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Dobermans

Hi Guys.

I want to reach out to you all in order to get more information on personal experiences with the Doberman breed.

My young Family live in an area of western Melbourne that unfortunately is experiencing an increase in crime. Car jackings, car thefts in drive way or in garage, home invasions, you get the picture. Now don't get me wrong, I love my street. Very quiet, no feral bogans having parties in their garages with ac/dc blaring till all hours. Thankfully no. However I am aware hat Crime is way up and it is getting worse.

With all that said and given I am away a fair bit in the City while Mrs.Woodstock and our 8 and 4 years olds are at home, I am making enquiries with a couple pedigree breeders at the moment.

We already have a Labrador at home. As those with dog experience will know, and our girl is old and getting still at 12, Labs are the biggest softies and do not make the ideal family guard dog.

I know what I want and Dobermans appear to have the physical and temperament traits which I am after. Confident, calm, child friendly, yet when push comes to shove, will guard my family and property at a word. I am aware that there are working and non working types out there and there different requirements for each.

Do any of you have experience with this breed and are there any recommendations and insights you wish to pass on. Highly appreciated as this is a big investment for the family, in time, money and of course emotionally.

Thanks

Woody
Keep the Faith

Re: Dobermans

Reply #1
Woodstock
I dont have experience with Dobes but I do have experience with Rottys and GSPs. The main advice I can offer is is spend the money upfront and buy from a reputable breeder. DONT buy a dog from the Trading Post, Pet Shop or the like for $300 as it could potentially cost you thousands if things like hip displacia, eye lid problems etc come along (and trust me they do). I was give the advice by the Rotty Club of Victoria at the time to buy a dog from one of there recommended breaders as they 100% guarantee their dogs are free from hereditary and "bad breeding" diseases. Try and find out if there is a Doberman Club of Victoria and talk to them (President, members etc) about the breed, known defects to look for and whether they have a list of recommended breeders. Go along to there events.
Then comes training, training and more training. These Clubs (I know the Rotty Club did) run Obedience training nights which I would highly recommend. You get to train your dog amongst people who have the same breed and trainers who know the breed intimately.
Good Luck.
My $800 Rotty cost me upwards of $5K after all the ops as he developed entropion (eye lid problem). In the end, he only lived to 6 yo as he went blind and I had to put him down so research, research, research.
2017-16th
2018-Wooden Spoon
2019-16th
2020-dare to dream? 11th is better than last I suppose
2021-Pi$$ or get off the pot
2022- Real Deal or more of the same? 0.6%
2023- "Raise the Standard" - M. Voss Another year wasted Bar Set
2024-Back to the drawing boardNo excuses, its time

Re: Dobermans

Reply #2
Don't know much about Dobermans but I expect that they would need a lot of training.  If you don't have the time or experience, it may not be an easy fit. 

A Maremma might fit the bill.  That's a livestock-guarding breed which won't take kindly to interlopers.  You might have seen the movie Oddball which fictionalised a true story of this breed being used to protect penguins.  They are very safe around the people or animals they are supposed to protect but don't like strangers.  They are bred to defend against attacking wolves and will do the same against invading humans too.  As most of their guarding behaviour is instinctual, the training load would be lighter.  I'd imagine most of the training would involve trying to ensure they will allow guests to come in without going to DefCon5.

From your point of view, it's a bonus that they look a bit like a Lab and they get on with other animals.  They might not have the immediate visual impact of a Doberman but anyone casing the neighbourhood would cross off your property anyway and a random invader would be impressed by its size and ferocity.

Re: Dobermans

Reply #3
Had a friend that had two, one nice the other not so nice. The outcome is not always about the training, dogs have personalities unrelated to their breed characteristics.

I'd be wary of such breeds around kids, keeping in my you are responsible for your own kids as well as their friends when they visit. But that is of course true of any large dog.
The Force Awakens!

Re: Dobermans

Reply #4
I installed an automatic gate a couple of years ago. Best thing I've ever done.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

Re: Dobermans

Reply #5
My missus' family had two Dobermans as a kid.  One night coming back from the neighbours' she encountered one in the driveway and it jumped up and bit her on the face - 9 stitches.  I wouldn't trust the breed as far as I could spit one.

Rhodesian ridgeback we had was great with kids (if you were there), slept all day... he was a pure bred and a damn good dog but a real handful as a pup.  Chewed everything including the AC piping, clothes on the line etc.  They are wary with strangers unless you are there with them, they are a true guard dog.  Only time Phil ever moved fast was when a burglar kicked in the back door and woke him up (he was sleeping in the cat basket).  Blood trail went from the laundry to the back fence.

Like all dogs it comes down to training and socialisation.  All I can say is that I wouldn't want a ridgeback hanging off your leg.  Very tough breed.

I don't know if a dog can truly be a guard dog and a family pet as the two roles are kind of contradictory, particularly in some breeds, but ridgeys can do this in my experience.  Be aware that they do eat a lot and the breed has a few issues, particularly a genetic defect called a dorsal sinus.  Pups with the condition should be euthanized but not all breeders are reputable. 

A good place to check out prospective dogs is the Melbourne show, which is on soon.

DrE is no more... you ok with that harmonica man?

Re: Dobermans

Reply #6
I installed an automatic gate a couple of years ago. Best thing I've ever done.

Yes good gates, locks, a loud alarm system that you actually bother to use and movement sensors lights are the best deterrents. I have a friend who is in Vic Pol and he tells me the one thing crims hate is attention. You don't need to scare the sh1te out of everyone, blind them with lumens or try to kill them, just draw attention to their activities. Even simple stuff like low voltage path lights and side lights that come on with movement will help deter them. He also says it's uncanny how many of the recent crimes are caused by people who have great house security, house doors like draw bridges, but fail to lock up their garage or laundry door.

I've had a lot of dogs, the best guard dogs we have had were a Blue Heeler and a Collie Kelpie Cross. Because they were small enough to sleep inside, smart enough to be suspicious/curious and vocal enough to offer some warning.
The Force Awakens!

Re: Dobermans

Reply #7
Was talking to my best mate who is a detective yesterday. He informed that the dog squad were taken to search a premises where known suspects that had committed house invasions hunting for cars were present. The offenders were VERY concerned about the presence of the dogs.
From stand over merchants to crying babies in seconds was his words.

Re: Dobermans

Reply #8
German Shepherd>>>>>Doberman......so loyal and affectionate they will give their life for you and will take on any man or beast to protect you, smartest breed on the planet....they become family, will sit with you when you are ill, even to the point of laying on a bed with a sick child.


The get a bad rap because they are seen as a dog used by the police and military therefore they have to be savage.....thats wrong, they only behave how they are taught to behave and they do it well because they are smart and want to please you..

Females tend to protect the person, males protect their patch of land ie your house.......buy one from a breeder(will set you back $1200) and you will have a friend and companion for life but be aware they are an inside dog who wants to be with you and they think they are human, dont think you can stick them in a kennel out the back and leave them....
We have a female who is 7 years old and my eldest daughter has a 3 year old female and we couldnt be happier with our choice of dog.....


Re: Dobermans

Reply #9
Hi Guys.

I want to reach out to you all in order to get more information on personal experiences with the Doberman breed.

My young Family live in an area of western Melbourne that unfortunately is experiencing an increase in crime. Car jackings, car thefts in drive way or in garage, home invasions, you get the picture. Now don't get me wrong, I love my street. Very quiet, no feral bogans having parties in their garages with ac/dc blaring till all hours. Thankfully no. However I am aware hat Crime is way up and it is getting worse.

With all that said and given I am away a fair bit in the City while Mrs.Woodstock and our 8 and 4 years olds are at home, I am making enquiries with a couple pedigree breeders at the moment.

We already have a Labrador at home. As those with dog experience will know, and our girl is old and getting still at 12, Labs are the biggest softies and do not make the ideal family guard dog.

I know what I want and Dobermans appear to have the physical and temperament traits which I am after. Confident, calm, child friendly, yet when push comes to shove, will guard my family and property at a word. I am aware that there are working and non working types out there and there different requirements for each.

Do any of you have experience with this breed and are there any recommendations and insights you wish to pass on. Highly appreciated as this is a big investment for the family, in time, money and of course emotionally.

Thanks

Woody

Greetings Woody,

Both my daughters grew up with Dobes looking after them and never had a bad incident (from the ages of 2&3 through to mid teens). Totally trustworthy and gee the girls tormented them at times. Great dogs, great temperaments and, like Ridgeback, really good with kids. BUT...

We got our Dobes and Ridgey from registered / trusted breeders who bred for temperament not show or guard. Wouldn't touch a show bred hound with a barge pole. Too much in-breeding.

Training and discipline are imperative. Most good training organisations will teach obedience and measured protection. Must be socialised from about 12 weeks. And I always only have bitches, better temperaments and more family oriented. Dogs are great for single males but you can have over protective/territorial issues with them in families.

Dobes are really energetic and don't really grow up until they're about 7 years of age! I prefer Ridgey's now as they're not only a great watch dog / family member but easy to look after and are couch potatoes most of the time. Both breeds must have good exercise daily, failure to exercise leads to boredom and frustration and that's when your garden gets dug up, sofa gets eaten, shoes get torn up... etc.

Never get a Dobe or Ridgey from a backyard breeder or farm breeder. If you live in Melbourne I would go to the Royal Melbourne Show next month and chat with the Dobe and Ridgey breeders/exhibitors. Both breeds get an unfair wrap as when properly trained you won't get a better family pet and protector.

The beauty of a Dobe or Ridgey properly trained and looked after is that they become not only a terrific family protector but wonderful family member.

Best tip I could also give you is that the critter has to know that it's at the end of line in terms of family hierarchy - good trainers will teach you and the rest of your family how to behave as the Alpha's in the family home.

When our last Dobe died (Angel), neighbours turned out for her backyard burial and cried with all of us such was her ability to discern between affection and protection. And, damn, she was smart (Dobes and Ridgey's are in the top 10 for dog smarts).

Good luck Woody, they're great breeds if you put in the hard yards for the first few months.
Only our ruthless best, from Board to bootstudders will get us no. 17

Re: Dobermans

Reply #10
If the dog is dangerous to an intruder they're dangerous to your 4 year old.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!

Re: Dobermans

Reply #11
If the dog is dangerous to an intruder they're dangerous to your 4 year old.

Not true of a well trained hound. The idea is not to have an attack dog as a family pet but one that firstly seeks to frighten off potential intruders with a good bark.

EB1 threw German Shepherds into the mix and although I've never had one friends who've had them speak really highly of them, but as for what I wrote before, training and good selection apply, which they made sure of.
Only our ruthless best, from Board to bootstudders will get us no. 17

Re: Dobermans

Reply #12
Personally I worry about the idea of guard dogs in suburbia and would be looking at other forms of security first e.g. fences, automatic gates etc. "If they're well trained" is a term used at times but to train a dog really well needs the kind of expertise all people don't have by any means.
Reality always wins in the end.

Re: Dobermans

Reply #13
Some random thoughts on dogs.

You don't need a guard dog to deter people who have bad intent.  Any dog that barks when it should will do the job.  My late brother was a cop for 20 years and he was adamant that households with dogs were rarely targeted by burglars, etc.  Neighbours' houses are also less likely to be targeted.

Since adulthood, I've had an Irish Setter, a pig dog (Bull Terrier - Rottweiler mix) and two Staffordshire Bull Terriers.  They were all socialised, well-trained, good with people and protective of their family when necessary.  The Irish Setter was most likely to go from warning to action and once attacked a cow that was charging me.  The cow was t1ts up  :)

My daughter has a young Ridgeback and she has had to get a dog whisperer's advice to get the dog to realise that it isn't responsible for protecting the children.  It's all about understanding pack behaviour and making sure the dog realises that it comes last in the pecking order.

Whatever breed you decide on, make sure that it is not prone to congenital disorders - and that includes behavioural issues.  Some breeds, Staffies and Shepherds are prone to obsessive-compulsive behaviour. The breeder should certify that the dog doesn't have hip displasia, etc.

Socialisation and training are vital as is being able to provide the right amount of exercise and stimulation.  A bored dog can be a destructive dog.

Finally, think about getting two dogs.
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”  Oddball

Re: Dobermans

Reply #14
Not true of a well trained hound.

Every owner of a dog that has hurt or killed a child says it was out of their dog's character. Like DJC said you just need the dog to bark not rip the intruder's throat out.

I have only ever had border collies who are the most intelligent dogs in the world but are high energy so you need to have kids.
2012 HAPPENED!!!!!!!