This section has been designed to help people decide whether a Dobermann is the right breed for you.
Is A Dobermann the Right Dog for you?
Dobes should live for at least 10 to 15 years, thus the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly.
You need to ask yourself:
- Are you prepared and able to care for the dog for the next 10 plus years?
- Where are you going to be in 10 years?
- Job promotions/commitments
- Financial position
- Housing arrangements
- Family commitments
- Hobbies and Sporting pursuits
Dobermanns are a very active breed, thus requiring plenty of exercise. They need to be kept busy both mentally and physically otherwise this energy can (and most likely will) be used to re-develop your garden and/or yard.
Caring for a Dobe will take on average 2 to 3 hours a day: Daily walks, feeding 1-2 times a day, cleaning and refilling water bowls, “de-poo” backyard, etc.
Despite what the standard states, most people consider the Dobermann as a “large breed”. Males are about 70cm in height and weigh around 40kg, while females are about 65cm and weigh approximately 30kg.
Dobermanns therefore eat a reasonable amount of food, especially in the first year, while they are doing the majority of their growing. We recommend feeding a Dobermann on the natural diet and that will cost about $10-15 per week.
Because of their size, Dobermanns need a large, well fenced yard (1.8m).
Dobermanns only have a short coat that requires little grooming, but their nails will need to be trimmed regularly. We wash our dogs every 4-6weeks, and their bedding weekly.
Because of their coat, one of the biggest dangers to puppies is the cold. Their size, baby coat and poor ability to regulate their body temperature means that puppies will require a warm and cosy place to sleep and plenty of shelter from the wind and sun.
Dobermanns are a very active breed, thus requiring plenty of exercise. They need to be kept busy both mentally and physically otherwise this energy can (and most likely will) be used to re-develop your garden and/or yard.
Toys are a great way for a dog to entertain himself or herself while you are away. Dog treat balls are usually good value, but make sure you buy quality, as the Dobes jaws are very strong, and a trip to the vet to remove a piece of plastic can be expensive both mentally and financially. If a piece of plastic gets lodged in the bowel, surgery may be required to remove it and a section of the bowel may even need to be removed. According to our vet the most common item removed the stomach of a dog is pieces of tennis ball.
Dobermanns love to run and particularly chase things and ideally as adults will get at least 1 hour of exercise per day i.e. chasing tennis ball, playing with other dogs or running around.
It is vital that you teach your Dobermann to come when it’s called and stay when it’s told to. There are many dogs each year that are run over and killed because their owners were unable to control them at a crucial time. It is also important to point out that many people get very frighten if a Dobermann comes running up to them, and some council’s have fines for such nuisances of up to $1000, and for more serious offences may even order the destruction of the dog.
Dobermanns are a pack animal and as a result form very strong relationships with their owners. Dobes need to be part of the family, and will quickly become the little “hairy” members of your family if you let them.
Dobermanns make fantastic family companions. However, no dog regardless of breed should be left unsupervised with babies or young children.
Although Dobes are a very family orientated breed, they also need their own space where they feel safe and secure (ie. Bed or kennel).
Dobes are VERY smart, so they tend to learn new things very quickly. So be warned, what you may think is cute or funny today, might become tomorrows problem child.
It is essential the new member of the family learns their boundaries at an early age, thus if you don’t want an adult dog on the couch, then don’t let the puppy on the couch, otherwise your companion will be very confused and never really understand where the boundaries are. This is always hard when they are puppies, but try to remember you will be having your friend for up to 15 years.
Boundaries also help the dog to establish where they are on the pecking order. They will try to test these boundaries for time to time, just as they would in nature, as ultimately they want to be top dog. It is important that when this happens they are quickly reminded of who the top dog actually is. As long as you assert yourself from day one, you shouldn’t have any problems. This should be done in a gentle but firm manner. There should never be a need to hit your puppy or dog. Cruelty and pain are not a way to assert your position.
Puppy traits to discourage (mostly dominance related):
- Mouthing or biting
- Jumping up
- Sitting or standing on your feet
- Excessive barking
Not including the purchase price of the puppy, you can expect the following costs:
Your puppy is likely to eat something it’s not supposed to or injury themselves at least once in first 12 months, so count on going to the vet.
If you looking at purchasing a show or working (obedience/agility) dog you will also need to allow for the following costs: