and daughter, I try to get him to the dog park to get him extra tired out.

Just remembered that I use a flirt pole from time to time as well, especially if I have to forego a walk.

And retrieving is invaluable as you know. What a great way to exercise them. I haven't done much of it yet with this pup because I don't want to sacrifice our lawn.