The Doberman Pinscher is not a breed for just anyone. They demand lots of attention and can become destructive if left alone for too long. Dobermans are large dogs ranging from 65-115 lbs (although most average 70-85 lbs.) and need an environment suited to their size. To keep in peak physical and mental condition, Dobies need daily exercise and personal interaction with their people. While Dobermans like to play outside, they do not like to be kept as outdoor only dogs. They were bred to be loyal and protective family dogs and are happiest in the house with their people. Dobies that are kept only outside tend to be more destructive and out of control and are usually not as well socialized. Dobermans need to be socialized with other people and animals from very early on and throughout their lives if they are to remain friendly. Dobies who are not socialized properly can become fearful of new situations and this may lead to aggression problems later on in their lives.
First and foremost, a Doberman needs an owner who can be a good leader and will insist on being the "Alpha" in the family. People who are too submissive or unfamiliar with being a dominant dog owner probably should steer clear of owning a Doberman. Dobermans absolutely need strong authority figures who will give them structure in their lives. If the dog doesn't see the owner as being a good leader, the Doberman will take it upon himself to become the new leader in the household. This is typically when the owner loses most all control over the dog and the dog begins to behave however it wants. Dobermans are too strong a dog and already have a negative image due to its portrayal in the media to be allowed to be the leader in any household! If you cannot provide a structured environment with well-distinguished boundaries as to what is acceptable behavior in your household, DO NOT GET A DOBERMAN!!!!
Families with children (even young children) usually do quite well with a Doberman as a pet. However, careful instruction and supervision must be given to insure that the kids will interact nicely with the dog. Children who are too rambunctious and who tend to play too rough may not be suited for a Doberman. Puppies will either become frightful of such play or learn to play rough with the kids even into adulthood. An 80 lb. Doberman can do a lot of damage to a 40 lb child if it is used to playing too rough.
People who are very athletic and want a dog that can keep up with their outdoor activities are also a good match for a Dobie. Dobies love to interact with their people in all types of activities, such as bicycling, jogging, hiking, swimming, and just riding around in the car. Dobermans are also well-suited for obedience work, agility, search and rescue, tracking, schutzhund, flyball, and canine freestyle.
Elderly people who can still be an assertive leader are also great companions for Dobermans. Dobermans love to spend all day with their people and retired folks usually have lots of time to give to their canine friends. As long as Dobies get some exercise, they can do quite well living in RVs and even semi-trucks as they travel the countryside with their family.
Of course, it is difficult to generalize and classify what types of people should own a particular breed of dog. However, generally speaking, people who travel during the majority of the year and would be kenneling their dog should probably not own a Doberman and in my opinion, should probably not even own any type of dog. Also, people who do not like noisy dogs should also not own a Doberman. Dobermans were bred to be guard dogs and thus, bark whenever they feel that their territory is threatened and you need to know about it. If this bothers you, then find a breed who was not bred to guard your family and house! In addition, Dobermans are known as "velcro" dogs--that is, they like to follow you all around the house and like to stay by your side most of the time. If you are looking for an outside only dog who can be happy entertaining himself without human interaction, then don't get a Dobie. While Dobermans do make great guard dogs, those that are always left outside to guard businesses and residences tend to be poorly socialized and usually were not purchased to be members of a family. Although many breeders will sell their Dobermans to be "guard dogs", I will not! I believe in incorporating your Dobie into your family and will not sell any of my puppies to owners who want a "tough" dog to guard their property and don't intend on interacting on a daily basis with the dog. And my definition of "interacting" means more than just feeding and watering the dog!
So if you can be an assertive leader, have the time, energy, and space, and are interested in getting a dog who loves interacting with people, then a Doberman may just be the breed for you.
The statements made above are the opinions of the author and are intended as a guide line in determining who may be suited to own a Doberman. Please do not e-mail me if you disagree with these guidelines. These are simply the guidelines that I use when placing puppies in new homes.
