Doberman Pinscher

[Tango!]

I was in a rush when I wrote this, so I haven't had time to read the reply's, so I'll just air my thoughts, and apologise in advance if someone already said this.

The Doberman Pinscher (And/or Dobermann) is a breed that has been misunderstood because they were bred to protect thier owner...You know what that means, don't you...They are obediant, intelligent and a good family pet. If they weren't, no one would have owned one for protection, would they? Because of the 'scary' look the Dobermann has come to own, people assume that it's an oh-so-aggressive dog, when really, they're one of the best breeds to get as a family pet because they are, 1. Protective and friendly (If trained) and 2. They're easy to train and, to a trained eye, have a lovely look...Simple.

Cavs (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Other Spaniels) also get Syringomyelia (This is the only thing you can possibly be talking about when you say "Brian grow to big" ), as do other breeds. Against everything a Dobe can get, Syringomyelia is one of the things that makes you sigh with relief after you hear that Syringomyelia was the thing making your Dobe wabble it's head (and other). Dobes are known to develope cancer, and Wabbler Syndrome is another thing that every Dobie owner worries about. DCM, Hypothyroidism, there are too many other things to worry about in your Dobe.

They're protective, and friendly...Smart, but can be stupid...They're a dog my mates all call a 'Lumpy dog', thanks to me. Lumpy meaning clumbsy/intelligent/F.U.N (Fun Until Neccesary) in my little language, of course. They're a dog you'd trust around your baby. They're wonderful animals, and I don't think it would kill you to look into the breed before you actually think about buying one. Every dog (Especially smaller, round headed breeds) can get Syringomyelia, but every dog can bite it's owner or lose all of it's teeth, or a Labrador can drown, a Jack Russell can be friends with a rabbit, a Saint Bernard can be scared of snow, a Boxer be scared to bounce.

Hope that helped, both health wise and breed wise.

[Mali, Sasha & Me]

people use a Dremel on Doberman nails you can get the nails shorter that way BUT you have to be careful. A Dermel gets hot so you can only touch it too a nail about 3 seconds then move on to another nail,3 seconds the another nail.You just cannot grab a dog and start Dremeling the nails you let the dog sniff it with it off treat,let the dog get use to it then turn it on a few seconds treat make sure the dog does not get injured with the Dremel on then after the dog is use to it maybe do one nail & treat next day do another nail treat.Just go slow if the dog Panics you went too fast back up go slower.When the Dog is an adult and you have been quicking him/her you may get bit or have a knock down drag out fight with the dog just to do nails.
If you go to Doberman Talk a dog forum about Dobermans they have more information about doing dog nails.

Lils - Not everyone uses a dremel on dobermans as papbouv says so not to worry. The best way I have figured out when I may be cutting to close to the quick is squeeze the nail before you actually cut and if your baby tries to pull away, you are probably too close to the quick so start again. You have just as much of a chance of cutting the quick with a dremel as you do with clippers.

Papbouv - Regardless of whether or not you have been "quicking" your dog, some dogs just don't like having their nails done while others will tolerate it. I have never quicked Mali and he hates having his feet touched no matter how much I have tried to play with his feet while he was a puppy so he would get used to it.

Snoops - In answer to your question about why I would never get another doberman if Sasha died is because I would never want to feel like I had just replaced her because she is not replaceable.

[Sandy, Cheyenne's mom2]

I know this is a very old thread but thought I'd post again. To Tobby and/or anyone else looking to obtain a new dog: If you have any question in your mind at all, about the breed(s) of dog you are planning to obtain, do not get that dog - you are not ready. You must either do a lot more research until there is absolutely NO question in your mind about the dog you are interested in; or, get another type of dog. A dog can always sense his/her masters feelings and will know if you are in any way uncertain of it, which may cause problems that the dog would not ordinarily have.

Sandy

[Abbi the dog]

Hey. I know that this is a little off subject, but I didn't want to start a whole nother thread when my question is about the Doberman Pinscher anyway.
My question has to do with Dobes not being outside dogs. Please don't think that I would under any circumstances get a Doberman to be an outside dog that can't come in the house! The deal is, I'm looking for a dog that will be able to do AT segments with me, or ideally, the whole Appalachian trail...I know that may not be realistic, but that's my dream. I am looking for a guarding breed, absolutely adore Dobermans, and have been doing a very lot of research on them, and I'm just wondering if a Dobe would be able to take the nights outside with such a short coat? Feel free to tell about any other set backs that would make the Doberman not a good choice for my life style.

[iheartmydog]

Hey. I know that this is a little off subject, but I didn't want to start a whole nother thread when my question is about the Doberman Pinscher anyway.
My question has to do with Dobes not being outside dogs. Please don't think that I would under any circumstances get a Doberman to be an outside dog that can't come in the house! The deal is, I'm looking for a dog that will be able to do AT segments with me, or ideally, the whole Appalachian trail...I know that may not be realistic, but that's my dream. I am looking for a guarding breed, absolutely adore Dobermans, and have been doing a very lot of research on them, and I'm just wondering if a Dobe would be able to take the nights outside with such a short coat? Feel free to tell about any other set backs that would make the Doberman not a good choice for my life style.

I think a doberman would be great for that, they looove the exercise and they love to explore, also every doberman ive met is a velcro dog and dont stray far, wich is handy when your hiking or in the outdoors, the one thing you have to watch out for is the fact that they have a low tolerance to cold weather since they were bred to have less fat on there bodys to make there muscle stand out. And to anyone wonder yes a doberman makes an amazing family dog, my cousains are curently being baby sat by a dobie owner and she puts him out front and if he goes out of the yard the dobies will grab his diaper and pull him back in gently, lol and they dont let other dogs or unknown people near the baby. They are extremely obidient and they are the worlds fifth smartest dog breed. And for the whole brain growing to big ive heard its a myth and ive heard its real so i dont know what to say on that, but i have met over 15 dobies in my lifetime and none have suffered from it and they are amazing dogs. There also huge cuddle bugs and love people, if you train them the right way they can be the best dog you ever owned.

[Mali, Sasha & Me]

Abbi

I did a quick Wiki read of the AT to see what the conditions were. I think you would be able to take a Dobe with you but you would need to be prepared and do a lot of training before heading out (recall, short hikes for conditioning, getting your dog used to carrying its own pack, etc.).

I found that when I am cold so is Sasha. We recently went camping and I tucked her in with me at night because it was too cold for her (and me) and we kept each other warm.

You need to be careful with over exhaustion. Sasha will go and go and go and go (she has more energy than the energizer bunny) and does not realise that she needs to stop and rest.

Obviously you know what you are getting into with hiking the AT but you have to be prepared for not only yourself but your dog (nightly tick checks, snake bite kit, etc).

Short of the long, a doberman would suit your lifestyle.

[KSWilliams]

Yes I agree with that completely. Dobermans are to have been said dogs that cannot stand extreame cold, and this is very true. I know my boy Hades when we first got him was always cold and we put a small heater next to his bed. Now he sleeps on his back lol. But he does love the snow and stuff. He will run and eat all the snow he can, but I can tell when he is getting tired and cold. I plan on doing all sorts of outdorsy things with him.

[Abbi the dog]

Thanks everyone! That's great to hear!

Abbi

I did a quick Wiki read of the AT to see what the conditions were. I think you would be able to take a Dobe with you but you would need to be prepared and do a lot of training before heading out (recall, short hikes for conditioning, getting your dog used to carrying its own pack, etc.).

I found that when I am cold so is Sasha. We recently went camping and I tucked her in with me at night because it was too cold for her (and me) and we kept each other warm.

Yep. that's why I'm doing my research now! I wanted to find this out before I waisted a whole lot of time reserching a breed that I wouldn't be able to get anyway... I am hopefully going to be getting a puppy sometime around next spring when I finish school, and we will train for the rest of the year, maybe even the next depending on how everything goes...and then the trail!

[Deerie me]

Thanks everyone! That's great to hear!

Abbi

I did a quick Wiki read of the AT to see what the conditions were. I think you would be able to take a Dobe with you but you would need to be prepared and do a lot of training before heading out (recall, short hikes for conditioning, getting your dog used to carrying its own pack, etc.).

I found that when I am cold so is Sasha. We recently went camping and I tucked her in with me at night because it was too cold for her (and me) and we kept each other warm.

Yep. that's why I'm doing my research now! I wanted to find this out before I waisted a whole lot of time reserching a breed that I wouldn't be able to get anyway... I am hopefully going to be getting a puppy sometime around next spring when I finish school, and we will train for the rest of the year, maybe even the next depending on how everything goes...and then the trail!

On a slight tangent, Abbi have you read Bill Bryson's book about the AT. I think it's called A Walk In The Woods. It's well worth a read especially if you are going to do it. Are you doing the whole thing in one go or did you say you are going to do sections?

[lynners]

I love that book Deerie Me! He has such a great sense of humour.

[Abbi the dog]

On a slight tangent, Abbi have you read Bill Bryson's book about the AT. I think it's called A Walk In The Woods. It's well worth a read especially if you are going to do it. Are you doing the whole thing in one go or did you say you are going to do sections?

Oh I really want to read that book!...I think we have it, or it's at the library, or something. (we have too many books! )
I really want to at least try to do the whole thing in one go, but you know how that goes, and it just might not work out. In that case, I will just be doing sections.

[Fritz_Dog]

I knew I would never got another Dobe.

I don't think I could ever get another doberman either.

Why not? If you really like Dobermans why would you not get another?

I can see what they're saying... (I don't have a Doberman, but, like the OP, I think they are beautiful and regal). My Mini Schnauzer is just so wonderful, that I can't imagine having another of that breed after he passes. My reasoning is that any other Mini Schnauzer would most likely remind me (painfully) of Fritz, and/or I would constantly be comparing them to him. Granted, I would probably do that with any dog, no matter the breed, but having another Schnauzer would be extra difficult.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Fritz_Dog: This thread is nearly a year old and you referenced comments made in the first four posts of this thread. Please read a thread in its entirety prior to posting, and try not to resurrect old threads unless you have something new to contribute to the thread.

This is the Breed Specific Section and I am therefore reluctant to lock this thread. Other people with Dobermans, or without, may wish to add to this thread if their question, or comment, has not already been answered by what has been posted.

[LucyBee]

Just a question-how do these old posts appear on the topic headliner as if they were new? I think you can understand why anyone might get confused,seeing it posted in a position that you might assume it is current.I confess to looking more for interesting topics than scrutinizing the dates,so I've been guilty of replying to old posts.I just wonder how something that old ends up in a place that implies it's current.

[Emma & Kay]

The Breed Specific Section isn't used like the others. I don't think it has a when-you-can-and-can't-reply "rule". Deb was just informing Fritz that s/he more than likely wouldn't get a reply from the users addressed in Fritz_Dogs' post.

The Breed Specific threads can be added to in 2011, even if they were made in 2008. It's not like a health or training question, where, if asked in 2008, would more than likely be solved by 2011.