I'm getting a puppy...any advice

19711971 Posts: 1,661
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Its not a spur of the moment thing, been researching it for ages.

Were (hopefully) getting a doberman pup this weekend.

We initally thought about a bitch one but different people are telling us different things (pros and cons) and now dont know weather to get a dog one.
(Lady has both)

Any advice on bitch or dog or anything that I might have not researched already....thanks

Comments

  • XassyXassy Posts: 9,365
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    I wanted a female when I first decided on getting a puppy. However, I got a male and he is simply lovely. I'm not sure what the difference is but you can get good and bad tempered pups of either sex. How they turn out has a lot to do with training.

    Sorry, I am a new pup owner myself and I don't know too much. I'm sure some more experienced dog owners will be able to help. :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 145
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    we have a 6 year old boxer boy. the only thing i would say is that he hasn't calmed down at all as he gets older!!!! people say that having them castrated is a way to calm them down but we haven't had him done yet, think maybe that's a bit extreme just to calm a dog down. When i say he's not calm i don't mean in a nasty way, just very playful, and boisterous but not to the point that we can't control him.
    you have to consider with a bitch about when they are in season.
  • molybecksmolybecks Posts: 14,553
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    Well they say with male dogs they are less trouble, i suspect the saying means no periods etc. So maybe a male would be a better option if you feel you couldn't deal with the other side of things?
    other than that, good luck and make sure he/she will get a lot of love and affection.:)
  • marieukxxmarieukxx Posts: 4,830
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    I've only ever had boys and I've always had them done. It calms them down and stops the territorial marking lol. Also it protects the dog against getting prostate disease is later life which one of mine did get.

    Other advice would be to get insurance from the start. I used to think it wasn't worth it but it is definately worth it in the long run. My boy got really ill in later life and it cost me thousands.

    Train your dog right from the very start, get it socialised. It's important to get your dog used to being around other dogs and people or you will have problems.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 530
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    Well, IMHO females are more affectionate, perhaps easier to train than males. But, that's so much of a generalisation as to be next to useless. The mess isn't a problem if you don't want to breed from her - just have her 'done'.

    Much more important is the breeder and it's parents (of the puppy that is, not the breeder!). Try to see both the dam and sire and spend a reasonable amount time with them. As marie says, get him/her socialised - maybe puppy classes are in your area.

    I'm sure whatever you go for, you'll end up with a loving and loyal new member of the family!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,825
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    1971 wrote: »
    Its not a spur of the moment thing, been researching it for ages.

    Were (hopefully) getting a doberman pup this weekend.

    We initally thought about a bitch one but different people are telling us different things (pros and cons) and now dont know weather to get a dog one.
    (Lady has both)

    Any advice on bitch or dog or anything that I might have not researched already....thanks


    I can highly recommend this forum

    http://www.k9obedience.co.uk/dogtrainingforum/

    Check in with them for some very knowledgable advice. There are a couple of Dobie owners on there, and some expert advice to be had.
  • 19711971 Posts: 1,661
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    thanks people...
  • 19711971 Posts: 1,661
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    I can highly recommend this forum

    http://www.k9obedience.co.uk/dogtrainingforum/

    Check in with them for some very knowledgable advice. There are a couple of Dobie owners on there, and some expert advice to be had.


    Good site thanks
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,477
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    Dont - Only kidding :D

    I have a male Alaskan Malamute and boy he is hard work - but if you train them from the start you should have minimum problems, enrole him a class as soon as he has had all of his jags and take it from there. :)
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    The Diva wrote: »
    we have a 6 year old boxer boy. the only thing i would say is that he hasn't calmed down at all as he gets older!!!! people say that having them castrated is a way to calm them down but we haven't had him done yet, think maybe that's a bit extreme just to calm a dog down. When i say he's not calm i don't mean in a nasty way, just very playful, and boisterous but not to the point that we can't control him.
    you have to consider with a bitch about when they are in season.


    Don't expect him to calm down for a few years yet.

    We breed boxers, they're total clowns.

    Wouldn't have any other breed though :)
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    Sorry I would stay away from dogs.

    I find a bitch more loyal. They are less of a handful. IMO.
  • TWSTWS Posts: 9,307
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    dependant on your doggy experience and if you have had any experience with guarding breeds if not i would suggest a female.

    You really need to check what health tests have been done on the dam and sire as dobermans suffer a list of inherited ailments if not bred up to standard including von willebrands. They are not the in thing atm so you should be lucky and not too many bad breeders out there, would also want the dam and sire to have low hip and elbow scores and i would also ask if any relatives have had problems with GDV.

    With guarding breeds in general you need to train immediately from 8 weeks and get them out into the world after their first jab to training classes puppy parties meeting all types of dogs and all types of people otherwise you can make a rod for your own back
  • TWSTWS Posts: 9,307
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    also is it from work or show lines, as Dobermans being working dogs like to be kept busy, if they are from working lines it's double the handful:D
  • CineastCineast Posts: 2,483
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    Don't expect him to calm down for a few years yet.

    We breed boxers, they're total clowns.

    Wouldn't have any other breed though :)

    My dog's walking buddy is a 2 year old boxer, he is clown personified:D:D

    Much better than he was as a puppy, and taking him to socialisation classes has given him a bit more focus but he'll still take a bouncing fit when the mood takes him...Lovely dogs though
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,587
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    What i would say is make sure you train it from the start if you dont the puppy will rule you this is the mistake we made
  • carascaras Posts: 1,311
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    Don't expect him to calm down for a few years yet.

    We breed boxers, they're total clowns.

    Wouldn't have any other breed though :)


    I had a female boxer. she died last year aged 13.
    I am mad enough to be dogsitting a large male Boxer whilst Mums on holiday. He goes home on Saturday.

    Apart from the disgusting smells they are a fantastic breed.
  • wallo mr slugwallo mr slug Posts: 9,734
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    Yes, give it a cuddle from me! :)
  • StarDeltaStarDelta Posts: 485
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    "The Diva" boxers are as daft as a brush and playfull till the day they die, in my case not very long, but fantastic dogs.

    I would say take plenty of pics of you pup growing up and better still video, stick doberman in to You Tube see what clips there are.
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