Doberman VS Children Advice...

[LoopyLouize]

Hi girls,

I am looking for your view and advice on what you think about having a Doberman around a young baby.

I am not familiar with the breed and to be honest I am not particular interested in getting one as a pet. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, and I think Dobermans are one of the most sophisticated and beautiful looking dogs around, BUT my OH loves them and wants one. He is very much used to dogs, although has only ever had Cocker Spaniels as a family pet.

So.. now this is were I need your views and especially looking for people who are familiar with the breed. My OH is adamant that we are having this breed of dog once our baby is over 1 years old. I am putting my foot down and saying NO. For the following reason;

A - OH works away ALOT and sometimes I will only see him on the weekends
B - I don't feel like I myself know enough or can handle such a big dog
C - I feel I will struggle with OH working away so much, I will be alone with a full time job, looking after a lil one and such a big dog!
D - I feel abit intimidated by such a big dog

I have given OH all of these reasons but he is still being a selfish prat and told me he is going to bring one home whether I like it or not!!

So.. to be honest.. I don't know what answers I am looking for as I think even if you all told me this breed of dog is the best in the world.. I don't think it will change my mind on the matter. I just want your views and personal take on the matter so I can show my OH this thread.

 

[Princess81]

Personally, I don't think I would. Well not till baby is older anyway perhaps. Nothing against Dobermans by the way though, I think I'd be worried with any dog around a baby especially when it's a new dog and you don't know its personality etc?

 

[l_maclean]

I dunno much about Dobermans particularly - not a breed im very familiar with. But my auntie has a HUGE black lab - who was brilliant with her grandkids - my cousins lil boy could do things to that dog that no do should ever had to deal with - ears pulled everywhere, full hands right in the dogs mouth. One day the two of them shared a whole box of dog biscuits - (the S**t after that day from both of them was unbelievable). And my mum and dads collie is amazing with my bro's kids - to the point that he would take his toys to them at six months old - and once the would hold one end of his tugger he'd pull just enough so they coud feel it.


I would say that if you're thinking of a dog - make sure its from a reputable breeder, with a good natured pedigree - and maybe worth while investing in some professional training - my auntie did that as she didnt want there to be a risk with the kids.

That said if you're not going to be comfortable with the dog then it prob isnt going to work - cos the dog would need to know that your in charge, and if you think you'd feel intimidated by it - thats really not a good start.

Could you not compromise by looking for a smaller breed of dog that you'd be comfy around??
xxx

 

[natashateale]

Hey hun my antie used to have a doberman so i know abit about them.
I know that they make very good guard dogs and will protect their owners, house and garden from anything. All they need lots of excersise on the leed and need introducing to stranger very early on and often because of there protective side toward there family they can be quite agressive toward strangers. So plenty of socialising is very important.
Also another thing to me considered is they can be very dominant and you need to earn their trust almost. You need to be firm and tough with it so it knows u are in control. Also it need lots of attention, otherwise it will distrust u just as much as strangers. My antie had to get give up her dobe cuz he was too dominant.

Here is a link about the breed.
http://www.k9obedience.co.uk/dogbreed/dobermanpinscher.html
Hope it helps.xx

 

[Miss]

I will be blunt....why on earth would your OH want to bring an aggressive, dominant, breed that he has never had before into the home of his fearful partner/wife and child?

Sorry hun you are right he is bloody selfish!

If he had the time and experience to train and look after the dog then OK but sounds to me like he doesn't.

Don't mess with such a powerful breed that wants the attention most people would give to a child and if they do not get it but see a child getting it they will get jealous!

X

 

[MrsDraven]

If he's barely ever going to be in then he shouldn't be getting a dog regardless of breed. Animals and children need a lot of taking care of, it's unfair to expect you to do both at once. Don't buy an animal you can't care for has always been my motto.
As for the breed itself, I've been around various dogs all my life and it's usually down to how they're trained and brought up from pup as regards to their aggressiveness. And you would both need to take the time train the dog in this so they listen to both of you and not just one dominant owner. So if your OH is going to be out working, don't bother. You both need the time and dedication and you just can't do that when he's out and you're trying to care for a baby.
Tell him to get a rabbit or something. Much easier to care for than a dog and a lot safer for a baby.

 

[LouiseB]

Dobermans can actually be very child friendly, if you pay a lot of money for them.

You really do not want to get one from some random guy as idiots will breed them to try and be aggressive to make themselves look "well 'ard"

You MUST take your child along to meet BOTH of your puppies parents.

It might seem rediculous, but they have personality traits that are passed on through generations just like humans and training can't overcome them all - such as aggression.

You want it them calm but playful.

All that is basically for when you are ready to have a dog but i do agree 100% with you that it is not a good idea.

You shouldn't even be able to get a dog at all. A good breeder would not sell you a puppy unless one person doesn't work more than part-time and they certainly wouldn't sell to you if you have a baby.

The safest bet would be a rescue because the shelter will consider what is best for you and best for the dog based on your situation.

I also suggest to your OH that it would be much more meaningful to your baby to experience getting a new dog when they are old enough to appreciate it

 

[lisey27]

Hiya, I dont know anything about this breed but I have two dogs (they are small dogs) and I love them, they are amazing company and wonderful pets but they are such hard work, you cant just book a holiday and leave them at home so there's working out a dog-sitter that you trust, can't work full-time if you have dogs, they need and want attention and walking everyday etc.
If you're not happy about it and your OH is away alot its not fair because if you're concerned about being able to handle such a large dog then how will you be able to push and pushchair and hold the lead of a large dog that could be pulling? This is obviously just my opinion from my personal experiences but I hope you make whatever decision is right for you xx

 

[Geminiblue]

I think the issue is your partner not the dog situation isnt it?! Say, ok bring the dog home and I will take it straight out the door and get it rehomed. I get the hump with my cat (hes a main coone) breed and hes massive and demanding and found him enough when my child was 1yr old! the cat could do as much damage as a small dog BUT the cat is scared of his own shaddow so doesnt go near my child. Thats not to say that I leave them alone in a room together. I dont. Good luck hun x

 

[Laura_C]

We have just had to rehome our 5 year old Collie because he doesn't get enough exercise, time and attention. He had become almost like a house dog, he is strong on the lead so I cant take him out when pregnant or with a young baby. My husband had responsibility for him but at the beginning of the year took on a new job and now works very long hours. The poor dog wasn't getting the mental stimulation he deserved. He was beginning to show strange behaviours and I was worried about bringing a new baby into the home. I thought he may have difficulty adjusting down the pack yet again iykwim. He has always been wonderful with my daughter and is a big softie but his protection of us was getting ridiculous. He was becoming very territorial, actually to the point of attacking cats etc that came into our garden - he killed one and injured another badly. He was getting protection around his food at mealtimes and often acted strangely which had been a recent development, I knew it was time he was given what he deserved. He needed a family that had time for him and our current lifestyle just didn't allow for that. We got him before we had kids, our first child was unplanned so we just went with it. I wish now we had waited until we had kids and they were a minimum of about 5 years old before considering it, I think at that age children appreciate animals so much more and we could have done more together as a family. You need to consider all factors, cleaning up dog mess, I used to have to do the rounds in the garden before letting my daughter out I hated it. If you get a pup they are honestly harder work than a newborn, I mean that honestly! They don't sleep through for months sometimes when they are that young! Hair in the home is another factor, think of baby crawling in it, I had to hover several times a day. So much to consider so it's important to think of everything. Also can you afford to keep the dog, vaccinations, vet care etc doesn't come cheap. X

 

[WILMAFLINSTONE]

Honestly??? I totally agree with 'MISS'! Why on earth would he do something so bizzar when you have made it perfectly clear your not happy or comfortable with him getting this breed of dog! The dog would sense your unease and who knows!!!
I think he is being very selfish and vertainly not putting you or his baby first!
If it were my DH saying hes bringing one home whether I like it or not HE would be going!

Put your foot down and protect yourself and your baby!

No matter how many people say oh my dog is soft and wouldnt hurt anyone....they DO NOT KNOW this and dogs can and DO turn at any time!

Pretty cross reading your post tbh why dont folk put they kids first!!!

xxx

 

[LoopyLouize]

Oops, totally forgot about this thread! Sorry for the late reply!

Thank you for all your replies, all are appreciated

Miss and Wilma, your thoughts are like my own ha ha! He is being selfish and I told him that if he brings one home without my acceptance on the matter, the dog will be going straight back where it came from... (Harsh I know) His answer to that would be...

"No you wouldn't, I know you love animals and would see the doberman puppy and fall in love"

Worst thing is.. Is I am a softie for puppies, kittens etc and I know he is right..

So my reply was not the truth at all but just to get my point across I said

"If you bring a dog home, I swear when you go away to work, I will get rid of it"

Since then we have talked and I have compromised and told him he can have a doberman in a few years when little one has moved out and had kids of her/his own and so long as he is office based and home every night rather than on the road. So he said he would like a dog to protect me whilst he is working away... I told him I would be happy with a dog we are BOTH familiar with such as a cocker spaniel and ONLY this breed of dog will I allow in my home once baby is old enough..

He pulled his face but agreed.

Phew!

Watch this space lol.. He brings a bloody doberman back I will hang him by his bollocks! (OH not the dog lol)

x

 

[Cazza]

Just caught this thread..........we've had Dobes in the past and wouldn't hesitate to have one again.

They are incredibly good natured (NOT aggressive or 'dominant') and loyal to their family especially with younger members IF bought from reputable breeders who hold temprement up high with health tests.

BUT I agree with you that at the moment if you do not feel you want one then no he should not have one, it has to be a joint decision. As pointed out no good breeder will sell one to you if you are nervous of them or not sure!!

When you are ready to look into any breed go to some dog shows near you (or Discover Dogs at Crufts), speak to people in the breed and see what these dogs are like up close and personal. Many breeders will happily invite would be owners to meet their dogs at home to see what they are like to live with. This way you get to know which lines you prefer and build a relationship with the breeder so they can help you eventually chose the right pup.

I have a lovely family on my puppy list for 2013, they have become friends over the last 2 years that we have known them joining us at shows and races and we've let them run our dogs in harness. They had a baby this year and already have a 2 year old so have sensibly waited until they are in a better position to have a pup.

 

[Princess81]

my o/h would love a pair of alaskan malamutes, I told him when he retires he can have what ever he wants when he's home all the time to look after them. He retires in 9 years so kind of a nice age for Pea to get a pet as well.
It's not fair for him to get something that he cant' commit to because of work hun, you'd defo be lumbered with it's care and it'll be hard enough getting to grips with a new baby x

 

[LoopyLouize]

Cazza, I am so coming to you for advice on dogs when I need it lol! Your like a book of knowledge on dogs!

Princess, those dogs are beautiful dogs aren't they They look like you could just cuddle them alllll day! Bless

x

 

[NinjaKitty]

Cazzas ace on the dog front I still think she should have her own advice section lol.

I'll volunteer to be the mad cat lady. You know the one with 50 cats who smells of wee and carries round 10 plastic bags the whole time

 

[Cazza]

Princess, those dogs are beautiful dogs aren't they They look like you could just cuddle them alllll day! Bless

x

.......................and I have 5 Alaskan Malamutes!!!! (as well as a Canadian Eskimo DOg and 3 Border Collies!!)

Seriously hard work though - wouldn't entirely recommend them as 'pets' they love to work .............and dig..............and wooo wooo LOTS!!!