These physical traits make the Doberman have a distinct look that often strikes fear into people who aren’t familiar with the breed. But I was there when my boyfriend's family got their husky. When a dobie first comes to daycare, you usually have to work to win them over. It’s been 3 years and that angry, serious, distrusting boy is now like a loving puppy. Do Dobermans attack their owners? They are definitely high strung though. I joked it was the "evil doberman eye spots " that made them more scary. Saved by BuzzFeed. My boyfriend's family has a husky girl and I've just fallen in love with bigger dogs since I met her. While these gifs are cute, this is a serious topic. As I worked with her, she grew more confident but was she was always timid. I knew he had heart. The latter goes for all dogs though. Dobermans can be dangerous, but so can Chihuahuas and poodles. There are other big dogs which can be a deterrent that are less work or energy than a Dobe. Look underneath the table of data, the source is cited there. To get a Doberman suitable for protection work is an expensive & heavy duty undertaking. So they've been bred to have a natural tendency to be wary and suspicious of strangers. The calmer and more watchful they are, the more intimidating. Though with early socialization, you can certainly have a friendly dog of either breed. We also participate in affiliate programs for ShareASale, Impact, and other sites. I would love to find a good resource about how many of each breed is out there in the U.S. but I’m not sure that exists! They are not random biters. Even the most well bred Doberman is going to be a sensitive dog, to me their sensitivity is a breed trait. Dobermans were bred to be a body guard more than property guard. Any dog can become vicious with abuse. Well all kinds of dogs get put up for adoption. When I walk my boy, and my mom is with me and a loose dog comes charging out she will shriek sending my boy into protection mode, luckily we have worked on training and he is very much able to pull his focus back. The tug of war began. While all the above questions are similar, they’re all asking something slightly different. I have a cat, and I'd like to adopt another eventually, I can't have a dog who'll terrorize him/them. “ He’s never been aggressive before”. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Seems that I live in an area of fairly competent dog owners. Press J to jump to the feed. Start by trying to prevent your dog from getting near the fence by erecting a barrier of some type to keep her set back from the fence. These people all believe that this is a dangerous breed. Luckily, this is just fiction. There are plenty of scary looking dogs with deep barks and growls that are easier to manage and friendlier. My dog weighs half of what his buddy does, and is a gun breed, so very trainable, very affectionate but also very focused on his job. but I refuse to believe a well-trained, responsibly-owned, healthy dog can't adapt to different situations and households. They're the most vicious dog breed ever to walk the Earth. I never once responded to a Doberman attack. I'm a young woman who's off alone at times. These dogs are very often incredibly gentle and not as dangerous as they look. Please don't. It can also contribute to mold and bacterial growth in the food and make your dog sick. The Doberman has been traditionally portrayed as the evil villain dog who will stop at nothing to attack anyone it sees. I do believe, as John states, it really is all about how any dog is raised. There’s a common myth that Dobermans are prone to randomly snapping, and turning on their owners for no reason. I’ve seen some pretty vicious chihuahuas. There's always people willing to adopt baby animals because they're cute. While I’m sure she’d try to defend me (or herself) if threatened, her goal around most people is to give them kisses. But is it deserved? I said nothing and maintained constant pulling pressure toward me. The all-black (also know as "melanistic") Doberman is a rare occurrence in the Doberman world. To be fair, Doberman Pinschers have gotten a bad reputation over the years. He pulled back. It’s a common misconception that Doberman Pinschers are prone to turning on their owners. The origins of this dog breed are quite recent, as the first Doberman was bred in Germany in 1890. Trained in IPO/Schutzhund, or do you mean just basic obidence (sit, stay, come, ability to walk nicely on a lead, etc.? Dangerous Doberman. Your companion dog (of most breeds) will most likely bark at 'intruders' but you don't want it to do any more than that. That’s just one department in the nation. Most Dobermans tend to be wary of strangers, even if the owner welcomes them in. Because Dobermann had to perform the dangerous task of collecting taxes, which at that time could be fairly risky, he started to crossbreed different types of dogs in order to develop a guardian dog for his … So I'm hoping if I got an adult Doberman, I could earn his respect and love so he'd consider me his family, and protect me by default (hopefully like my sister's chihuahua, only more effectively. As for the rest of the info about the breed, thank you. If that data exists I haven’t seen it. I'm the founder of Doberman Planet. When you say testy, what exactly do you mean? I’m ready to do it all over again and I’m excited. So when it comes to our Doberman’s... My name is John Walter and I absolutely love Dobermans. An adult Dobe will look scary. Are Dobermans aggressive towards strangers? Aggressive Doberman - There are a few possibilities. I didn’t notice that in the companion article–but i may have missed it. I've been working with Dobermans exclusively for over 6 years and there's no other breed I'd rather work with. In fact, many people have told me they thought these dogs were just plain mean. In fact, that's the normal state for a protection trained dog - unless they are in a situation that calls for force, they are quietly, calmly watching. There's variation in Doberman temperaments - some skittish, some rock solid and everything in between. I guess I could just get a trained Doberman with a good, steady temperament for the intimidation factor and just hope he'd love me enough to try and save me if I was in trouble lol. I've made it my mission to learn everything I can about this amazing breed of dog and help other owners in the process. Hi Larry, I don’t think the police K9 bites are reported. They're low shedding, fairly clean dogs. This rapid biting movement inflicts a significant amount of damage in a very short period of time. If she was annoyed or bothered, she'd retreat away from them. Not aggressive. They're cute to look at, but they're more than a handful of trouble. I gave him no ground, said nothing, just constant tension on the towel. A dog like that, would cost quite a bit of money. Are Dobermans Mean, Dangerous, or Overly Aggressive? In fact, they’re a fairly recent creation and only came to be a little over a hundred years ago. I'm not a puppy person. Like humans. No training needed for the Doberman to be a companion either, these dogs are naturally protective and are like velcro to family members. 24 Reasons Dobermans Are Truly Scary, Dangerous Dogs. John, my wife just reserved a 6 wk old Golden Retriever (will get it 7 Dec 2019 @8wks). That's all that you need, or want, to be honest. Dobermans are susceptible to copper buildup in the liver which can be very dangerous. One of the common reasons people see Dobermans as ferocious is because of their bite. It did not take into account how many of each breed is out there. The modern-day Doberman, is a far cry from the “Devil Dogs” of the past, however. Are Dobermans aggressive towards other dogs? In super advanced old age, like 14 on...she would on rare instances growl at new humans, and then, would retreat away. I'd feel safer by myself if I have a dog that at least looks like he'd attack bad guys. The way you raise a puppy determines a lot how that dog will behave in adulthood, but you must make sure that puppy comes from a legitimate breeder. They get their reputation because they can become ferocious if their owners are threatened, but honestly, isn’t that a good quality? I have also seem some pretty loving, passive Pit Bulls. That’s a very good point that this study ONLY took into account the number of reported incidents and what breed was involved in each incident. Hi Sheri! Find out in my article Do Dobermans Turn on Their Owners? Asking if they’re mean is asking about their general state of mind and it’s not a straightforward answer. They are not for 'average' owners. While every dog has its own personality, female Dobermans have a reputation for displaying more aggression than their male counterparts. It is estimated that 3.6 million pit bull type dogs are in the U.S. Originating in Germany in the early 1880s. 24 Reasons Dobermans Are Truly Scary, Dangerous Dogs. Don’t get in the habit of ignoring the barking either, you need to stay on top of it and provide correction each and every time she does this (or praise if she doesn’t bark when someone walks by). (Or pee on their shoes. The AKC has similar information about how popular a breed is, but that’s only based on registration numbers with the AKC. People have many questions about Dobermans when they see one, but the most common questions have to do with how aggressive or dangerous Dobermans are. If you find a dog in Dobe rescue, it may be a great dog, but you'd have to work with the dog, and train the dog, and perhaps accept some limitations in that dog. The puppy was fine and the doberman seemed to feel ok after he checked her out but the difference in the 2 dogs reaction was a perfect example of their contrast in sensitivity. Oh, when she was a puppy she loved running around and chasing my boys and playing, but as she got older she preferred me (female) and began to ignore all children and young people. He did not pass his “aggression test” at the shelter (that’s another topic) and they planned to euthanize him. What were the details of the study? But once you get down to the real root cause as to why they’re acting out and destroying things, trying to bite someone that comes to the door, or struggling from other behavioral issues, it’s not because they are mean. And that smooth collie is beautiful!! I lost my Dobie girl last year at 17, which is old for any dog but the big ones, even more so. She passed away 11 months ago and I was so completely devastated, even today I thinking about the amount of love I’m gonna put into my next dog and I instantly feel un-loyal to Bree. I suggest you do more research, and please check out the Doberman forum, where you will be able to interact with some of the nations top breeders, and Doberman … What I read didn't specify, that's why I asked. In fact, the modern-day Doberman is known to be gentle, kind, and great with kids. I also decided that her soft ears would never be mutilated and her full tail could knock off the stuff from the coffee table and that was OK, too. Just wanting "intimidation factor" is a bad reason to choose a breed; you can get the same with most large dogs. I believe dogs, all dogs, are really special beings and if they are made to become “bad” – it is the fault people. They have far fewer aggressive traits than the Dobermans of many generations ago. The old stereotype of the Doberman as an agressive and dangerous dog is dying as the modern-day Doberman is certainly far more family-oriented than an aggressive “junkyard dog”. They have sensitive stomachs (not to the exaggeration this sub likes to claim),and can have sensitive skin. So I completely agree – dobermans get a very unfair reputation for being vicious when the statistics bare out that they’re a loving breed of dogs (who can be protective, but only when needed). I also don't want a dog that's bad with kids, because I'm an aunt and it's possible I could have children of my own within the time span I'd have the Doberman. I'm sorry you've been bitten, I got bit by a dog last year, unprovoked riding my bike. Most dogs do not enjoy rambunctiousness that children that do not respect a dogs boundaries bring, period. You must, like all breeds, get them out running, walking, hiking, swimming (whatever they enjoy). My Zeffie, a tri smoothie, was a very calm watchful dog and when people at the door looked over and saw a mostly black dog with the scary eye spots quietly staring at them through the window, I often was asked if "he" was a Doberman and will "he" bite. These are some of the physical traits that help them excel in the role of personal protection. While Doberman Pinschers certainly have the physical abilities to be quite dangerous animals, the modern-day Doberman is generally well suited for a companionship role and is not likely to be overly aggressive. People will see a Doberman walking by with its owner and they’ll cross to the other side of the street. Furthermore, a less sturdy breed, one lacking the sureness of the Doberman, even when properly trained is more dangerous than a Doberman. This dog had met me several times before, and I had been at her house for an hour. But to be honest, I think it would be fine to get a Dobie pup who is a similar age to the Golden Retriever if they were of the opposite sex. Other people have even noticed. But they’re just great loyal protectors and are generally only dangerous to those threatening the ones they are close to. Lastly, the Doberman tends to bite in a fairly unique way. As I've said elsewhere in this thread, I'm a young woman. And part of why I like Dobermans is because they look so intimidating. she was very loyal and listen very well. Should I be wary of them in my situation? A bit deceiving if you ask me. Right: and if you wanted to purchase a dog, from a breeder who breeds for temperament, you can get a puppy, that raised properly, will be a great dog to own. Doberman Planet is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Dobermans have a reputation for being a dangerous or aggressive dog breed. They will generally only act out to protect themselves or their owners from a perceived danger. He was the town’s tax collector (a fairly unpopular position), and he ran the local dog pound where he had access to dogs of many different breeds. Puppy mills could care less. Dobermans are bred to protect so you can have a protector AND a companion. Our Doberman Cooper was still a puppy when he first demonstrated his talent for howling. That doesn’t sound necessarily 100% correct to me. Hello John, Max from Italy. I launched a ball with a chuck-it and my dog and the dobbie went running for it and managed to collide with a 5 month old doodle puppy who yelped loud enough to make all the people come running. Would they get along okay? That's a big thing that draws me to them. After a few phone calls to the rescue, the director flew him up to me. Just an attestment to how truly intelligent and obedient these dogs really are. These statistics are purely just the number of dog bite fatalities by breed that were reported. Just like with the physical traits, the casual observer may see some of these as a sign that the dog is dangerous to be around. As a Doberman owner the one thing that I find wrong is how they count dog bites. You’re right that it doesn’t account for the total number of dogs of each breed present in the U.S. so the stats are not adjusted for this. A father will pick up their toddler as they stroll past your leashed Doberman. :). The vet said she’d never met such a sweet, well tempered dog.). You now are rewarded for life with a dog who will lay his life on the line for you, I’m sure of it! Like with the vacuum thing, I'm just hoping the activity and noise of children playing--not bothering the dog, just playing and roughhousing--isn't something that's going to bother the dog a lot and put him in a mood where he may be stressed and lash out because of something minor. As a former police officer with over 30 years of experience , in my many years on the street – 90 percent of the dog attacks that I personally responded to involved Pit Bulls. She worked with a retired surgeon that loves Dobermans and loves flying his plane and he brought my boy back up to me. They will stick close by your side and keep you safe at all costs. Rotts tend to come right up and nudge you for butt scratches. If she barks and charges, provide immediate correction. It is almost always related to their upbringing. Another thing would be: How are those dogs kept: Are they chained all the time? Quite simply—it’s in their genetics! When I said protection, I was referring to their intimidating appearance and their reputation for being protective (though other people who've answered have made it seem like they won't be unless they've been trained to do so). Have I scared you yet? In addition to the physical traits listed above, there are also many typical temperament traits that help to make the Doberman a great guard dog. The average Joe who's up to no good can't tell if a calm dog is protection trained or not and will not take a chance. With my wife getting her MALE Golden Retriever puppy, would it be okay for me to get my Dobie puppy now/wait a little while, or something else? Required fields are marked *. But as an owner, you should be open to discussion because the Dobermann is not a recipient of orders. 2. Good luck and great work. If she doesn’t, then provide immediate reward and praise. What can I do to make this behavior stop. He frequently growled at any movement he felt was dominate posturing. I respected his experience and began earning his trust and respect. Therefore this breed is not very easy to train. Dobermans can be aggressive towards strangers, but this is usually only if they feel threatened or that their owners are in danger. I was just asking this to see how prevalent the "bad" traits of Dobermans actually are according to people who have experience with them. As far as I can tell, the stats for the total number of each breed of dog doesn’t exist. Some dogs are just bad. Once I was walking to the store, and a leashed Doberman lashed out and nipped me. But I see what you’re saying… if there are double of breed #1 out there but these stats show the same bite-related deaths as breed #2, then you could actually conclude that breed #1 is half as likely to cause a death from a bite. When a bite from a K9 is on the job doing what they were trained to do should get count on it own and not included when the family pet bites someone. After expressing his thorough and complete disapproval of his situation by barking at me incessantly to “get me out of here” he settled down and curled up in a ball. Because of this, it’s easy to see how many people see them as potentially overly aggressive and dangerous. What do you envisage doing with your dog on a daily/weekly basis? I've been bitten, unprovoked, twice in my life. Doberman should wear a muzzle all the time, differences between the European and American Doberman here, Do Dobermans Turn on Their Owners? They were referred to as “Devil Dogs.”. The reason people want to know how aggressive these dogs are is because of what they see in movies and on television. I helped raise my friend's Dobe and he's a sweet boy who loves most people but can be testy with other dogs, it seems to be a same sex aggression issue with him. She was my baby girl and the most close to a human I’d ever seen. Check out the article I wrote about stopping a Doberman from barking for some good ideas on this. If a dog, any dog, isn’t socialized enough at a young age or lacks positive human interaction, it means that the dog will feel fear a lot more often. You’re right on with the statistics. I don't have a dog on the dangerous dog breeds list, but I know a good bit about it. Protection dogs must be incredibly steady bold and confident in temperament. 1 decade ago. No way all Dobermans are bad with kids and other animals, but what do I know? A dog that puts on a show of lunging and snarling may seem like a better choice for a deterrent but he's actually more like a liability and will have to be contained and can't go to many places. I've been working with Dobermans exclusively for over 6 years and there's no other breed I'd rather work with. Brain vs. Skull Size Myth. The Doberman is a fairly new dog breed. It was terrifying to say the least. A good breeder will not allow aggression to appear in their line. In the 70s and 80s, if I’m right, doberman was at the first place because it was the dog that everybody had for guardian/defense and there was a lot of backyard breeders with no selection experience. You must go to a breeder who health tests their stock, as they can have health issues like any other breed (DCM, Von Willebrand, Wobbler Syndrome, and Hyperthyroidism). This allows them to hold onto what they bite very effectively. I think Labrador Retrievers have the highest population size and might therefore drop down the list when graphed this way, and so on. A full-fledged attack dog would be way too much for me to handle, but a sweet dog who just looks vicious enough to ward off danger is all I'm really hoping for. Thank you for not giving up on him. Perro Doberman Pinscher I Love Dogs Cute Dogs Black And Tan Terrier Doberman Love Doberman Breed Doberman Funny Dangerous Dogs Aggressive Dog. I'm okay with that. You're not going to a trained (meaning basic obidence) adult Doberman just anywhere, a breeder is your best bet when it comes to finding that type of match, and I'm talking about a retired show dog...or a dog that for one reason or another was a wash in the show ring. My doberman is the sweetest girl ever. When she passed, I decided to get a rescue Doberman. Basically, Rottweilers, Dobermans, etc., they're bred to be guard dogs, pretty much. I believe it had the Doberman as the 17th most popular dog and the Bit Pull as the 85th most popular. Bit me hard enough to break skin before she tackled him. This is far from reality. I said “leave it”……nothing. So, someone once came up with a special category of dogs and called them “fighting dogs”, implying that all breeds that are on this list are born killers, which by definition cannot be affectionate pets. They're the most vicious dog breed ever to walk the Earth. Male Dobermans have also been known to have issues living with other male dogs in the same household. Not everybody can control a nervous-aggressive German shepherd for example. Please see Dogsbite.org: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities (2005 to 2017).” It was based on data from the CDC. She is on cloud 9 with sexual excitement. Technically they are on a "Dangerous Breed" list along with pit bulls and Rottweilers. Sorry you’re dealing with this! They do possess a number of other impressive temperament traits that really makes them great family dogs. Dogs 101: Doberman Pinscher Most Popular Dog Breeds Dobie – Animal Facts Intelligent, alert, and tenaciously loyal companions, the Doberman Pinscher is driven, strong, and sometimes stubborn. Interesting thought John! The second time, I was visiting a friend who had a Doberman for protection. Adapted well into the multiple houses she lived in. Of course, each dog has its own personality, but this is typical of the breed in general. That statistics table needs some context regarding the number of dogs that there are in the area statistically studied compared to the number of incidents. Focus on maintaining consistent correction for one or two weeks, then try purposely provoking her by walking by the fence yourself. 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