How good is a doberman as a family dog? Will it be wise to add a dobe puppy to a household of children above 4-9 years?

Hello everyone,

As someone who's owned Dobermans as family dogs for nearly 15 years, I believe I have a lot of personal experience to share on this topic. In my experience, Dobermans can make excellent family dogs, but it's important to remember that individual temperament can vary greatly depending on the dog.

Dobermans tend to be very loyal to their families and can be protective, which can be great when it comes to keeping your family safe. However, this can backfire if they become overly aggressive, so socialization and good training are critical. We enrolled our two Dobermans in obedience classes and continue to work with them regularly to ensure their socialization and training stay on course.

One thing to keep in mind is that Dobermans tend to be energetically charged and require a lot of exercise and attention. It's important to have the right resources to be able to provide them with enough exercise and mental stimulation. In our experience, they love to play fetch and go for long hikes, but it's important to figure out what activities work best for your own Doberman.

Finally, it's important to remember that Dobermans can be prone to certain health conditions, such as heart issues and hip dysplasia, so it's important to choose a reputable breeder and make sure your dog receives regular veterinary care.

In summary, Dobermans can make great family dogs, but only if you are committed to socializing and training them properly. They require a lot of exercise and attention, so you should make sure that you have enough time and resources to meet these requirements. In the end, if you're willing to make the investment, they can become a lifelong source of loyalty and affection in your family.

Hi there,

I'm a Doberman owner with three young children under the age of 10, so I can provide my personal experience on this topic. In my opinion, Dobermans make excellent family dogs. They are highly intelligent, loyal, and protective, and can be great companions for kids. However, I will say that training is key when it comes to owning a Doberman as a family pet.

We've had our Doberman since he was a puppy, and we made sure to socialize him properly with both kids and adults. We enrolled him in obedience classes early on, and he's now well-trained and obedient. He's also a bundle of energy, so we make sure to take him on long walks and provide plenty of playtime.

One challenge we faced was managing our Doberman's natural protective instincts. He is very loyal and can be protective of our family, especially around strangers. We worked on this by training him to be comfortable around visitors, and he now handles new people with ease. It's important to provide plenty of socialization opportunities so that your Doberman learns to differentiate between what is a threat and what is not.

Overall, I would say that Dobermans can make great family dogs, but they require consistent training, exercise and socialization. If you're willing to commit to these requirements, and make sure that you properly supervise interactions between your dog and children, then a Doberman could be a great addition to your family.

Hi everyone,

I have owned a Doberman for the past 8 years, and I can confidently say that they make excellent family dogs. They are loyal and protective, which can be advantageous when it comes to your family's safety. However, it's important to note that individual temperament varies from dog to dog, regardless of breed.

In our experience, our Doberman has been incredibly gentle with our children, and he is very aware of their presence. That being said, Dobermans are known to be protective, which means they might not be the ideal breed if you have children who are boisterous or like to play rough. They can misinterpret such behavior as a threat and react accordingly.

One thing to keep in mind is that Dobermans tend to be a high energy breed, so they require lots of exercise and plenty of mental stimulation. This can be a challenge if you have a busy schedule or are away from home for long periods during the day.

In conclusion, Dobermans can make great family pets, but it's important to select the right dog and provide them with the right training and environment. If you have children, it's crucial that they learn how to interact with the dog in a gentle and respectful manner. Ultimately, you should choose a breed based on your lifestyle and family's needs rather than solely relying on breed stereotypes.

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Hello friend,

I have a four-year-old son and we also own a Doberman. Based on my personal experience with the breed, I can tell you they can make great family dogs. What we did was start with a puppy and we socialized him with our son and other children as early as possible. This way he got used to being around kids and we were able to establish a bond between them.

Our Doberman is now 3 years old and is incredibly affectionate towards my son. He loves to play with him and always follows him around the house. He is also very protective of our family, which makes us feel very secure.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that they can be quite energetic and require lots of exercise. We make sure to take our Doberman on regular walks and play dates with other dogs. However, even though they are energetic, they are also very intelligent and can be trained to follow commands quickly.

Overall, I think Dobermans can be great family dogs, providing they are trained and socialized early. They're loyal, playful, and protective, and will form a strong bond with their families. Just make sure you're prepared for a high-energy dog and can invest the time and attention necessary to care for them.

Hi OP,

I have a Doberman and I think they can make great family dogs, but it really depends on the individual dog's temperament and how they are raised. My Doberman is incredibly gentle with my children and is very protective of them. He's energetic and playful, but knows how to tone it down around my youngest child. We've had him since he was a puppy, and we made sure to socialize him properly with kids and other dogs.

That being said, I know other Doberman owners whose dogs do not do well with kids. They can be a bit stubborn and need a firm hand in training. I would recommend finding a reputable breeder and meeting the puppy's parents to get a sense of their temperament. It's also important to supervise interactions between the dog and children, and teach your kids how to properly respect and handle the dog.

Ultimately, I think Dobermans can make great family dogs, but it's not a decision that should be taken lightly. Do your research, talk to breeders and other owners, and make sure you have the time and commitment to properly train and care for a Doberman. Good luck!

Hello everyone,

I have been a Doberman owner for over a decade now and I can assure you they make great family pets. However, before you decide to bring one into your home, there are a few things you should consider.

Dobermans are a large breed and require plenty of exercises, they love to run around and play, so it's important to have a yard or take them out for regular walks. They are also incredibly smart and crave lots of mental stimulation. We like to give our Doberman interactive toys to play with or hide treats around the house to keep him entertained throughout the day.

In terms of their temperament, Dobermans are known for their loyalty and protective nature. However, it's important to train them properly so that they do not become overly aggressive. We made sure to train our Doberman as a puppy, and he's now very friendly and gets along great with our young children. He's affectionate and loves to cuddle with them.

Lastly, Dobermans can have health issues, such as Von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder) and hip dysplasia. It's important to choose a reputable breeder who parents are free of these issues.

In conclusion, I believe that Dobermans can make excellent family dogs if they are loved, trained, and properly socialized. They require lots of attention and exercise, but if you're willing to make the commitment, I'm sure you'll find the reward of having a loyal and loving Doberman as a family member to be worth it.

Hello everyone,

I am a mother of three and have owned a Doberman for the past four years. In my experience, Dobermans can be great family dogs, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Dobermans are highly energetic and require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. This means that if you have a busy schedule, it can be challenging to provide them with enough attention and exercise. They are also quite intelligent and need plenty of socialization and training, so it's essential to find a good trainer and invest time in training your dog.

Also, while Dobermans are renowned for their loyalty and protective instincts, they can also be fiercely independent. This can create tension if they don't consider you their leader. We've had to work on establishing trust and demonstrating our leadership to our Doberman from the beginning. We enrolled him in basic obedience classes and made sure to challenge him mentally with toys and puzzles.

However, in terms of temperament, we've found our Doberman to be incredibly affectionate and gentle with our children. He is also very loyal and protective, giving us a sense of security with him around. In the end, it really comes down to finding the right dog and investing the time and effort to train and socialize them.

Overall, I believe Dobermans can make great family dogs as long as you're willing to invest the time and effort necessary to care for them properly. So, if you're thinking about getting a Doberman, make sure you're ready for the commitment and willing to give them the attention and care they need to thrive.

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