Posted on 06/18/2015 8:00:40 PM PDT by Altariel
In family movies featuring dogs, Doberman Pinschers are often cast as the baddies. Why not? After all, they’re large with mask-like features, and if they’ve had their ears cropped, they can look a little frightening. In real life, Dobermans are often employed in police and security industries because of their intelligence, readiness to work and their inherent strength. This dichotomy has led to wild public misconception about the breed – and their role in family life.
Ready to separate the facts from the fiction about Dobermans? Here are the myths you may have heard, and the truth behind them.
Myth: Dobermans cannot be trained until they are 6 months old.
Reality: Any owner who doesn’t start training as soon as they bring a new pet into their life is inviting a world of terrifying behaviours into their home. Larger breeds mature at a slower rate than smaller ones, but any dog that is ready to leave its mother is ready to be trained. Indeed, the puppy’s mother has been working on training since birth. (And Dobermans are actually a medium breed.)
Your young puppy may take awhile to grasp your meanings, but you should always start training as early as you can (with any dog, not just Dobermans). If you take your dog to group training sessions, they might request a certain maturity level, or age – but you certainly shouldn’t put off home training while you wait. House training, name response, and jumping rules should be at the top of your list, even if you wait until class to tackle the sit command.
Myth: Training Dobermans is frightfully difficult.
Reality: Training any dog can be difficult if you are inexperienced. Dobermans are no harder to train than any other breed given ideal circumstances. In fact, because Dobermans have been bred as work dogs, they’re actually quite inclined to training. They love the idea of having a job, whether it’s guarding a warehouse, or fetching your slippers.
Dobermans, like children, love to be lavished with one on one attention – especially if it’s constructive. As long as you have not left training too late, you and your Doberman should have a fabulous time in training. If you are having a tough time training your dog, regardless of the breed, you should consider the other factors that may be influencing this (such as lack of attention or exercise, or stressful stimuli in the training environment).
Myth: Dobermans are hyper.
Reality: Most Dobermans are spirited, happy and playful. Without training, they can certainly be mischievous, but, Dobermans are not exceedingly hyper. There are, however, factors that can make them seem constantly excited.
Dobermans love to socialise and play, which means that they’re eager to see you. If they don’t see enough of you, they’ll get even more excited. Diet also plays a factor in the behaviour of your dog. But, one of the main reasons Dobermans may demonstrate hyper behaviour is that they simply aren’t getting the space and exercise that they need. As a large work breed, Dobermans need plenty of space to run around, lots of structured exercise, and a fair amount of sleep. If you ignore these factors, or make it difficult for your Doberman to move around, then they’ll appear hyper.
Myth: Dobermans come in small, large and extra large varieties.
Reality: There are Doberman Pinschers, and there are Miniature Pinschers; not Dobermans and their “mini-me’s”. The smaller breed has actually been around a lot longer than Doberman Pinschers have. But, despite the resemblance in markings, these are different breeds, and they have different personalities and health care concerns.
More importantly though are the fallacies surrounding “King” or “Warlock” Dobermans. There’s simply no such thing. There are certainly breeding lines that produce larger dogs, but there are no registered super breeds. Unfortunately, the idea that bigger Dobermans are better pets or guard dogs has led to a lot of heartache. The bigger a Doberman is bred, the more likely it will develop health issues and complications.
Myth: Dobermans should be isolated from anyone besides family for best protection.
Reality: Dobermans are naturally protective animals. There’s nothing they love more than their pack, which includes other dogs in the home and their human members. It’s an inherent trait, and it hardly needs to be nurtured. Of course, it can’t be ignored either, if only because your Doberman won’t let you.
This is one breed of dog that should be well socialised with everyone it comes into contact with – and opportunities should be made for just that. Dobermans love to meet new people, and tend to endear themselves to them. Isolating a Doberman is tantamount to starving it. As long as you continue to shower your Doberman with attention, he will always protect you because that’s what he wants to do.
Myth: Dobermans turn on their owners.
Reality: Dogs have teeth. If you abuse a dog, they will use their teeth. Dobermans are no different from any other breed in that respect, though their size and strength may provide them with an advantage. No dog that has been raised in a loving, healthy environment will turn on its owners unless given a compelling reason. And most Dobermans would rather sulk in the corner than harm their owners.
Bringing a Doberman into Your Family
All in, Dobermans make excellent family pets, simply because they want so badly to be a part of your family. They want to play games, and they want to protect you from anything evil. They do extremely well in larger families and homes with spacious gardens. If you’re considering Doberman adoption, here are just a few tips to consider:
Look for breeders who keep the puppies inside the house after birth; the pups are usually better socialised.
Don’t consider any breeders that advertise larger lines as better lines.
Do not wait to train your new Doberman; start as soon as you can.
Lavish your puppy with attention, but remain firm with your boundaries. Dobermans are clever – and playful – which requires attention.
If you’re often away from home, or you don’t have enough space, consider another breed.
Prepare to have Dobermans for the rest of your life; they’ll grow on you instantly.
Disgraceful Doberman propaganda, no doubt penned by Odhinn.
So what are you saying? True or not?
Any dog is what it’s master makes it.
I’m sick of these pu$$ies treating a dog differently because of looks. Sounds kinda like the argument about “assault” weapons doesn’t it.
Well said.
Dobies as “evil” is pretty passe.
Pitbulls are the newest issue.
Private Dobermann on the Phil Silvers Show was both family friendly and a fearsome looking warrior in a gasmask.
Thank you’
(in my best baby talk voice) What pretty girrls!!
“Any dog is what it’s master makes it.
I’m sick of these pu$$ies treating a dog differently because of looks. “
Exactly. Then my pu&&y neighbor guy who effing carries a small dog on his shoulder close to his face instead of dropping it on the floor and letting it walk is damn pathetic.
When I was in high school I baby-sat for two small children that had two Doberman’s in the home. They stared at me the whole evening and I was starting to freak out but they didn’t bark or move and I never thought to converse with them. I was frozen and so were they.
Dogs are dogs. Left to themselves, they revert to nature and sometimes nature isn’t very pretty. I see dogs that aren’t socialized and have never had to wear a leash. Seeing a vet isn’t a happy time for the ones that have rarely been schooled or handled. Many dog owners are not smart enough to handle them, especially the smarter dogs such as Border Collies, Standard Poodles, and some hybrids.
I can’t say too much. Mrs rikkir cuddles our Pekipoo like a baby, and rubs his belly until he falls asleep. He ain’t spoiled or anything. ;)
My business partner had two Dobies that were well socialized. I did find that the best response on meeting them the first time was to given them attention. And they remember the attention that they are given during that first meeting. So subsequent meeting yes they get a bit hyper. As in they want to greet you, and they want you to pet them. You can quickly become part of their “pack”.
Unfortunately the dogs had to be put down due to health reasons, possibly due to that crap dog food that was coming from China.
Your voice with perhaps a hand clap to get their attention should be enough.
When your dog is smiling (wrinkling their noses to expose their teeth while practically wriggling out of their skin with delight that you finally got back from the ten minute trip to the store) don't laugh when it makes them sneeze. It offends their dignity.
They lap up the water in the bowl and bring the leftovers to You.
After You change clothes They climb up in Your lap and take a nap.
 Higgins with the lads Zeus and Apollo |
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