Hi all... My wife and I now own a home. One thing we said we would never do is get a dog UNLESS we lived in a house. Now that we are out of our apartment we are in the market for a pup. This winter we visited her grandparents who have a miniature doberman, I absolutly fell in love with this dog. I am typically a fan of bigger dogs (labs, german, shepards, etc) and have grown up with large dogs all my life. The primary reason for wanting a large dog is that it is very cheap home protection. So I dont know what to do with these feelings I am having for the miniature doberman.... my wife wanted a small dog, but is so-so on the miniature doberman idea, she is more of a cocker fan. We have no kids, but should if 3 or 4 years, assuming no 'accidents' happen... and we have a fairly large house with a nice big back yard, fenced in. Are there anythings I should be aware of the miniature doberman before deciding on getting one? Health concerns, life expectancy, etc... thanks all. Jazz Mann

This winter we visited her grandparents who have a miniature doberman, I absolutly fell in love with this dog. There's no such breed as a miniature Doberman, perhaps you're thinking of a Manchester Terrier or a Miniature Pinscher:   http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/manchter.cfm   http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/minpin.cfm

My wife and I now own a home. One thing we said we would never do is get a dog UNLESS we lived in a house. Now that we are out of our apartment we are in the market for a pup. This winter we visited her grandparents who have a miniature doberman, I absolutly fell in love with this dog. I am typically a fan of bigger dogs (labs, german, shepards, etc) and have grown up with large dogs all my life. The primary reason for wanting a large dog is that it is very cheap home protection. So I dont know what to do with these feelings I am having for the miniature doberman.... my wife wanted a small dog, but is so-so on the miniature doberman idea, she is more of a cocker fan. We have no kids, but should if 3 or 4 years, assuming no 'accidents' happen... and we have a fairly large house with a nice big back yard, fenced in. Are there anythings I should be aware of the miniature doberman before deciding on getting one? Health concerns, life expectancy, etc... thanks all. Jazz Mann    Hi Jazz,         Dogs have a natural protection to guard and even a small dog can make a good guard dog.  It would be cheaper to have an alarm system than a dog . If you are thinking of having children then its best to make sure your dog is socialised with children as a pup or you could have trouble later on . If you buy a puppy you will need someone at home for part of the day to care and train it . Adult dogs don't always do well left alone all day . Some get destructive or bark so if you both work you could adopt a dog that is used to it or have someone call in at lunch time.

and this isn't RPDB.  sorry,  wrong group.

So I dont know what to do with these feelings I am having for the miniature doberman.... my wife wanted a small dog, but is so-so on the miniature doberman idea, she is more of a cocker fan. Sorry... No such breed as a miniature Doberman Pinscher. There *are* several breeds that are quite a bit older than the Dobe that look similar and could be mistaken as a mini Dobe. Does it have a tail? Is it teensy tiny? Better yet... Why not go to your local bookstore and peruse a good book of dog breeds so you can find out for yourself? * * * * * Karen C. Spammers be damned! I can't be emailed from this account... You have no power here!  ...Be gone! Before somebody drops a house on you too!