re: Thoughts on Dobermann Pinschers?

Great family dog, but high energy.
Easily trainable, but you have to put in the time and be consistent.

We had one named Venus from when I was in second grade until my senior year in high school. My two brothers, and I, rode her like a horse when we were little. She was the sweetest thing around the majority of people we brought home. My brother had some friends in high school that were very wild. She didn't like two of them. She was a great judge of character, and could tell something about their natures.

My mom says when we were in high school, if we weren't home by midnight, she used to come wake her up. We also had a cat that knew she could get into fights with other cats, and jump over the fence where Venus would protect her. She did it all the time.

My aunt had one that had to be put down after he bit a few people. I was one of the people he bit, but I kind of feel like it wasn't his fault. When I asked where he was, my aunt told me he was in a bedroom sleeping, and suggested I go wake him up. I went in, and called his name, but he didn't wake up. I put my hand on his neck, and he snapped and bit me.

This was a Great Aunt, who's kids were grown, and had left home. He wasn't used to being around kids. They lived in the country, and had him to be around the house while my aunt, and her sister, were there by themselves. He was more guard dog than pet. To this day, I can't believe my aunt told me to go wake him up. The other people he bit were strangers outside the house.

If yours is around kids as a puppy, I don't think you'll have those kind of problems with it.

ETA:

I forgot to tell you my aunt's Doberman was named Satan. Can't expect to give one a name like that, and have him turn out well. My uncle wanted people to fear him. I knew he could be mean, but wasn't afraid of him because I was used to being around ours

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I have 2 children... 2 and 7. Have a baby due in August.

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Awesome dogs, mine is the best the dog I have ever had and before him was hunting labs. He is great with my 10month old and lets kids climb all over him without a care in the world. He is just a big puppy even though he's 8 yrs old.

We have a 5 month dobie and she is awesome with my 5 year old daughter.

My MIL still has 3 for sale if anyone is looking.
Email me: coachchappytd@gmail.com

You might as well get a chihuahua, those dogs are worthless.

I had a massive pure bred dobie about 12 yrs ago. 140 lbs full grown. most german dog ever. Loved my daughters undergarments. use to find there socks and underwear marbled into dog turds all around yard

Also good luck if you live in atlanta or the like. world class racists. when black folk use to stroll through our neighborhood mine would turn into a lycan and gnash at the chain link till his gums bled. His way of saying send them back i guess

Great with kids though

Socialize now when they are small, with dogs and children, can correct problem behavior before it's a problem. And keep socializing throughout their life. Some of these kinds of breeds can be real pack oriented, so learn the right act to introduce tour dog to strangers if necessary.

Also, shouldn't let them we wrestle with the kids too much, can lead to them nipping at kids like they would other dogs.

None of that is means to be a scare tactic, but with big dogs a small reaction to a kid or dog, can be really unfortunate for all parties. So best to be cognizant of the pitfalls and ready to correct problem behavior at the first signs.

ETA, I wouldn't worry as much about your kids, as much as their friends and others who aren't part of your home - but socialize early and consistently and should be fine.

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Amazing dogs and great with kids. We had one growing up. If I ever get another dog it will be a Doberman

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Buddy of mine has two. They are great dogs but can be mischievious. Gotta Kennel train, and work with them daily to expend their energy