Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Just got a 4 month old doberman yesterday. I can't bring him indoors as my sister suffers badly from asthma and i know her asthma would become worse with a dog indoors. However i have a large garden (an acre), and have a large kennel which is always open and leads to a nice large pen. I am from the UK so its cool during the winter and therefore i have put a heater in the kennel so it stays warm during winter and i have ennsured there is shade for when it gets hot.

I have read in some places that dobermans are not outdoor dogs. However i spend at least 4 hours a day with the dog and the rest of the time it is resting, sleeping or just playing with some toys and it seems to be doing fie. In addition to this i know a number of people who keep their rottweilers outdoors at all times and their dogs are treated well and could'nt be happier. So should my doberman not be ok? What are the main differences between the rottweiler and the doberman?
Thanks.

SORRY BUT I JUST SPOTTED AN ERROR, I GOT IT LAST WEEK NOT YESTERDAY!

My opinion?

Dogs are pack animals. If you have a dog that will be an outdoor dog, it's not fair to the dog, unless you start sleeping in the kennel too.

How about if i bring him into my laundry room from time to time??

>>How about if i bring him into my laundry room from time to time??

They like to be with their pack, and that includes just being with you. If you have a puppy that you raise with you (rather than out in the yard), then your puppy will grow up with fewer behaviour problems and will be a smarter and wiser dog. And you will actually know what it truly means to have a dog as a companion.

I understand your situation. I am terribly allergic to cats. I love cats, but I will never own one because I can't see myself having an outdoor cat. It's just not fair to the dog have so many hours alone, and I honestly believe you will never see the full potential of your pup if you do that.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dogs-faq/breeds/dobermans/

I completely agree. You need to be able to have the dog in doors with you.
Did you get the dog knowing you wouldn't be able to bring it in???

If you are determined to keep the dog outside I would strongly consider getting another for company.

My sister has doberman's, two of them. They, as with any dog, are much happier when they have company, if not from you, then from another dog. Dogs left alone often develope behavior issues and depression.

No dog should be an outdoor-only dog. They are domesticated animals, bred to be our companions. Four hours a day of attention leaves another 20 hours of being alone. At the very least get another dog to keep the doberman company. Another thing, I had a friend in high school who had really bad asthma, and her family had a chihuahua. There was never a problem. At least try the dog out. Dobermans have such short hair. I'm touchy about the outdoor dog thing, too, because my dog Lucy lived outdoors for 8 years with her previous family, and because she was alone so much she learned nothing but bad habits like barking, jumping the fence, and using the bathroom wherever she wanted. She's terrified of storms and she's not leash-trained or anything, and it's really rough dealing with her. Your dog will learn nothing but bad habits, and if for any reason he ever needs to be re-homed you will have a very hard time finding him a home and he will probably be euthanized because nobody wants a great big dog with bad manners (except me, of course).
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Kadee Sedtal
home of old lady Lucy (boxer/lab/garbage disposal), and the lovely new addition, Fancy the Wonder Beagle!

People can and do steal dogs, especially purebreds. Some people actally steal dogs to sell to labs that use them for medical testing. I don't think it's really common, but I certainly wouldn't want to take any chances. Neither of my dogs, especially my little beagle, are ever outside for more than five minutes unless I am out there with them- and that's with a lock on the gate in our nice military housing neighborhood. I've also read about people stealing dogs to use as bait for fighting dogs. Again, it's probably not common at all, but it's something to think about.
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Kadee Sedtal
home of old lady Lucy (boxer/lab/garbage disposal), and the lovely new addition, Fancy the Wonder Beagle!