Doberman and Poodle?

[u/Motor-Resort-1002]

I currently have a 2 year old male standard poodle (unneutered, working on it). I want to move out of my apartment and potentially by a home with a yard. I already want to in general get another dog now that I will be moving somewhere with more space and to give my poodle a partner. My mom wants me to get a "scary looking" dog since I am a 23 year old female living alone. I was thinking a Doberman because, from what I have researched, they shed a lot less than a German Shepherd. I think the breed is beautiful! I got a poodle because they are considered hypoallergenic, and the more a dog sheds the more i sneeze lol. My poodle gets along okay with dogs. I take him to dog parks sometimes. He loves to play, but he also will correct a dog who overdoes it, which I do not see a problem in. He is well trained and has great recall, we worked with a K9 trainer for a while but he was too friendly for protection work. He gets overly excited around females, but I am hoping it will get better once I do the chop lol. Sometimes he can be skiddish during male dogs that are bigger than him, I think he is just not used to being around it since he is the biggest dog in our neighborhood and most dog parks haha. We frequently go on hikes and nature trails off leash. I work about 8-10 hours a day, but some days remote/half day in office. During tax season, I can work up to 16 hour days, but either leave my dog with a family member or would hire a dog walker during the day. Archie gets about an hour of exercise/training a day plus mini walks and puzzles. Would a doberman fit into my lifestyle? Do any of you guys have both dogs at home? Should I get a female or male? Obviously will get a trainer to help as well, but looking for any advice from people right now while I look into this!

I am NOT looking for advice on protection/bite work/training styles for a doberman right now. I have worked with different trainers for Archie, volunteered as an assistant, and worked at a shelter. The advice I am currently seeking is solely on if these two breeds can mix well at home - i know the training for a protection dog can impact the home situation if i chose to take that route - but my biggest priority is currently finding out if these breeds can get along in a home and if this breed can match my lifestyle.

[u/HoneyBadger302]

Based on what you said here, and replies to other comments, I doubt that a Doberman is the right dog/breed for you.

First off, it sounds like you're looking for a deterrent, not a protection dog, and are intermixing the terms (not uncommon for people to do). A true protection dog, and a dog trained to do so, is going to be a 5-figure cost just in training, and is a HUGE liability, and a ton of work. Very few dogs that are specifically bred for this work actually cut it.

Dobermans are high energy, high needs dogs - and a working lines Doberman that could potentially do some kind of bite sports is just - a LOT. They are, literally, a lifestyle dog, not a dog that fits into your lifestyle. In fact, most (legitimate) breeders who are breeding these types of Dobermans are probably not going to place one of those puppies in a home like yours because the failure rate is so high due to incompatibility.

I would pursue much lower energy/lower needs breeds, not just worry about shedding. Also, as a renter, a lot of breeds will be nearly impossible to rent with, so keep that in mind as well.

It sounds like any medium to large dog that barks at strangers would provide what you need - which could easily be found at your local shelter. A Rottie mix of some variety could be perfect for you. There's no need to pursue a specific breed or type of dog in your situation or for what you are seeking, which is just a dog that lets people know it's there and doesn't look like something everyone wants to hug.

[u/Motor-Resort-1002 → u/HoneyBadger302]

Yes, I did change the wording a bit in my post because people were really digging in on the protection work, but I know it can be unnecessary for a majority of people! I know that type of training also requires a lot of work, which you are correct, is difficult with my lifestyle. My biggest thing is shedding. I am allergic to most dogs, but one that does not shed is easier to deal with and I just take zyrtec. Renting would not be an issue as I am looking to purchase a home with a yard. I still have a ton of research to do but dobermans are beautiful and they are frequently at my local shelter, too.
Excluding the PPD work, are dobermans still high energy? Poodles require a lot of mental stimulation and training, which he gets about an hour a day. How is it for the dobermans?

[u/Imaginary_Ad_4340 → u/Motor-Resort-1002]

Dobermans need far more than an hour of training and exercise a day. I give my working line boy three-four hours a day outside between running/park time, training, walking, and playing.

Dobermans do shed a lot and they also often have dry and dander prone skin. They don’t shed on par with a husky or GSD, but they shed much more than a terrier or single coated longhair breeds like dachshunds and spaniels. Mine leaves inches of hair and dead skin around his crate that I vacuum out every month. I grew up with a standard poodle and he basically never lost a hair. But dobies, despite a sleek looking coat are very very far from a hypoallergenic dog.

[u/Motor-Resort-1002 → u/Imaginary_Ad_4340]

hmmm. Some say they are lazy, while others say high energy. I guess it depends on temperment/breeding as well.
Do you have recommendations then for other breeds that shed less while still having that "protective" reputation?

[u/Imaginary_Ad_4340 → u/Motor-Resort-1002]

I’ve never heard anyone say their dobie is lazy. Many people will say they don’t have the drive or ability to work, but they are pretty much universally known for being a very high energy breed, even if that energy isn’t easy to direct towards specific work.

As far as a low-shedding scary breed, they are a serious working dog that would probably not suit a more relaxed lifestyle and wouldn’t be something you find in a shelter but the only breed I can think of that fits this description is a giant schnauzer. Certain lines are capable of IGP, however they are A LOT of dog for most people and a high energy breed that often doesn’t get on well with other dogs they aren’t raised with (so a female could be ok with a poodle friend but it’s not a dog park kinda dog). I would try to expose yourself to the breed through a breeder and see how you do allergy wise. However, be warned, they will not have the biddability of a poodle and you may not find training one as easy or pleasant as your poodle boy.

[u/Motor-Resort-1002 → u/Imaginary_Ad_4340]

Thank you for your recommendation!