Dog Breeds: Old vs New, Working vs Show- with many pictures

[HeritageGoose13]

I don't know much about dobermans to tell the truth. What are they like, and what's the difference between a working line bred doberman and a pet or show dog?

 

[collie1470]

For the herding, both of us are partial to Shepherds. And having 2 protective breeds means one won't have to deal with a threat alone, as opposed to say, a dobe and a border collie (who is tops for herding, in my eyes).

There's risk of larger predators, a pretty high risk. So I want dogs brave enough to keep us safe, but agile enough to avoid getting killed easily.

 

[collie1470]

Just like many other show lines, they focused on appearance first, and many have been bred calmer, to be pets alone. Another downside, is that so many people want them huge, but that decreases their agility.

Don't get me wrong, I doubt there are many dobes who lack the protective instinct. But a working line is bred for ability above appearance. I've known even untrained Dobermans who have thrown themselves at people attacking their owners, with zero training. They know exactly what to go for to stop an attack, either from human or animal.

They also seem to have a tendency to guard small animals.....which is great for chickens lol.

 

[collie1470]

Dobermans are one of my favorite breeds, so I am of course biased. But they were bred as a guard. Period. They are fiercely loyal, very gentle with those they protect (you can find endless vidoes of them with kittens, babies, chicks, ducklings, baby rabbits, etc)....but go after their human...

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Interesting. How much do they weigh? You said some people like them bigger? How big is your ideal doberman?

 

[collie1470]

No more than 90 pounds, but I prefer a bit lighter (65-90 is the specified range....70-75 would be my ideal). This allows for the perfect ratio of size, strength, speed, and agility. They are a lean breed, and should appear as athletic as they are.

Many (bad) breeders now are going for Dobermans closer to Great Dane sizes (I kid you not). They look more intimidating, because they are not only taller, but stockier....but they lose much of the speed and agility which puts them toward the top of the guard breeds. People seem to think bigger automatically means they are a better guard dog. But to see an appropriately sized dobe in action is amazing.

 

[collie1470]

The big ones are called "King" dobermans, or some other silly name to make them sound tougher.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I am noticing the bigger is better trend has taken over some other breeds as well. I like big dogs, but not all breeds need to be the size of a mastiff.
On the other hand, many small breeds have been made smaller than they originally were to be toy or teacup sized.

More pictures of comparisons. I was really surprised by the show border collie, it doesn't even look like a border collie (to me)... Also, why are show labs so fat and bloated looking?

Border Collies:



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Labrador Retrievers:



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Dachsunds:



Can you imagine the show dachshund hunting wild boars? I don't think so! But that is one of their traditional uses, they are a hunting dog.

 

[collie1470]

The show winners for labs are actually obese.

 

[collie1470]

They have fat rolls at the bases of their tails and the back of their necks, and have no discernable wastes, either in profile or as seen from above.