Is a Doberman Pincher a good dog if you are single?

Answer 1

I have 3 and am a 20yr old single female. Actually it has more to do with your individual personality than anything. Do you want a seriously clingy dog, they're nickname is velcro dogs, an athletic dog who takes almost 2 years to fully mature and up to 3 to settle down. They can be destructive puppies, even with the best of training and caution, trust me I have a couch with half a cushion, lost about $500 worth of shoes and about half of a chair left... all happens within minutes. I always recommend obedience, TRADITIONAL obedience, not that clicker training junk, and lots of it. Buying from a good breeder is essential as well, dobermans suffer from some serious conditions due to excessive breeding in the 70's and 80's, of course not by respectable people but over all in the breed. Dobermans can suffer from hip dysplasia, Dilated Cardio Myopathy(if you can diagnose it they MAY have 6 months if you have no clue they often drop dead), thyroid disease, wobblers syndrome or CVI, and von Willebrands Disease (a bleeding disorder similar to hemophelia in humans)... Any responsible breeder will test for all of these and other health problems and will know their dogs pedigrees inside and out, so it is very unlikely you will have to deal with them. Plus your getting the support of the breeder for the life of the dog, and a beautiful dog with the correct temperament for the breed.

Now, in rescue, we get LOTS of beautiful healthy dogs, usually by the time we get them, their treatment in the past will cause whatever issues they may have to come out into the open quicker and you will usually know what potential health problems you are getting. Fortunately although badly bred dobermans CAN suffer from these diseases, not all do. I've met a dozen dogs in the last 6 months I would take home in a heartbeat if I knew I could afford them. Unfortunately I can't but they have all found wonderful homes and it's bittersweet to see them when they come visit.

Check out your local Doberman Rescue and see if you can find a match for you, if there isn't a dog there immediately, wait a few weeks and check again, we all get new dog in every week. If you decide to buy from a breeder PLEASE do your research and find a good breeder, it may be more expensive initially but will cost you FAR less in the end.


For me, I bought my own home last year and the apartments down the street were section 8 when I moved in. I was already getting a doberman but after buying my house I was really glad I was getting one, even if she didn't turn out to be protective, it's the LOOK that gets people. I'm glad she did turn out to be protective though, I like dogs that bark when they feel it's necessary but aren't incessant. That's the way I would describe their bark. I have no doubts that my dogs would give their lives for me, but God willing they will never have to. For me the only defense they serve is as a visual deterrent. In some cases that can be a pain, homeowners insurance sometimes won't take you based on the breed and can even cancel. Which goes for landlords to if you rent a house. Many apartments won't let you keep them and even in certain cities they can be banned. My new thing is stopping breed specific legislation which targets dobermans and other working breeds considered "dangerous" there are many ways to help out in this situation. And if you get into the breed or any BSL targeted breed I highly recommend for your, your dogs and other responsible owners that you get involved.

Sorry it's a book but hopefully it's worth reading, just email me if you have any specific questions.

Answer 2

I have a 6 yr old Doberman and my family has had them all my life. Obviously, we love Dobies! When my brother was a bachelor he had 2 different Dobies.

Dobies are lovey dogs. You'd never know it from the rep they have, but they are huge babies. They want to lay in your lap and be petted. They want to be the center of your universe. Because of that they are not good at being left alone. They seem to get overly lonely and get into trouble. My brother's Dobies would do things like throw his garbage all over the house when he wasn't home. So, he took the dog to work with him (he's a carpenter and spends a lot of time in his truck driving). While my brother was out of the truck for a short time the dog ate a hole in the seat....right where my brother sat to drive! My brother's dogs each slept with him, and they both did the same thing to him....they would push him right out of bed and he ended up on the couch and the dog had the bed! But even though Dobies can find lots of trouble sometimes, they win you over so quickly. They have such big personalities and sure know how to express themselves. They are a very forgiving breed and you will be the center of the dog's universe too. This is why they can get away with getting into so much trouble sometimes! They are very loyal and courageous dogs. They love to romp and play, never actually growing up. They may look serious, but they never are, they are overgrown puppies (which also explains the loneliness and getting into trouble!). But, best of all, a Dobie will be your best friend and stick to you like glue. You won't be able to walk across the room without the dog knowing it. I'd say they are a single person's best companion.

Our Dobie has a mutt for a sister and a Sheltie for a brother and he does just fine when we leave them alone. We come home and he's sleeping on the same spot on the couch where we left him. Dobies are notorious for stealing the couch.

I really think the only problem you'd face is with leaving the dog alone and if crate trained this shouldn't be a problem. Our Dobie loved his crate so much that when we got one for our Sheltie he tried to squish himself into it....all he managed to get in was his head and front paws though.

Please make sure you get your dog from a well respected breeder. Don't get a pup from a back yard breeder, you won't know what you're getting. You want someone who has a history of breeding strong, healthy, well temperament Dobies. Also please socialize your Dobie lots and lots and lots. They are definitely a breed that benefits from socialization at a young age and all through their life.

I hope you find just the right Dobie for you. S/He will steal your heart and you'll be so glad! Good luck.

Answer 3

Are you looking for a watch dog who will warn you if someone is on your property of a guard dog who has been trained for personal protection? Most dogs make good watch dogs but a guard dog must be trained by a professional. Otherwise you have a loose cannon that will end in a law suit against you and the destruction of the dog. Trained guard dogs are very expensive to buy. You are looking at around $20,000+ to buy one and then you need to be trained in how to handle the dog. Both breeds would be suitable if they have been professionally trained but they are also very people orientated breeds and need to live inside with their family. ADD: Angeloneus that is not correct. Professionally trained personal protection dogs make excellent family pets. My Rottweiler's dam was a PP dog and also worked with autistic children. A more gentle dog with challenged children you would be hard pressed to find. Well trained guard dogs work only when they are given a command to work. At all other times they are docile, friendly family pets. We are not talking about junk yard dogs. That's a totally different subject.

Answer 4

Well-bred Dobermans are generally good for families, singles, couples, etc, but only if you think you can handle one. They are loyal, playful and elegant, but not good for first time owners. If you have owned dogs before, and know what you're doing, and also have time every day to exercise and pay attention to your Dobie, then yes, your situation could be good. Good luck.

Answer 5

it doesnt matter if u are single or not. a doberman is very very loyal to its owner. be sure to give it lots of exercise since it is a very energetic dog!! they are great companions, and you ddont really have to train it to be a guard dog, it already has that instinct!! be sure to socialize it with children, other people, and pets, if u want it to be a social dog, or if u plan on taking it places where there are dogs and people.dobermans are very smart, and they catch onto things quickly. i was trying to teach mine to "shake" and i only told him about 8 times, and he caught on very quick!! i love the dobies very much! but since they do get very attatched to its owner, the can develope seperation anxiety (its well known in many dogs). i would recommend one to anyone that has the time for this type of dog. be sure to do some research on the net. good luck.

Answer 6

Single makes no difference. Do you have the time to spend with a dog, the energy to exercise a dog, the money to properly care for a dog. Do you have dog experience at all?

Answer 7

single or married a Dobbie is a FANTASTIC dog. They are very loyal, love attention and exercise and big dogs are great with kids because they don't fear for themselves because of their size like a shitzu or maltese or poodle might.

Answer 8

Yes they are very protective and want to please, they need alot of affection and lots of room to walk and run....do you have the time to devote walking alot......if so this dog is for you...if you are serious about a dobie, get some research done on them, before you buy one, but of course this goes for any breed..

Golden Retrievers are excellent, loyal, gentle and good guard dogs.....they love their humans

Answer 9

As good as any.

Answer 10

No. You should at least have someone there to clean up your remains once it turns on you.