Hi all

I just want an opinion or three.... I have a good deal of experience with dogs, dont have any now, just cats. So its time to get a puppy, but im really stumped, great dane or doberman, I love both breeds, cant decide!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!

Great Danes are alot calmer and relaxed that Dobermans. Have you thought about a smaller dog to start with?

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Whats your lifestyle like? What can you offer a dog in terms of time, exercise etc?

What are the qualities about these breeds that you like, and can you meet their needs?

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I can't help you until I know more about your lifestyle, how much time you have for exercising, what training you plan to do, how much space you have etc.

Personally, there's only 1 Dobermann breeder in the UK that I would even consider getting a puppy from.

The Dobermann is not an easy breed to own. They are very very expensive and suffer many a genetic disorder. Dobermanns suffer from Dilated Cardiomyopathy (as do danes, actually!), vWD, PRA, Hip Dysplasia, Wobbler's/Cervical Vertabrael Instability, Chronic Active Hepatitis/Copper Toxicosis, etc etc etc!

They also can be extremely high drive so we wont generally home one of our rescues with any home with cats or small animals. Even from a puppy they can be a bit of a mess. They also suffer same-sex aggression, especially the males.

If you go anywhere for a Dobermann, go here to learn more about them:

Aritaur Dobermanns - Breeders of Dobermanns for Work, Show and Pet

These are the only breeders I personally think I could purchase from as they are active within the breed and they also health test before breeding. So far this year, I've sat through 15 of my close friends losing their Dobermanns to Dilated Cardiomyopathy before the age of 3.

You really have to be careful with this breed. Several of my friends are now tens of thousands in debt and have nothing to show for it but some tragic memories.

Sure, should of explained a bit more... had dogs in the past, but had to work so had few years without, but now i dont work! Just me and hubby although frequented by siblings and there kidies

We are very laid back, def have no problem with large breeds, love them the best. Want a laid back dog that is content to chill but happy to go for walks, chill with friends kids, but foremost, not rip my cats to peices!!!!!

Want a dog to be able to look after me if we go for late night walks, or when hubby works away, but not too highly strung so is up the walls and 24/7 hard work. In return we offer major love and hugs and lifetime home. I dont work and would spend most of my time at home playing and training!! :-)

I think the great dane is more your speed, the Dobermann really is more so than not a go go go 24/7 breed. You might want to consider rescuing a great dane! Many rescues will temperament test all of the dogs that come in with children and cats to make sure they are suitable! The one thing you'll want to get started on is teaching them to not jump up!

Also, be wary of any Dane breeder that charges more for specific colours or even breed a "merle" or "dapple". These guys can be fraught with similar problems to white dalmatians or bull terriers. (deafness, early onset blindness, genetic defects etc).

Great Danes are a lot gentler and less boisterous than Dobes in my experience!

Great Dane would be best big gentle giants that are quite low energy. Very laid back and calm. They do need a lot of training and socialisation though a 180lb badly behaved dog is a dangerous dog
Dobe's are quite high energy and a little mental but in a good way

Oh brilliant, thanks. My heart does go booomb when i see a dane!! :-)

Next question...male or female?!!!!!!

I prefer males personally females tend to be a bit more highly strung and you don't have to deal with seasons

I too prefer males of the larger breeds to females. They seem to be a bit more loving and more in tune with their owners, but this is just my experience. I find females are a bit more independant.