I would like to hear from you Dog lovers out there.
I had a German Shepherd about 15 years ago, when he passed I then became the semi-proud owner of a pair Shih Tzus.
Now three years since their passing and I’d like to get back in saddle and get another dog for protection and companionship for the family.
My GSD shed way too much for me to consider another.
My Shih Tzus were small but were like an AWACS at detecting someone stepping onto my property.
I’d like a dog that doesn’t shed all that much and is big enough to be a deterrent.
The Doberman Pinscher seems to be a good choice for my family based upon some of the threads here and my readings elsewhere.
I’ve been told that the Dobermans shedding isn’t so bad.
But I’d like opinions from actual owners of the breed about this and their ability to stay clean. If you guys think I should look at another breed, please say so.

I own 2 Dobermans sisters (Kimber and Beretta) and a Sheperd (AK-47). The dobes shed a whole lot less then the Sheperd. But as long as my wife brushes the Sheperd every night for 5 min. He does not shed bad at all (this is her alone time with him). The Dobermans are very clean dogs dont have the same dog smell the Sheperd gets, Plus we wipe the Dobes down every day with baby wipes and a little baby oil this keeps thier coats very shinny and smelling good. I think Dobermans and Sheperds are both great choices for pets. My sheperd is the smartest dog I have ever owned but the Dobes are not far behind between the 2 dobes I think they had maybe 12 accidents during house breaking picked it pretty quick. What else can I say about Dobes that Im sure you have not heard before. Just make sure you buy from a good breeder dont be cheap wen it comes to something that will be sharing your home for the next 10+ years.

As for home protection only a fool would try to get in my house, 1 police officer (me) 310 pounds of big dogs (AK-47 90lbs Kimber 100lbs and Beretta 120lbs) all so called Agressive breed dogs. And about 50 firearms (most in the safe), And 1 week out of the month a very pissed off woman (the other 3 weeks shes just pissed) that can shoot better then half my department.  

Edit to add I know my Dobes are big Thier dad was 140lbs built more like a great dane then a dobe and thier mom was about 110lbs. I got 7 generations of petagree on them and it said they were all doberman, but think somewhere in the past thier dads line was mixed with dane to get its size.

SCAR,
Thanks for the reply.

How are they with the rest of the family; are they more of a one-person dog? Are they affectionate/protective towards the whole family?

I came across a pair of King Dobermans a couple of years ago and let me tell you those guys would scare the crap out of anyone.
They're a too big for me.


I'm going to do some more research before I take the plunge.

My doberman, Apollo is almost two years old.  The are great family dogs.  They will be very protective of your entire family, not just one person.

They are very clean, the do shed but their hair is very fine/small.  Dobermans (well, mine) hates to be left outside.. Their thin coat doesn't help much in cooler climates..

Like all puppies, they will chew your stuff up if you don't keep an eye on them while they are teething.. this will last for a year or so..  An old couch became a victim one afternoon while we were out..  nothing but white cotton fluff all over the house when we got home.

Make sure you get one with the tail docked.  I've been around other Doberman's with their tail still intact and it's lethal to small kids, cups of hot coffee, ect..

Apollo's ears are cropped, but that is a personal preference.  I think dobermans look outstanding either way.  If you choose to go for the cropped look, make sure the breeder has this taken care of for you by a reputable vet. (IE, someone who specializes in it)  We purchased Apollo from a breader in Santa Clara, CA - she had him brought all of the way up to Oakland (about 40-50miles) to a doberman specialist to have the ears cropped.  We had to wait 2 weeks before the breeder would let us take him home afterwards.   You will be repsonsible for changing the dressings and posts (the ears have to be trained to stand up) for the next 3-6 months.  It will seem like a pain in the ass, but the results are awesome.

-Niel

My Doberman"Stormy"died last Christmas.She made such an impact on MY life that I will own no other kind of dog(I have a Beagle that I got 4 years ago)When I get another BIG dog,It will be a Doberman.Accecpt NO substitutes.

Do a search. There was a pretty long thread on Dobe's about 2-3 weeks ago.


Also see www.dogsaver.org/doberman/

Personally I do not like Dobies.

I would go with a rottweiler before a Dobe.  Rotts are great with kids, good at protection and are very loyal.  From working with Rotts and Dobes I like the demeanor of well bred rotts better than well bred Dobes.  This is my humble opion and am sure many others feel the same about Rotts.  

Go to a reputable breeder or a shelter and be around some dogs of the breeds.  You could also goto a dog club in your area and meet some well trained dogs and see what you like.  It all comes down to personal preference.

Quoted: My Doberman"Stormy"died last Christmas.She made such an impact on MY life that I will own no other kind of dog(I have a Beagle that I got 4 years ago)When I get another BIG dog,It will be a Doberman.Accecpt NO substitutes.

I agree, I lost my Doberman last spring, he was
almost 11 when he died from heart problems.
I wouldnt want any other type of dog either, Im
sticking with Dobermans, this was the best dog
I ever had, no other dog I owned could compare to my Doberman, they are a superior breed, very
loyal, protective, fearless, intelligent dogs.
Mine was so loyal he was the first dog I ever owned that wouldnt run away from home. They will protect the whole family not just one person. Rottweilers tend to bond to one person.

Get a Rott! They are GREAT with kids and are loyal.

The only dogs that don't shed are dogs like a Poodle or Scottie who's hair grows all the time and need to be clipped.

I have had short haired dogs and long haired dogs and the long haired dogs hair is easier to clean up after.

Here baby doberman, first I want to cut your tail off with a pair of nippers and trim your ears up a bit. Now I want to be be nice to me.

I just don't like the view from the rear of any dog that holds his tail up. I prefer tail down dogs.

Forget the Dobbies, get a Rottie, they are the most loyal dogs I know, and you will be protected. I had 2 Dobbies, German Shepherd, Akita, Beagle, Labrador, and the Rotties are the best for me. If you have a problem training a dog, get a female, they are not as stuburn.