What Drew You To The Doberman Breed

[Regalis]

Yeah, my wife's late dog was a Siberian Husky female (or as I dubbed her, an "American House Husky"). Her job was to make hair.

I agree on the size thing, though I personally would not go too oversized. I would be fine with a Dobe of up to maybe 105 lbs. or so as long as it was proportionate and structurally sound and all other factors were good as well. It is really a struggle for me that Oji is such a small male. At least he's full-height and proportionate. Well, I guess being too narrow is not exactly being proportionate.

My boy was actually from sledding lines, so he was more the typical husky. About 75 pounds of solid muscle and stubbornness. To keep his energy in check as a younger dog, I'd make him pull me on my rollerblades for a few miles atleast a 3 times a week. If not, he was a terror. No amount of walking wore him out. But that hair! Aghhhhhh. It's the reason I won't even consider a GSD. Though I really did try to talk hubby into a GSD over a lab. I lost. We all lost. Lol. I think he's finally given up on labs. Maybe they were once an intelligent breed, but not anymore, I really don't know as I had no experience with them. The only dogs around that I liked as a kid were the two dobes and my sisters shepherds.

As for oversized, proportionate and temperamentally sound are a must. I like the males that end up just over a hundred pounds with the Euro build. I'm really not a fan of the average American dobie. I *like* a challenge. I may harp about Kaizers bad side, but I would be bored if he was not a challenge. And at this point, I have little doubt that he would lay his life down for me, even at 8 months.

 

[Brioddy]

I have teared up at reading some of these lovely, wonderful memories and I give thanks to the contributors for sharing.

I have something embarrassing to admit. I have had dogs my entire life, love them to pieces, I still have yet to formally meet a Doberman. My moms neighbors have two that never leave their property and bark like fools at -everything-, other than that I have only seen them rarely. I have never even PETTED a full blooded Doberman. So why am I here?

I grew up with mutts and pit bulls. I will always be a APBT fan, fantastic dogs and super athletic. My girl Odyssey just turned nine and what a wonderful ride it has been with her. Other than dogs, my life long passion is horses. I can note and appreciate any animal that is built well and has superior athleticism, which is what the Doberman appears to me. They just exude such a confidence coupled with grace and beauty, I've always admired them and therefore wanted one. Surprising, as I've always felt I wouldn't have any other dog than a APBT!

Enter my boy, Brinks. He is half Doberman, and half GSD which is another breed I have respect for. He came from a large litter of 13, the lady did not want to pay to feed the newly weaned pups and while I wanted to take them all I knew I could only make a difference for one. I took my little boy home with me at four weeks and three lbs, he was wormy, lethargic, puked on me, and was the runt. Even though all the puppies looked the same, I knew when I saw him that he was meant to be with me.

It's been over a year later and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He is very different from my pit and was more challenging to raise, but he is just truly endearing and the light of my life. One day I'd like to add a full blood, but until then I am supremely happy.

 

[GOD'S GRACE]

What really turned me to loving this breed is what some hate....I love the Velcro...being single it's nice to have "someone" who wants to be in your life. From the time we get up, till we retire, we're together and enjoying life.... I love the Nose butts, paw punches, leaning, whining, ... playing and showing off, protecting and loving...this breed brings so much to the home of people that interact with pets...I'll never go back to any other breed...period...

Here's a prefect example...Grace and I went to the vet for her med and she stood at the counter like she was at Westminster, everyone came around and she just stood next to me like a show dog (which she will never be)...then we went to Pet Smart for a nail grind (just to cold out for us to do at home) and she again walked in Proud and turned all heads...got up on the table and didn't move a muscle. All business...we walked through the store (I was now testing her behavior) and we were complimented on Grace's perfect behavior...I'm on a roll I thought...when we got home she turned into Just Grace, Queen of Chaos! The Mistress of Disaster and that's ok, because when I ask her to step up her game she does...the rest of the time we're just Delinquents!
I named my Girl "God's Grace" and every day she's been here, she has proved me right, she is a Blessing!

I have loved reading all the above posts!

 

[jazzies mum]

Wonderful, wonderful stories! Common thread is their beauty and regal bearing, but that is just the surface. After all, an Afghan is beautiful too, but I've never wanted to own one! I'd met some truly wonderful Dobes over the years, all doing their job of keeping their people company and protecting their own. The interactions between owner and dog seemed to be on a deeper level than with other breeds. More intuitive or something.
I'd also have the sh.......t scared out of me by a Dobie who had been left to guard the gear in a stable while owner was out in the ring, what a bark! (I was checking out the horses). That was impressive, and I am sure the gear stayed safe! But none of the dogs I'd ever met had been aggressive, just appropriately watchful.

My hubby died suddenly a few years back and I decided I wanted to stay in the peace of the isolated spot we lived in and our old dog wasn't on the ball any more. Sooooooooooooo, time to have my Doberman. Not a purebred but that doesn't matter. Jazz has been on alert since she was less than 4 months old and no one and nothing comes near without her knowing it. I sleep easy at night, knowing she has my back. At the same time she is friendly with people and dogs, including kids! She loves kids! What a perfect mix to have in one companion! Now we are over her puppy year and she is really settling into a well adjusted attitude, (most of the time - teenager after all!) I can't say I was prepared for the Doberman crazy puppy, but I'm so glad I didn't find all the "help me, puppy trouble!" threads until I was 8 months into the experience and over the worst. I would have missed out on so much if I had been scared off to begin with. Now we have hopefully many years of shared experiences ahead of us, and any future dogs will be Dobermans. It breaks my heart to see how many Dobie pups end up in shelters, so will adopt next time. Wish I could save them all!

 

[Rnrgyrl]

I have teared up at reading some of these lovely, wonderful memories and I give thanks to the contributors for sharing.

I have something embarrassing to admit. I have had dogs my entire life, love them to pieces, I still have yet to formally meet a Doberman. My moms neighbors have two that never leave their property and bark like fools at -everything-, other than that I have only seen them rarely. I have never even PETTED a full blooded Doberman. So why am I here?

I grew up with mutts and pit bulls. I will always be a APBT fan, fantastic dogs and super athletic. My girl Odyssey just turned nine and what a wonderful ride it has been with her. Other than dogs, my life long passion is horses. I can note and appreciate any animal that is built well and has superior athleticism, which is what the Doberman appears to me. They just exude such a confidence coupled with grace and beauty, I've always admired them and therefore wanted one. Surprising, as I've always felt I wouldn't have any other dog than a APBT!

Enter my boy, Brinks. He is half Doberman, and half GSD which is another breed I have respect for. He came from a large litter of 13, the lady did not want to pay to feed the newly weaned pups and while I wanted to take them all I knew I could only make a difference for one. I took my little boy home with me at four weeks and three lbs, he was wormy, lethargic, puked on me, and was the runt. Even though all the puppies looked the same, I knew when I saw him that he was meant to be with me.

It's been over a year later and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He is very different from my pit and was more challenging to raise, but he is just truly endearing and the light of my life. One day I'd like to add a full blood, but until then I am supremely happy.

View attachment 71499

Beautiful mix!