Dobermans

[AKIron]

I will never trust a doberman. My sister was mauled and almost killed by one when she was 4. The dog belonged to people down the street who babysat my sister for two years beginning when she was 2. She had played with the dog many times and it had never shown agression. The dog got out of it's yard and came down to our yard and for no known reason attacked her and would likely have killed her had not my brother been there to pull him off her. She had to have over 100 stiches in her forehead.

[Jackal1]

I tend to agree that dogs will react according to how they were raised and how they have been treated in the world.
We had a registered Dobie when my girls were small. We raised him from weaning.
He was probably the most intelligent dog we will ever own.
He watched over the girls as if they were his.
Our old Rott (Louie) went to the land of many hydrants last year.
We are considering getting another Dobie.

[Maverick]

Moot,

The diminishing returns level can only be answered by you. As already pointed out, a bag of dogfood is pretty cheap and you can see how they react to being fed regularly pretty quick. Don't overfeed them and don't leave food laying around or you'll have other dogs or critters there in no time. Do have a source of water for them.

I like shepards too but I also understand that almost all of them suffer from hip displacia due to irresponsible breeding in the US. That's not to say the dobies may not have problems, just that it's not in the realm of certainty for them like it is in the shepard.

[moot]

Well, I've slept on it and the plan is to just figure out how much I have to feed the calm dobie to put him back in great health, give him that much, and feed the other two whatever I make with a few overtime hours's worth at work.
They always have about 10 gallons of water left for them in buckets.. no critters are around to pick into their bowls.  Only a few sparrows sometime show up, and the shepard is plenty euphoric to keep them away for the short moments food is out in the open.
I'll post a few pics to see how the dogs' health improves as it does.

[Flint]

An aggresive dog will always be an aggresive dog and a danger at that. Care must be taken to constantly keep an eye on it's stress levels and distract it when the signs show. Trouble is any breed can be produce aggressive dog.

That said - good friend of mine's on his second Doberman (first died of cancer), and they're loyal to a fault. Playful, affectionate & energetic. Best home defence invented.

If you have the land/time to give them the exercise they deserve, get them socialized with other dogs and humans you got yourself a great dog.

I love 'em.

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Flint
you are getting...sleepy....

[GtoRA2]

MYTH: When Dobermans grow older, their skulls stop growing but their brain doesn't. As their brain becomes larger as they grow, it puts pressure on the brain driving the Doberman insane and causing it to “turn” on its owner.

FACT:

Of course this is ridiculous. Doberman people merely shake their heads in wonderment at the total lunacy of these claims. When they are properly bred, raised, socialized, and trained, Dobermans will love, protect and often die for their families. This loyalty to his family is instinctive. It will develop naturally and you don’t have to do anything to develop it. Of course obedience training is a different matter and should be considered by all Doberman owners.

Just like any other dog, when the skull stops growing, so des the brain. If Dobermans routinely went insane and became vicious, nature would eventually target them for extinction. However, if you abuse any dog, a dog can, and probably should, turn on the person perpetrating the abuse. You would probably do the same if you were abused or threatened. Only a %^$%@*! abuses any animal and those who do, in my humble opinion, deserve what they get.

[/b]

A cousin had a Dobby that thought it was a cat, it walked along the top of a 6 foot fence with cats all the time. Was a riot.

[Flint]

Nice connection Neubob and yes you're IN like Flint. I doubt though that this thread will be locked.

[TalonX]

Don't take any of them home, particularly if you have kids.

These breeds are fantastic if you get them as pups....less predictable as adults.

[Tumor]

Anyone who tells you Doby's are dodgy by nature is an outright idiot.

[Angus]

Looks to me as ditched dogs.
They will look to the main feeding hand as a master, so don't play around, feed and be gentle, be calm and look them in the eye as if you were a border collie.
They could be great, no reason why not.
BTW, I have a bundle of dogs. The alltime favourite of my kids is a "runaway".
And Jackal, I'll sell you, or even give you a dog. Got a great mixture. What do you want your dog for anyway? Kids? Home protection? No hairs?

[culero]

Originally posted by Tumor
Anyone who tells you Doby's are dodgy by nature is an outright idiot.

Yeap. I've owned a few, been around many. Great breed of dog in my experience.

[Ghosth]

A German shepherd who's unsure of himself (can you say vets office) or who's startled, is much more likely to bite. Once they trigger there is likely to be little or no warning whatsover. They go straight from being nice to going for your throat.

Most Doberman's are sweet creatures, who when needed can put on such an impressive threat display that they seldom actually need to bit. As a result they seldom do bite, and the give warning LONG before they feel threatened enough to bite. Thats the difference between the 2.

However, some Doberman's do seem to "flip out" for no discernible reason and just attack anything in sight. But while it does happen its quite rare.

My advice, leave the German Shepherd alone (walk softly around it) and take the mellow Doberman. I'm sure with love, food, and a secure environment  it would do just fine.

If you do adopt one spend the money to have a vet give him a quick check.

[Sox62]

Buddy of mine had a Doberman he named Blaze.

That dog was the biggest *****cat I've ever seen,and I've owned lots of dogs.Take the mellow one to a vet,and see what they think.I'll bet he'd wind up a great pet,and friend.

[texasmom]

Originally posted by cav58d
GSD's as adolescents are crazy...It's like having a 5 year old after drinking 100 bottles of coke!  Awesome dogs, but let me warn you my friend...DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING YOU DONT WANT CHEWED IN REACH OF THE DOG.  They will chew it!  Believe me!

Dang, I thought it was just my dog in particular. Glad to hear it's 'normal.'