Doberman vs Poodle

[bhobba]

Hi

I had a Doberman when young. He, sadly, is dead now. I am retired and stay with my sister now. Her dogs died, and I wanted to get a Doberman, but she insisted on a Poodle. She had a Doberman when she first married and didn't want a dog that reminded her of him, so decided on the Poodle. The thing I noted is I had my Doberman professionally trained, but it was a joke, the trainer gave him a couple of lessons but said - there is no need to train this dog - it's just so intelligent you will have no problems - and I didn't. I can confirm its intelligence was simply uncanny. I thought a Poodle was also intelligent, but it will not stop barking and biting others. It is being professionally trained and the trainer said it will likely take months. My Doberman was way more intelligent. Is others experience with Doberman's similar ie they are just so intelligent and easily trainable, even more so than other intelligent breeds? Or is it simply dog variation? My sisters Doberman was like playful big kid, jumping around all the time and licking everyone in sight. My Doberman used to wander around the place very languid like. When people came over he would give them a sniff, nudge them with his nose until they gave him a pat, then wander off.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Gpcoguy]

They're extremely smart and trainable. I dont have much experience with other breeds. I had a teeing walker coon hound between my first Dobie and my current one. I loved that dog but geez, what a dope. Lol

 

[Maze]

Hi

I had a Doberman when young. He, sadly, is dead now. I am retired and stay with my sister now. Her dogs died, and I wanted to get a Doberman, but she insisted on a Poodle. She had a Doberman when she first married and didn't want a dog that reminded her of him, so decided on the Poodle. The thing I noted is I had my Doberman professionally trained, but it was a joke, the trainer gave him a couple of lessons but said - there is no need to train this dog - it's just so intelligent you will have no problems - and I didn't. I can confirm its intelligence was simply uncanny. I thought a Poodle was also intelligent, but it will not stop barking and biting others. It is being professionally trained and the trainer said it will likely take months. My Doberman was way more intelligent. Is others experience with Doberman's similar ie they are just so intelligent and easily trainable, even more so than other intelligent breeds? Or is it simply dog variation? My sisters Doberman was like playful big kid, jumping around all the time and licking everyone in sight. My Doberman used to wander around the place very languid like. When people came over he would give them a sniff, nudge them with his nose until they gave him a pat, then wander off.

Thanks
Bill

My dobermann was adopted at 9 months. And I had the unrealistic easiest experience with her. They are so intelligent. More obedient than my toddlers at times. Lol

 

[bhobba]

They're extremely smart and trainable. I dont have much experience with other breeds. I had a teeing walker coon hound between my first Dobie and my current one. I loved that dog but geez, what a dope. Lol

You love them regardless - I even love the Poodle even though it is an annoyance. I also loved my sisters Doby even though it was always jumping around and licking - my Dobie was more into nudging and bothering you for a walk - but only me - others he nudged for a pat - once he got the pat he would wander off. All different personalities it seems. One thing for sure is they are not naturally the ferocious working dogs of US Marine fame - I think by natural temperament they are quite 'docile' - possibly bred that way now which may be why you do not see many of them used by the police these days. When I was young (65 now) they were quite common. Where I am in Aus it gets quite hot and German Shepherds suffer - so it is sort of sad in one way. Although a trainer did mention you gan still train them to be a ferocious guard dog or protector. Mine would protect instinctively, but otherwise not ferocious at all.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Gpcoguy]

I think a lot of the sharpness has been bred down in most nort American lines to make them more suitable as family dogs but still very naturally protective

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I agree that the sharpness has been bred down/out. I will say that most any Dobe you get will be highly alert and a great watch dog (will give ample alarm); however not all of them will protect, and not all of them can be trained to protect. Yes, the Dobes of the early days of the breed were sharp and frankly ferocious from what I've read. They were also smaller. I think that they would be banned in modern day USA and western Europe and there would be a ton of law suits over bites. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the breed has become such that most – well, I'll just say this: I don't fear a Doberman when I see one, except for the possibility of a fear bite.

You asked about trainability and intelligence. Yes, they're one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds! My first one was an ace at learning quickly (but I've found the Dobe will also throw in their own twist and screw things up, and you have to work past that. It's almost like they're too smart to just be taught to do whatever we want).

Intelligence and trainability and willingness to work does indeed vary of course. My last two Dobes have been from working lines, and this current one just is not very inclined to work for mankind. This may make him seem not smart, and that may be true to a certain extent; but I just think something in his breeding was a failure in terms of producing a good dog willing to please and work.

But yes, you stand a very good chance of winding up with a smart, trainable Dobe.

 

[LifeofRubie]

@Doberman Gang has Dobermans and a Poodle so he can give you some first hand experience but Poodles are working dogs, as well. Intelligence is more than trainability; it can also lead to bored dogs that are looking for an outlet.

Are you sure the poodle isn't just looking for More? More training, more activity, more mental stimulation, more boundaries?

I've told the story many times but I was not super excited about getting a lab because I've never been particularly impressed with any I've met. My husband has wanted a chocolate lab for 20+ years so when the time was right, we got Moose. He is SMART and a HARD WORKER. The problem with labs is that they're generally 'good' without much work so people don't do much with them. Give any dog a job and expectations, and they thrive. My Dobe will work when it suits her but catches on very quickly. It may take my lab a bit longer to understand something but he won't stop.

Welcome and sorry about the loss of the Dobes in your life.

 

[AlexKreitto]

I had a Doberman when I was a kid, and he was so smart that it often felt like he was the one training me! He was always so eager to learn new things and never seemed to forget anything.

 

[AlexKreitto]

I had a Doberman when I was a kid, and he was so smart that it often felt like he was the one training me! He was always so eager to learn new things and never seemed to forget anything.

I think the dog's intelligence is so individual that it's hard to generalize. Poodles can be smart, too, though, in my experience, they can also be quite stubborn and require a lot more patience and time for training. I think it really depends on the individual dog! I recently saw apricot Poodle puppies and decided to get one. I have spent a lot of time training him, and the results are amazing. Now he understands commands, recognizes friends and family members, behaves very calmly, and never barks without reason.

 

[Kswoodssue]

We have good friends in their 80’s who own a standard poodle. He is freaky smart and easy; a great dog for them. Reputable breeders are everything, or nearly so.

 

[EricA]

Been considering a pair of Standard Poodles instead of Dobermans for the next time around.

Seriously considering to the point that I already started researching breeders near me and asking around / talking to owners.

LOVE the way the 'puppy cut' looks on the adults and bet that I could manage that myself if I tried / got some pointers from a pro.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Been considering a pair of Standard Poodles instead of Dobermans for the next time around.

Seriously considering to the point that I already started researching breeders near me and asking around / talking to owners.

LOVE the way the 'puppy cut' looks on the adults and bet that I could manage that myself if I tried / got some pointers from a pro.

Have you considered a Black Russian Terrier? Breeders are not too plentiful in the U.S., but I've looked into the breed quite a bit. I would groom it to my tastes. I swear though, in the last few days I have seen two different dogs that were probably black Standard Poodles, but could easily be BRTs just not with the show cut. They were probably Standards, though, as Poodles have gotten surprisingly popular.