... this is the question.

This is my situation- I have a co-owned dobermann female that will be mine after the breeder gets two pups from her. She is due any day now. And even though she is the most lovable and adorable pet anyone could ever want, I want to do a bit more. To title her in IPO doesn´t need consistent work but straining at the edge of human ability Not to get in too much detail I am not experienced or have enough knowledge to work out all problems she has. And mediocre drive doesn´t help.

I was waiting for a litter but the female didn´t get pregnant. Now the same female had a litter but with a different male. This time the hard female was bred to a hard male most likely producing hard pups. There are three girls, they are a few weeks old and the breeder is keeping one as her next star player . And now I have a feeling. I woke up this morning with a knowledge that I have to get the black one.

But... We haven´t had problems with our dogs because they are softies. They don´t live according to all the pack structure points because we are doing very well as it is (crating, training, exercise, walking behind me down the stairs etc. are in action but they interact with eachother, free roam when we are at home and allowed on the couch). If I were to take this pup, I would have to be prepared to put all of the pack structure thing in action with the little (possibly hard and dominant) thing to prevent problems. I would do the crating and thethering and not playing with other dogs (ours are not that playful with their own kind anyway) but not interacting with other dogs for 1-1,5 years would be too much. I could do tethered and not allowed to play but moderate sniffing, being in the same room and occasional joined walk would most probably be a part of the pups life. Could this cause problems?

I won´t be going to work for at least a year so the pup won´t be home alone for the vast majority of time. We are used to dragging to dogs around with us so the pups would get alot socializing. I seriously want to get more involved in IPO but with Veeda... I just feel that the effort I put in her to get moderate results, would achieve alot more in a dog that has had good upbringing and genetics for the work. I have never brought up a litter before. Since Veeda still has her underline (ultrasound showed pups but noone believes that a dog shaped like she is could be due in a few days), there can´t be too many in her. Would one more make a great difference in my workload?

I am just torn here. I feel it is right. I know I can handle it. I just don´t want to make life overly complicated. Some objective thoughts would be welcome...

Please cut down your picture!

 Quote: randy allen

Please cut down your picture!

I have to chime in here (again) in agreement.

Can't read the post without constant scrolling.

If you can't fix it, please delete it for now while you work on the size.

THANKS! It's a great sig pic, but it's making every post it's in (every thread it's in) very hard to read.

Jaana,

If you FEEL it is right, you wouldn't even be questioning it. Well, that's IMO. You are already seeing the obstacles and in spite of them you are rationalizing the reasons for doing it. Adding to the pack can be an extremely stressful thing for both human and dogs. Believe me, I want another pup but with three dogs already and my youngest always attempting to create a coup and take over the alpha spot...not something I am willing to deal with. As far as your question about the workload...oh my gosh, yes! It could make quite a difference! Think this one through, long and hard. Good luck!

I agree with Robin especially if this is the first litter of pups you will be raising; your commitment to them should be the priority and if you haven't done it before you don't know what to expect so I think it is better to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.

If the pup is still available maybe you can revisit the idea after Veeda's litter is placed.

Goodluck with whatever choice you make and make sure you report with pictures on the upcoming pups.

I'm an opportunist Jaana. Both times I've had a chance to get a really good dog I took advantage and so far I've been really happy. Neither time was the perfect time to add a dog, but if I waited for the perfect time I would have missed out. To me the bit of extra work it may be is worth it.

 Quote: steve strom

I'm an opportunist Jaana. Both times I've had a chance to get a really good dog I took advantage and so far I've been really happy. Neither time was the perfect time to add a dog, but if I waited for the perfect time I would have missed out. To me the bit of extra work it may be is worth it.

Hey Jaana, i agree with Steve 100%.
In fact i just did the same thing that you are contemplating. I have a young mal that i`m doing schutzhund with but, the trainer i work with has a very nice female out of working lines that i really like. She was breed to a very nice working line male. Having had dobes myself for many years, i couldn`t pass it up. I took the pick male.

Believe me i had reservations for sure. My mal is a male also, so i will have that dynamic to deal with. It was not an ideal time to take on another dog of any kind, much less one out of strong working lines. I just threw caution to the wind and went for it. Yes, it is ALOT of work, but i`m sure you can do it.

Good luck!

P.S. I think your pictures are fine, very nice actually.

I have reduced the picture size several times. It is 228 pixels wide now. Is it still a problem? It is just that it has been normal sized from my computer and doesn´t need scrolling from the beginning when it was something nearly 700 pixels wide and I don´t know how small should I go. Help please! THIS is still too big?

the pic is fine on my computer at work and at home (24" monitor vs. laptop). i did a little experiment last night when i first read this thread (yes, i need a life) and checked on explorer (i use firefox) and both browsers were okay for me.