Hi guys, I'm gonna get another pup not until next year but, I started to do my search. I like dobermans and own one gsd. Is there anyone who own or any experience about both breeds? Don't tell me one is herding dog or other is working) I know this already. I just intend to compare dobermans to shepherds, in terms of trainability, character, loyalty, protection ability and intelligence. I'm gonna get a female dog, but I couldn't decide which breed. Actually I'm partial to shepherds I think, since I have one right now. So, let the experst talk...thanks

Finding a good working doberman is extremely challenging. The breed has gone to crap over the past 20 years. So people stick to GSD's. Still tough to find a good one but the odds are far better.

I guess it would depend on what your primary goals for your dog are. I have a lot of experience with Dobermans and a very little bit of experience with Shepherds and they are very different dogs. I'm no expert and can only speak from my experience, but I've found the Dobes to be better 'family' dogs and the Sheps to be better working dogs. There are so many factors to take into consideration though: the nationality, working or show lines, individual temperament, etc. I know for sure that the American show line Dobes are MUCH different than their working line, German counterparts. Most of the Dobermans around today will do very well in sports like obedience and agility, but don't have the necessary drives for formal protection work. If you are interested in a Doberman choose wisely as they can be a little nervy or sharp, and they are a breed with some health issues.

Even so, Dobes have been my breed of choice for many years. Their loyalty bordering on codependency, their intelligence and their quick willingness to please just can't be beat. I like the energy level too because it means they are up for anything. But like Sheps, they need training and structure or they get into trouble. I'm also a huge neat-freak so I love the short, easy-care coat.

Thank you guys, any different opinions or experiences from anyone??

Okay first just let me say this; all of those books that are dedicated to a certain breed, or even a dog encylopedia can be VERY misleading! They ascribe certain characteristics to a breed such as loyal, protective, brave, couragous, strong nerved, guard dog, blah, blah, blah... If you turn to the section about dobermans, you will read all of that. Now one meeting with my doberman Bond, and you will see he is none of those! I dont mean to be a sceptic, but what I am saying is that in EVERY breed dogs have charicteristics that make them individually uniqe. Sure there are a few dobermans that can do that, but VERY FEW. And same goes for GSD's. This is where a reputable breeder with a lot of experiance comes in handy. They will be able to tell you what kind of dog their pup will grow up to be. Oh and my doberman could not possible in a million years be any manner of working dog, but I still consider him a good dog, just not good for working or sport. So define first "Good" and then go from there. Everybody wants something differnt in a dog.

It's true. As a breeder and someone who's worked with a lot of Dobermans I have to chuckle a little at some of the descriptions I've read. Some of them are more descriptive of the early German dogs, and ascribe the same type of character to all contemporary Dobes. If it weren't so misleading it would be hysterical. A good breeder for a dog that fits your needs is the way to go for sure.

Anyone who really knows me, knows that Dobermans were MY breed from the age of 5 years old. I had them up until a few years ago, and had a line of dogs that I bred for a decade or so.

It became more difficult to find the type of Doberman I liked, and I had also had Belgians over the years (Groenendael, Terv) and had actually looked for a working Malinois in the early 80s.

When my last Doberman passed away, I stopped looking for a new one and switched over the the Malinois. We do have GSDs (obviously LOL) but for me the Malinois is closer to the Doberman in personality and it's affection and way it relates to the family.

If I knew I could have another Doberman like my Elka, I would get one in a heartbeat. http://kaiserhaus.com/elka.htm I still miss her everyday.

Wow Cindy, Elka sounds so wonderful. I love the way her head is turned to look into your face; I can almost see the expression of devotion, even in a photo. I wish you were still breeding. It's true that it would be very difficult to find a Doberman with that kind of working ability and astounding focus these days; a needle in a haystack, maybe. That devotion always seems to be there though. These dogs are such heart-stealers. Have I mentioned that I wish you were still breeding?

If you want a dog for serious high level competition, a GSD whould be a wiser choise. I have owned a GSD and it is unlikely I will be wanting another one. I have no experience with working line dogs but the GSDs I have met (I have done a little training of other peoples dogs) seem to be more calm and stabile. Dobes are faster, easier to light up and motivate. They also are less forgiving of handlers mistakes- if you mess up one time, be prepared in similar situations the next three times because you will be tested :P GSDs have been easier to track with (the ones I have tracked with and seen in training are calmer and don´t rush as much). But dobes have been easier to keep "sparky" in obedience and are more energetic in protection.

My dobe is an absolute darling at home- it is a rare occasion when she does something that displeases someone. Her crate is currently occupied by my sisters touble-making collie mix because Veeda rarely ever needs it (perhaps a bad thing but this has been going on for months without any problems). She is very gentle with kids. Is she a good working dog? No. She was not bred to be (father was strictly showdog whos owner didn´t even try to work him) nor was she worked with during first year.

If you lived where I do and wanted a dog to be successful on national competitions, I whould probably say a dobermann- winners of national obedience level 3 (lighter version of IPO obedience), national tracking level 3 (IPO track and obedience, no protection) and IPO level 3 national championships and dobermann club championships (all breeds allowed) last year were all dobermanns. The year before some of these titles went to GSDs but dobes were pretty successful (no IPO3 championship- last year it was the first time that was held here). But I have to stress the fact that there are not many working line GSDs here and the most productive dobe breeders care about the ability to at least do sports (as nobody does real work with them around here anyway).

If you are not planning to conquer the world, it is greatly a matter of preference. I whouldn´t change dobermanns for anything. For me they have a load of virtues that perhaps only mals could offer (and they are not really my cup of tea in appearance). This decision is only up to you. I love the breed and could write a bible on how and why this is the only breed for me on the face of the earth but this is just me. I advise you meet some of them in real life and talk to owners and breeders.

Better access to a larger variety of good working dogs is why many of us wish we lived in Europe sometimes.


I still feel that a handler can get a good ( sometimes great ) quality GSD or Mal bred right here in the U.S.
But for the other breeds........good luck.


And Jaana, I love the appearance of your Dobe!