I'm not a specialist in any form. So this is the reason for my question. Do you guys experience a lot of of unprovoken aggression when your out with your Dobermann in public, such as petco? (like when you not only experience strangers but strange dogs in public)

Is this about good training to control this or do you experience some extra tendencies with Dob, or Rott?

Wolf,

I personally have never experenced aggression with my Rott, he is very sound that way. Even with other aggressive dogs, my dog will just stand there and watch, almost like he is thinking, "Go ahead, try to bite me" most dogs will leave him alone after a min or two of no response on his part.

Strangers he will not light up on until I tell him or I am touched without permission.

Thats my experence.

Thanks for all the help, all is working out well. Here's a question born of my research......why in the world would anyone elect to get involved with a breed with so many medical problems? If isn't cataracts, its Von bleed to death, or cardio explosions, or ... you get the point. Isn't it hard enough to find something (read any large working breed) with hips that are ok and decent temperment? I can see the bit about a regal stature, but seriously, where do you draw the line and how does a responsible breeder perpetuate decent stock that lives to be 10 years old? Is this, perhaps, partly responsible for the decline in popularity and responsible stewards of the breed?

This is a good question. I think it's one of the biggest reasons people jumped off this breed in the US. I've known people who went with the Rott strictly on this issue alone. They got tired of their dog dying at the young age of 3-5 years.

I've heard that a good kennel producing top dogs doing the best they can do doesn't have this problem AS MUCH. I think if you can't get 10 solid years out of a dog . . . then forget it.

Although I think this breed is more prone to health concerns that others. I've heard mostly it's from the years of popularity. I can't say, I'm not experienced enough to know. I will say though that Blitzkrieger Kennel is charting their age. They seem to be doing better. Some say you will see it with the Rottweiler soon enough. (from the mass popularity)

It's going to being interesting to hear people's comments on this, I know I will be interested.

as was mentioned earlier the list is comprised of ailments of the past. the most concern current day with this breed appears to be from cardio issues.
What you should see and hear from a good breeder is that the dogs involved in the breeding have been OFAed for hip dysplasia, not a big problem, but we want to keep it that way... that said, I know many good breeders who don't OFA

again, not a big problem and if you have OFAed the dogs forever, it may not be the priority issue - autoimmune thyroiditis is checked annually through MSU (not just a local vet thyroid panel) - vWD status can be evaluated with DNA testing by VetGen or Genesearch - and the results taken into consideration in respect to the overall breeding - cario checks can be done with annual EKGs/Holters and if need be Echos - although this is simply another tool that breeders sometimes use - the primary concern is the longetivity in the lines and possible incidence of cardio being bred tightly on - hepatitis panels annualy are a good idea to evaluate for CAH.

Each line will have its good and bad. If there up front with you regarding the bad, and they should know, you can make an informed decision. Again, longevity is the primary indicator.

I owned my first Dobermann 20 years ago. I currently own a female that I train in RCI (IPO). She has what it takes.

There is only one problem with Dobermanns; they are too intelligent for most people.

There are as many really good Dobermanns as GSD, that is, very few. To find the best you have to do your homework and research for a long time.

Here in Spain we can still crop/dock and we will for a long time. Many people from northern Europe buy their dogs here in order to get a cropped/docked dog.

Some breeders moved out of Germany also due to the new laws, like Manfred Lerner (v. Bayern). He has some dogs anyone should try before talking about the Dobermann breed. Make sure to wear a good protection suit.

Pedro.

Pedro wrote: "There are as many really good Dobermanns as GSD, that is, very few."

I don't think that is possible. There are A LOT more working line GSDs than there are Dobermann, so how does that math work?

If you take total number of GSDs that can do good police service work and the total number of Dobermann that can do good police service work, which number is going to be higher?

Hmmmmmmmmm. . .

How's that for a little bit more fuel on the fire guys? Have fun troops. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

basically what he is probably getting at is that the Dobes exist somewhere, you just have to find them. i guess. :rolleyes:
problem is that the damn breed is so freakin great lookin everyone wants to put them on stage and show them to the world.

iv'e got pics of my 5 month year old that i would match up against any of your dime a dozen shephards
..... yup you read it right ........
5 m o n t h s.

damn near forgot this isnt a s@#w board so who gives a crap what they look like. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pedro Urquijo Rodrigo:

Hope I can just call you Pedro. Welcome.

Pedro,

I´m from sweden, I have been searching for a long time now where in europe to find breeders whit true workinglines, in countries where cropping is still done. I have only found "real" breeders in countries like germany,denmark,finland, and only one here in sweden, as you know all this countries doesn´t cropp anymore. do you know any good breeders in spain or somewhere else in europe where this is still done. I know about manfred lerners kennel, but are you sure he still breeds anymore? Manfred is probably one of the most experienced person in the world when it comes to workingdogs,regardless of breed, a dobe from his breeding would surely be great to own.