Dobermans

[Baggers]

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.