[puppylove2009]

Okay first of all my sister and I were raised in two different homes. She is my half sister. Anyways her mind is set when she moves away from home (which isn't too far off) that she is going to get a doberman.

First of all she knows nothing of the breed. She likes it for its looks. When I asked her if she had researched the breed she said "Not really". I said "will you have the proper time to devote to the dog", "Will you have the money to afford dog training classes", "Will you be able to be firm enough of a handler for this breed"

She is a small girl, (She was 2 months premature as a baby and now as a teen she is very small compared to the other girls her age)

Now I understand she is a teen and all but at the same time I'm concerned because she wants this breed and I know they are under a lot of scruntiny.

I asked her if she will be able to find a landlord that will allow a doberman......and she was like "Why would that be a problem"

I'm scared she is going to go out and get a breed of dog before she leaves home (which I'm certain is what she will do) and she won't be able to keep the dog and then my parents will either "Keep the Dog" (Outside in the dog runs) or she will surrender the dog.

She said "We never researched any breeds that we currently have and two of our dogs live outside and they are happy and its worked"

I know she is a teenager and she doesn't realize that our parents did do a lot of research into breeds and the only reason two dogs live outside is because when she was about 4 she developed terrible dog allergies and they didn't want to rehome the dogs. (Two dogs are still inside dogs but they don't shed and don't bother her allergies)


Also what happens if she gets this dog and is allergic to it?

She isn't thinking and she is already saving for the dog?

How can I convince her this is a bad idea?

I would make sure to be very nice to her and then sit with her (at your house or hers) at the computer and research the breed together. Also make sure she learns about puppy mills and backyard breeders. Dobermans are very nice dogs but when poorly bred they (like most breeds) can have temperament problems and even be dangerous!

[chevy & karen]

Hi puppylove, I hope you can talk your sister out of this idea. It is so expensive to have a pup when your just moving out on your own and that's even if the pup has no medical problem's that crop up. Mine developed problem's shortly after he came here from his shot's and it cost me a mint to treat him...

Beside's all that sister would be tying herself down having a pup at this time. She would'nt be able to stay out all night and she would have to come straight home from work to take care of him or her. And I guess I would just try to convince her that it would be alot to take on at this time, and above all dog's are living, breathing, being's and require love and attention. Alot of it and that's hard to do when your a teenager just getting out on your own.

I hope this help's and it's only my opinion, maybe someone else can think of something better.. I will be hoping and Praying you can talk her out of it puppylove.
Good luck..

Hi there.

Well done for talking so much sence, some people rush in before they know anything about the breed...that can be a very bad move.

I think you need to get a print out off the internet to show your sister of the good and bad points to owning such a dog. It's so much hard work having a big dog like that, if she see's this then maybe it wil make her think twice.

I did so much research on my dog's breed before getting her so i knew she would be very hard work, but i have the time to put in. Does she have alot of time on her hands? if not just remind her of what dog's can chew up when they get board and left alone oh and all the walking it will need x good luck x

well since she is still living at home. can you print out some facts on dobermans and have a dinner with her and her parents so they know you are not trying to be mean but trying to help her realize the responsibility of owning a doberman. show her some adds and town laws where dobermans aren't always welcomed. hope this helps.
keep us posted.