Dobermans playing with Dobermans

[Ravenbird]

Asha's niece is 10 or 11 months old now. They get along great when we meet up to train, but they are usually on leash or training and so do not express play. And when the puppy was little, Asha was very careful with playing and didn't do much more than play bow and run around. Yesterday however, we had an exhausting swimming lesson for Asha, who has never been in deep water before. Her niece is a born swimmer, looks like an otter and got lots of laps in with the Chuckit ball. So we go to the house to let them (and us) rest, but what happens? A couple of play bows and then the game is on.

I find it really amazing how Dobermans can do this insane play with each other but rarely (never that I've seen!) with other breeds. It's like they've been waiting all their life for a dog to play with that speaks the same language.

 

[Katyusharocket]

So we go to the house to let them (and us) rest, but what happens? A couple of play bows and then the game is on.

I find it really amazing how Dobermans can do this insane play with each other but rarely (never that I've seen!) with other breeds. It's like they've been waiting all their life for a dog to play with that speaks the same language.

Wonderful thread topic! I wouldn't agree with you more about play language, and they have their own. My experience aligns with this too. In our southern Minnesota region, we have formed a Doberman meetup group. We try to plan 2 larger meetups per year, and in between, I am one of 3 families that get our 5 Dobermans together about every 3 weeks because they just play so similarly. The 5 know each other and instantly recognize each other. The play is exactly what the video you posted depicts. They also can very easily communicate when they need a break or breather, so they slow down for a while then turn it up again when they are ready. The two exceptions are Katyusha, who is 4 years old and seems to have taken on the role of matriarch of the group (3 of them are girls between 8 and 17 months), and Champ, the only male of the group, who is 14 now and is moving a little stiff and prefers to bark at passing bicyclists. Katyusha will interact some, but usually watches the 3 girls while laying under some kind of shade where she can see them all, looking like she's glad she feels she's a bit above that kind of horsing around. But we also know Katyusha wasn't carefully bred and she's a bit different, anyway, even in other Doberman areas.

If I manage to get good video of their next play date, I will come back here and post it. It's so similar to what you posted.

 

[Gelcoater]

This is absolutely true, they tone themselves down a great deal with any other breed.
But Doberman meeting another Doberman? Its a quick introduction smelling, then into a play bow and into gladiator mode.

 

[Ddski5]

Yes.
It is a great thing to see. People that don’t know any better will step back with jaws dropped.

 

[JanS]

Yup and another reason I always like to have two of them. It's just a side of them that you would never see otherwise and I love their breed to breed interactions.

It looks like Asha had a great time!

 

[LifeofRubie]

I might say... Boxers have a pretty similar play style but I would have to digging through 10 years of video's to provide evidence

who was that cutie shepherd who popped in to check on the chaos lol

 

[JanS]

Boxers have a pretty similar play style

They are indeed very similar to a Doberman in personality. We didn't have a Doberman yet when we had the Boxer but I could see the play being very similar.

 

[Rits]

Asha is like, "FINALLY!!! Someone I can beat up and they LIKE it!!!"

 

[BGpa]

Yep. Have been taking BYB Bonnie to big off-leash dog parks, trails and beaches since 4 months and

she has had many wrassling/boxing/dogfu buddies: Pitt, mal, shepherds, french mastiffs and the occasional dobes.

People are sometimes a little intimidated by the rough play but I call it "big dog energy" and its obvious when its joyful. She generally is indifferent to smaller dogs, and I've trained her to avoid conflict and return to me, let me fend off a dog aggressive dog off leash. I dont want her to become a bully.

Now she is 2 1/2 and a proper lady she is more reserved and tells brash puppies to back off, but still finds that occasional matching playmate for zoomies etc.

Dobes definitely recognize one another, even as complete strangers, imho.

 

[Ravenbird]

But Doberman meeting another Doberman? Its a quick introduction smelling, then into a play bow and into gladiator mode

Great description!

who was that cutie shepherd who popped in to check on the chaos lol

She has 3 GSDs. A very elderly one in his teens, the middle one - her main man - poking through the doggy door, is 8 or 9 and a younger female maybe 6 or so who avoids chaos.

Asha is like, "FINALLY!!! Someone I can beat up and they LIKE it!!!"

RIGHT?!?!!!

Dobes definitely recognize one another, even as complete strangers, imho.

I agree, and I'm wondering how many (or few) other breeds are like that?

 

[JanS]

I'm wondering how many (or few) other breeds are like that?

That's actually a great question and I've personally never seen it with other breeds like I do with this breed. I see many getting along but the interaction you see here is totally different.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

That was a joy to watch! They are so quick!

My working Dobe before Oji had a chance or two to play with a friend's male Boxer. My Dax was an 80 - 85 lb. working Dobe, and Zeus the Boxer was maybe 55 (possibly 60). Boy, that Boxer was fast! Running at a dog park where no other dogs were, my Dobe was outrun by that Boxer easily. The Boxer was from no good breeding either, had a skittish temperament and died of some disease at maybe 7 or so; but boy did he have the quicks!

But yes, it was amazing to see those Dobes play after already being so tired!

I like how the pup (probably by chance) got a smack in on Asha's face. I also like how at the end the GSD or Dutchie pokes its head in like (Hi guys!)

 

[Ravenbird]

That was a joy to watch! They are so quick!

Glad you enjoyed it - like I said, I felt like Asha has been waiting for years to get to play with a dog that understood her type of play. Joyful to watch!

I like how the pup (probably by chance) got a smack in on Asha's face

LOL, I saw that too. Twhack!

at the end the GSD or Dutchie pokes its head in like (Hi guys!)

Yeah, GSD. Her dogs are totally chill (3 GSDs and the 1 Dobe - not old enough to be chill, but she's pretty well behaved for her age) since she's a trainer and take in lots of Board & Train dogs, they just stay out of the way.

 

[remy]

This is exactly why I need to get a sibling for Remy

 

[JanS]

This is exactly why I need to get a sibling for Remy

Ooh, can I try to enable???

 

[remy]

Ooh, can I try to enable???

I’m not the one who needs convincing I was initially planning on getting a second Doberman when Remy was 2 or 3. At this point that’s unlikely, but hopefully within the next 2 years! I’m a little picky in what I’m looking for, so really I’ll wait as long as I need to.

 

[JanS]

I was initially planning on getting a second Doberman when Remy was 2 or 3. At this point that’s unlikely, but hopefully within the next 2 years! I’m a little picky in what I’m looking for, so really I’ll wait as long as I need to.

Well you know...

https://www.melraedobermans.com/lenny-ice

 

[Gelcoater]

Well you know...

https://www.melraedobermans.com/lenny-ice

Wow! some great looking dogs.

 

[Gelcoater]

I might say... Boxers have a pretty similar play style but I would have to digging through 10 years of video's to provide evidence

who was that cutie shepherd who popped in to check on the chaos lol

A male Boxer is the only dog I can recall that Millie accepts his existence but doesn't want to play with.
First experience he was way! overboard with play, trying to mount and being a pest. She ran away until she couldn't anymore, then turned around fangs showing and snapped at him. He backed off for a while then forgot his manners, and snapped at some more. In his defense he's a somewhat stubborn and somewhat spoiled boy. I've never seen her go that full bitch before. He's great with my kids, but just too much for her
He only has one speed, full speed.

 

[BGpa]

A male Boxer is the only dog I can recall that Millie accepts his existence but doesn't want to play with.
First experience he was way! overboard with play, trying to mount and being a pest. She ran away until she couldn't anymore, then turned around fangs showing and snapped at him. He backed off for a while then forgot his manners, and snapped at some more. In his defense he's a somewhat stubborn and somewhat spoiled boy. I've never seen her go that full bitch before. He's great with my kids, but just too much for her
He only has one speed, full speed.

I've seen same in dogparks- boxers are generaly sweet wiggle butts with similar "big dog play energy" as dobes, I call it.
Boxers are obv Not as smart tho and a tendency to be unable to read the room, without help at times.

As Bonnie has matured to now 2 y 8 m she is becoming more selective in who she plays with, less to none with new dogs, but still rolls and wrestles and boxes in UFC dogfu with her old puppy pals, tho.
She'd much rather be training or doing something with her 2legged pals.