pets4ever

Thanks Nancy, that was a good explanation. Do you think your male would fight if another male just wanted to play? I want to take my dog places etc. but if I ever had him at a beach or something and another dog bounded over, I would like to think it wouldn't be instant war. It would be nice if they'd play if they weren't both dominant and at the same level. Or it would be fun if he'd play with my friends dogs when we visit. Is there something special about male dobes that make people choose them just to be neutered companions? Why would people want to deal with aggressiveness if females aren't? ( I don't want to offend people who have or prefer males)...just asking for the heck of it. Maybe they are more laid back or extra sweet? :) I will ask the breeder about his aggression levels specifically and how he reacts to strange males. I didn't do this before but then she knows what I'm looking for. It's just that all other factors are good. By the way, my other dog is an older spayed female.

Actually, this dog I'm talking about is not a rescue, it's a older puppy from a good breeder. His temperament is right for what I want (not alpha, not hyper, smart)...it's just his sex. I should think a good part of it is individual and socialization. I was just wondering since I've heard that male dobes are aggressive. They implied no leeway - just like a couple of the responses from my original question. Hmmmm. This pup sounds right otherwise and I AM tired of waiting for the right temperament female and taking a gamble that there will be the right temperament in the litter. His age is also nice since I will be able to skip the baby puppy puddles etc. and the ear taping duties. I usually have female dogs and have had a couple dog aggressive females. The only male dog I've ever had was intact and never picked a fight with anyone. He could get along with whoever. So you see...I'm a little confused. Of course I'm going to question the breeder a little more before I do anything but this group is the perfect place to get a lot of info and real life experience very quickly! :wink:

Hi all, I have heard that male dobes can be aggressive, but they never say if the males are intact or have been neutered. Do you or anyone know if that "other dog aggression" applies to neutered dobes as well as intact ones? I don't like constant aggression and am considering adopting a male dobe (soon to be neutered) and so of course, am curious. At the moment he is quite young and so does not know about mature male issues. If you fix them soon enough, before they mature, can you nip the aggression in the bud? Opinions requested and welcome..... :)

Hurray! That didn't take long at all...must be the right name. It is a good name. Congrats again and good luck with Sheba! You'll have to put up a picture periodically so we can see how she grows... :wink:

Okay, I got a couple more, of course these are all only due to her markings. There's a million more regular names. I've got names on the brain cuz I'm going to be in the same boat soon when I get my puppy :D ..Here they are - Frosty and Snowshoe (like the snowshoe hare when it changes it's coat color). Good luck naming and have fun with your pup!

How about Shasta? She certainly is pretty with those UNIQUE markings! I've never seen anything like them. I think you'll be getting complements on her wherever you take her. How old is she?

Sounds like you have your own happy little community! do you take all the dogs with you places or do they take turns? I don't think I could do it...two dogs is my max! Of course I have other animals also, but not more than two per species - I think my husband would take off if I did! :lol:

My queensland and my cat used to wrestle all the time! There was no hissing and barking but there was a heck of a lot of running (in my tiny place) claws digging in the carpet - and they'd be rolling around on the floor with the cat "hugging" the dog looking like he was trying to rip her neck out. She'd be very gentle with the cat when she played back. Then they'd break off and the cat would circle sloooowwwly...then POUNCE again. They'd play and play and then they'd find a fly to chase together. They were good friends. The cat would stalk and then pounce on the dog and start a session of funtime! The funny thing was that the reason I got the cat was to train her to like cats - originally, she wanted to kill any cat she saw, even one at a distance. The strategy worked like a charm. She wouldn't think about chasing a cat now - they are A-OK.

Gizmo- I have vaccinated for kennel cough myself and it is VERY simple since it is not an injection. It was a little squeeze vial that you squirt up their nose. I bought it at a feed store and it was inexpensive. Hopefully, where you live you can buy stuff like that close to your house, if not there are a lot of catalogs where you could buy it even cheaper! :D

Hello everyone, I am new to the group having just signed up. I currently have a Queensland Heeler (red) and will be getting a Doberman in a few months. I had to respond to this subject and the direction it's taking. Obviously, man has bred the drop ear trait into domestic dogs! They have bred every breed of dog there is from wolves and dingos, etc. Wild canines have erect ears, they can hear better and stay cleaner. It doesn't matter that there are no drop ear wild dogs in order to create one! It doesn't happen overnight. Of course you must admit that a wolf looks nothing like a poodle or a chihuahua or an old english sheepdog. People created them little by little. It's called selection. When it happens in nature, it's natural selection. Many traits dogs have nowadays would be detrimental in the wild, but that's the way people wanted them, and the dogs don't care- -they are just happy to be! As for the ear-cropping issue, if it's done well and taken care of, it is just a minor annoyance for a while to the pup. They don't know any different and they are happy, and when it's over, they don't remember or dwell on it. It's when it's done poorly or cruelly (scissors!?) and not cleaned and retaped properly (by the new owner) that problems come up. I don't think it's any more cruel than circumsicion, or piercing baby's ears or whatever. As for the sisters dobe pup, I think that the fact that she had to have it done (bad sign), that it might have been done late and so the pup was more "aware" of it; and also maybe she isn't cleaning and retaping as often as she should be. Well, I know that this was a long ranting post, especially for a new person and I hope I didn't step on any toes. I like your site and like that fact that everyone writes in a lot and has different opinions. :wink: