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Gelcoater

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Hello newbies!
:dc:

This site is aimed at education to all about this great breed.
We do like stories though! :)

What, who or how did you decide a Doberman was The Breed?

I’ve told my story many times over the years and will tell you about it.
But first.
Tell us all about what led you here. :dobe:
 
:rofl: Well, I did think I'd let the newer members start off as most know my story very well..........but to get the ball rolling.

Jazz is a Doberman/Ridgeback mix and my first personal experience with a Doberman although I have had many high energy working type dogs before.

During the years I have been introduced to quite a few Dobermans. Noble, regal, obedient, funloving, loyal dogs who impressed me hugely. So when I needed to look for a young dog to be my guardian/companion in an isolated situation I decided it was time to follow my heart. The fact that I ended up with a mixed breed was just chance as a litter of pups came up seemed just the thing I needed. Actually, the mix is Rhodesian Ridgeback/Mastiff on the mothers side and purebred Dobe on the fathers.

I had done so much research on all these breeds, but really it is the Doberman Jazz most resembles especially in behaviour. Most especially in puppy devilry! All previous experience in high energy working dogs was out the window! This dog was totally different! Never had I seen a dog tantrum before, or had backchat, cheeky teeth gnashing, zoomie bombing etc, all new! It was all quite normal for a Doberman puppy but nothing you read can prepare you for the actuality! She was a handful and I sometimes despaired and thought I had a nutcase dog that was untrainable, or that I just wasn't up to training her. She was never aggressive or mean, just a live wire. At about the 7 to 8 month mark there was real progress and I knew she was going to be a good dog, and that was the time that I discovered this forum! Oh, if only I had found it sooner! Knowing Jazz was quite normal would have been so much of a relief!!! :facepalm:

Jazz is now nearly 2 1/2yrs old and astounds me on a nearly daily basis with what she understands. Unfortunately we have no training facilities anywhere near, or any dog events that she would excel at. I'd have loved to do lure coursing, dock diving, fastcat, or even agility (although I might not be agile enough). She has good basic obedience skills, is the perfect home guardian without being overly aggressive, and has shown that she adapts to many different situations with ease.

What I have been blown away about the Doberman breed is how bonded they become once you have their respect and compliance. All dogs are loyal, but a Doberman takes it so much further. The relationship you have with this breed is like two way telepathy, and unlike anything else I have ever experienced.

It's wonderful to hear stories from others, the ups, the downs, the problems and solutions, and the knowledge that there is a place to turn to for answers if you are have a problem. Thank you DC! :ty:
 
My great companion Alex (yellow lab) passed and it knocked me down pretty hard- had that wonderful boy for 15years.

Was coaching one of my daughters at the local soccer field and saw a demon of a beast streaking across the soccer fields chasing a ball. He was regal, stoic, powerful, graceful and all out beautiful. From that point on, all I could think about was Dobermans, it absolutely consumed me.
 
In college I boarded my horse at my roommate’s parents stables. They had a pair of Black and Tan Dobermans that were absolutely exquisite and so loving, protective and well trained. They would go on trail rides with us. I swore one day I would have my very own Doberman.
I went to dog shows and literally drooled over all the majestic dobies there.

I moved to my first home I bought and a neighbor a few doors down had a gorgeous European Red Doberman. It was a show dog and displayed strong protection instincts and had that sharp temperament typical of Dobermans in the 70’s.
He sired a litter and I got the last pup. A buyer had backed out at last minute so I was able to purchase him.
To say he was a true gem would be an understatement. He was perfect in every way. He did not bark and whine like many today. He wasn’t destructive and was so easily trained.
My girlfriend hooked me up with her trainer and show handler and he was shown for several years. I moved overseas and he was thrown into so many different and stressful situations and handled it like a champ. His energy and drive were off the charts but it suited my lifestyle as I was very physically active in water sports, running, martial arts. We were a perfect fit. I loved adventure and so did he. I put him in PP training and he excelled beyond belief.

He went everywhere with me and his training was so advanced that hand signals and even eye commands was all that was necessary. He was dock diving and a frisbee dog before it became a ‘thing’. His intelligence was intimidating as he knew what I wanted before I did. He lived on a boat with me, he lived in cold weather and hot without any difficulty. He transitioned to every move without issue and was my true partner in everything I did. He was off lead trained and stayed by my side, no slip ups ever, even when other dogs were around.
I had him for 14.5 yrs.

I couldn’t bring myself to have another one for many years because the pain of losing him was still raw.

14 yrs after losing him I rescued a 7wk old fawn girl ‘Gracie’ that became my life. I was happy once again. She was the best natured, loaded with energy and lots of love. She suffered many health issues but it never stopped her from wanting to run and play. She beat cancer with amputation and treatments only to pass from DCM at 12yrs.
The loss of her hit me incredibly hard. The silence without her was deafening, I could not handle not having a Doberman partner or for that matter a dog either. I adopted a 12 yr old Beagle and proceeded to search for another Doberman. 7 months later I found Bogie and Bacall. Needless to say I “forgot” about the anxiety ridden part of raising a Doberman puppy. I got litter mates and boy did everything come back quickly on raising a Doberman puppy except it was doubled. Many times I questioned my sanity for this but today I have 2 well adjusted, well trained and beautiful dobermans. They have proved themselves many times over, they are extremely Velcro, comedians, con artists and at times too intelligent for me but they fill my heart with pride and intense love. My life revolves around them, their needs, training and fun time.

I am grateful for them everyday and extremely thankful I survived their upbringing because it was not an easy task!
For most people, once you have a Doberman you are spoiled for life and will always want a Doberman by your side.

They have gone from this:
6E95B020-9D66-45F0-99B2-A7AEA2B8A919.jpeg

To this:
3ACAE125-5EB8-4D9F-B2DE-F701B3014930.jpeg

Always a team but very independent of each other.
 
Growing up my dad and mom both loved Rottweilers and Doberman’s so I was kinda influenced by them. I grew up with our family dog Severus the rotti and I loved her very much. When I got older I really wanted to add a rotti into my own family, but as time passed my vision and interested learned more to Doberman’s. I fostered one for a bit years ago and I loved him so much, and everything about the breed. It was definitely the turning point that made me pick the Doberman. Fast forward 10 years, me and my spouse of 6 years decided it’s time we are ready to add a dog into our family. My boyfriend didn’t even consider a Doberman and was more of a fluffy dog (huskies and German Shepard’s) kinda guy. After me non stop talking about Doberman’s and nagging him, he started watching YouTube videos of Doberman’s, doing his own research and after a short time he started getting obsessed with the idea of having one as well ( I won ahah ).

we found a wonderful breeder in our city and picked up our new family Haku early this year. He is now a little over 8 months and is the best dog ever <3

I joined this site as it was my first time raising a puppy and a Doberman at that. Everyone has helped me a great deal in the process of raising my pup and ear posting. Although I haven’t posted as much recently I still log on every day and read :)
 

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Growing up my dad and mom both loved Rottweilers and Doberman’s so I was kinda influenced by them. I grew up with our family dog Severus the rotti and I loved her very much. When I got older I really wanted to add a rotti into my own family, but as time passed my vision and interested learned more to Doberman’s. I fostered one for a bit years ago and I loved him so much, and everything about the breed. It was definitely the turning point that made me pick the Doberman. Fast forward 10 years, me and my spouse of 6 years decided it’s time we are ready to add a dog into our family. My boyfriend didn’t even consider a Doberman and was more of a fluffy dog (huskies and German Shepard’s) kinda guy. After me non stop talking about Doberman’s and nagging him, he started watching YouTube videos of Doberman’s, doing his own research and after a short time he started getting obsessed with the idea of having one as well ( I won ahah ).

we found a wonderful breeder in our city and picked up our new family Haku early this year. He is now a little over 8 months and is the best dog ever <3

I joined this site as it was my first time raising a puppy and a Doberman at that. Everyone has helped me a great deal in the process of raising my pup and ear posting. Although I haven’t posted as much recently I still log on every day and read :)
Great post and what a beautiful family you have! :thumbsup:
 

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