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Think you'd love owning a Doberman? Find out it a Doberman would fit your lifestyle. Take the following quiz and read the comments at the end.

A. I like to exercise outside…

1) As little as possible 2) On weekends 3) Three times a week or more

B. I want a Doberman because…

1) They look mean and people respect them 2) They make a good watchdog 3) They are a good family protector

C. My Doberman will sleep…

1) In the barn/garage to watch over the property 2) In the yard in a good dog house 3) In the house

D. My Doberman will be taken care of by…

1) The kids—it’ll be a great learning experience 2) Whoever’s home to do it 3) By one adult in the household

E. I will select a food for my Doberman based on…

1) Price—I always get a bargain 2) Price-The more expensive, the better 3) Protein-My Doberman will need a lot!

F. I will train my Doberman by…

1) Wrestling him to the ground so he knows who’s top dog 2) Sending him to a dog boarding school—the pros know what to do 3) Accompanying him to day classes so we learn together

G. I will get my Doberman…

1) At the neighborhood pet store—they’re qualified professionals 2) From a friend/person in my town whose Doberman is pregnant 3) From a breeder with papers and high credentials

H. I will spend time with my Doberman…

1) When I’m caught up on chores and the kids’ homework is done 2) On weekends, when I have more time 3) Any time I am home, he’ll be by my side

I. I will prevent chewing problems by…

1) Removing anything I don’t want chewed 2) Scolding him anytime he does chew 3) Crating him when I can’t be around to watch him

J. I will bathe my Doberman…

1) When he starts smelling bad 2) Every month 3) Every other week

K. Because I won’t be breeding the dog, I will…

1) Leave the dog natural—I don’t want him to get fat or lazy 2) Keep him separated from other dogs so no mishaps occur 3) Get the dog spayed or neutered as early as my vet recommends

Add up your score according to the numbers assigned to your chosen answers.

0-11 You should not get a Doberman. Although you may admire the dog for many worthwhile reasons, a Doberman would not currently fit into your lifestyle. Keep studying different breeds because there’s a perfect pal out there for you.

12-22 You may be a good candidate for owning a Doberman. Learn more about the breed so that you can be absolutely sure that your expectations and the dog’s needs will be met. Then follow the steps below.

23-33 You are probably a great candidate for owning a Doberman. Before you adopt, meet several Dobes and interview owners and breeders. They’ll be happy to help you.

A. Your outdoor exercise can be walking, biking, climbing, and a variety of other heart-pumping means of movement. Take the dog and enjoy at least an hour of it together three times a week or more. No, dumping him in the yard doesn’t count—he wants to exercise with you.

B. Although some people do fear the Dobe’s appearance, this is no real reason to get the dog. They make terrible watchdogs because they usually don’t bark at the bad guys. They are guard dogs, meaning that they will wait silently or bark softly to you once. If they need to take action, Dobermans are masters of stealth.

C. Dobermans were bred to accompany people. You will bond much more closely with your dog if he sleeps in the house with you and spends as much time as possible with you.

D. Dobes bond most closely with whoever takes primary care of them and spends the most time with them. Children grow up and move away, and juggling caregivers may allow a chance for someone to miss feeding the dog. It’s okay for kids to help, but one adult should be the primary caretaker.

E. You get what you pay for. Dobermans need lots of protein because they are very athletic dogs.

F. Acting like a dog to train your dog is nonsense. Accompany him to training sessions so you bond and learn together.

G. Go to a breeder to get your Doberman to avoid the heartache of a poorly-bred animal that is plagued by genetic defects his entire life. Hip displaysia, Blue Doberman’s Disease, and Wobbles are just a few difficulties that you could encounter if you try to get a bargain-basement dog. It’s possible to luck out and get a healthy one, but why take the risk?

H. “Me and My Shadow” will be the theme song for you and your Doberman. They were bred to follow you everywhere they can!

I. You can’t possibly remove everything he can chew, unless you live in a steel box. Although scolding when you get home is helpful, a crate can provide a safe haven for him during times you can’t be there. It’s far better for him to snooze and relax in the crate than to face the anxiety of awaiting your return after he’s destroyed the sofa.

J. Do you bathe on a regular basis, or do you wait until your coworkers tell you that you stink? Most Dobes need only semi-monthly baths. If you feed poor-quality food, they will smell bad. Stick with all-meat or at least high-protein food. (How bad would you smell if you ate only Fritos?)

K. For the love of your animal and the purity of its breed, spay or neuter the dog. Like Bob Barker always said at the end of The Price Is Right, “Help control the pet population.”

Alteration also helps reduce some health risks to your pet and it eliminates the chance that your purebred bitch will deliver mixed-breed puppies because of an “accident.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with “mutts,” but beware that your bitch’s subsequent puppies will not be true purebreds, despite the second dad’s pedigree. The litter will be genetically affected.

Alteration doesn’t make the dogs grow fat or any less protective. Keep the Doberman breed pure and either alter or guard your dogs with extreme vigilance.


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