I Love German Shepherds But Hate The Hair Shed Is A Dobermann Similar

[muso]

I owned a Male German Shepherd many years ago and he was great (best dog money could buy in my opinion) but the undercoat got everywhere even with regular brushing, if he went in the car it took ages to get rid of the shed hair from the interior.

I also really like Dobermanns and was considering a Dobermann instead when I was purchasing my German shepherd, but I don't know as much about Dobermanns other than the fact that I think they are one of the most handsome noble looking dogs out there. If I could find a dog with all the German Shepherd qualities but without the massive hair shed I'd be happy, is a Dobermann like a German Shepherd minus the hair shed???....probably not.

My German Shepherd was pedigree and "A" stamp certified and had no health issues, no aggressive behaviour at all towards either people or other dogs.

Has the Dobermann also had the strict breeding (for health or temperament) regulations that the GSD has had?

I live in South Australia and there does not seem to be nearly as many Dobermann clubs or breeders as there are GSD clubs! Is there a reason for this, is it that Dobermanns still suffer the bad reputation that the GSD did in the 1970's?

I took a Ferry (MV Troubridge) over to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide back in 1978 and there were signs on the ship with pictures of German Shepherd dogs warning that they are dangerous and are considered to be sheep killers and are banned from the Island and will be shot on sight.

The other issue I have with GSD's is that the breed standard seems to produce skinny looking dogs with finer bone structure, I've seen pictures of big boned German shepherds with large heads, chest and necks which look fantastic but most which I see in Australia are slightly built, so if you're going to have a slimmer dog why not get a Dobermann and eliminate (or minimize) the hair shed problem? I don't know of any Breeders in Australia who breed heavily built German Shepherds (they are a fantastic handsome looking dog).

My wife likes German Shepherds but says she will never trust a Dobermann because of a "viscious" one that lived next door to her in England when she was a kid, I know there are many breeds of dog but I have always favoured larger breeds, "real dogs" as I call them, my wife likes the smaller breeds like Maltese etc as well as large breeds, but she has never really actually "met" a Dobermann yet. I'd like to go to a club and see some but I don't think there is a club in Adelaide S.A.

I'm still not sure if we are going to get a dog again, I don't think it is something that should be rushed into, they are a big responsibility and irresponsible dog owners make me sick, dogs are for 10 or 15 years not a Birthday present!

For the record I have two kids girl 10 and boy 12, some people have told me that bitches make better family pets than males, so maybe a female Dobermann would be a good choice.

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated, I absolutely love German Shepherds and Dobermanns (best breeds ever in my opinion) but I also understand that getting either breed requires some education and proper planning before hand

Edited August 4, 2011 by muso

[Darkrai]

A dobe wont shed as much as a GSD, but they will drop small hairs everywhere

As for Visciousness I would ather leave kids with a Dobe then a GSD... but thats my opinion

[Brennan's Mum]

Hi Muso, welcome to DOL.

I am sure some one will answer your questions.

If you'd like you could post in the Dobermann thread where some current Dobe owners could surely answer some of your questions

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/99740-dobermann-thread/

There is also a question/ answer ''About the breed'' thread here on DOL which could answer some more questions. Here you can read about the breed standard, and you may find a few questions you have which have already been answered ;)

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/175328-dobermann/

Sounds like you and your wife have differing opinions on a suitable dog size. It's very sad that your wife has had a bad past experience with a Dobermann. Although that said, there are plenty of lovely, well bred, and well behaved Dobermann's out there . Stick around on DOL, you never know..someone may suggest a breed which you had not even considered

[Darkrai]

Similar in qualities to GSD... do you mean loyal, protective, family pet etc....?

If so and looking for minimal coat dropping....?

Standard poodle, Giant/Standard Schnauzer ( they come in Black and siliver i think lol)

Standard poodle can be clipped back and if you buy your own clippers and wash regulary they dont have a doggy smell or odour...

The Schnauzer can be left a bit shaggy

Both breed make good family pets, if brought up right

[muso]

A dobe wont shed as much as a GSD, but they will drop small hairs everywhere

As for Visciousness I would ather leave kids with a Dobe then a GSD... but thats my opinion

I heard that female dogs are more likely to bite than a male dog, which tends to contradict what I said in my first post about bitches being better family pets.

Over here in Australia ear cropping and I think tail lopping is outlawed so a Dobermann with floppy ears and a long tail would not look as menacing as the "tough but good" looking ones with the ears and tails done. My Shepherd (Kaiser) was such a wimp that it was almost annoying he really wasn't such a good guard dog but he was a good pet, I never heard him growl even when he was eating, my wife used to have a Maltese which would snap at your face and bite without warning, it bit me, my daughter and my son's friend on the face, we gave it to an older lady as a lap dog and they were both happy.

Edited August 4, 2011 by muso

[Dogsfevr]

There was a Doberman Club in SA whether it still exists im note sure.

I would suggest heading down to a dog show where you can see the dobes,there is a very big show on in Adelaide this weekend

[muso]

Hi Muso, welcome to DOL.

I am sure some one will answer your questions.

If you'd like you could post in the Dobermann thread where some current Dobe owners could surely answer some of your questions

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/99740-dobermann-thread/

There is also a question/ answer ''About the breed'' thread here on DOL which could answer some more questions. Here you can read about the breed standard, and you may find a few questions you have which have already been answered ;)

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/175328-dobermann/

Sounds like you and your wife have differing opinions on a suitable dog size. It's very sad that your wife has had a bad past experience with a Dobermann. Although that said, there are plenty of lovely, well bred, and well behaved Dobermann's out there . Stick around on DOL, you never know..someone may suggest a breed which you had not even considered

Thanks, I guess I should consider other breeds but I am just gobsmacked by the handsome good looks of a Shepherd or Dobermann, a good solidly built shepherd is sooooooo handsome I can't help but stare, I can just imagine being close to death lost in the snow and having this big beautiful rescue German Shepherd dig you out with it's wet nose touching your face, and a Dobermann with it's shiny short coat and lean muscular build has all the grace of a black panther (but a lot friendlier ) So I am somewhat narrow minded in my breed selection.

Edited August 4, 2011 by muso

[Darkrai]

I've always found bitches make better family pets than dogs...?

[Brennan's Mum]

Lol, I have a German Shepherd, and she is beautiful, I love her to bits..but as for the rescuing-- well any dog who is trained correctly could do that .

Still, we do have our breeds which just appeal to us for whatever reasons. I can't deny-- I am a GSD girl myself..always have been, always will be. Head over to the GSD thread ( in Breed sub forum). There you can see some DOLers GSDs. We always welcome breed enthusiasts

[muso]

Lol, I have a German Shepherd, and she is beautiful, I love her to bits..but as for the rescuing-- well any dog who is trained correctly could do that .

Still, we do have our breeds which just appeal to us for whatever reasons. I can't deny-- I am a GSD girl myself..always have been, always will be. Head over to the GSD thread ( in Breed sub forum). There you can see some DOLers GSDs. We always welcome breed enthusiasts

I have just been looking at German Shepherd breeders in South Australia, many puppies seem to be from leaner parents, I saw a picture of a solidly built black and red male shepherd with the nice big head and neck, even with the hair shed issue that would still be a great dog, is black and red a rare colour? Black and tan seems to be more common but the deep red looks stunning and I don't know why but the black and reds seem to be of heavier build.

[OSoSwift]

I have had Dobes and personally would have a bitch, me and male Dobes do not get along very well

I had two Dobe bitches, neitehr bit anybody , one even had a 2 yo bite her hard on her lip and leave teeth marks and she still didn't retaliate.

I have never owned a GSD so can't comment on those. Dobes do leave some short hairs around but nowhere near the amount of hair a Shepherd loses

[Kavik]

I have a GSD and have had more to do with GSDs than Dobes (though I know MonElite who has Dobes) and from what I have seen they have different temperaments.

[Nekhbet]

males are always bigger tarts then females lol

[whiskedaway]

I would suggest heading down to a dog show where you can see the dobes,there is a very big show on in Adelaide this weekend

I second this. We have a massive show this weekend, have a walk around because you might find a breed of dog you've never even thought about before and most people should be fairly happy to answer any questions (as long as you don't catch them right before going into the ring!) Dobes are group 6 and GSDs are group 5, so they're both right next to each other as well.

[Darkrai]

Adelaide Royal isnt it???

[SparkyTansy]

I third going down to a show to meet both breeds... your wife might see just how loving and calm a well bred and trained Dobe can be.

Just remember, even within breeds, no two dogs are the same... your first GSD may be totally different to a GSD you might get in the future - take each dog on as an individual and try not to compare. I have never had two weimaraners that are the same, including mother/daughter and my two english setters who are moderately closely related are like chalk and cheese.

[Dogsfevr]

Adelaide Royal isnt it???

No its there big winter international show held on friday,saturday & sunday ,all one day shows.

At SACA park, free entry

[MissMaddy]

I have to agree with the difference in temperament between the GSD and dobes. I have had mostly GSDs, and the dobes I've met have been VERY different in temperament.

I also currently have a rotty girl, have you considered that breed at all? While different in temperament again to the GSDs (she's more "bouncy" and silly at times, is the best way to describe it , however there are a lot more laid back ones than my girl), my girl is the most loving, people pleasing, sweet girl. She's a bit of an oversized lap dog really. I also am pretty confident she'd be the first (out of 2 GSDs and her) to run to my defence, followed very closely by the female GSD and then the male (just cos he'd be following their direction ). Not my females are higher drive for their breeds, and my boy is Mr Cruisey, and I would personally say he'd make a much better family dog, although all 3 would fit the role easily.

I can understand what you mean about the strength of some dogs. The breed standard (GSD) is that sex characteristics should be defined, so a male should look like a male from nose to tail, and a bith should be more feminine. There are some sires out there (and bitch lines of course), throwing progeny with more bone, you just might need to do a little hunting around for a breeder you like.

[muso]

When (Sat or Sun and when o'clock)is this Adelaide dog show on and where is it held?

That sounds like a great idea for the whole family, thanks heaps for all the replies from you people

[jacqui835]

I now own a doberman and a german shepherd, and whilst there are similarities, I have noticed a few real differences. Disclaimer: this is but one doberman and one shepherd, and the dobie is a boy and the shepherd is female - so how applicable this will be I don't know - hopefully it helps.

The doberman (at least in our case) is a bit more of a one person dog, and has higher drive. He will do anything for a toy and is very athletic. He doesn't fetch, and whilst he wants He is a person guard - ie you can sometimes sneak into our house without him noticing, but if there is a person at home, you can't sneak up on them. He is more of a low growler, watch intently rather than a barker. He doesn't have the doggy smell. He does shed, but it is nothing, I repeat nothing compared to the shepherd. He can run at over 40km/hr and leap over sewer/river things - it's quite amazing. If we are cold, the dobe is cold - his coat does not seem to offer much protection or warmth. He is amazingly tolerant and bomb proof. We have had strange kids literally jump on him at the park, and he just wags his tail. You can sit next to him and play with his ears, pull on his hair and tail and he's fine.

The shepherd loves both me and my partner equally and seems to be more pack oriented (whereas the dobe seems more partner oriented). She barks a lot if she sees anything she worries about. She seems to be more of a property guardian - she is as concerned and focused on property defense whether we're there or not. She has been much easier to teach to walk on lead and toilet train. She doesn't have the same 'ego' as the dobie and is less dominant. She stinks by comparison to the dobe - smells like a dog. She carries her tail lower and it never seems to hit us or destroy the house (the dobe has caused many bruises and dollars of damage with his). Her coat is a good insulator - she is never cold and in fact is often hot. She can run at probably between 20-30 km/hr and is not really in the same league as the doberman for athleticism. She can snap - you don't push her or tease her the way we can with the dobie. She is less intense and energetic.

Two quite different dogs, but a good match for each other. She doesn't take any crap from the dobe and will snap at him when he goes too far. The dobe is so fast and so agile that when she annoys him, he can easily evade her. They are both about equally clever, and both were protective from a young age.