My sister would like to get a doberman pinscher or a German Shepherd, however she thinks she shouldn’t get a doberman because they sound like too much of a challenge. Would a German shepherd dog actually be easier to care for?
Both are extremely high maintenance, expensive breeds to keep, and without proper training and an experienced handler with an immense amount of time to invest, no doubt the dog will end up dumped in a shelter within the couple of years of its life.
The Dobermann Pinscher is a very headstrong breed, that requires very lengthy training and constant attention from an early age, to iron out any issues before they develop.
Extremely strong as an adult dog, basic lead commands needs to be asserted as a young pup, otherwise even walking your dog would become an impossible task. Also an extremely high energy breed, He would need a lot of mental stimulation and human company.
The German Shepherd is also a very strong dog, and again would need intense training and to learn the rules of the lead at a very young age. The longer coat on this breed would mean that regular grooming is essential, and you’d have to prepare yourself for regular shedding of hair. Again high energy breed, and if not given enough mental stimulation, can result in destructive, aggressive behavior. You’d need to sacrifice at least 2 hours a day to dog walk rain or shine!
If you’re looking for a dog thats "easy to care for" I wouldn’t suggest either one of these breeds.
Not only are they extremely time consuming, they are costly to care for properly requiring a lot of food, and a lot of training. Bigger dog = Bigger bills. FACT!
My partner desperately wanted a "big dog" and was set on getting a dog such as the breeds you’ve mentioned, but the more we looked into it, the more unrealistic we realised it would be. (both breeds like their own space so a big house with a big garden, and a "room" for the dog to have as its own is also essential)
We now own 2 little Miniature Pinschers. They aren’t related to the Dobermann Pinscher, but look like little mini versions, but are A LOT easier to care for.
My 2 are more than content with two 30 min walks a day, a small bag of food lasts about a month, and require little to no grooming.
I’m not going to say they’re the most low maintenance dog around, but far easier to care for with our busy lifestyles.
I’m not saying NO ONE should own these breeds, but I think someone with past experience of bigger breeds, and a firm hand would be best suited.
I personally would LOVE a Dobie, they are absolutely stunning dogs, and if trained properly can make the most devoted pets, but you NEED to have that time and energy to put into them, or you won’t get the best outcome
Hope you decide on the breed thats right for you.
If she’s not an experienced dog owner with good training skills and can’t handle a dobie, she can’t handle a german shepherd either. She’d be better off getting an "easier" breed to start. Or at the very least, do a LOT of learning before getting a dog, and be prepared to get the dog involved in classes as well as other dog activities – agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, etc. They need a job to do.
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Both breeds require intense socialization early on in life to be a calm, acceptable member of society. They both require the same amount of exercise, mental stimulation, and training. Both Dogs are extemely intelligent. Both have a tendency to become over protective and hostile with certain people and items if not properly corrected. These breeds require a firm, dominant owner.
I would say they are about the same in all aspects of both breeds disposition.
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Theyre both wonderful dogs… IF TRAINED
They do require lots of work just tell your sister to prepare herself. My GS is a fantastic boy but I made the mistake of training at 8 months old and it was A CHALLENGE. But any dog can be like that.
All the dobies Ive had in my classes are wonderful but theyre all young. The older one I had was 2 and he had socialization issues, but that wasnt his fault.
Get either or, just do some research and train them or talk to your local trainer at places such as petsmart or petco
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Accredited Dog Trainer/ German Shepherd Owner
Both dogs are great. But in my personal opinion, I like German Shepherds better. I own two German Shepherds of my own and I think they both are really good dogs. They both are loyal, intelligent, beautiful and very protective dogs. They protect your yard and house very well and have very good sense of smell. Both are very beautiful dogs too, they made pretty puppies of their own which turned out to be very smart animals.
It sounds to me though, that she is not close to being ready to own her own dog. Dogs are a lot of responsibility, take time to train and look after, and cost quite a bit of money if you really think about it. She should read lots about dogs for about thirty minutes daily, research up on them and then see if she stills wants one. Remember, she needs money in order to get food every month, toys, bed, maybe even dog clothes . . . .
———-EDIT———-KEITH :
Every German Shepherd I’ve seen, met and owned DON’T have hip problems. Why does everyone keep on saying they usually have hip problems when it’s very rare ?! But yes, warning : German Shepherd dogs can get hip problems but it’s pretty rare.
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German Shepherd owner
As far as the energy levels, intelligence, stubborness, ease of training, etc….
There isn’t a lot of difference.
They are both VERY energetic active intelligent breeds that *can be* a bit willful if you let them, and both breeds can be very loyal, very good at training, etc. A lot of it is up to the owner/handler.
NEITHER dog is ideal for the first-time dog owner.
GSD’s can have a few serious genetic health issues with their hips, and as a longer-haired breed will need a lot more grooming (and vacuuming their hair from the floor).
Edit:
@Ride him Cowgirl :- I never said GSD’s USUALLY have hip problems. I said they CAN have hip problems. Which you then agree with. lol
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ONLY more grooming!!!
Silly & ignorant bigotry is NOT breed specific
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These are both 90-100 lb dogs, both are very protective, and both are dominant breeds that need someone experienced and strong…
To answer your question, no, these are both similar dogs, they are different, and one is ranked higher in brains, but without the knowledge of how to care for a dominant protective breed it will be a nightmare…
I have a German Shepherd pup, and I can tell you, it’s no walk in the park. Any type of puppy is going to be hard to care for, but German Shepherds have endless energy and are always on the go, not for someone who wants a couch potato or even someone who wants a dog that can chill for an hour or two…
I haven’t much experience with Dobermans, but from what I hear from other people they are a high energy dog that needs training early and often…
@Ride him Cowgirl – German Shepherds DO often have hip problems, may not always be noticeable and may not always be hip dysplasia… Unless you have an OFA and CERF certified dog you will not know for sure the dog will be healthy, and reputable breeders usually have those, and the only other types of breeders are BYBs and puppy mills, so the chances are high without an OFA certificate…
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My grandparents bred and raised Dobermans for several generations and my dad and brother German Shepherds. I was raised around both breeds and both are incredible breeds but they BOTH need an owner who knows what they are doing. They are both smart dominant breeds that need a strong knowledgeable owner who has the same amount of energy and strength as they do. German Shepherds can be a HUGE challenge and in my opnion sometimes more than a Doberman. It also all depends on the dogs itself but German Shepherds take a lot of experience and many times they are surrendered because they get an inexperienced owner that fails and then they can get aggressive.
I would suggest adopting an older dog from a reputable breed rescue that already has some time and training into them. Or right off the get go get into a good obedience program.
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no, german shepherds are extremely high maintenece dogs. I have a 1.5 year old male, fixed, he is an awesome dog, but my goodness, he is the center of our lives.They require 2 hours of extreme excersise daily, and if they don’t, they get antsy. They are also very serious about their family. If anyone walks in the house unannounced, you’re in trouble. They shed constantly, however, it’s very unnoticable actually, it falls in separate hairs, not tumbleweeds like golden retrivers. But it’s still all over your house. In fact, you’ll start getting cups out of the cabinet and find that there’s hair in them! GSDs are very intense. They have the 3rd strongest bite, and insurance companies kno that. Ur insurance will skyrocket when they find out you have a german shepherd. And if he bites someone, you’ll lose your house, your car, everything. This is not a little ratty chihuahua who leaves a little sting, this is a dangerous beast. Constant training, constant mental stimulation, constant love. If you’re never home, you CANNOT leave him in a cage, especially when he’s older (around 10 months literally). My dog actually bent our metal/plastic cage and busted out when he was 4 months old. So, consider this in your choice, i’ve never owned a doberman, so i can’t tell u what that’s like, but GSDs are for ppl with good dog experience only, due to their intensity
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Both are extremely high maintenance, expensive breeds to keep, and without proper training and an experienced handler with an immense amount of time to invest, no doubt the dog will end up dumped in a shelter within the couple of years of its life.
The Dobermann Pinscher is a very headstrong breed, that requires very lengthy training and constant attention from an early age, to iron out any issues before they develop.
Extremely strong as an adult dog, basic lead commands needs to be asserted as a young pup, otherwise even walking your dog would become an impossible task. Also an extremely high energy breed, He would need a lot of mental stimulation and human company.
The German Shepherd is also a very strong dog, and again would need intense training and to learn the rules of the lead at a very young age. The longer coat on this breed would mean that regular grooming is essential, and you’d have to prepare yourself for regular shedding of hair. Again high energy breed, and if not given enough mental stimulation, can result in destructive, aggressive behavior. You’d need to sacrifice at least 2 hours a day to dog walk rain or shine!
If you’re looking for a dog thats "easy to care for" I wouldn’t suggest either one of these breeds.
Not only are they extremely time consuming, they are costly to care for properly requiring a lot of food, and a lot of training. Bigger dog = Bigger bills. FACT!
My partner desperately wanted a "big dog" and was set on getting a dog such as the breeds you’ve mentioned, but the more we looked into it, the more unrealistic we realised it would be. (both breeds like their own space so a big house with a big garden, and a "room" for the dog to have as its own is also essential)
We now own 2 little Miniature Pinschers. They aren’t related to the Dobermann Pinscher, but look like little mini versions, but are A LOT easier to care for.
My 2 are more than content with two 30 min walks a day, a small bag of food lasts about a month, and require little to no grooming.
I’m not going to say they’re the most low maintenance dog around, but far easier to care for with our busy lifestyles.
I’m not saying NO ONE should own these breeds, but I think someone with past experience of bigger breeds, and a firm hand would be best suited.
I personally would LOVE a Dobie, they are absolutely stunning dogs, and if trained properly can make the most devoted pets, but you NEED to have that time and energy to put into them, or you won’t get the best outcome
Hope you decide on the breed thats right for you.
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