Talking my friend into getting a Doberman

[AussieTaylor]

I have been trying to talk my close friend into getting a Doberman for protection. She has two Yorkies and a small mixed breed dog, and she loves dogs in general. Her main concern about getting a large dog is that she is on disability and won't be able to do a lot of exercise with the dog. Her smaller dogs often run around the small back yard, but she is afraid that won't be enough for a large breed. She does walk them outside the house, just not as often as she'd like.

My question is whether or not Doberman would make a good inside dog for her and if the breed requires a lot of outdoor heavy physical activity? One thing for sure - she will be able to give the dog lots of love and attention, since she is at home most of the time and spends a lot of time with her dogs.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

[ellen73]

I can honestly say that this doesn't sound like a good fit to me. Dobermans require vigorous daily exercise, especially when young. I would say at least an hour a day. As well, they aren't the type to just come in and flop in a corner, they are always alert and active in the house (to an annoying degree especially when they haven't had adequate outdoor exercise). Let me put it to you this way - I haven't gone to the bathroom alone in 11-1/2 years:D Alternatively, mentally exercising one of these dogs is also a challenge since they live to work. They must have a job to do and although training is easier with them than with some other breeds, in fact they excel at it, they also thrive on it! In short - it takes alot to keep one of these guys happy and I highly doubt someone with a physical disability who is rather house-bound could manage one. I would look at breeds that require far less exercise and aren't quite so active for your friend. They really are an athletic breed and unless you are putting a good deal of time into their physical and mental stimulation - they can become really obnoxious:)

I would suggest going to the iams breed selector or animal planet breed selector and going through the guard/watch breeds listed and taking a look at their energy level/exercise requirements. If she has a large enough house a Mastiff may work for her. Also, Bullmastiffs are lower energy. Just depends on her history with raising dominant-type dogs. A female mastiff is smaller than a male generally. If she has enough room and doesn't mind some slobber, that might be a good choice. If trained correctly might even be able to help her get around a bit - they're certainly big enough to lean on if need be:)

Best of luck!
Ellen

[golden-lover]

What about a retired sighthound?

And also, you shouldn't support her getting a dog breed 'for protection'. She should geta dog breed based on how well she and the dog will support eachother. Dobermans will require more food than a small dog, and if she doesn't know how to dontrol it she won't be able to just pick it up and put it in a kennel. Smaller dogs are usually spoiled because the owners don't realize that they need to be trained like larger ones, that's another reason I don't recommend it.

[golden&hovawart]

For protection,any large dogs will do it.
I don't think a dobie would be the right breed cos they need a hell of a lot of exercise.
what about a service dog?
Some dobies are trained as service dogs and are great,at it but they are older.
have you thought of a golden or a lab?.they are good watchdogs as well as being calmer

[GreyhoundGirl]

I'd suggest a senior greyhound. They're dogfancy's #1 best dog breed for older people...(probably because they're small/large dogs and don't require much excersize....)

[applesmom]

If she's disabled and already has three dogs to care for and love, is it really a good idea for her to take on the additional responsibility and expense of a large breed dog?

An alarm system is much less expensive both for installation and monthly service fees; it's more reliable, doesn't need training, attention or vet visits. Also it doesn't only protect from intruders but provides assistance in medical and fire emergencies too.

[KatzNK9]

Taking on a large breed dog is a big job but I'd have to agree that Dobes don't sound like the best breed for your friend. For large dogs, I'd go with a retired Greyhound, Mastiff or Irish Wolfhound — maybe even a Great Dane. But, all of those breeds will still need walks & some exercise.

[AussieTaylor]

Thank you for all your responces! I will definately let her know everything you said. She'll have a lot to consider and may or may not decide to get a big dog, but it's a good idea to be informed and make the right decision, especially when it's concerning the life of an animal.

She is a big animal lover and she has had many large breeds in the past, trained them, etc., so this won't be the first time for her if she does decide to get another dog.

The thing is that an alarm system won't do her any good. It's a long story, but she has been telling me about about some teenage gang activities in her area and how bad it's become, and said that the police are not doing anything about it. They mainly annoy people, talk bad language and she said they have been teasing her small dogs through the gates of the back yard. She wouldn't want to confront them herself and this made her feel very nervous. That's why I was suggesting getting a bigger dog, because, lol, let's face it, most punks would think twice before teasing a Doberman or a German Shepherd or many other large breeds.
Her brother suggested this to her, too.

Anyway, thanks again for what you said and I'lll let her know.

[borzoimom]

Any dog will protect you. And large dogs- just sheer size usually is enough of a deterent. ( even hottie has)..
However- if the kids are teasing the dogs on the other side of the fence, having a large dog, if the dog bites the kids, its still could end up being the dogs fault with consequences that are not good in outcome.
What I would do is just call the cops- every time, anytime.. take pictures of the kids, and show the police. They can determine the parents. Call everytime- time after time, until they get sick of your complaints and do something about it. However- if the kids are on their property proving teasing is hard to do. We video taped someone one time, and that was enough evidence. However- if its their property, they have the right to be there.
May I suggest a privacy fence? You still need to report the kids incase something happens with the dog. Get it on record this was a previous problem. Not just if something happens to the dogs, but even a yorkie can bite- and if the yorkies bite one of the kids, you have the reports to show they were harassing the dogs..

[AussieTaylor]

She has a privacy fence, not a real big one though. From what she's been telling me, the teens come to the fence from the street to annoy the dogs, and when she tells them to go away, they'd just laugh or use bad language. Her brother had the same problem in the same neighbourhood, with teen vandalism. It doesn't happen on a constant basis, but when it does, it upsets her a lot and I am concerned that she has to put up with that. She lives in Europe (would rather not say where), I am in the States. I keep telling her about the police. Where we live, I wouldn't think twice about involving the police and even seeking my dog on someone who's on my property, but apparently things are different there. Nevertheless I'll make sure to tell her what you said. I think this is great advice. I sure feel for her, not pleasant to be dealing with something like that.

[applesmom]

Well that's a sad situation and my heart surely goes out to her. I've found myself in a similar situation and having my own adult large breed dogs provided me with a tremendous peace of mind. But my dogs were adults we'd raised from puppies and weren't brought in cold in hopes of resolving a specific problem.

Hearing a little more about the reason for getting a large dog brings up thoughts of personal liability and concern for the welfare of any dog she might add to her household. Puppy or adult, the dog would be knowingly brought into what might seem to the dog to be a hostile environment.

Under such circumstances, a young puppy wouldn't be any protection and could be endangered both mentally and physically by the actions of these kids. By the time a pup would be big enough to be the least bit intimidating the teenagers would most likely have moved on to other teenage pursuits.

On the other hand, if she adopted a large breed adult dog of unknown temperament, that dog would also be exposed to a hostile environment. Not a recommended situation for a rescue dog.

I'm sure there is much more to the issue and your friends dilemma than can be resolved by typed words on a discussion board.

Even though this is a topic in a pro-dog forum; in this case I honestly don't see were getting a big dog is going to resolve your friends problem. In fact it could possibly create even more!

[borzoimom]

If they do not leave when told to you say " I am telling you to leave my property- you are tresspassing. " Then if they dont call the police. ( as you uh use your cell phone to take pictures.. lol.. ) If you tell someone to leave your property, and they do not- they are tresspassing.

[AussieTaylor]

Hearing a little more about the reason for getting a large dog brings up thoughts of personal liability and concern for the welfare of any dog she might add to her household. Puppy or adult, the dog would be knowingly brought into what might seem to the dog to be a hostile environment.


I am not worried about this end of it. She keeps her dogs inside most of the time, and these irritating situations don't happen all the time. It's just that when they do, I know that just by having a large dog by your side can make a person feel more secure and have a peace of mind. She is a very responsible person and wouldn't bring any animal into her home unless she was absolutely sure about it. Her small mixed breed dog is a rescue that she found herself out in the street beaten up and in need of help, and she nursed it back to health. So, outside the fact that she is not very physically active because of her disability, any dog would be very fortunate to have such a caring owner. :)

[borzoimom]

Big dogs, as a pup, are very clumsy. I am worried about the size difference.. We had one heck of a time with Zubin around hottie- it would be the same thing here.. Now Zubin is bigger, and runs so fast. We have pups coming but out of sheer size, it will be a long time before other than well supervised play " in the house only" will he see the pups. We keep our pups til 12 weeks- and some to 16. Its dangerous to have a big dog out in the yard with a toy. I had a affenpincher and jack russell ( Crikket and Kimba) with my shepherds. Those two went out seperate from the shepherds. Its sheer size and momentum. They dont mean too, but its very VERY easy for a little dog to get stepped on by a big dog. Crikket broke her leg once- I felt awful. I was standing right there but one of my shepherds stepped on her going to the door.. Its VERY hard having such size difference. It can be done but it takes CONSTANT watching.. CONSTANT..

[AussieTaylor]

Shepherds are usually good around smaller animals, but from what I gather, they need a more active lifestyle.

[borzoimom]

Shepherds are great with smaller dogs, but sheer size, it does take constant watching. 10 pounds ( tops) against 80.. Its like having a toddler size person around a person that is average height.. They don't mean for something to happen, but it is hard to make sure you are constantly there, and should not be out in the yard at the same time.

[AussieTaylor]

Shepherds are great with smaller dogs, but sheer size, it does take constant watching. 10 pounds ( tops) against 80.. Its like having a toddler size person around a person that is average height.. They don't mean for something to happen, but it is hard to make sure you are constantly there, and should not be out in the yard at the same time.

Collies and Aussies are careful, but I definately wouldn't recommend her to get an Aussie, since so many of them need lots of activities. I am lucky that mine is more docile in nature. He is very careful with the cat, and when we had a tiny Lab pup that we fostered until we got her a good home, he was very tolerant of her antics. But he still has a ways to go before he is fully grown, too, though for 7 months he is quite a large dog compared to something the size of a cat. ;)

I spoke with my friend yesterday and told her about everything you guys said, and she very much appreciated your input! :cheers: At this time she probably won't be getting another dog. But for the future she might look into getting a Mastiff.

[Dani66]

labradors can make great watch dogs my 10 year old lab sounds scary when she barks. As she has such a deep bark and that alone tends to put people off. they don't know she is the friendlyst dog around though. she normally then rolls on her belly when they still walk up the drive :)

[natalienicole]

Just from my experience but a bigger dog doesnt always work. We used to live in Colorado and my dad had a Great dane and their were these older guys that lived up the street that were afraid of him. And they knew that we would sometimes turn him lose we would close our gates but apparently they never caught on to that because they would have to walk past our house to get to their mail boxes and they would yell and ask us when were out side if our dog was lose and if we told them yes they would turn and run home. There was truly no reason to be afraid of him but they were he was a lovable dog.
Anyways my brother had some friends that would come over and pick on him. They were mean little boys and one day they picked up a pumpkin from my dads garden he had chewed on one of his fav toys and threw it at him well what do you know that dog broke his chain and drug me half way accross the yard he could have draged me all the way but some how must have changed his mind but those boys never came back again, but until that happened they found in funny to pick on my large chained up dog.
Now for my sugestion and this might not be accurate just from my experience but I sugest a chow. I had one once he was the laziest dog youd ever see. Didnt want exercise at all. all he did was lay on my porch and sleep until something happened that interested him. He would hunt with my unknown mixed breed dog and he wouldnt come and help her until he heard her barking and then he would go catch whatever it was.
But thats not the reason. why I sugest this is my mom used to have a yorkie mix at this same time and the neighbors were big animal haters in my opinion you should have saw waht they would to do their own dogs and animals they caught etc. They used to be mean to my moms yorkie mix and one day the little girl was over at my house and I turned my back adn went to go check the mail and after i turned arround she kicked my moms yorkie mix who was trying to follow me to the mail box. And my chow lept off that porch and had her on the ground faster then id ever seen him move in my life. He didnt exactly bite her but he did pin her down and scratch her up. anyways end to the story was they called the cops tried to sue us etc. And they didnt win cuz it happened ini our yard. And the cop called it protecting its territory etc.

[DLS]

I would never talk a person into getting a Doberman. They must WANT to get a Doberman. But if she wants a Doberman than I think one would be perfect for her. They make excellent companion dogs as well as being protective of their owners. But with her situation I would suggest she look into getting an older dobe not a puppy. Maybe a rescue dog, one who is mature and over the active puppy phase.

[DobermanBullTerrierLove]

I honestly don't think its the right fit. Dobes are a active breed and like someone said above they need At LEAST an hour of good physical activity a day. I live in a rural area and so my dogs have acres of land to run on. And spend most of their day outside because thats what they like to do. Of course im out there playing with them. I also take them on walks every day. Of course I divide the pack up and walk a few at a time. Its not a long walk but its anouther energy outlet. I also love to take my dogs hiking and camping.


They also are constantly on alert and just energetic. Im not saying they won't lay down and chill out inside. But they airn't laid back inside like say a Lab or Mastiff would be inside. They are not happy just napping their day away.

Now though it doesent seem like the perfect fit. If she absolutely wants a Doberman I would say have her maybe look into adopting a older Dobe. Like my Blade he is now 10 years of age. And though he's far from an old lazy bones he has slowed down. But like I said as a owner of 5 Dobes I would say no.