Doberman as a service dog??

[Korrianne19]

Hi anyone that sees this! I’m new to this site and I’m looking for opinions and advice! I’ve been doing lots of research on breeds that could be a service dog prospect. I stumbled upon dobies and just fell in love with the idea of a Doberman service dog for myself.

I love the low maintenance grooming because of painful joints and my boyfriend has asthma so typical service dog breeds like labs and Goldens were automatically out. My parents have a bloodhound and we found that the shorter coat doesn’t bother his breathing so that was something I was looking for as a requirement.

Aside from the short coat I love the fact that they are so intelligent and willing to please their person as well as being a larger dog for deep pressure therapy. I also love that they aren’t as people loving as labs and goldens. Currently I’m raising a dog for an organization and she absolutely loves everyone she meets and always wants their attention which is definitely not something I want. I want my prospect to be interested in me and block out the rest (once they’re fully trained of course).

From reading all over the internet I know they are a dominant breed and must have a dominant person in charge or they will become unruly or think they are the boss. I’ve also read the terrors of their energy level and needing to work them constantly, but as a service dog prospect that isn’t as concerning for me. I’ll be training basically everyday with them and can bring them to work.

One thing my boyfriend had raised as a concern was the fact that they are Velcro dogs and tend to get attached to one person so he didn’t want me to end up with a protective dog either in the home or out in public. Is this something anyone has experienced with their Doberman? Do they tend to be attached to one person or to one family or does it depend on the dog?

I was thinking about getting a female because they’re smaller and could tuck easier in smaller places but I’d be open to a male too. Any advice on a gender or do you guys think it’s more a preference?

Another big thing I haven’t been able to figure out is breeders to consider. Is there a specific breeder that would know anything about service dobies or is it just which breeders have the right temperament?

Any advice about any of this is greatly appreciated!!
Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot about anything but I’m just starting my research so I still have a ton to learn.

 

[AresMyDobie]

Yes they do get attached to one person but if you want a less Velcro I would go with a female. My female vs my male is much more independent when Ares is all about me and where I’m at.
As far as a Doberman being a good service dog they are very good at it. My male is mine.
I will say that if your bf doesn’t want you to have a protective breed then I would not go with a Doberman at all. They were bred solely for being a protector.
If your heart is set on a Doberman then I would go with an American Doberman. I know prima Dobermans is a great breeder.

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota!

It sounds like you've done a lot of research on the breed, which is great.

There are lots of Dobermans who are service dogs or support animals. They are very loyal to their owners but it's usually the whole family and it's their instinct to protect the home and family if someone intends harm.
They are definitely Velcro dogs and want to be with their family and have a job to do so being trained as a service dog is very fitted to them.

There are a few threads here about breeders who do breed for the service dog temperament and if I can find them, I'll post the links.

Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot about anything but I’m just starting my research so I still have a ton to learn.

We always welcome questions here so no one is ever going to think you're an idiot for doing your research.

 

[Korrianne19]

Yes they do get attached to one person but if you want a less Velcro I would go with a female. My female vs my male is much more independent when Ares is all about me and where I’m at.
As far as a Doberman being a good service dog they are very good at it. My male is mine.
I will say that if your bf doesn’t want you to have a protective breed then I would not go with a Doberman at all. They were bred solely for being a protector.
If your heart is set on a Doberman then I would go with an American Doberman. I know prima Dobermans is a great breeder.

I was looking into Prima actually when I was looking at breeders.
My boyfriend stressed that he didn’t want the dog to end up becoming protective towards him if that makes sense? Like we get in an argument about something and it’s so protective of me that it attacks him or barks at him for me or something like that. I understand where he’s coming from but being that I’d be raising the dog in our house together he would be the dog’s family as well so I didn’t think that would be something that would happen. Any thoughts on that?
Thank you!

 

[JanS]

being that I’d be raising the dog in our house together he would be the dog’s family as well so I didn’t think that would be something that would happen. Any thoughts on that?

You are absolutely right about that. Unless your BF is abusive, the dog will protect him as well.

 

[AresMyDobie]

I was looking into Prima actually when I was looking at breeders.
My boyfriend stressed that he didn’t want the dog to end up becoming protective towards him if that makes sense? Like we get in an argument about something and it’s so protective of me that it attacks him or barks at him for me or something like that. I understand where he’s coming from but being that I’d be raising the dog in our house together he would be the dog’s family as well so I didn’t think that would be something that would happen. Any thoughts on that?
Thank you!

Ares loves my boyfriend but when push comes to shove he will choose me every time. That being said getting into an agrument Ares gets in the middle but he has barked at my boyfriend when it escalates and stands in front of me barking at my SO. Ares has never once tried to bite him but when Ares does this it also makes us stop and I re focus to tell Ares no and it’s fine. Like I said they are protection dogs first and foremost.
My female is not as protective as Ares but I wouldn’t underestimate her either lol
Ares is my constant shadow while Athena is ok to watch from a distance.
But yes the dog will protect him as well the connection level is just different.

 

[Korrianne19]

You are absolutely right about that. Unless your BF is abusive, the dog will protect him as well.

Awesome thank you for your input!
I haven’t come across anything saying there is but is there a difference in temperament or intelligence depending on color? I know in labs it usually is yellow are smartest then black then chocolate so was just wondering if that sort of thing has any effect in any other breeds?
Also what’re your opinions on ear crops for someone who has no prior experience? I love the look of a crop but don’t want to mess it up lol

 

[JanS]

I haven’t come across anything saying there is but is there a difference in temperament or intelligence depending on color? I know in labs it usually is yellow are smartest then black then chocolate so was just wondering if that sort of thing has any effect in any other breeds?

No I don't think there is. We have one red and one black and while they both have different personalities, they're both Dobermans through and through.

I would definitely stay away from the blues or fawns though just because they're dilutes and could have skin issues.

Also what’re your opinions on ear crops for someone who has no prior experience? I love the look of a crop but don’t want to mess it up

If you have a good crop vet in your area that's all you need. We always recommend doing the posting yourself since many vets aren't very good at it and use too much tape. We have a lot of step by step tutorials here and we're always here to answer questions as you go.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Welcome!

Dobermans can certainly make good service dogs! You will be best off getting one whose temperament has been determined to be good for service work though. Even at that, they may be rather hyper when young.

I don't know if there are any Dobe breeders who breed specifically for service (thankfully) but there are some more-docile lines out there.

I agree with what Jan wrote about cropping.

Sounds to me like a female would be a good choice for you.

Almost all Dobermans are highly alert. I don't know if this would be a detriment to service work. Outdoors, they have their head on a swivel!

 

[Korrianne19]

Ares loves my boyfriend but when push comes to shove he will choose me every time. That being said getting into an agrument Ares gets in the middle but he has barked at my boyfriend when it escalates and stands in front of me barking at my SO. Ares has never once tried to bite him but when Ares does this it also makes us stop and I re focus to tell Ares no and it’s fine. Like I said they are protection dogs first and foremost.
My female is not as protective as Ares but I wouldn’t underestimate her either lol
Ares is my constant shadow while Athena is ok to watch from a distance.
But yes the dog will protect him as well the connection level is just different.

I mean any dog that is protective of his people is going to get concerned when they think something bad is going to happen. My boyfriend and I don’t get into giant screaming matches either it’s a very hypothetical question lol but definitely not something to rule out when thinking about a dog we’ll have for 10+ years.

I think personally my biggest question is do you think your dog would do the same thing if you got in an argument with a stranger in public? I just worry about them barking and the person taking it as aggression and having it end up as a whole big deal.

As long as they are socialized and comfortable around all types of people I would think that I shouldn’t have any issues with them being aggressive in public right? Any tips for socialization when they’re a baby?

Have you had any bad altercations in public with Ares due to breed discrimination? I know they can be intimidating to some people so just curious if you’ve ever had that happen before.

 

[MischasMomma]

@GennyB, @Tropicalbri's and @MyBuddy I think make be able to offer some insight as well. I would have also tagged @AresMyDobie but obviously she already responded!

I do have to say I agree with Ares on the Male vs female. My girl loves me, but shes def not as clingy as I've seen other dobes... which actually disappointed me lol.

 

[Korrianne19]

Welcome!

Dobermans can certainly make good service dogs! You will be best off getting one whose temperament has been determined to be good for service work though. Even at that, they may be rather hyper when young.

I don't know if there are any Dobe breeders who breed specifically for service (thankfully) but there are some more-docile lines out there.

I agree with what Jan wrote about cropping.

Sounds to me like a female would be a good choice for you.

Almost all Dobermans are highly alert. I don't know if this would be a detriment to service work. Outdoors, they have their head on a swivel!

For what I need I think head on a swivel would be helpful. As long as I can have a command for them to focus on me when needed. When I say to block out the rest I mean more that I don’t want to have a dog that is looking for attention from others if that makes sense. I like that they are a one family type dog. I actually was looking at GSDs because they too are a one family don’t care for attention from strangers type dog but with all that hair I didn’t see that as an option.
Thank you for your input!

 

[GennyB]

I’m looking for opinions and advice!

I have a few questions if you don't mind. If it's too personal, I understand.
What would your future service dogs job be?
Have you trained a service dog before?
Do you have many service dogs in your area? Have you seen them working?

I am currently training my female to be my service dog. It's been a journey so far but she is working out well.

I know of one breeder that breeds at least a few service dogs. She also runs a place to train the dogs and I can't think of the name. The organization is for guide dogs but she may be a good resource for a breeder. If I can think of the name that is.

 

[Korrianne19]

@GennyB, @Tropicalbri's and @MyBuddy I think make be able to offer some insight as well. I would have also tagged @AresMyDobie but obviously she already responded!

I do have to say I agree with Ares on the Male vs female. My girl loves me, but shes def not as clingy as I've seen other dobes... which actually disappointed me lol.

Do you think the females bond better with males and vice versa or just a depends on the dog type thing or is it just that females tend not to get as attached in general?
Thank you!

 

[GennyB]

As long as I can have a command for them to focus on me when needed. When I say to block out the rest I mean more that I don’t want to have a dog that is looking for attention from others if that makes sense.

You can definitely train the focus. Take a trip to an IPO field, you'll see it.

 

[Korrianne19]

I have a few questions if you don't mind. If it's too personal, I understand.
What would your future service dogs job be?
Have you trained a service dog before?
Do you have many service dogs in your area? Have you seen them working?

I am currently training my female to be my service dog. It's been a journey so far but she is working out well.

I know of one breeder that breeds at least a few service dogs. She also runs a place to train the dogs and I can't think of the name. The organization is for guide dogs but she may be a good resource for a breeder. If I can think of the name that is.

I mostly need it for psychiatric reasons grounding, dpt, blocking in crowds, leading to exits if I have a panic attack and can’t find an exit, or finding a specific person in the same situation, and medication reminders. I may end up needing more in the future due to some unrelated non-psychiatric issues but for now those would be the focus!

I am raising a service dog through an organization but it is for someone else so I give her up in a few months. I’ve had her since she was 9 weeks and it’s what made me realize that a service dog could actually really help me.

I’m actually starting a club for the service dog handlers/raisers in my area to be able to help each other out with issues and give tips to each other. I’ve come across a lot more people than I knew were owner training in the past few months. My one friend has a trainer that she goes to that I’m going to get in contact with to see if she has any experience with dobermans and to see if I could take classes with her.

I haven’t known anyone with a fully trained SD so I haven’t officially seen and been able to observe (long-term) any teams unfortunately.

 

[Korrianne19]

You can definitely train the focus. Take a trip to an IPO field, you'll see it.

I figured that especially watching training videos the focus for a lot of the dogs is incredible. Would I be wrong in assuming the more bonded you are as a team the better the focus would be? I feel that plays a huge role.

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Welcome to DCF from Florida

If your husband takes a role in feeding the dog, helping with training, play time etc. with the dog, you won’t have an issue with aggression toward your spouse. Everyone needs to be involved in the feeding and training from house breaking all the way through to training for being a service dogs. Dobermans do choose one that they are exceptionally attached to but they have different, special relationships with the entire family.
As @JanS said, unless there is emotional and physical abuse in the home, it should not be a problem at all. Your hubs has to have the strong leadership role as well as you so the dog learns that you both are alpha and dogs do not want to test their pack leader as an adult. It’s a earned trust and respect.
Like @AresMyDobie said, my male is solely my dog. I cannot make a move it do anything without him at my side. When hubs comes home from work my male Bogie doesn’t get excited, he is rather ho hum. Now if I come home they both act like I have been gone for a year. The excitement is off the charts.

My female loves everybody and loves attention from everyone and is happy to greet people’s the time, which we are working on. However I must add that she also will NOT allow anyone on the property. I have to invite you in and introduce you, then they are cool with it. The male Bogie will stick right next to me as Bacall plays the social butterfly. He will allow people to pet him happily but he has to be next to me. He thinks his job is to be next to me at all times (momma’s boy).
Some females tend to be less needy, as in they are often content to do their own thing every once in a while but they also will have the protective instincts of your entire family. Plus they learn quickly and really want to please you.

It’s been my experience (mine only) that the males bond with the female owner and will display subtle protection instincts toward people approaching you as a female. You just have to train them that you are in control and you have the situation handled, then they will learn what is a threat and what isn’t.
Service Dog training will teach your dog to ignore distractions and people and just do his job he was trained to do.

My first red Dobie in the 70’s was strictly my dog. He was with me 24/7. He was protection trained and he would stay next to me all the time. We were in tune to each other’s body language. If you made a quick move toward me, he would intervene with a block and growl, but that’s what he was trained for.

I think a Doberman would make an excellent service dog.

I also think if you can find a reputable, experienced in the breed crop vet then I would definitely do a crop.
As Jan said do the posting yourself. It’s easy once you do it a couple times. Most Vets are notoriously terrible at posting ears and as a rule so are the techs.
Also the pup coming from a reputable breeder, the ears may already be done when you get the pup.

 

[Korrianne19]

Welcome to DCF from Florida

If your husband takes a role in feeding the dog, helping with training, play time etc. with the dog, you won’t have an issue with aggression toward your spouse. Everyone needs to be involved in the feeding and training from house breaking all the way through to training for being a service dogs. Dobermans do choose one that they are exceptionally attached to but they have different, special relationships with the entire family.
As @JanS said, unless there is emotional and physical abuse in the home, it should not be a problem at all. Your hubs has to have the strong leadership role as well as you so the dog learns that you both are alpha and dogs do not want to test their pack leader as an adult. It’s a earned trust and respect.
Like @AresMyDobie said, my male is solely my dog. I cannot make a move it do anything without him at my side. When hubs comes home from work my male Bogie doesn’t get excited, he is rather ho hum. Now if I come home they both act like I have been gone for a year. The excitement is off the charts.

My female loves everybody and loves attention from everyone and is happy to greet people’s the time, which we are working on. However I must add that she also will NOT allow anyone on the property. I have to invite you in and introduce you, then they are cool with it. The male Bogie will stick right next to me as Bacall plays the social butterfly. He will allow people to pet him happily but he has to be next to me. He thinks his job is to be next to me at all times (momma’s boy).
Some females tend to be less needy, as in they are often content to do their own thing every once in a while but they also will have the protective instincts of your entire family. Plus they learn quickly and really want to please you.

It’s been my experience (mine only) that the males bond with the female owner and will display subtle protection instincts toward people approaching you as a female. You just have to train them that you are in control and you have the situation handled, then they will learn what is a threat and what isn’t.
Service Dog training will teach your dog to ignore distractions and people and just do his job he was trained to do.

My first red Dobie in the 70’s was strictly my dog. He was with me 24/7. He was protection trained and he would stay next to me all the time. We were in tune to each other’s body language. If you made a quick move toward me, he would intervene with a block and growl, but that’s what he was trained for.

I think a Doberman would make an excellent service dog.

I also think if you can find a reputable, experienced in the breed crop vet then I would definitely do a crop.
As Jan said do the posting yourself. It’s easy once you do it a couple times. Most Vets are notoriously terrible at posting ears and as a rule so are the techs.
Also the pup coming from a reputable breeder, the ears may already be done when you get the pup.

Thank you so much for your reply! From what everyone on here is saying it sounds like maybe a male would be a better choice in terms of bonding and being my service dog as long as I make sure to be the one in charge. Would that be something the breeder could help determine? I’m thinking possibly based off of the parents’ temperaments and relationships with their owners they could possibly predict this or would you think it depends more on each individual dog?

I definitely would want to do a crop as long as I either found an experienced vet near me or asked the breeder who they recommend. I just love the look of the crop and know that when I think of a Doberman that is the image that pops into my head.
Again thank you so much for your response! This forum has been awesome so far so glad I found it!

 

[AresMyDobie]

I mean any dog that is protective of his people is going to get concerned when they think something bad is going to happen. My boyfriend and I don’t get into giant screaming matches either it’s a very hypothetical question lol but definitely not something to rule out when thinking about a dog we’ll have for 10+ years.

I think personally my biggest question is do you think your dog would do the same thing if you got in an argument with a stranger in public? I just worry about them barking and the person taking it as aggression and having it end up as a whole big deal.

As long as they are socialized and comfortable around all types of people I would think that I shouldn’t have any issues with them being aggressive in public right? Any tips for socialization when they’re a baby?

Have you had any bad altercations in public with Ares due to breed discrimination? I know they can be intimidating to some people so just curious if you’ve ever had that happen before.

I have have mixed reviews I guess. I either get omg what a beautiful dog may I say hi and depending on my needs and if I really dont need Ares to be focused I will say it’s fine. If I’m having a “bad” day where I need his full attention then I put on his DO NOT PET patch.
Yes I have had people terrified of him, I’ve also had a mom and child want to run up and touch him and he loves it ! He’s a ham.
That being said Ares has saved my life or at least a terrible confrontation. He alerted me to someone following me on a walk. I slipped the lead from prong to flat collar when this person was saying very nasty things to me and then snarled, lunged and barked at this person. He was not letting this person get to me. So when it comes to a threat he knows but has been taught to know via IPO.
Be prepared with a Doberman to approached a lot and people gawking.
When I go with him in public places it’s almost obnoxious.
@MischasMomma has met him and can tell you about how well trained he is.