Labrador vs Mastiff vs Doberman??

Question

So my fiance and I can not decide on what we want to get. We are buying a house and plan to have children in the future. We have a decent yard that has a stockade fence. Currently have 1 young cat and no other animals. Our top three choices of what we want to get are a labrador or a mastiff or a doberman. All are great dogs with pro's and con's but we would like everyone else's advise. Please help!!!!

So, I just want to thank everyone who has already answered this question and encourage them to re-answer if they prefer.At this point, I found out some more information regarding the above breeds and am not even sure if I want any of them. Come to find out, statistically, a lab is more apt to bite than a doberman, but then why do most families own them? I am obviously confused at this point? Can anyone give any good advise on a good, laid back, medium-large sized, family dog that's well natured? What breed does everyone recommend? Help!! :) Thanks everyone ....

Answer 1

Given you are talking children in the future, I'd recommend a Lab. However, make sure your breeder can provide you history about their bloodlines -- specific to knee joints. Labs are now considered to be "over bred" and are blowing their ACLs with regularity. Repair of this ligament isn't cheap or for the faint of heart.

My second choice would be the Doberman. I've had the pleasure of having 5 in my lifetime and they are my breed of choice. However, they are more prone to being "body protective" and less tolerant of being yanked on, pulled, and pinched by a child than a Labrador. I NEVER leave any of my Dobes alone with kids -- more for their protection than the child's.

As for the Mastiff, they are great dogs but due to their sheer size, I'd be reluctant to have them around small children -- let alone infants. They simply do not know their own strength and size (I often hear the phrase Dumb Ox used with Mastiffs).

Someone else stated that Dobermans TEST their owners occasionally and THAT ain't good --- and they can be extremely moody --- and when they are IN that certain mood --- they can "go off " on you in a heartbeat !! I'd like to clarify that yes, Dobes are a "testy" breed. That's due to their high intelligence. They "test" to see if yesterday's rules still apply. So, training with them is a lifelong commitment. However, I would never classify ANY of the 5 I've had as moody or prone to "go off." IMHO, this advise is way off base and written by someone who DOES NOT know the breed.

Answer 2

The lab wins hands down as far as being around children. The breed seems to almost be made for kids! Keep in mind that all three of your considered breeds are BIG doggies, and that alone can be concerning with small ones around.

Mastiffs are great dogs, not all that demanding with exercise either, compared to the Lab which I would say needs moderate work outs.

Doberman seem to suffer a bad image, but I have never been around one that was anything but super. Never been around one trained as an attack dog I admit, but the ones I have known have all been sweethearts. These do need areas to run like crazy once in while!

I think the Dobie is probably the quickest learner, the Labs second, and the Mastiff is third, but still not a dumb bell either.

Answer 3

I'm so glad you asked! Doberman Pinschers, we believe, are the most wonderful, dependable, devoted, loving, obedient, even-tempered, sensitive dogs we've ever encountered. Yrs. back we were moving to the country from our house in the city w/ 3 cats & a toy poodle- & we also had 3 small grandchildren who visited only occasionally. We decided a larger dog would be nice to have around as we had the space & we wanted to feel safe at home.We asked our trusted vet which breed we should consider to fit in w/ our mix. w/o hesitation he said "you want a Doberman." We were very surprised. We asked a 2nd vet & gave her the same scenario- she immediately said a Doberman. We began researching dobies & they sounded perfect for our situation. We began searching for a reputable breeder (so important w/ any breed) & found the perfect puppy. We are so impressed that 5 yrs. later, we have just purchased our 2nd dobie. When the pups are young, we followed this advice from a dog trainer: every time the pup eats -tug his ears, pull his tail, pat him on the head, dig your hand in his food bowl while he's eating. Then your dobie will never be surprised if a sm. child bugs him while he's eating. When the pup plays w/ a toy- take the toy away from him & immediately give it back to him- then he learns you're not going to keep it- you'll return it right away. In these ways, the dog is never excited or surprised if someone walks up & bugs him while he eats, or takes his toy. We have NEVER heard either of our dobies growl at anyone. The grandchildren climb all over them & the dogs love it- the dogs are very protective of the children. Dobies take all their cues from the owner- very intuitive. Dobermans are extremely intelligent dogs belonging to the Top 10 most intelligent dog breeds. If you are relaxed & welcome a friend you're dobie welcomes him too. If, on the other hand, you are fearful, or nervous when someone approaches you, the dobie will naturally be alerted & watchful. You'll NEVER be sorry you chose a Doberman. As w/ any breed it's all about the owner- they're either responsible & conscientious, or they shouldn't be dog owners at all.

As a special note: my husband & I are both RN's in a large city hospital. My husband has worked in surgery for more than 10 yrs.
Of all the serious dog bites that have ever gone thru surgery- a full 75-80% of all bites were inflicted by Laboradors- an unpredictable breed. Please don't consider a Lab if you're planning on children. We have yet to see a bite wound come thru our surgery that was inflicted by a Doberman. I believe Mastiffs are probably great dogs, but the drawback is their relatively shorter lifespan as compared to the others due to their large size. Please ask your vet & they'll agree.

You're dobie will completely adore you & be your forever friend.

Answer 4

The Lab is your choice
With the Mastiff-- they are amiable enough and loyal---but they get incredibly big-- don't know their own strength some times and can get really testy with strangers over very little at all !!

With Dobermans-- no matter what the people say that love them-- they truly need professional handlers to even HAVE them---no matter how well trained they are--- they have a propincity to TEST their owners occasionally and THAT ain't good---and they can be extremely moody---and when they are IN that certain mood -- they can "go off " on you in a heartbeat !! So, not around the children !!

Hope this helps--- and have a marvelous new life !!!

Answer 5

I must admit I am a but jaded in my choice from the above list. I raised Dobies for years. Nearly 20. They are excelent animals. Like all dogs they have to be raised properly. Lots of love and attention, they all must have a good strong ALPHA dominate person to follow as a pack leader. Recently I had an American Staffordshire Terrier that was absolutely incredible. Most people would call him a pitt bull. He NEVER got at all agressive with people. He was dog on dog agresive to the point that I as a dog trainer could not break this habbit and I had to let him go. Still breaks my heart. anyway back to the point. He was around small children a lot of the time from weeks old to 3 years old. The would climb on him pull his years ride him around the house like alittle horse and he love it like nothing else on this earth. My point is that each dog is his own "person" the owner is what makes the dog. Picking a quality breader is of the utmost importance. This will do wonders for you. One less health problems. Two better attitudes in the dogs. I recomend that you spend at least 3 or 4 hours with the breader watching how the dogs react to the breader and how the breader reacts to the dogs. If they have a respectfull and loving relatioship the chances are that you will have a great dog. If you get a feeling that the dog is property they run forthe door!!! Remember that any dog can be god or bad. I honestly think that there are NO bad dogs just bad owners. the dogs do what they are raised to do for the most part. Good luck in making your decision. Pick your puppy from the litter early and visit him, watch him grow and develop, get him acustomed to you before you take him home it will make things easier on teh both of you in the long run.

Answer 6

We have and english mastiff and she loves children. They are great with kids and other animals. I also agree with the Lab recommendations that others have given as well. I think no matter what you do remember that all of your choices of dogs are larger breeds and each one would need training. They are all intellegent dogs and train easily. If you are thinking about the excercise for the dog all would be good with walks and trips to the park. Obviously the doberman is the most active. Good luck in your choice.
One big recommendation is that if you do go with the mastiff then make sure you get good breeding lines with hips.

Answer 7

I have a Doberman. They are so incredibly smart, they train fast. She's very obedient. They are high energy and need exercise. They are so affectionate! She thinks she's a lap dog! She's our little walking piece of velcro. They're really friendly, they're happy to meet new people. They don't bark much and are low maintenance. Just wipe down with a moist cloth. She's very tolerant and patient, when we post her ears she sits quietly even when I'm pulling tape off her ears which probably hurts! She's so playful and cute. She's so poised and elegant. Dobermans are beautiful. I think they are the best pets. This is my 2nd one. Oh, and we have insurance, and the rate was not affected at all.

Answer 8

Whatever you decide (though it seems like the majority is recommending a Lab) - if you can - get one that has been bred for temperment from good natured parents. Maybe the only way to tell will be to chat with the breeders, meet the parents of the pups (definately the mum plus the dad too if poss), ask if the breeders could give you contacts for people who've already had one of their pups, etc.

You might also want a browse of this site - it contains reviews of breeds by actual owners of the breed:
http://www.hoflin.com/BR/BreedReviewsIndex

Answer 9

A dog should be trained on how to eat, walk with you, not to bark, potty training and sleep on its place etc. You can teach anything to your puppy, dogs get trained easily with some good instructions. If you want some good training tips visit https://tr.im/J27jk

If properly trained, they should also understand whistle and gesture equivalents for all the relevant commands, e.g. short whistle or finger raised sit, long whistle or flat hand lay down, and so on.

It's important that they also get gestures and whistles as voice may not be sufficient over long distances and under certain circumstances.

Answer 10

we have a chocolate lab and he is the sweetest, smartest dog I have ever met. at 7 months he is almost 70 pounds and still growing like a weed. we don't yet have children but I would not worry about them with this gentle soul around...