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first time dog owner, and if not what is a good short haird dog that is funn to have but is smaller then a doberman.like a mini dobermen size

2007-08-05 14:25:41 · 9 answers · asked by Alan M 1 in Pets Dogs

9 answers

Dobermans are not really good for first time dog owners. Even though they are very intelligent, they can be very stubborn & head strong. A dobie owner must be fearless of them & let them know they are not the boss. They are very strong.

Maybe you could possibly locate one in a shelter or rescue that is not a pup & already trained. Dobies are very friendly if trained properly & loves to play. They are very active.

You can check on http://petfinder.com click on dog, put in the breed & a zip code for your area & hit the go button.
My next Dobie will be one that I'll save from a rescue group!!

2007-08-05 14:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by ® 7 · 1 0

I would NOT recommend a Doberman as a first dog for most people. Great dogs for the right owner.

Miniature Pincers are NOT Mini Dobermans !

They are a Toy breed. Min Pins are an OLDER breed than Dobermans and no relation !

"Forget the image of toy dogs as fragile and in need of pampering when considering the Miniature Pinscher. This delicate-looking little dog has a constitution of steel and an impish character that can reduce the overbearing owner to tears of frustration, for he will rule the roost with a tiny iron paw if allowed to do so.

Unlike the Miniature Poodle, which is a scaled-down version of the Standard Poodle, the Min Pin is not a smaller version of anything, especially the much-larger Doberman Pinscher. Both may have descended from the German Pinscher, a medium-sized black and tan dog bred to control vermin in the barnyard, but there the relationship ends. The Doberman includes Rottweiler and perhaps the Black and Tan Terrier; the Min Pin reportedly came from crosses with breeds as diverse as the Dachshund1 and the Italian Greyhound.

Part of the confusion in origin comes from the word "pinscher," which is a descriptive term like "terrier" or "setter" that denotes the dog's method of working, not his heritage. In German, "pinscher" means "biter" and derives from the dog's habit of jumping on and fiercely biting its quarry. The German pinscher family includes the Affenpinscher, a toy breed with a wiry coat, and the schnauzers.1 The name may also be borrowed from the English "pincher," meaning "one who seizes or pinches.""

You might look at Manchester Terriers, Whippets (neutered males can make sweet pets....and we do have rescues all over the US ), I'd say find a local training club first and talk to your local trainers. They may be able to help you find a dog or even go with you to the shelters to check for a dog that would "fit" you.

Check your local shelters as many mixes can have single coats like the Dobie (they do shed) or even a short wire coat that wouldn't shed.

Any dog can be a good dog with exercise, discipline, training and love. But you get out what you put in.....dogs are like kids...they don't raise themselves no matter what age or breed they are.

I'd recommend adopting an adult dog that is easy going and perhaps already somewhat trained. Many need homes and it could save you a lot of headache.

2007-08-05 19:31:06 · answer #2 · answered by Whippet keeper 4 · 0 0

A full sized dobe needs a lot or training. They are highly intellegent and rather stubborn. They need an owner that is either experianced or is willing to spend the time researching their breed. You have to be willing to be just as stubborn as them with their training and smarter than them when it comes to their silly tricks. Otherwise I think dobes are amazing dogs anyone would be lucky to own. While they probably aren't a good idea for first time owners you should definately consider one if you decide to get a second dog later on.

For a first timer I'd suggest a rescue. Not only will you be saving a life but you'll get to pick out a very wide array of sweet dogs that will be happy to forgive you if you aren't perfect or don't get things quite right the first time around. But remember, no matter the breed you should research it so you at least have an idea of what to expect. I'd maybe try to find an english bulldog mix. They're relatively low maitenance and easy going outside of health care which should be routine anyways.

2007-08-05 14:38:26 · answer #3 · answered by theresa b 3 · 1 0

The Manchester Terrier might be a good choice. He looks a lot like a Dobi, but is only the size of a Whippet. The Manchester is actually the dog that Herr Dobermann used to breed the distinct look of the breed which is known as "the Dobermann" today

A whippet might also be a good choice. Great fun, and real characters, needs a lot of exercise.

There is, of course, the Mini Pinscher, which looks exactly like the Dobi, just smaller.

+++

2007-08-05 15:08:59 · answer #4 · answered by Semolina's Pointer 4 · 1 0

You should consider a doberman for your first dog ONLY if you already have worked with dogs and know them well.

They need training, attention, and an ill-bred doberman with fear issues can wreck your sanity. Most of the dobermans I've seen are in fact too high-strung for my personal taste.

They have been bred for protection so they tend to be focused on the owner. Many disabled people find very well-bred dobermans and train them themselves for service dog work and find they really love to work to please.

The second factor is-- they're big dogs. 60-100 pound weight range is normal for a dobie. You won't find female dobies much smaller than 60 lbs. They need TONS of exercise. You could find yourself so overwhelmed by the dog that you wouldn't have much fun owning one.

You could also look for an older dog-- dobie or rottie- pure or mixed breeds from a rescue or shelter-- they'll have the short coat and size you require, and you can make sure if they're suitable for a first-time owner. Do your homework.

BE careful, some shelters will pressure you to adopt the first dog you're interested in. If so, back off-- find somebody who will be honest with you about the negatives. find another shelter or rescue if need be.

http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?breed=doberman&tmpl=&preview=&animal=Dog&preview=&zip=22031

Here's a list of dobermans in rescue in the DC metro area. Here are a few examples of why people give up Dobermans.

"Needs obedience training"-- this dog is a wild child with energy to spare and probably has never been taught anything. Big mistake with a big dog. Big puppies jump on people, chew, lunge on leash, etc. UNLESS TAUGHT.

"Best in a house with kids over 12"-- this dog hasn't been tested with kids, and might have fearful or bullying personality.

I think "Bear" is an good example of a dog that might fit your first-time owner needs, although he chases cats.

Duffy "was turned in by my owner because she could not handle me." Thats a very common story-- great dog, needed experienced owner and obedience training and leash manners. Wrong dog for you, great dog for somebody else.

So, now you know a little more about why dobies are too much dog for a first time owner. It's up to you to decide what level of commitment you want to owning a larger dog.

Minature pinschers do exist-- they are toy-sized dobermans, but they are kind of really fragile-- they're 5 lbs, and you can't really play too rough with 'em.

I know somebody who breeds 'em but I wouldn't recommend them if you want a dog that is fun to play with and friendly, because toys can easily blow a knee jumping up to catch anything.

If you want an intermediate dog that looks like a doberman, you might want to consider the Standard size Manchester Terrier which is 12-22 pounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Terrier

http://www.geocities.com/rashal/facts.htm This dog is a fun dog, but it won't necesssarily love everybody, not without extensive socialization. Most terriers are like that.

Or, just go looking for a rescue, get an more mature dog, take to obedience classes, learn how to own a dog, and have lots of fun.

2007-08-05 15:13:14 · answer #5 · answered by doglover 2 · 1 0

You might like a miniature pincher. They are mini versions of Dobermans. Look on petfinder.com, there are tons of them there.

2007-08-05 14:29:37 · answer #6 · answered by Bambi 5 · 1 0

This would not make my short list for a family dog, no. Not mini-pins either.

2007-08-05 14:33:08 · answer #7 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0 0

a mini pinscher. they dont really shed. really cute too. but they have a lot of energy.

2007-08-05 14:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by iPod<3 1 · 0 0

schnauzer

2007-08-05 14:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by dead rising lord 2 · 0 0

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