[TrotTrotPumpkn]

My ear-cropped dobe has never had one, but my natural ear dobe gets ear infections (and in general more gunk). Not saying you should or shouldn't crop, just pointing out my observation.

[OveroHunter]

Y'all have no idea how much I appreciate your input and excitement about getting our new puppy

We're not cropping his ears purely because we want him to look as friendly as possible for the guests that come to the ranch.

He's coming in about 12 hours!

We're trying to decide between Kaiser and Bismark for names. I think I like Bismark because then I can call him Bizy!

[desilu]

Congrats on your new puppy. I am no expert but we've been owned by a red female since November. We got her from a local shelter that had saved her from the euthanasia building at animal control. She had been picked up as a stray. We have never had a more wonderful dog. She fits the velcro dog description to a T. I do not take her to the barn because she does have a high prey drive and the couple of times I took her to see her reaction to the horses, she was not thrilled. I'm sure if it mattered that much, I could get her over that but I'd rather just take her to the dog park and have my barn time for my horse. She knew absolutely nothing when we got her but has learned quickly and is the best behaved dog at the dog park. She loves to go in the pond but does not see any point in fetching a ball. She does however love to chase the ball chasers. She wants to be a lap dog and is happiest by my side wherever I am. The red dobermans tend to have more skin issues than the black and tan ones from what I have been told and we have fought with that a bit. But all her symptoms disappeared once we started her on a grain-free salmon based food. Just something to keep in mind. She absolutely has my husband and I wrapped around her heart. Good luck, and enjoy....and know you may never be able to go anywhere in the house by yourself again.

[JanM]

I've had lop-earred dogs without ear infections, and dogs with ears that stand up with infections. I've decided that with my animals that it depends on the dog, and with the one dog I suspect that if the salmon or other non-grain foods had been available then that the dog probably would have been healthier and have been happier. I suspect with most of my dogs that regular dog food is ok, but with the delicate one that there was much more going on than just genetics.

[OveroHunter]

9:45 and still waiting for him . Our Beagle needs non-grain food so we'll just feed the indoor dogs grain free and the outdoor dogs can continue on with their normal dog food.

[HydroPHILE]

TrotTrot, there are several working Dobies here in the States and producers of working Dobies as well. You never hear about them because the breeders only breed once every three to five years and are very selective in their breeding process.

My DH and I had looked at a fully certified SAR and Narcotics Detection Dobie with the work ethic of a Dutchie; however, he was snatched up quickly by a closer LEA to the owner's home.

As for "trends" in the breeding world, I hate the majority of them. Look at German Shepherds (show ring) for example. (We won't go there - I think we did about a year ago - lol.)

And the neutering before the age of two primarily applies to XL breeds of dogs and musculoskeletal development. The only difference I've seen in other breeds is that males neutered before the age of two never fully get that masculine look to them, but some do.

[Bluey]

Y'all have no idea how much I appreciate your input and excitement about getting our new puppy

We're not cropping his ears purely because we want him to look as friendly as possible for the guests that come to the ranch.

He's coming in about 12 hours!

We're trying to decide between Kaiser and Bismark for names. I think I like Bismark because then I can call him Bizy!

We had dobies in the 1980's, all obedience, one conformation and all had their ears cropped by the breeder before we got them.
In those days, a "good" breeder would have their own special vet crop ears, to insure they were done right.
Breeders would not sell one without cropping, just was not acceptable.
Because of that mostly we eventually quit and went to rotties and later border collies, when agility started.

I think it is GREAT that you won't crop the ears.
Possible problems with dobies with "their ears on" may be aural hematomas, where those dobies with big long ears flap them around and get blood blisters, that a vet has to lance and sew, so they don't reoccur.
Ear infections, not any more than any other dog, because there is no hair to interfere with air flow, the ears are really cleaner folded over, not standing up and getting all kinds of wind blown stuff in there.

Since dobies have not been bred for ear shape, as all ears were traditionally cut, your dobie may have greyhound folding ears or scent hound hanging ones.

Our dobies were very smart in some ways, kind of slow in others, but very, very nice dogs to live with.
We didn't have any aggression problems, in fact, our boss dog of all for many years was a grumpy toy poodle:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...pril012008.jpg

Dobies tend to have skin issues, red ones more than black and tans, blues and isabellas many more yet.
Not all, of course.
Also have your vet check the heart and yes, we lost one of our dobies young to generalized demodectic mange, another to wobbler problems, when her spine had a narrowing spot or two and caused her to lose control of her back end.
Dobies are not the genetically healtiest of dog breeds, but many are fine and maybe yours will be so also.

Hope the puppy is there now, how much fun is that!

Pictures, please?

[StGermain]

No update? That's worrisome. Maybe they didn't like the dog.

StG

[vtdobes]

We're trying to decide between Kaiser and Bismark for names. I think I like Bismark because then I can call him Bizy!

I vote for Kaiser....my red male was named Kayzer

[OveroHunter]

Sorry guys! Crazy weekend with the puppy, but HE'S HERE!!!

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/22170...43029495FZmEVI
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/28271...43029495yrrGqF
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/24689...43029495iWjdsc

He is so sweet and adorable, but extremely timid, but he is slowly coming out of his shell. I don't think he has had very much human interaction. At first he would run and hide if you walked near him, but he has really warmed up to SO and I. He absolutely loves other dogs... Actually a little too much. He spent a good amount of time humping various parts of my male Aussie's body. Luckily our male Aussie has a lot of patience and they are best buddies. Bocephus (male Aussie) is Kaiser's baby sitter.

I woke up early this morning so that I could spend some time with him before work (where I am now) and took him out for a little bit and then brought him back inside and he slept in the bed with us. So sweet! Now that he is less timid around us, he is much more curious! His biggest question is "What does this taste like?" He's gonna be a chewer!

Luckily we have a great place to socialize him He spent a few hours at a horse show on Saturday and did great. He likes to sit back and take everything in.

I have one big concern though. It appears like he already has skin problems. I had him on my lap yesterday and was rubbing his belly and noticed dry, flaky skin all over his stomach . What is the best way to clear this up and prevent it from happening again? When my Beagle got dry skin the vet recommended a grain free diet and fish oil vitamins. Do you think this would be good for the puppy? What about a shampoo/conditioner? He looks like he needs lotion. I'm going to Petsmart on my lunch break so any input in the next few hours is very appreciated!

[Bacardi1]

He's absolutely ADORABLE!!! (But to me, all Dobies are adorable - lol!!)

As far as the dry skin, I'd definitely hold off on buying over-the-counter stuff or putting him on any special diet. I mean, think about it. You've only had him for a couple of days. It could very well simply be from his previous environment & will clear up by itself in a few weeks. Putting him on a strange diet, adding supplements, or rubbing him with lotion, in addition to the natural stress of the move to a new home is just BEGGING for a serious case of the "trots" lol.

I wouldn't do anything before puppy has had an initial health-checkup visit to your veterinarian (which I assume will be very soon).

[StGermain]

What a handsome boy! Congrats!!! I'd wait in the skin until his first vet visit and ask what they recommend.

How was Wicked?

StG

[Bicoastal]

Socialize, socialize, socialize. Then socialize some more. After he is seen by a vet and started on worming and vaccs. Drop him off at someone else's trailer for an hour at a show, hand him off to the techs at the vet's office, etc. Make sure everyone has cookies for him .

Re timidity: With 72hrs' adjustment, he may have a totally different attitude about this new world, but you do not want a timid Doberman. Especially since you often have guests to your ranch. Aloof is fine -and can be a breed trait- but timid is not! Socialize some more. Plus it's fun

Re skin: He may be wormy and stressed. I agree with others to see what the vet says before starting your own protocol. Puppies often come with a low load of parasites as moms can't be wormed after a certain time in the pregnancy. Shelter dogs often come with flaky skin/dull coats due to parasites, poor nutrition, and stress.

Not to rain on your parade, but he really shouldn't be out and about at horse shows until he's been seen by a vet. He is susceptible to everything. And I would hate for someone else's dog to get mange, kennel cough, parasites, etc from your unvacced, not-seen-by-vet-yet-brand-new pup. I know you are excited, and should be!!, but he needs to be stay home until he's sees a vet for his protection and others.

[vtdobes]

He's very cute and I love the name

I wouldn't worry about his skin; that doesn't sound like the usual Dobe skin issues (trust me...I've got a blue!!). Putting him on the grain free diet should take care of the dry stuff.

[Bluey]

He is adorable is right and look at his big legs, he may be a big one.

In puppies, a vet check right away is important, with special attention to the heart in dobies.
I would have the vet look at his skin then.
He may do some scrapings if he is suspicious there is more going on there, as we had with demodectic mange and if that is the cause of the dandruff, it needs to be cleared up right now.
I really don't think so, or it would be showing also in his head and it looks very clean.
Better have that checked out asap.
May be just dry skin from the change of environment and only need a bath to clean it up.

Glad that the shy boy is making friends now.

[vtdobes]

Oh and both of my Dobes have been on a grain free diet (Orijen) since they were started on solid foods so no worries about that.

[Mao]

Oh my gosh - he's adorable! Love those ears. Congratulations and good luck with him!

[OveroHunter]

Going to the vet tomorrow with this laundry list of things to discuss. Any additions would be great:

1. Shots
2. Skin
3. Hereditary Issues
4. Flea Preventative
5. Worming
6. Diet
7. He is very gassy... They are silent, but deadly and really stinking up the apartment!


Also, another thing I want to bring up with you guys is his personality and attitude towards people. With people, he is pretty aloof. He has warmed up to SO and I, but is not affectionate and does not appear to really care one way or another about us. However, he is IN LOVE with our male Australian Shepherd. I guess he has "velcroed" himself to a dog? We (selfishly) crate them together at night so the puppy won't cry and we can get a good night sleep. Should we separate them to force him to be more people oriented or should I just cut the puppy a break since we have only had him for 3 days?

[vtdobes]

Also, another thing I want to bring up with you guys is his personality and attitude towards people. With people, he is pretty aloof. He has warmed up to SO and I, but is not affectionate and does not appear to really care one way or another about us. However, he is IN LOVE with our male Australian Shepherd. I guess he has "velcroed" himself to a dog? We (selfishly) crate them together at night so the puppy won't cry and we can get a good night sleep. Should we separate them to force him to be more people oriented or should I just cut the puppy a break since we have only had him for 3 days?

Absolutely separate them! You do not want him getting far too attached. My puppy came home at 9 weeks of age and slept in his own crate from DAY 1! He cried the first night and that was it...no days on end of crying at night.
My male (he's 7 months now) attached right away to my female (she's 3) but he is not velcro to us like he is to her and like she is to us. You can't force him to be more people oriented. Not to mention you've only had him a few days so he's still getting used to things. And you absolutely cannot cut a Dobe puppy any breaks as they will quickly get the upper hand and the results can be very bad.

The breeder I got my two present Dobes from follows Dr Dodds vaccination schedule. I think it reeks less havoc on their sensitive immune system. One vaccine at a time and spread them apart!
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODD...-PROTOCOLS.HTM

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Obedience training will get him interested in you. My pup was older when I got her and she loved all dogs to a distraction--was much more dog-oriented than people. Now that has completely reversed. Work with him one-on-one, for very short sessions, without the other dog around. Give lots of praise when he does something right, and you will become much more interesting.

Also, separate crates.