Firstly adopting a puppy had come in the form of an ultimatum from Mr. T.  I was reluctant at first, because I didn’t feel we were settled enough, we enjoyed travelling, and I knew myself better than anyone – if we were to have a pet, my life would be devoted to that pet as if it were my own flesh and blood, and like a cassowary with chicks, you come between me and my baby and whammooo.  Yes, I take committment very seriously! (for pets at least!)

I grew up firstly with 3 Pekinese dogs, a number of significant and memorable cats, a German Shepherd that we inherited from my late grandfather, and a Labrador Chow Chow cross.  You may have already decided that I must be a dog person to have this website but for the record, I am both dog and cat woman.

Many a soul has tried sneaky ways to make me admit favouring one or the other.  But honestly, honestly, I can truly say that I am both.  Yes I am.  I love all my pets equally but differently, much like a parent loves their children.

My Lab/Chow ‘Ricky’ had a miserable time – he was allergic to vegetation and fleas, so he constantly chewed and itched himself to pieces.  And these were the days when there wasn’t much but toxic washes and cortisone to ease the pain.  The vet suggested the final needle many times but his little personality was so hilarious, he was full of life and we just couldn’t bring ourselves to do that…..so we used the toxic wash weekly, used cortisone and did our best.  We cursed the day we used cortisone as his energy changed rather quickly from being a larrikin all of the time, to little spurts, it aged him a lot, but having had the benefit of knowing many breeds, it was the Labrador coming out in him as well!

Having been through 14 years of hell with my childhood puppy, I vowed that in the unlikely event that I ever lost my mind and adopted a dog, it would be the opposite of Ricky.  Short haired,  low grooming required, pedigree dog.  I had come to the conclusion that Ricky’s problems were because he was a ‘mongrel’.

I had a chance meeting one evening in the dark with a woman with 2 young Rotties.  She told me about the guard dog instinct in them as a breed and gave me some gruesome yet intriguing details on their killing capacity……looking back she must have been nervous that I wasn’t intimidated!  I think that was the point of the conversation! Far from it, I was seduced by their presence and their power, the idea of loyalty and protection. Perhaps too, the allure of control, ego stroke supreme!

So for me it was a done deal if I were ever to lose my mind……..

And here I was faced with a decision.  Not a light decision.  I fought with Mr. T, I gave him every reason to reconsider his decision.  He gave me the other side of the ultimatum and the least painful was to adopt a puppy.

Had to be a large, short haired, low grooming, non smelly, pedigree, preferably black dog.

Rottie was it for me, but as we researched, the idea of a slobber- chops didn’t appeal as I had successfully lived almost pet free for 5 years (I fed a stray cat for a period of time).  Mr. T has posted on our other thoughts.

He was keen on the German Shepherd but, partly so as not to dilute the memories of my dog, but also because of the coat and more of a need for routine, we rule the GS out.

Airdale was another breed that I thought was cute, but didn’t suit us.

After ruling out all on the shortlist we thought about the Dobermann!

From my description it would seem to be a no brainer, but a couple of negative comments about the breed growing up stayed with me.

Growing up I was compelled to pat every living thing (that wasn’t an insect) and befriend it.  Particularly dogs and cats.  Many dogs roamed the neighbourhood and  I lived to pat whoever was on patrol.  There was a male dobermann who used to regularly come around in the afternoon.  He was memorable because he was on a mission, not really interested in me at 7, 8 or so years old, and my mother called out a number of times ‘not that one, it’s a dobermann’.  It didn’t stop me but a bookmark was placed in my mind.

When I first lived out of home in a block of units, there were barking dogs – all night long, loud, big, deep barks – in a neighbouring free standing house.  They didn’t worry me that much but so many people complained ….. and we were told that there were 4 dobermanns in the backyard of the house.   Another bookmark, or negative imprint.

As soon as we thought about the Dobermann and researched the breed thoroughly we had our match!

We were sold particularly on the versatility aspect, social nature, intelligence, aging well, and how adorable they are.  Plus good guard dog or not, being a black dog, a dobermann, is enough to make someone think twice about entering premises uninvited with ill intent!

No longer was I reluctant to adopt, I became a driving force!

Ms. S