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Dispelling the Doberman Myth: Friendly Family Pets or Fearsome Foes?
Burgess Pets ^

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.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: doberman; dog; doggieping
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To: rikkir
Any dog is what it’s master makes it.

Dog temperment is a combination of nature and nurture. Aggressiveness is a canine genetic trait, more prevalent in some breeds than others.

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.

Are you more concerned about the penetrating power of a .50 BMG round over a BB gun, if so does that make you some kind of pu$$y?.

Differences in dog breeds are more than aesthetic, unless you for some reason think you'd rather be bit by a min pin than full size Doberman...

21 posted on 06/18/2015 8:48:16 PM PDT by Gunslingr3
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To: Fiddlstix; Altariel
This is far and away my favorite Stupidest Dobermann Thing I've Ever Seen


22 posted on 06/18/2015 8:52:15 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Altariel

Nope.

This has the mark of Seven all over it.


23 posted on 06/18/2015 8:54:06 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: rikkir

24 posted on 06/18/2015 8:56:46 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Fungi
Merely exposing the truth about dobermans.
25 posted on 06/18/2015 8:57:47 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Salamander

See post #7. :)


26 posted on 06/18/2015 8:58:27 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

Crap.

I’m getting old and slow.

:D


27 posted on 06/18/2015 8:59:33 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: rikkir
"Oh, yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and um, screaming."


28 posted on 06/18/2015 8:59:46 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel
Seven, who prefers balls to other toys, deftly took this foot long KONG dumbell and 'balled it up' to better suit her nefarious purposes.

Which had something to do with Death Ray Eyes, apparently.


29 posted on 06/18/2015 9:02:54 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Salamander
Well that explains the delicate little lick my Shasta used to give me in the morning. She wanted to see if I was seasoned properly before killing and eating me.

And here I thought she just wanted breakfast.

30 posted on 06/18/2015 9:03:23 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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To: Gunslingr3

Dog temperment is a combination of nature and nurture. Aggressiveness is a canine genetic trait, more prevalent in some breeds than others.

Hence my statement. If you have one of those “more aggressive” breeds, it becomes more important that it’s master trains it correctly.

Are you more concerned about the penetrating power of a .50 BMG round over a BB gun, if so does that make you some kind of pu$$y?.

Come on at least bring a .22 to the argument. And the answer is either one will shoot you, and can kill you if used correctly.

Since very few dogs on earth could kill me (without being in a pack, or with rabies) truth is I don’t want to get bitten by any, but I would almost prefer it were a bigger dog as there are pressure point you can get to to force the dog into submission. To get a little dog off, you’re almost surely going to injure it in some way.


31 posted on 06/18/2015 9:03:37 PM PDT by rikkir (Anyone still believe the 8/08 Atlantic cover wasn't 100% accurate?)
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To: Salamander
Many years ago I had a Doberman. He was a gift. I got him when he was a little puppy.
I must say this...
He was the most loyal dog I've ever seen. Also very, very affectionate.
Needless to say,...very protective too.
It was a joy to have him....may he rest in peace..
Dogs don't live long enough....
32 posted on 06/18/2015 9:03:47 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: Altariel
My favorite non-Alice t shirt.


33 posted on 06/18/2015 9:04:36 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Altariel

I like it. I want that dog curled at my feet while I sleep!!


34 posted on 06/18/2015 9:05:27 PM PDT by rikkir (Anyone still believe the 8/08 Atlantic cover wasn't 100% accurate?)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

She was just checking to see if you were ripe, yet.

:)


35 posted on 06/18/2015 9:05:35 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Fiddlstix

True, that.

I’ve had them for 40 years and my Wonder Dobe, Tito, died on my birthday in 1984.

There has never been a single day since, that I did not grieve for him.

I’ve had lots of different dogs and their passing always crushed me but when the Dobes go, they seem to take a chunk of my soul with them.

When tragic ‘Halla died two years ago, it hit me harder than any dog death I’d ever known.

Maybe because she was so young, maybe because I’m so much older now.
Maybe just because it was all so sudden, so devastating and we were powerless to help her.

I haven’t been ‘quite right’, since, even with getting Seven so soon after.


36 posted on 06/18/2015 9:12:08 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: Salamander

37 posted on 06/18/2015 9:22:37 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: Altariel

I had a dobie, a great dog.


38 posted on 06/18/2015 9:28:19 PM PDT by fortheDeclaration (Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
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To: Altariel

Thanks.

:)


39 posted on 06/18/2015 9:28:23 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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To: fortheDeclaration; Harmless Teddy Bear

Did it eat you?

;D


40 posted on 06/18/2015 9:30:14 PM PDT by Salamander (Vested Subhuman)
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