Talim the Doberman: Saturday Hike

Today Talim, my Doberman, and I decided to spend our Saturday afternoon on an outdoors adventure. I hopped on my Schwinn and she jogged along beside me to a local wooded area with decent unpaved hiking trails. Keep in mind I live in Florida, so this is not any mountainous terrain, or even foothills. This is more of a forestesque and swampy walking trail. Picture dark moist soil underfoot, on either side viney palms and tall sand pines filling in any gaps.

There is a new shiney bike parking post where I dropped off my trusty Schwinn, and Talim and I headed off into one of the trails.The trail was dotted with beautiful flora, of course, and squirrels, 'coons, insects, mice, and all sorts of fun wildlife kept Talim on her guard. She dotted from side to side of the path, sniffing along excitedly.

Talim sniffed out a nice walking stick for me, so I cleaned it off with a disinfecting wipe (always smart to carry a pack) and began to trod forward after rewarding Talim with a little treat. We spotted a beautiful cardinal and even a blue jay, not together though. A squirrel made an amazing leap I would have not thought possible, even Talim looked surprised.

Before we knew it the path looped around back to the bike. I took a big gulp from the water bottle and gave Talim what was left, then we headed home. I kept the pace slow since she was obviously ready to tucker down. Another fun adventure with Talim, I'm glad she didn't take off after an opossum again!

6 Things To Look For In Commercial Dog Food

Feed your Doberman a commercial dog food brand that meets ALL SIX of these requirements:

1. All the ingredients have PASSED USDA INSPECTION. Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.
2. The FIRST TWO INGREDIENTS are pure meat. Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.
3. Contains NO corn or soybeans, which are difficult for dogs to digest and cause skin allergies in many dogs. Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.
4. Contains NO "by-products" or "animal digest" whatsoever. Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.
5. Contains NO artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin). Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.
6. Contains NO "fillers" that don't sound like real food you would eat yourself. (Examples include bizarre ingredients like beet pulp, rice flour, and brewer's rice.) Most dog food brands will fail this requirement and should not be fed.

Talim the Doberman: Beach Trip!

Today my girlfriend and I took Talim, our Doberman,  to the beautiful Florida treasure coast beach. Naturally we had to make sure we had everything on the checklist, we spend almost as much time preparing than we do at the beach! Luckily, I was only in charge of towels and Talim!

Talim was wonderful, as always, in the car. She laid with her head on the beach ball, I wish I could have taken a picture! It is just a quick 30 minute drive to the beach, and another 10 minutes to stop and pick up snacks and soda!

Talim is just starting to get used to the beach water. She does fine at bath time but I believe the roar of the ocean frightens her. Even so, today after getting our beach towels and umbrella set up, Talim and I made her timid approach to the constant onslaught of waves. The first large one that crashed to reach to our ankles, she almost backed out, but I knew Talim had it in her. After that little dance in and out, she finally made the plunge in after me!

A bag of chips and a few frisbee tosses later, we're on our way home with another set of smiling faces. I'll have to add a camera to the checklist for our next beach adventure!

Limping Doberman Puppy? Panosteitis?

My young Doberman is limping! What do I do?

Okay, don't panic. You should take your pup to your veterinarian. Most likely the vet will confirm that your puppy has panosteitis, an inflammation of the long bones in the legs of adolescent pups. It's fairly common in Dobermans, my roommate's male Doberman even had panosteitis as a puppy. It's also known as "long bone disease", "shifting leg lameness" and "growing pains". "Pano" can be detected and diagnosed by x-ray.

Onset can be from 5-12 months (occasionally later) and last until 18 months or more. Though it is uncomfortable for the puppy, it almost always grows out of it. The lameness is not limited to one leg. Pano is generally considered to be a polygenic trait with limited heritability.

Straight from wikipedia:

The humerus is most commonly affected. Males are more commonly affected than females Diagnosis is made by pain on palpation of the long bones of the limbs. X-rays may show an increased density in the medullary cavity of the affected bones, often near the nutrient foramen (where the blood vessels enter the bone). This evidence may not be present for up to ten days after lameness begins. Pain medication and exercise restriction can help to relieve the symptoms, and the lameness usually goes away after days to weeks without additional treatment.

Is A Doberman A Good Family Pet?

If raised properly, a Doberman is the best dog you could have for a child and family. Dobermans are very forgiving with ear, leg pulling. They love for someone to just "love" on them. They love to sleep in the bed with you and get on couches. My younger brother used to sleep ON our Doberman if they snoozed out on the couch together! If raised with your child, the Doberman will watch and protect them. The females have
more of a tendency to "mother" children.
Dobermans are naturally protective of their "pack", or family. Young children should never be left unattended with a puppy, however, if the children learn to respect the puppy as a living being, the puppy will be a wonderful companion for the children as they all grow up together. Your dog's ranking in your "pack" should always be the bottom (Omega) member below humans.

The only thing to watch is the doberman might not like you to discipline your child, or could become very protective if your child is playing aggressively with friends. They are a very playful breed. They love to run, play, fetch. They will accept other dogs and cats. My Doberman will play for hours with our cat, then they'll curl up and nap together! A Doberman will be a staple in the household.

I received this e-mail from a fellow Doberman lover:

"Last year we purchased our first doberman puppy, he will be eight months old this month. He is very excitable and was not easy to train at home. At six months we had to take him to obedience classes. We take him to doggy daycare at least 3 days a week, he does great around other dogs and people he knows. He is very skeptical around people he has never met or been socialized around. I believe every dog will be different, but if you do go with this breed, the key to being a happy owner, is lots and lots of socialization around people, children and other animals. In the beginning it was rough, but we would not trade him for anything, he is an integral part of our family. He is now 80 lbs and still growing everyday! He is very clownlike around people he knows, but a great guard dog and protector for us. I do believe the breed requires a lot of attention and it sounds like with seven people in the family, he/she would definitely get it!!! Good luck!!"

How Much Food to Feed A Doberman

 "How much dog food should I feed my dog?" or "How much dog food does a Doberman need?" are very  common, smart questions. Here is an easy chart to determine how much is best for your Doberman. Don't forget to discuss a healthy diet for your Doberman with your vet!

	50-75 pounds	2 - 2 ½ cups	Cut dry up to ½ the amount & substitute the same volume with a can
	Over 75 pounds	2 - 4 cups	Cut dry up to ½ the amount & substitute the same volume with a can

Be sure to read my post about commercial dog food to determine if you should be feeding your dog Real Food along with commercial Dog Food.

Dog Food: Real or Commercial?

What is the best food for a Doberman Pinscher? What kind of dog food should I feed my Doberman? These are very smart and common questions among new Doberman owners, and this post explains why blending Commercial Dog Food along with REAL food is the best way to keep your dog healthy.

Real, fresh food. Real beef, fish, chicken, turkey, bison, venison. Eggs, Fresh Vegetables, even Yogurt.

Now, when I say Real Food, it does not mean People Food. Calling real food "people food" makes it sound as though people are the only living creatures who can benefit from eating these REAL, NATURAL  foods. That is simply not true.

ALL living creatures deserve real, fresh food. Real meat is almost always going to be the best food for your Doberman.

Listen to what Dr. Martin Goldstein D.V.M. says about feeding real food to your dog:

"You can boost your pet's health profoundly by making one simple decision. All you have to do is change his diet from commercial-brand fare to something you may never have imagined giving him – real food. The fresh food you buy at the market for yourself is the food you should give your pet, too."

Keep in mind that dogs have been domesticated for about 15,000 years (Dobermans since 1880!) and up until the 1930s, they were NEVER fed "kibble" or "canned" brands from a store. Dogs were fed real meat and vegetables, and a little homemade bread. On this diet they thrived, frequently living into their late teens.

In the 1930s, cereal and grain manufacturers needed something profitable to do with all of their wheat and corn that failed USDA inspection.  The cereal and grain companies got together with the meat companies who faced the same problem - meat that failed USDA inspection. Hence, "Dog Food" was born.

But processed kibble and canned products has never been a balanced complete dog's food.

Listen to what Dr. Richard Pitcairn D.V.M. says about artificial diets:

"The whole concept of Insta-Meal for humans is repulsive. Most people would soon be climbing the walls in frustration, desperate for a salad or some fruit – anything whole and fresh, or just different. Perhaps the thought of eating kibbles for the rest of your own life helps make the point that pets forced to do so are being shortchanged. All of us – humans and animals – should have fresh, wholesome, unprocessed food in our daily diet."

Sadly, Artificial diets are causing health problems in dogs.

Listen to what Dr. Richard Pitcairn D.V.M. has to say about the connection between health problems and artificial diets:

"Since I graduated from veterinary school in 1965, I've noticed a general deterioration in pet health. We now see very young animals with diseases that we used to see only in older animals. Without the perspective of several decades, vets just coming out of veterinary school think these degenerative conditions in younger animals are "normal." They do not realize what has happened over the passage of time."

Dr. Martin Goldstein D.V.M. sums it up:

"When I tell an owner that a change of diet can affect her pet's health in a matter of days, the first reaction is usually delight, sometimes even exhilaration."

So, "What should I feed my Doberman?" is not such a simple question. When you are shopping for your dog's food and are planning on getting a commercial food, the first ingredient in your dog's food should be a specified "meat".  Not a meat by-product, but the real thing.  Puppies and adult dogs were not meant to eat corn and wheat.  If the first ingredient in your dog food is a corn, wheat,  meat-by-product, bone meal or anything but a real specified type of meat steer clear.  By-products are the left-overs, such as the eyes, hooves, skin, feathers and feet that are not good for human consumption (unless the dog food specifically states otherwise.) Beware of ingredients that do not list exactly what it is, such as words like, "animal" and "meat" as opposed to "chicken", "beef", "duck", etc.. 


A puppy or dog with average activity should have about 26% protein and 15-18% fat. Look for some kind of meat to be the first ingredient, not a grain product. You could even check out feed stores, they are a great place to buy dog food. Prices are often less than at pet supply stores.

When you do have to buy commercial dog food, make sure they pass this checklist.

BUT...

You shouldn't just set another place at your family dinner table for your dog! There are important differences between what's healthy for humans and what's healthy for dogs. Please be aware that it's HARMFUL to feed meat to your dog without adding a healthy specific supplement!

Talim the Doberman: Training time!

Hello everyone!

Talim and I just finished a training session, starting off by burning a little energy by throwing the tennis ball around in the back yard for a few minutes. Remind me to pick up some Wet Ones next shopping trip! She normally doesn't get the ball too wet, but I snuck her a few treats before going out.

We started training by swapping the ball out for a treat; I hid the ball in my jacket pocket and pulled out a treat.  Talim knows the basic commands already,  but I like to run through all of them every know and again to keep it fresh in both of our minds.

When I give her a command, I hold the treat in one hand, and in the other I'll also do a hand gesture when I give the command. I'll put my hand flat down for Down, or flat and up (like a crossing guard doing "stop") for Stay, and so forth. Its great to give commands or even practice training when you have to be quiet for any reason.

We finished up by playing fetch a couple rounds, and came back inside for some delicious water! Remember to  keep your Doberman refreshed and hydrated after any outdoor activity.

Best Dog Food to feed a Doberman

When I was browsing the internet trying to decide what was the best dog food to feed my new Doberman, Talim, I came across an AMAZINGLY well written article that cleared up any questions that I had. The article is actually split in to two articles on the source website, but I combined them into one so that it is easier for you to check out:

Just like we humans need proper nutrition to be healthy and happy so too do our dogs.But the decision on what to feed our dogs can be a confusing one. Grocery stores usually have a whole aisle dedicated to pet food with a large assortment of products. The fact that there lacks regulations in pet food labelling only makes things harder for consumers. But with the very real concern of contaminated food from bacteria and chemicals, we need to put some effort into educating ourselves for the sake of our pet’s well-being.  So what doberman food should we consider? 

Ideally we would want to feed our dogs home-made meals but this is just not practical for most people. My personal recommendation if you are going to feed a commercial food, is to find a good quality kibble and supplement it with other “real” goodies to ensure your dog is getting a well-rounded diet. Also consider alternating between dry and canned food. Canned food is usually more nutritious than dry dog food since it contains less preservatives and grain ingredients.  When looking for a good dog food, you want to avoid kibbles high in grains (corn, flour,etc) and choose one with a meat in the first three ingredients.  Also look for chicken meat instead of chicken by-product for example.  To help you compare different dog food brands, you can read our previous post for more tips. 

Here are some ideas to boost the nutrition and flavour of a boring dry dog food.

• Add chicken broth or natural gravy to dry kibble.
• Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top.
• Add full-fat plain yogurt to the dish.
• Add a teaspoon or two (depending on your dogs size) of flaxseed oil or fish oil to the kibble (omega-3 acids) 

As for treats, if you can’t find a product that has organic, human-grade ingredients then try a home-made cookie recipe. But if you hate cooking, an easy alternative is to give your dog veggie treats like carrots and green beans. Chopped fruits like pears and apples are another healthy alternative to high carb, poor quality store-bought treats. 

Instead of rawhides that may have preservatives, are bleached, have artificial flavours and colors, ask a butcher for marrow or knuckle bones. To kill any surface bacteria, submerge the bones in boiling water for about 30 seconds, just long enough to kill the bacteria. Remember that cooking bones makes them easier to splinter so avoid giving your dog cooked bones. 

Foods you should avoid include: chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, grapes/raisins, soy and citrus. 

I don’t recommend vegetarian diets for dogs. Dogs are omnivores who favour meat. In the wild, dogs naturally eat meat, bones, vegetables and grains. You should aim to give your domestic dog the same diet as their wild family members eat. 

In tommorow’s post I’ll provide you with guidelines to find good quality dog food at the store for your doberman. 

Here is where the second post starts:

So we decide to feed our dobermans a commercial dry dog food, but which one? 

Here is a guide you may want to print out and take with you to the store to help you compare different dog food brands. This should help you choose between a good dog food and a dog food that is harmful or nutrient deficient. Grab the bag, look for the ingredient labelling and compare it to these suggestions. Following these guidelines doesn’t guarantee you’ll get good quality, human grade ingredients or that the processing techniques haven’t destroyed most of the nutrients, but it will filter out the worst commercial dog food. Lastly use the feeding portion sizes on the bag as a guideline not a rule. The amount you need to feed a dog varies depending on it’s age, breed, activity level and any specific health issues.You are better to compare your dog’s weight against the Dog Body Condition Score and adjust portion sizes as needed. 

DOG FOOD GUIDE

You want this:

• Look for certification from the AAFCO – Association of American Feed Control Officials. You want to see that animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures have been conducted.

• Check the expiration date or bar code date for when the food was made. You want to buy the freshest, especially since natural preservatives in dog food are only effective for about 30-60 days.

• Look for a meat product as the first ingredient, like chicken meat or lamb meat. You want human grade meat (USDA) and better yet, organic meat. Organic meat is less likely to contain hormones, growth stimulants or come from diseased animal flesh.

• Natural preservatives Vitamin C and E (or Tocopherol)

• Look for whole grains like barley, oats and rice (no “hulls)

• Buy from a store that has a quick turnover of product for optimal freshness

• You want a food that has high digestibility. You can find out how digestible the food is just by looking at your dogs stool. If the volume of the stool produced is greater than, equal to or slightly less the volume of food eaten, the digestibility is poor. The aim is to have a samller stool volume with little odor, this indicates good digestibility.

• Bonus if the dog food contains probiotics (good-bacteria) to help digestion

You don’t want this:

• Avoid these preservatives that have been shown to cause health problems,

BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin

• Meat by-product, this is basically animal parts that are not meat, like brains, intestines, blood and chicken feet. (yuck!)

• Corn, soy, wheat or low quality carb fillers. (common allergens)

• Avoid foods with artificial dyes or colors and flavors, these are usually listed as a dye number

Rather than going through and rating some popular dog food brands, I thought this guide would be more practical. This way you can compare dog food brands that are available for sale in your local pet store or grocery store. But if you like, I did find this dog food rating site dogfoodanalysis.com that you may want to check out. Keep in mind although that some of these dog food brands may only be available to you through online purchase and remember you want to buy a product that has good turnover to get the freshest possible dog food.
I hope this guide helps you find a good food for your doberman dog.

Well there you have it! I hope that helps you guys as much as it did me, and I know that Talim is happy because of it. Here is what I ended up going with: Pedigree Healthy Longevity with rice, lamb, and omegas to promote health and longevity, 15-Pound Bag


Be sure to read my post about commercial dog food to determine if you should be feeding your dog Real Food along with commercial Dog Food.


If you found this article helpful, check out these Doberman Training Tips.

Doberman Training Tips

The saying “appearances can be deceptive” is very true for the Doberman Pinscher. This dog looks ferocious with fierce eyes and an imposing personality but has a loving and pleasing nature. It is a big, lean dog with a powerful chest and a bullet shaped head. The Doberman Pinscher is a member of the working group of dogs and was once bred as a watch dog or police dog, originally to protect a tax collector. They are known as alert and loyal companions.

While training a Doberman Pinscher keep in mind that your Doberman needs a lot of exercise and is much happier in a fenced yard than inside the apartment. What it lacks in energy it makes up with its immense endurance capabilities. Dobermans often do not realize their own strength and being highly energetic can knock your child down. So, you need to be careful if you have children and a Doberman puppy. Remember that your puppy will get in to something only if you allow it. Don't create an environment for your Doberman where he would have opportunities to do something that you would not want him to do.

Known for being devoted family dogs, it is not difficult to train them. They will do anything to please their owners., and take pride in helping their owner. Your Doberman will love you unconditionally. Here are a few Doberman Pinscher training tips:

• Teach him the five basic commands of sit, stay, heel, down and come in a systematic manner. Begin with ‘sit’. Place your dog on your left and firmly give the command running your hand down your dog’s back to guide him. Praise him and hold him in the same position, then release your hand, praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this many times.
• ‘Come’ is a command that he will love so long as you convince him it means a happy, fun experience. So, don’t call him to correct him, and he will obey you instantly.
• Take him for short walks to familiarize him with other people, places and strange noises. Always keep your dog on short leash.
• Next, teach him the ‘stay’ command by placing your hand in front of his nose and giving the command. Move just a step or two back in the beginning and tell him to sit and stay there. Gradually increase the distance as you move away from him and make him stay longer.
• Doberman Pinscher training begins as soon as you bring him home. You may want to take him to puppy obedience classes, which will help you train and socialize your puppy while he is still young and easy to control.
• ‘Heel’ is to teach him not to lunge at anyone while walking by your side. Just say a firm ‘no’ whenever he tries to do that and give the leash a quick snap. He will get the message.
• ‘Down’ will be the most complicated command to teach. Place your dog in the sit position, and say “down,” as you gently push his front legs out into the down position. Talk gently to him, stroke his back and praise him.

Great Article about Doberman Training

Today I was browsing around the internet for good tips on training a Doberman and stumbled upon this excellent article:

Doberman Pinschers are good pets and protectors when they are well trained. The breed is known for its loyalty and when a Doberman understands that the alpha member of the family is a human being, he or she will be happy in the knowledge of not having the responsibility of running things. Doberman training helps to establish the hierarchy of the family. When your Doberman sits, stays, or performs any other task on command, he or she is adjusted to being in a subordinate position. 

Many qualified dog trainers are available, and they are usually the best way to go for new pet owners. While training the dog, the trainer also will train the human in how to raise a happy, well-behaved puppy or how to train and treat an adult dog. PetCo and PetSmart both have dog obedience classes, and both have their adherents. Many books on dog training are also available at your local bookstore or library. 

If the Doberman is a puppy or an adult who has not lived indoors and is not housetrained, training should begin as soon as you bring him or her home for the first time. Take your new friend to the spot where you want him or her to eliminate and say a command such as “Do your business,” or “Do your outside thing.” Allow the Doberman some time to sniff around, and do not repeat the command too many times, or it will become so redundant that your dog will tune it out. When he or she eliminates, give praise or a treat. 

Doberman training should always offer your dog rewards rather than punishment. Striking your Doberman will only make him or her fearful and is likely to cause aggressive behavior. If your puppy is chewing the couch your first instinct might be to scream and hit him, but this is not the thing to do. Instead, say, “Off,” in a clear, commanding voice, and get his or her attention with a toy. The natural desire to chew will be redirected to the toy. Praise your Doberman when he or she chews the toy instead of the couch. Doberman training should also include commands to keep him or her from causing injury or discomfort to visitors or people you meet when on outings. When your dog jumps onto someone, that person should never pet him or her, but turn away so that the Doberman will learn that unacceptable behavior will not glean attention. Say, “Off,” or “Leave it” in a no-nonsense voice and give praise or a treat when your dog gets back onto all fours. Take your Doberman outside ona leash and when he or she pulls and tugs, stand still or go in the opposite direction. That way your dog will understand that to get to go for a walk, he or she must follow along with you. 

In dog training, positive commands are also fun to teach and learn and can provide practical value as well. When your dog approaches you, say, “Come here,” and reward him or her with praise or a treat. When your dog learns to associate the command with the action, you will be able to call him or her when you are ready to go for a walk, if another dog gets into your yard and you want to prevent a fight, or if you need to go home from the dog park. Train your Doberman to sit on command by saying the word and gently pushing down on his or her hindquarters until he or she is sitting. Then give a reward while the dog is sitting. If he or she stands up, withhold the reward until a sit position is achieved. Once your Doberman is able to sit on command, you can progress to having him or her sit up on command. Gently lift the sitting dog’s front paws while saying, “Sit up.” When the position is achieved, give him or her a reward. Gradually your dog will learn to perform the command without your assistance. Take your Doberman outside on a leash and when he or she pulls and tugs, stand still or go in the opposite direction. 

Doberman training can be fun for both of you. If you find that you are having difficulties with training or if there are behavior problems, see your veterinarian or a professional trainer. Most dogs taken to the pound by their owners are given up because of behavior problems, and that should not be. Remember, you are the one in charge, and you need to see to it that your pet learns good behavior. Have a good time.

Here is a link to the article source: Doberman Training 

I hope this helps you guys out as it did with me. Great advice in this article!

Talim the Doberman: Morning Adventure!

This morning Talim and I went to the local dog park, but every step of the way was certainly an adventure. That is something I've come to learn with dobermans!

We first had our early morning walk, ate breakfast (bacon and eggs today, thanks Gia), the whole morning routine. Then we set out to the car. Talim loves the car ride as always. Doberman is a wonderful dog and Talim stays nice and calm every time.

When we arrived at the dog park I was really surprised to see nobody there. We like to take Talim to the dog park at least a few times a month to keep her well socialized, and to burn some extra energy! We let her run around a bit, but soon she got tired, and we didn't bring the frisbee or ball this morning. Like I said, we're expected there to be some of the usual fellow dogs there to play with her.

So Talim tired and walked back up to the bench and gave the signal she was ready to go. We clipped on the leash and headed back for the car. Again, another flawless ride. Doberman morning, Doberman days, every day an adventure.

Doberman Safety

Please keep in mind when deciding to get a Doberman the health and safety risks involved in getting such a large dog, not to mention such a pure breed.

If not given enough exercise both mentally and physically, the Doberman can develop all sorts of behavior problems. Dobermans are susceptible to hip dysplasia, bloat, thyroid and liver disorders, severe heart disease, von Willebrand's Disease, and  immune-deficiency disorders .

The Doberman is sensitive, and should never be hit, as they become aggressive and resentful. The Doberman can definitely become a great city pet, but just like any high energy and very attention loving breed, will become restless when not given enough attention and enough to do. They can occasionally be aggressive towards other male dogs, so its very important to socialize your Doberman from a young age. Their instinct as watchdogs often makes them wary of strangers.

Dobermans can become very protective of the children in their household and may mistake play for danger when friends are visiting. Supervision is a must when a Doberman is around any kids or around people not living in the household with your Doberman.

A History of Doberman

Doberman was developed by a tax collector named Louis Dobermann, his intentions in creating this particular breed was to have a dog that will guard him to against the thieves for he carries monies all the time so he really needed protection. In order to come up with a smart and reliable guard dog that he desires, he crossed shorthaired shepherd dogs with several breeds such as terriers in black and tan colors, Rottweilers and German Pinscher. It is also believed that sleek dogs like Weimaraners and Greyhounds also played a role in the development of Doberman. Before hand, he produced dogs of a divergent type -Doberman Pinschers was the first and became famous as they were show cast at a dog show in 1897 in Erfurt, Germany. In 1900, the breed got an official recognition and was regarded as a German breed.

In the short span of 8 years, the American Kennel Club acknowledged and registers its first Doberman in 1908 but the Doberman Pinscher Club of America was only formed in 1921. This breed of dog was able to pave its way to popularity and was regarded as a police and military dogs throughout its history.

United States Marine Corp utilized Dobermans during the World War II in combat as sentries, scouts and messengers. And during the liberation of Guam, 25 Marine dogs suffered death. Battle in Okinawa was one of the bloodiest clashes America ever has and Doberman was seen in some of the footage in the archives.

The United Doberman Club made a bronze memorial statue for the dog that was raised in Guam in 1994 – the memorial was given the name “Always Faithful.” The were also a big part in the search and rescue operation for survivors and dead bodies at Ground Zero in 2001 during the World Trade Center bombing.

Despite its frightening reputation, Doberman still managed to be in the 14th rank in  AKC’s registrations  which used to be 23rd a decade ago. This popularity is because of its love and devotion for its family.

So You Want A Doberman Puppy

So You Want A Doberman Puppy

Any puppy is tough to handle, however, Doberman puppies are famous for being a rowdy and rascally breed. Regardless of the high-energy large and fast growing puppy's minor downfalls, this brilliant animal can be trained with love and care to be an amazing, obedient, beautiful, and loving companion.

Before choosing the Doberman as your companion or family pet, you must fully understand what you're getting yourself in to. The Doberman is a very social and loving animal, and will almost always want somebody's full attention. Dobermans do not do well when left alone for long periods at a time. If you plan on leaving your dog alone for 5+ hours a day, a Doberman may not be for you. Dobermans are very smart and curious animals, and when left alone will play and experiment, usually getting into something you don't want them to.

Before bringing a puppy home, you and the family should have a well developed plan for training and caring for  the puppy and should all read up about the Doberman breed. Make sure you have all the right supplies! Click here for my list of Ten supplies to prepare for your Doberman post!

During the first few months socialization is key to your puppy will grow to be lovable and accepting towards other animals and people as an adult dog. Take your puppy to dog parks and puppy classes, anywhere dogs and people are acceptable to be together and socializing. Teaching your Doberman puppy to get along with people and other animals at a young stage is very important.

When beginning to train your Doberman, your puppy will have a very excitable and short attention span. It is best to begin training lessons for 30 seconds to 2 minutes at a time, and graduating up to 3-5 minute training sessions when your puppy is capable.

Ten supplies to prepare for your Doberman

Below are the ten must have supplies to get started if you're thinking about getting a Doberman (or any dog!)

1. Identification tag, collar and leash.


2.Pet food - to get your new puppy off to a good start choose a puppy formula.
Our Favorite: Pedigree Wholesome Recipe with Chicken, Rice & Vegetables Dry Food for Adult Dogs, 16.3-Pound Bag 

3. Nail clippers.

4. Shedding blade for your new puppy's coat. 

5. Food and water bowls.

6. Safe chew toys to ease teething.(This is a big one!)

7. Travel crate to accommodate your puppy's adult size.

8. Dog shampoo.

9. Flea, tick and parasite controls.

10. Stain remover for accidents and spills. 

Welcome to the Doberman Doghouse!

Hi! I made this site to talk about my Doberman, Talim! Talim is 1yr 4mo now, and she has been part of my life since June, 2011.

Talim is purebred Doberman Pinscher, sired by a Champion show dog named Keiser in Miami, Florida. She now lived with me in Port Saint Lucie, Florida and loves it! Its perfect weather for a Doberman here in Florida.

Together my girlfriend and I take her to the dog park, and I frequently take her on adventures through the woods, either on foot or on bike. She'll trail off to my side when I'm on my bike, sometimes its hard for me to keep up! One of her favorite things to do is to pull me or my girlfriend on rollerblades, but I think she purposefully will dart off into the grass to make us crash. Doh!

Stay tuned for pics and vids of Talim's antics, and also excellent tips on raising your Doberman!