In owning a Dobermann you will have in your life an animal of regal elegance and beauty. He will show you loyalty and devotion unsurpassed by anything that walks on four legs and incapable of anything that walks on two. He will be your friend, companion, and guardian to you and your family and he will remain true until his dying breath.

You will also have in your life a powerful (up to 40 kilos plus), intelligent and opinionated dog who will, without direction, question your capability as an owner, defy your commands should you be a weak leader and try your patience should you require an easy life.

You will need to have the knowledge and understanding to show him a fair authority. He will be at his happiest under the direction of a competent leader, one who will guide him through his day with consistency and clear commands, not through force or physical punishment. Unfortunately the public at large will pre-judge a Dobermann and his behaviour will have to be exemplary and better than your neighbourhood Labrador.

As a puppy you will have a cute, energetic, playful ball of mischief who, until trained, will wee (and worse) on your floor. He may chew your carpet edges, skirting boards, architraves and furniture. He will cry to be with you and won't be tired when you are.

You will be introduced to the costly world of vaccines, boosters, routine vet visits and animal insurance. You will need to be wealthy enough to provide a large enough house & garden, bedding, leads, collars, toys and good quality food. A Dobermann wears his health on his sleeve, no thick fluffy coat to hide a multiple of sins! When he is unhealthy, underfed or overfed believe me it will show.

With the mature Dobe you will need to be as happy walking in the snow and the rain as you are in the sunshine and fit enough to do it day in, day out, for at least ninety minutes over the course of a day. Your heart will fail you before you tire a Dobe but he will let you off with a minimum of an hour and a half of exercise and playtime!

He will sit on your sofas, your feet and your knee and he'll sleep on your bed if he can. You'll no longer go to the toilet alone or ever see into your fridge until you've moved an inquisitive black or brown head. You will learn to read a book with one hand, the other will be their massager and you'll watch the television between bouts of passing Dobermann.

The Dobermann is the most intuitive comedian you will ever meet; owning one is NOT to taken lightly. He will know when you are happy, know when you are stressed, and know when you are sad, this will affect him personally, so if you like to be alone more often than not then a Dobe is not for you. 

If you're house proud, busy and out all day, or you have inconsiderate children, then don't have a dog let alone a Dobermann.

If you just want a guard dog for your empty house or outbuildings, may I suggest you phone your local crime prevention officer who will aid you in finding an amazing new device called an electronic burglar alarm. This will put you through none of the above tasks and doesn't have the brains to get bored.

For me, the only drawback to owning a Dobermann is they can't live forever...

Justin Burnham