hey, I'm anoobie with a question

[Want a Doberman]

Hey, cool site. I'm not sure if this should go here, but In a few months I will be moving, and I'm very interested in getting a giant doberman at that time. My questions are, how long do Giant dobermans usually live? How much do they eat a week? What is a price range for a puppy with it's ears and tail already done? Anybody here breed them? What are some things I should know about them? I'm not looking to have a show dog, just a cool house dog and companion. I don't have any other pets, but there are some in the neighborhood, so it needs to be able to be around other dogs without a problem. I'm kind of one a budget and don't really want to spend a thousand dollars on a dog, but I love big dogs, and I love the look of a doberman. Thanks a bunch.

[shandoggy1]

A "Giant Doberman" There is no such thing Maybe a doberman with size standards such as what the AKC sets would be a better choice. please elaborate on what you mean by "GIANT". I would steer clear away from breeders who breed anything bigger than what it is supposed to be. I think you would just be getting a problem dog with possible health problems.

[bigdoglover]

I have to agree....I am glad you came here to ask questions! I will put in my 2 cents here....

A dog is as social as you make it. Although some breeds are not the "social butterfly", they are capable of being around other dogs. Also, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for....there are a lot of Doberman people here at GP that can steer you in the right direction.

[Want a Doberman]

Giant dobermans, Or Warlock dobermans, are the offspring of dobermans bred with ginat breed dogs like great danes. http://www.silverdobes.westhost.com/...ECWarlock.html.

They say the problems with them is that they aren't as agile as a regular doberman, but I'm not really bothered by that seeing as I'm not entering it in any competitions.

[Want a Doberman]

here is another site, they are a family that breeds giants..The giants aren't much bigger than regulars, I think they are about 33-35 tall for a male, bout 110lbs. i emailed this place, but they're puppies are 3,500$$ ouch.

[Want a Doberman]

haha woops, forgot to post the site, dahhhhhh...here it is, http://www.elitefamilydogs.com/

[Novel]

Again, as the other users mentioned, anything bred outside of the AKC standard (for those of us in the USA) or otherwise mixed with another breed may have innumerable health problems. Often times these dogs are not bred with their best interest in mind and you can spend much more on vet bills then you ever would have for a well bred registered purebred. Not to mention time, heartache, loss, etc...
There are quite a few people here on the board that have Dobermans. I'm sure they could tell you more about the breed.
My question to you is, what is it that you want that isn't being fulfilled by a purebred Doberman?

EDIT TO ADD: Also, there are many Doberman mixes in humane societies that may be identical to what these people are purposely breeding, and you wouldn't be supporting their unethical practices, and you would be helping out a dog that someone else has abandoned! Win win situation.

[Pugdawg1]

I think you'd be wiser to locate a breeder that breeds to keep the breed within the standard, not something oversized. You'll probably be happier in the long run. Wish ya luck.

[Want a Doberman]

1. I've always loved really big dogs, and from what I've read, dobermans are a medium size breed.
2. I'd rather get a puppy. I don't know why really..I'd just rather have a puppy, have it from the start you know?

Now, if I could find a doberman puppy, and both it's parents were really big purebred dobermans, then I would probably have a really big doberman right? That's why great danes used to be my favorite, but I love the look of the black and tan dobermans, and from what I've researched, dobermans are extremely intelligant, and very willing to learn and please. Opinions are welcome. I mean I guess I could get an already grown doberman, but I don't really want anything over a year old.

[Novel]

Well, using petfinder.com you may be able to find a puppy doberman mix that fits your requirements
~or~
I've always found Dobermans to be just the perfect size. Much larger and their bodies structurally would be very stressed and they could suffer from many joint and other structural problems. A breeder that is again, breeding them too large, would in essence, be charging you for those possible problems they are breeding. Not something I would think is a good deal.
I raise Weimaraners, they are considered Medium sized, and males can reach 85 pounds or more and still be within the standard. Medium may be quite larger than you invision.
Good luck with your search, and keep us updated. We would be more than happy to help you screen possible dogs and breeders. It always helps to have a few more opinions on such a big decision as a dog. They are life changers! And of course, the decision is always yours in the end, we just want to see you matched up with the perfect dog for you!

[Want a Doberman]

yea thanks. I just love the size of great danes, lol, but dobermans are my favorite. My friends doberman is Huge in my opinion, but he said it's not a giant breed, maybe I'll find out exactly how tall he is and see what he's like compared to the norm. If he is a nromal sized doberman, than I woudl be quite happy with a normal one.

[Want a Doberman]

who knows, maybe I'd still get a doberman. I don't know. lol. I keep saying this, but dobermans are so cool looking, but my friend had a completely black great dane, and she was the funniest dog ever. She was very emotional I guess you could say though. Half the time she didn't want me near her, but then if she let me pet her, and I stopped, she'd start growiling at me. I think it was because of the family though, my sister said she gets very spoiled. Can somebody give me some info on great danes? Compare them to dobermans? Thanks.

[Want a Doberman]

Also, I keep reading about Great Danes having problems with their stomachs twisting..Is this real common? are there ways to prevent this? lol, I don't want to have my first dog that was completely my own, get attached to it, and have it die all the sudden from something like that.

[shandoggy1]

I think it is great that you came here and are asking questions first before you buy a "Giant Doberman" But there are plenty of Giant breeds that have existed for years that you could choose. Why not a Great dane, Mastiff, Irish wolfhound, even a Rottweiler? As far as a Great Danes getting a twisted stomache or bloat that can happen to any dog especially the "GIANT" breeds so Giant dobermans can be just as much at risk as any . Also as far as life expectency they say the bigger the breed the shorter it's life, although I also think it depends on how you care for them that makes the longevity of life longer. I really hope you do LOT's of research on what you are looking for and personally I would rather go for a well bred Dobe or great dane than get stuck with a"designer breed" that could potentially suffer from problems and that's not to say that purebreds don't have problems or health issue's to worry of, but If you go to a reputable breeder of one of these breeds that is breeding for the betterment of there breed and do all the health checks that are necessary for the proper breeding of the best possible specimens than chances are you are going to get a beautiful healthy litter of puppies with little chance of genetic or health issues. And also remember BIGGER isn't always better!

[Want a Doberman]

lol, yea thanks for the info. Don't worry, I am doing a lot of info. I defienatley don't wan't a dog that is gonna be too much of a problem, but I think I might go with a great dane..We'll see, I still have a few months to go crazy thinking about it. how much doe sit cost to get a great danes ears cropped, and is there a certain age they have to be done by? Thanks.