are there any doberman enthusiasts out there?

[NicoleRussell]

If someone wanted to get a watchdog--full grown that could also be safe around their children and other pets would an adult doberman be the breed?
Can someone buy an adult that is trained or do you have to start from scratch with a puppy?

[MED04]

When I was younger, we had a Doberman. He got hit by a car though, so thanks for bringing that up Nicole I have heard that Dobermans are great with kids (I used to dog-sit for one who was awesome). Having said that, we also had a rottweiler (my Dad traveled a lot and hel felt better having the dog around) and she would have died before she let anything happen to any of us. She was well trained and behaved wonderfully. She did scare the occasional friend, but she was wonderful!

[dball]

Not so sure about dobermans but an adult female rottweiler would be a good choice imo. Some might not agree.

Rotts are very protective over their household. Females are supposedly a bit better for the familly as a whole. I know our rott when I was growing up never bit anyone, he would growl, but never bite. And even when he would get outside and someone who wasn't supposed to be there was like the meter guy, he would not attack but he would corner them and not allow them to leave or even move til one of us called him away. I don't want to know what would've happened had they tried to run.

We got our rott when I was 4 and he lived 11-12 years. I will admit they are not a play fetch kind of dog. At least ours and the other I have met aren't. But if you are looking for protection of your family and belongings Rotts are the way to go. I would still have never traded him for a more playful dog either.

One time when we were out of town for instance my uncle (who our rott knew and liked) would come over and let him out to "go". The first day after my uncle let him back in the house my uncle went to wash his hands, but our Rott became very protective and would not let him in any further. So he left and didn't try to come in the house the rest of the time we were gone.

All the dobermans I have met in my life were very afraid of people and would run when you would try to pet them. That turned me off to them.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[dball]

she would have died before she let anything happen to any of us

That really is how ours was when we had him. Very nice behaved dogs when trained properly, but when it comes to their family and home they are not a dog to mess with.

Now I am really missing him.

[Cristina]

I would go w/ a Rottie..They are wonderful family dog who will go to the ends of the earth for them..Of course like any dog you have to make sure its stable and well socialzied..I would go w/ a puppy to a one yr old so he/she will groee up w/ you and your fam, they are truly wonderful dog w/ a goofy personally..Im not sayin all, but Dobie have more problems intergrating w/ a family..I would not bring an older Dobie into a fam w/ children

[Cristina]

my Rottie does play fetch and other tricks..they are very smart, but a personally that only other Rotties owners will understand..weary when they first meet ppl..they "check" them out..but warm up in a couple of min

[Bangswitch]

This should help you out a little. LOL Dont you just love the little ones? This is Shonie.