The doberman is another one of those dog breeds that has gotten the reputation for being aggressive or mean. Many times, these opinions are held by people who may not know enough about a certain breed. If you take the time to learn a little bit about dobermans, you’ll find that they do have some unique characteristics that people will confuse with aggression. Below, we will discuss some of these traits and how they can be controlled through training.
Doberman Personality
The dobermans were bred as war dogs that were meant to accompany soldiers in battle. For this reason, they are extremely loyal and brave. They are also very confident and assertive, which is often misunderstood. People who do not know the breed very well mistake this assertiveness for aggression. This is unfortunate, and is one of the reasons that dobermans get such a bad rap. Another characteristic that makes training somewhat challenging is the fact that they are also very active and energetic. These dogs require an abundance of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Training
Make sure that you are familiar with your breed’s personality traits before you begin training, no matter what kind of dog you have. The first thing you need to do when training a doberman is establish yourself as the alpha male. In other words, make sure the dog knows that you are in charge. You must be very assertive and firm, due to the personality of the dog. If your dog thinks he has a chance to become the alpha male, you could be in big trouble. Always be careful that assertiveness does not turn into abuse. Never hit your dog, no matter what. You can do more emotional and mental damage than physical when you hit your dog.
Due to the high activity of dobermans, you need to find ways to work plenty of running and hard work into your dog’s training program. These dogs were bred to work, and have tons of energy to burn. Try to incorporate some playtime into your training routine. Not only will your dog be happier, he will be able to pay attention better when he doesn’t have so much excess energy. Allowing your doberman to get the proper amount of activity and exercise will make him less apt to destroy things in and around your house as well.
Training should be consistent and firm, when dealing with dobermans. A dog of this size and with this much power must be started out early. As soon as you bring your puppy home, you can begin the training process. It’s also the best time to begin socializing your dog with other animals and people. If you take the time to do this correctly, your dog will be a great family companion for years to come.
While the exact origin of the Dalmation to the United States is unsure, there is no doubt that this breed became a popular one when the Disney movie, “101 Dalmations” hit the big screen. Unfortunately, this surge in popularity also resulted in irresponsible breeding practices, an overabundance of the breed and a number of dogs ending up in shelters. To ensure that your new puppy is not one of the casualties of this craze, it is a good idea to educate yourself about the breed so that you know what you are getting into when you bring your Dalmation ;puppy home from the breeder.
Appearance
The Dalmation has an easily recognizable white coat with black spots in most cases. However, the spots can actually vary in color, from a lemon, to a blue or brown. These dogs are not born with their spots; in fact, the puppies begin life with a pure white coat that will develop the markings by the time they are about two weeks old. Most dogs have crystal blue eyes, but some dogs will actually sport a brown/blue combination. The Dalmation grows to a height of around 20 24 inches, and will weigh approximately 55-60 pounds when full grown.
Temperament
Dalmations are intelligent, friendly and active dogs, making them a good choice for many families searching for a pet. However, this breed can also be willful and stubborn at times, which means that you need to be committed to training your dog properly to ensure that you have a well-trained, well-behaved family pet. Training requires plenty of patience and consistency, but the reward will come in a dog that is a pleasure to his family for many years to come. Dalmations can also be trained to be good watchdogs, and their size is sufficient for them to serve this purpose as well.
Requirements
This breed was originally bred to run with horse and carriage combinations, and eventually became known as the fireman’s dog when it ran alongside the horses pulling the fire hoses to clear the road and help keep the horses calm at the scene of a fire. This breeding means that the Dalmation has an abundance of energy and requires plenty of daily exercise. Dalmations are also social creatures that will be quite content accompanying you wherever you go, so be prepared to give your new dog the attention that he craves and deserves.
With the proper preparation and the right environment, the Dalmation can make a wonderful choice of pet for many people. If you think a puppy is in your future, talk to your breeder and veterinarian about whether this breed is the right one for you.
The Labrador retriever is a dog that has a long standing reputation as a great family pet. This fun, active and loving animal enjoys nothing more than being with their family. A highly intelligent and kind dog, the Labrador retriever has an interesting history.
The original Labrador Retrievers were bred in Newfoundland as a dog that would be a companion to the hunter. There were several combinations of dogs that create this species and in fact the Chocolate Labrador can trace its ancestry back to a handful of dogs. The primary color of Labrador Retrievers was black, but through breeding the Yellow and Chocolate Labrador colors were created. The Chocolate Labrador color was really defined in the 1930’s, and the color became a very popular choice for many. In a litter there can be several different colors of pups depending on the genetic strain of the sire and dam.
These dogs were bred to have a quick mind and be able to retrieve water fowl without biting down and destroying the bird. The Chocolate Labrador as well as its relatives the Golden and Black Labradors is well known to have a soft mouth, and they are a wonderful family pet because they are so gentle. However, they do have a jealous nature when it comes to their owners paying to much attention to other pets. They are known to move other pets out of the way so they can be the sole focus of their owners.
The Chocolate Labrador As A Family Pet
The Chocolate Labrador is one of the most popular dogs around, as well as the other colored Labradors. With such a fun loving personality it is easy to see why so many people have chosen this breed to be part of their family.
Not only are these dogs fun and playful, they also form a lasting bond with their families. The dog is considered a medium size breed with the adult males reaching up to about 80 pounds. The females have a tendency to be a little more independent than the males, but are no less loving or involved with their families.
These dogs enjoy the water and can spend hours chasing sticks or toys thrown into a pond or lake. They really like playing with their families and if that involves water so much the better for these hardy dogs.
The Chocolate Labrador can be a true companion for those seeking a loving and intelligent pet.
