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Q:

Would an Australian Shepherd mix with a Doberman make a good family dog?

Hi everyone,

I'm considering adopting a mixed breed puppy that's part Australian Shepherd and part Doberman. I've done some research on each breed individually, but I haven't been able to find much information on how well they would mix together as a family dog.

My husband and I have two young children, so it's important to us that our future dog is friendly, loyal, and good with kids. We're also looking for a dog that will be relatively easy to train and won't have too many health issues in the future.

From what I've read, both breeds are intelligent and active, which is great because we enjoy spending time outdoors and going for walks. However, I'm a little worried that the combination of the two breeds might result in a dog with a high prey drive, since Dobermans were originally bred for hunting and Australian Shepherds are known for their herding instincts.

Overall, we're looking for some insight from dog owners who have experience with either breed, or who have owned a mixed breed with similar characteristics. Do you think an Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix would make a good family dog, or should we consider a different breed?

Thanks for your help!

All Replies

yzieme

Hello,

I don't have any experience with Australian Shepherds or Dobermans, but I can share a bit about my experience with mixed breed dogs. My dog is a mixed breed with four different dog breeds, and he's turned out to be an amazing family dog.

Mixed breed dogs can get the best traits from both breeds, and it sounds like an Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix could create a unique, loyal, and loving family dog. At the same time, mixed breed dogs can also inherit undesirable traits such as aggression or high prey drive, so it's important to meet your potential new pup and get to know their personality before adopting them.

With two young children, a family dog is a great idea, and choosing the right breed and individual dog is critical. To ensure the pup is the right fit for your family, consider spending some time with them before taking them home, and work with a certified dog trainer from the beginning to help with socialization and training.

I believe that an Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix could make an excellent family dog, but there are a lot of factors to consider before welcoming one into your home. Wishing you the best of luck with your decision, and I hope you find the perfect addition to your family soon!

jaleel26

Hi there,

I have experience with both breeds, and I think a mix of an Australian Shepherd and a Doberman could make a great family dog. Both breeds are generally intelligent, loyal, and active, and they can form tight bonds with their human family members.

However, Dobermans can be prone to aggression, especially if not socialized well, so it's important to make sure that any mixed breed pup you're considering has been socialized from a young age. Australian Shepherds can also be high-energy dogs that require regular exercise, so it's important to factor that into your decision-making process as well.

One concern with a mixed breed of these two breeds is that they can be prone to developing separation anxiety. Both the Australian Shepherd and the Doberman thrive on human attention, so leaving them alone for long periods could result in destructive behaviors or anxiety. It's important to make sure that someone is around to keep them company for most of the day, whether it be someone in the family or a dog-sitter.

In conclusion, an Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix could make a great family dog if they're socialized well from a young age, they receive regular exercise, and someone can be around to give them attention throughout the day. I hope this helps in your decision-making process!

yhettinger

Hey there,

I have experience with both breeds, but not specifically with a mixed Australian Shepherd/Doberman. However, I can tell you that both breeds are highly intelligent, active, and loyal dogs. They are also typically great with children if socialized properly.

One thing to keep in mind though is that both breeds can have a lot of energy, and require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. So, be prepared to spend some time each day engaging in activities with your dog, like going on long walks or playing fetch.

As for the prey drive concern, it's definitely possible that your mixed breed could show interest in chasing after small animals, but it's not necessarily a given. It really depends on the individual dog and how they were raised and socialized.

Overall, I think an Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix could make a great family dog if you're willing to put in the time and effort to train and socialize them. But, I would also suggest meeting the puppy beforehand to get a sense of their temperament and energy level, and to make sure they're a good fit for your family.

Hope that helps!

elenor58

Hey there,

As a Doberman owner, I can say that they are incredibly loyal dogs and form strong bonds with their family. They are also very intelligent and can be trained easily with positive reinforcement methods.

However, Dobermans can be protective and somewhat territorial, which might be an issue in a mixed breed with Australian Shepherd. Australian Shepherds are also fiercely loyal and protective of their family, so it's possible that these traits could amplify in a mixed breed. So, it's essential to socialize and train them from a young age to help control their protective tendencies.

Regarding the high prey drive, I haven't seen my Doberman display any hunting instincts. They are usually playful dogs that enjoy spending time with their family more than anything else. However, given that your mixed breed comes from a Shepherd and a Doberman, it's essential to be extra vigilant and keep them on a leash during walks in areas with small animals.

In conclusion, I think that a well-socialized and trained Australian Shepherd/Doberman mix could make an excellent family dog. If you are willing to put in the time and effort required to train and socialize them, then you will have a friendly, loyal, and active companion that will be great with kids.

Hope that helps!

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