Thinking of getting either a Rottie or Dobe - comments?

[johnson1999]

First of all I just want to say what a great source of information this board is. Secondly, I'm thinking of getting either a doberman or a rottweiler. I've talked to reputable breeders of both breeds and would like to get feedback from anyone who has owned or had experience with both breeds.

I have been around both breeds but never owned either. I have significant experience with dogs having owned and trained my dogs my whole life. However, this will be my first "large dog" . My fiancee has never owned a dog before and is a little hesitant about the larger breeds.

Any comments on the major differences in the breed would be appreciated. As a side note - I plan on spending alot of time training, socializing and just plain running around outside with the dog so space and energy are not problems.

Jasper1116@aol.com

[Joanne in NJ]

I have 3 of each, and I gotta tell you- dobies are noisy!

[myrotti2002]

I prefer Rotti's too I have had more "issues" with the dobies I have had than with the rotti's...but every dog is different....I grew up around dobies and it seems to me that the rotti's are calmer and more eager to learn and listen.But again this is just my personal experience

[German Vanegas]

A well-bred performance Doberman Pinscher is a superb working dog! I grew up around Dobies, a family tradition, until I switched to the ultimate performace breed: the Rottweiler ;) :) My parents continued being Doberman fans though

The problem with the Doberman is that, bred up to the true standards of the breed, are hard to find :( Back in the seventies, the popularity of the Doberman provoked a spurt of wanton careless breeding that terribly ruined the Doberman... Something similar happened with the Rottweiler in the mid eighties and early nineties :(

Anyway, you can't wrong with either breed, as long as you get it from an ethical reputable breeder

Note: If the Doberman is "noisy" is due to weak nerves which, unfortunately, is common with that breed nowadays.

[Joe's dog]

I had both 5 years ago and my dobi took me 3 time the effort to traine then my Rott.

This time I bought a rott only.

Like the other one said, It is just a personnal experience. I dont want to put the Dob down. They are still really nice dogs but to my opinion, you need to be a bit more patient.

[Mick Trainer]

I have at present a very well bred Dobe bitch as well as my rotts (I have also trained many of each breed) and for me the biggest difference between the two (both being from good breeding of course) is the energy level and intensity in life of the dobe is far higher. Both excellent dogs. Sound nerves, great drives, very affectionate, etc but the dobe has energy up to her eye balls. She is full on. I can swim her for an hour and she will still do laps of the back yard.

Think about what you want in a dog and then make a decision.

I would also echo what German has said but also say I do find it harder to find a good dobe than a Rott. (I am in the Rott circle so to speak). The dobes I feel have suffered more from poor nerve than the Rott (although the Rott is going the same way). This can give them a real sharpness and low threshold with their strong defensive drive. Although my bitch shows non of this.

Mick.

[johnson1999]

Thanks for all the info - the fact that the dobe's have alot more energy has me leaning a bit more toward the rotts at this point.

My fiancee who never had a dog - is a little wary about rotts because of all the bad press they get. Are they good around kids? Any suggestions or anecdotes that can help me sway my fiancee toward getting a rottie?

[Karyn]

the one thing you will hear over and over and over is constant SOCILIZATION and consistent TRAINING.

[LucyJ]

Originally posted by Karyn:
<STRONG>the one thing you will hear over and over and over is constant SOCILIZATION and consistent TRAINING.</STRONG>

That's the answer for your fiance. Make sure she's involved in everything. And Yes, they CAN be great with kids if well socialized with them and the kids are taught how to behave properly around them. I have four sons, the youngest two were 5 years old when we adopted Chief at 7 months, and he is wonderful with them. Mojo, 16 months and just adopted last month, has some issues with our 11 year old that we are working on. I also do daycare and keep them separated from the kids, but the kids love to over to the gate (supervised) to get lots of doggie kisses. :)

[ April 27, 2001: Message edited by: LucyJ ]

[Carina43]

johnson...I can see where alexa is coming from, too. Only if your fiancee is willing to be an integral part of owning, training & loving the dog should you get a potentially challenging dog like a Rottie.

Can't speak for Dobes, but I can give you an anecdote or two re: Rotties with kids. I have had three males, each raised from puppies. Each one was rock solid stable & sweet around children, because I made a big point of socializing them with children (since I don't have any.) I never left kids with my dogs unsupervised (and I also trained the kids how to act around dogs!), but I really don't think my dogs would have harmed a hair on their heads. My third Rottie is only 16 weeks old. But when he plays with friends' kids, I already notice he holds back a little & is not as rowdy with them...but I make an effort for him to be so! Mine have always been very sweet & protective with my cats, though strange cats are fair game (same can apply to small children, I think!)

Cute anecdote: An aquaintance of mine got a rescue rott, a 2 year old male, who had been raised with children. "Samson" had never been formally trained, so he was horrible on a leash & did not know basic commands. One of Claudia's children, two yrs old, was quite severely developmentally disabled. Samson was very gentle with the children, but especially so with Samuel. Samuel could hold the leash & Samson was like a lamb with him. Claudia does day care in her home & the dog is never a problem.


Having said all this, a Rottie would not be my first choice breed to have in a home with babies or small children. I would do it because I think I'm experienced with dogs & Rotties in general, but only with a lot of care & training.

[ April 27, 2001: Message edited by: Carina43 ]

[alexav]

I hate to be a wet blanket here, but here goes. I don't think that a Dobie OR a Rottie would be a good choice for someone who A.) has never owned a large dog and B.)Is in a serious relationship with someone who is admittedly intimidated by both breeds.
I see WAY too many cases of people deciding to give up the dog after maturity because the more timid person in the relationship can't handle the dog. We all know that both of these breeds have a tendancy to want to be the boss. I'm not saying that it can't work, I just think that they should both think it through.
IF BOTH PARTNERS ARE NOT COMMITTED TO THE DOG, THE DOG'S CHANCES OF A PERMANENT HOME ARE AT RISK.
A recent study showed that out of a litter of 10 Rottweilers, only 1! will remain in it's original home for life. That just makes me cry. Adult dogs are tough to place and if you have even a SHADOW of a doubt, Get a Golden Retriever.
I know I must sound like a big meanie and I really don't mean to be disrespectful, I just love dogs so much and they can't speak up for themselves so I try to do the best I can to make the world a better place for dogs, one person at a time.

[DianaC]

Originally posted by alexaV:
[QB]I don't think that a Dobie OR a Rottie would be a good choice for someone who A.) has never owned a large dog and B.)Is in a serious relationship with someone who is admittedly intimidated by both breeds.QB]

I disagree I had a Rotti as my first big dog (previously owned a Toy Poodle) and I found I adapted quickly to owning a big dog. I don't think it's the size of the dog that matters. Once trained they're all great.

[ April 28, 2001: Message edited by: DianaC ]

[rottmommie]

My rottie was not my first large dog.
He was the first large dog that I took the time to train and cared enough to do the research to make sure that his training and nutrition and exercise and EVERYTHING would be adequate.
I guess what I am trying to prove, is it really didnt matter that I had previously owned a large dog (several as a matter of fact), it taught me nothing at all about raising and training large breed dogs.
What I have learned from reading and watching and learning from various opinions on this board as well as books has taught me more than anything!!!!
I might just as well have had a chihuahua!

[johnson1999]

Alexa - I appreciate your concern and your points are well taken. While I have never "owned" a rott I own horses and have been around several rotts on a regular basis at the farm where we keep the horses.

I am actually also considering a rescue as we will "know what we're getting" in terms of temperment and so forth with an older dog.

[sumo]

ok, as some of you may know by now, i'm no breed expert and know very little about animal behavior, so i'd just like to post my observations of my father's 4 dobermans (11 in his lifetime)...

1) extra work involved to set the ears. not necessary on the rotti.

2) his dobi's seem to like to run and run and run...lots of energy...it seems they require more yard space or extra daily walks than the rotti.

3) they seem slower to learn than most rotties i know of.

4) my father lives on a beachfront property yet his dogs still don't like to swim, nor any of his previous dobi's

5) his like to bark and make excessive noise, which i have found bothersome because the bark is higher pitched than a deep rotti bark.

6) natural walking speed seems faster than that of a rotti...his dobes are really good on the leash, but whenever i've walked them, i've had to adjust my walking speed.

i know these considerations are simple and perhaps obvious, but i hope they help...good luck. :)