Hello all!

Hopefully this is the appropriate place for my questions. I currently own an 18 month old working-lines GSD, and we are thinking of getting a second dog. My fiance really wants to get a dobermann, but I don't have much experience with the breed. I was wondering if some of you could shed some light on how the breed compares to the working-line GSD as far as temperament, drives, etc.

I was also wondering if you thought it possible to bring a male dobe puppy (that would be neutered around a year old) into a house that already has a male GSD (who is neutered and not at all dog aggressive or particularly dominant).

Finally, I was hoping you could give me some advice regarding finding a good breeder. It is not clear to me whether the dobe has the american-german or working-show splits that the GSD has. As solid-nerves and excellent temperament is my first priority, I would never get a GSD from anything but working-lines and titled parents, but I wasn't sure if the same was true in the dobermann world. This pup would be first and foremost a companion, but also do competition obedience, and perhaps some SchH further down the road. We would prefer a dog that is a bit more laid back then our GSD....i.e. a dog that has the ability to do the work, but not the *need* to do it, if that makes sense.

If anyone could point me in a good direction, I would appreciate it. I am located in Atlanta and would prefer to be able to meet the parents and the breeder in person.

Thanks!

Alix Wilcox

Yes, there is a split in the bloodlines. I certainly wouldn't want to purchase an American line Doberman.

Why you don't want another GSD I don't understand. . .so I'll let someone that likes Doberman answer the rest of the questions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A real working line Dobermann isn't a "thinking of getting a second dog" kind of dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hello Alix,

Working Dobermanns are not different from working GSD. Dobermanns generally have a high temperament. Working Dobermanns have that high temperament and very high drives. As in GSD, they are not easy to handle if you don't have some experience. As in GSD, a good working Dobermann is hard to find. Maybe harder, because there are very few working Dobermanns.

Why would you neuter a working dog? I don't know if working breeders will understand that. Can't you keep the dogs kenneled when you are not at home?

You can visit usadobermann.com. There is a forum that is visited by some working breeders.

Yes, there is the am-eur split and the work-show split. Not as strong as in GSD, but it is there.

Yes, it is the same in the Dobe world. But titled parents don't always mean they are from working lines. Show breeders make a lot of money that they can use to put working titles on show dogs.

A Dobermann won't be more laid back.

There are good working Dobermann breeders in the USA. As in GSD they use working dogs from both the USA and Europe.

Best regards,
Pedro.

Hi Alix,

first off, if you want a dog that is laid back, then don't get a dobermann. Especially not one from working lines. Dobermanns really *need* something to do, so if you want a dog that will be a couch potato - don't get a dobermann.

Like others have stated before me, a dobermann from working lines is more tempermental than a GSD, and training sometimes can be difficult because they can be quite sensitive but stubborn and hard headed at the same time. Having said that training has to be very frim and sometimes forceful, but without being too harsh - if that makes sense <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> They are not as forgiving as the GSD - mistakes are hard to fix.

There is a really good breeder in Florida, her name is Linda Werlein. I have visited her kennel, and have seen her dogs work, and I was very impressed by their quality. Her dogs are trained on full body suits and some are titled in PSA. Here is a link to her website Von Asgard Check it out, and see what you think. Give her a call, or send her an e-mail. She is very helpful, and she will be able to tell you whether a working dobermann is right for you.

Good luck

WELL, in my experience with dobie’s in general Dobermans mature very late for training them hard.

They are super chewers, and will require a lot of exercise or they will get fat very fast if you have a small yard, or kennel them, they do not compare to a GSD at all in my opinion, you can work rough with a GSD and he will come and lick your feet try that with a Doberman and he will run until the sun goes down, they react like Boarder collies if punished or reprimanded – not my favourite protection dog, if you find them the- Zues and Appolo type from Magnum Pi fame – well I have yet to find one, then you are of to a good start.

Two Male’s in one house??, well you have to be tough, I have three, and I have contemplated on several occasions to feed them to something very hungry especially when there is a bitch on heat nearby.

So my advise is stick to what you know

Thanks for all the advice! I just wanted to clarify some things...

We are considering a dobermann mainly because they are my fiance's favorite breed. He has loved dobes since he was a child (his cousin had one) in the same way that I have loved GSDs....and since I already have MY dream dog, so to speak, and we are definitely getting a second dog, he would really like to have the chance to get HIS dream dog, if that makes sense. Trust me, I would much prefer to get another GSD since I adore them and I already have done all the research and know the lines. However, I agreed that if we could get the research done and find a reputable breeder, we could get a dobe.....hope that makes some sense.

Secondly, the reason we were looking to working lines is for solid nerves and temperament, not because we are planning on hard-core working or competing the dog. I went to the working lines in the GSD for that reason....we wanted the best possible companion, as far as nerve and temperament goes, and we got it. I have done obedience, some agility, and just started SchH with my dog, but that is all secondary to him being the best companion possible.

It seems from what you are saying that the working lines in dobes are a bit more hard core...i.e. entire litters are all very high drive, serious working dogs? So therefor, unless I was going to seriously work and compete the dog, I shouldn't go that route? If that is the case, is there the solid nerve and excellent temperament that I would require in the show lines?

The problem that I ran across in the GSD showlines was that beauty was placed in importance over temperament & working ability, and often their titles were a joke and the dogs infact did not have the strength of nerve required.

I guess what I am asking is....where can I find a really solid dog, one that has the ability to work but perhaps not the *need* to do it (i.e. a go-go-go all the time, over-the-top drives)...and of course I know that that kind of dog can be found in ALL lines if you look long enough....but for someone in my position, where would you suggest I *start* looking?

Thanks again for all your help!

Alix

ps.....I would neuter the dog because I wouldn't be (seriously) competing with him, and I don't want to deal with everything that comes with owning an intact male....that being said, I don't believe in neutering before at least a year old to give the dog plenty of time to mature.

Alix,

you are still better off getting a pet quality dog from working lines, than a dog from the Am show lines.

The dobermann is VERY clingy, they always have to be touching you in some shape or form. As far as the correction issue, my male when he's "in drive" he needs a 10 correction just to get his attention, at home when we're not working all he needs is a scolding.

They are very tuned into their hander and are very attached, all they want to do is please their owner. They can sense any kind of negativity very well, and if the handler starts to give them unfair and harsh corrections, yes they can shut down. That's why - don't give them unfair and harsh corrections <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

All in all, if you know how to handle them properly they can be really great dogs.

The working line Dobermann is as different as the GSD. They have their sub divisions as well. The true working Dobermanns are not easy to deal with. I would not recommend one for someone just starting out. I would contact a local rescue. As with the true Dobermann not holding ranks with the toughest of GSDs, think again. They can, will and do out work alot of GSDs as well. Sorry if you haven't seen them, they are a sight to see. They are rare here because a great majority of the breeders with these dogs in Europe will not part with their gems. I was lucky to find a breeder who trusted me. There are others out there too, just have to find them. You can see my little guy at http://azazel94.tripod.com My advice is to adopt one from a rescue. They are great dogs too. There is no need to buy a high drive dog that was bred to work, and not work them the way they should be.