Former Dobie Owner - Question re: energy levels in today's dobes

[L.M.]

Hello everyone,

I owned - loved dearly - and can't say enough good things about - a female dobie I owned many years ago.

I'm not ready to buy - I'm currently researching for a future personal dog for myself.

While my former dobie was just amazingly good, responsive, smart, and a joy to own, the only thing I found hard was her energy level (and her health problems which claimed her around age 8 - autoimmune hemolytic anemia). She was very high energy pre-illness. I did go through much training with her from puppy onward. Lots of socialization. She was obedient. It's just she was wired as high energy. (She came from a small breeder that had the mother and granddam. I met the father and grandsire, owned by someone else.)

That energy level made me think maybe I shouldn't have another dobe when I get ready to have a dog again. But the problem is, every dog breed I consider falls short of my dobie. I honestly find myself saying, "well, my girl was better than that ..." to every other breed.

So I wonder, is the energy level related to bloodlines? Again, she was very well trained. She was super. She was intuitive. Good with other animals. No prey drive to kill things in my yard - she ignored squirrels and rabbits. Loving. Protective. Very tolerant. A clown. But - she could figure out the difference between dangerous situations where she needed to be protective vs. silliness. She put herself between me and danger more than once. She never flinched from anything if she was protecting me. She was super well socialized. i took her everywhere. Everyone loved her. However, I was younger then than I am now. (Aren't we all?) And I worry about giving a dobie enough of a workout. (I could learn carting - but that's sort of hard in winter here.)

Tell me about energy levels in today's dobies please. Do bloodlines matter? Etc. I miss my dobie, but I want to think of the dogs needs.
Thank you.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Welcome! Good question.

You sound a bit like me when considering getting another Doberman. The energy level is something that actually had me looking into other breeds. Honestly, I might have had something like a Bullmastiff were it not for the drooling. I want a large protective, awesome-looking dog, but would like a fairly low-energy one. But I came back to what I know and have experience with.

As for whether energy levels have changed over the years – as in, the last few decades or so – I don't know, but I doubt it. Now, if you're comparing today's typical American Dobe or conformation-line Dobe to a Doberman from serious working lines, I say yes: There is an energy-level difference, in addition to some other differences. But I doubt you'd wind up with one, based on what I read in your question.

Your late Doberman sounds awesome.

 

[L.M.]

Thank you, Tad. Sounds like we had a couple similarities: energy levels and contemplation of bullmastiffs as alternatives.

Could you elaborate on the part, please?
" if you're comparing today's typical American Dobe or conformation-line Dobe to a Doberman from serious working lines, I say yes: There is an energy-level difference, in addition to some other differences."

 

[Drogon]

You might be able to find a line that are low energy but it would be difficult. I would guess the best place to start would be show dogs but others will know more.
IF you do go with a different breed and if you have the room, a Great Dane is a low energy dog and with an ear crop look similar to a dobe's look. Their body structures are also very similar but larger of course.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Yeah, a good Bullmastiff is an awesome sight isn't it?

Well, a Doberman from serious working lines is bred for performance and to be able to, among other things, earn titles in Schutzhund/IPO. These are very rigorous ventures. The dog has to be like a high-level athlete physically and mentally.

There is just a higher energy level, higher demand for activity, exercise and stimulation. They are a general pain to live with unless the owner is able and willing to come close to meeting the demands.

Obedience seems to come a bit easier. You can tell it's in their blood.

They have, or should have, the ability to full-mouth bite without training.

Basically they have, in my opinion, what the breed must have had in its early days, but the breed in America has been somewhat stripped of.

In my mind, I think of a nice American conformation-line Doberman being a Mercedes luxury sedan and a nice working-line Doberman being a Porsche race car.

Why, oh why, the drool?

I meant for that last part with the pic to be separate. Gotta love the feature here that groups all of one's posts together if they're done within a certain period of time.

 

[Gelcoater]

The question to ask yourself is,what's Your energy level?
Not knowing you at all,we can only go by what info you provide.
I see you're 47,I'm 46 and have 2

Some folks at our age want to go go go,others not so much.If the idea of getting more exercise and never ever being bored interest you,a Dobe might be a good fit.

If not there's still an option of having a Dobe.There are many older Dobes available at rescues who desperately need a home for one reason or another.These dogs are adaptable and still full of love to give to a new owner,all they need is a chance.
Best of luck to you in your search for your perfect fit companion.

 

[Drogon]

There are members here with conformation-line (show) dogs. A friend of mine has one from Phillmar Dobes though he lives in a different state so I don't have any first hand knowledge. I'll ask him about energy-level of his.

 

[AresMyDobie]

I'd go with a pet line not a show not working just something that is for companionship Many show breeder have them. Personally I think the bull mastiff is ugly :/ just preference. I love Danes but dobes have stolen heart. My boy can be quite the couch potato but also very hyper at times. He's my first dobe but I have tons of energy to deal with his antics. He's never gives me a dull day Ill tell you that but when I want to relax he's right there watching tv with me. He's 7 months old and a joy to have but I won't lie he can be a handful. Good luck with what you choose.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I'd go with a pet line not a show not working just something that is for companionship Many show breeder have them. Personally I think the bull mastiff is ugly :/ just preference. I love Danes but dobes have stolen heart. My boy can be quite the couch potato but also very hyper at times. He's my first dobe but I have tons of energy to deal with his antics. He's never gives me a dull day Ill tell you that but when I want to relax he's right there watching tv with me. He's 7 months old and a joy to have but I won't lie he can be a handful. Good luck with what you choose.

I'm glad you used the term "pet-line." I assume you mean a dog from show lines that the breeder determines is not a good show prospect. It's what is called "pet quality."

The reason I'm glad you wrote that is there are many Dobes out there that are sort of undefined in terms of what they are. I would classify my first Dobe as such. He came from what I'd call a hobby breeder. Some might call them a backyard breeder. They were a nice couple living in a home that I considered quite nice. The woman was a vet tech and they seemed to be intelligent, reasonable people. In my pup's four generation pedigree could be found only one champion. The rest of the names in there were just a mystery. I don't know what sort of stock he came from. I assume just regular folks who bred their AKC Dobermans.

That is what I'd call "pet line" or something like it. That's is what I meant my the term "typical American Doberman."

He was a great Doberman. Really a once in a lifetime dog. Now that I am much better educated on the topic, I don't support that sort of random breeding, but it worked out great for me.

As for his energy level: Probably typical.

 

[Dobs4ever]

By the standard a Doberman is energetic, alert and active. I would shy away from a pure working line as they are more intense.
Training and a flirt pole can help with the energy level and nice long walks. You will not find a dog that comes close to a Dobe once you fall in love with one. They are the ultimate cadillac of dogs!!!

As far as "pet line" I would shy away as there is no such thing in purebred dogs as a pet line. There is show and working. Each dog should be carefully bred to the standard. Anyone just breeding for pets is not breeding to the standard. JMHO

 

[JanS]

Hi and welcome!

I honestly haven't found our Doberman's to be much more energetic than our prior breeds, but I guess they were sort of high energy too. One was a Boxer and one was a GSP. They're definitely a very intelligent breed, as you know, so they do like to have their minds stimulated and a job to do.

I'm a good 10 years older than you and have no problem with our two so I wouldn't worry too much about it if this is the breed you really want.

Most good breeders will pick the right pup for you, so if you tell them you want one of the more laid back ones, they will most likely pick the best match for you.

Make yourself at home and good luck in your search!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

@JanS wrote: "Most good breeders will pick the right pup for you, so if you tell them you want one of the more laid back ones, they will most likely pick the best match for you."

So true. That is the way it's done with any good breeder really. With this pup (he's 13 months old now) who's from working lines, we requested the mellowest male. The breeder did what they could to accommodate that. I've heard that some of the other pups may be a bit more of a handful than ours, but you never know. It's very subjective. Hyper to one may be kind of mellow to another, and vice versa. The breeder can also get it wrong in that dogs may change in unpredictable ways as they age.

But I might be stating things you already know.

 

[Cariboo Country]

I am considerably older than you but I have had no problem keeping up with my Doberman. She loves to get out and run but I taught her right from the start to settle when she is in the house. I have probably done more Obedience and Agility training with her than any of my other dogs but as we both enjoy it, it works for us. I am sure you should be able to find a Doberman with the energy level which would suit you.

 

[Doberman Gang]

Both working and show line breeders sell what is called pet quality puppies. This just means that they are not the top choices for conformation or work. They are still breed from parents titled and health tested.
Since many of the show breeders don't want to deal with the high drive of the working lines, they breed away from it. So you would be better off going in that direction. Talk to some show breeders let them know what you are looking for and they should be able to find the right fit for you.


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[Gretchen_Red]

To DCF from Denver!

I personally think all Dobes are high energy, perhaps working lines a bit more but I can't speak to that since I've only owned from conformation lines.

 

[Poppy]

There seems to be different energy levels in even one litter of puppies. My litter mates have completely different energy levels. My male has been calm and gentle even as a puppy. His sister was more hyper active....drove me crazy as a puppy...much improved as an adult. Now my male is not lazy though...he can get wound up and is an excellent worker...very driven....lots of formal obedience training helps calm down any dog...I have observed differences in other litters of Doberman puppies too...so not just going off this one example. I say ask a breeder to pick a more laid back, focused puppy for you. One that makes eye contact and is more focused on people other than playing and rough housing with other pups.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Has anyone got a theory on the size of a young pup and its effect on the pup's temperament? I know on paper the answer is going to probably be there's no correlation, but it seems to me the smaller pups could be more scrappy. Maybe they're smaller because they burn more calories with their higher activity level? Two brothers of my pup were smaller and they were the ones that were the more aggressive/assertive ones.

With my first Dobe, I had pick of the litter (again, he was not from a reputable breeder). I chose the largest male pup who also happened to be the least energetic of the litter during my visit. He had a lot of energy like any Doberman will, but he really calmed down very well in the house (also a trait I think a lot of Dobes have, and I love).

 

[L.M.]

Hadn't realized there were so many replies - I guess notifications end after one message.

Anyway, much thanks. I clearly need to explore the possibilities.

Most of you seemed to understand what I was asking I really appreciate you pointing me toward places to explore. That's a big help.

I think maybe one or two of you might have thought I was seeking something less strong. That's not it. Just looking for less frenetic energy to be used up by work during most waking hours. My girl was good, but she had to have plenty to do to work off that energizer bunny-ness.

Someone asked about my energy level. I gravitate towards calm energy people and animals. I am low key myself. Calm game-face no matter what is happening, even if it is a non-calm event. I keep busy and am physically active, but nothing high impact, nothing intense. More like constantly low energy activity. Am in great shape and light in weight. When I was young and bouncy myself, I think the bouncy dobie was a great match. These days we might be too different. That's why I posed my question. I don't want to try to force a square peg into a round hole.

 

[JanS]

I gravitate towards calm energy people and animals. I am low key myself. Calm game-face no matter what is happening, even if it is a non-calm event. I keep busy and am physically active, but nothing high impact, nothing intense.

You sound exactly like me! Your personality is honestly perfect for a Doberman since all dogs feed off the owners vibes and a calm owner means a calm dog.

 

[L.M.]

Thanks JanS. I appreciate that. I probably should have added that although I keep a calm game-face in tragedies, it doesn't mean that afterwards my heart isn't beating like crazy. But everyone always tells me they would never guess. The dog of course would pick it up I'm sure.

Maybe finding a breeder with dogs that have the traits I like, and then choosing a puppy from their litter that displays the most appropriate traits would yield a good one for me. There's hope. And who knows, maybe a retired dog will need a home that fits my needs when the time comes. I'd be open to that if it felt like a really good match.