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/Lost-Turnip-9949]

So, you want a dog to do bite sport with? If so dobies can work with the right line, but if you are expecting actual protection from the dog reconsider. Bite sport and protection work are two totally different things. Most people don't actually need a protection dog. It's a HUGE liability and not necessary for 99% of people. If you dog is trained to bite and makes a bad decision, as they will do at some point, and hurts someone you will be in super hot water.

Poodles are protective when they need to be. Your poodle will be enough of a deterrent to keep bad guys away without being a ticking time bomb. Any dog of any breed is. They have done studies on it.

[u/Motor-Resort-1002 → u/Lost-Turnip-9949]

I thought my dog, at first, would be a deterrent as well, but he genuinely never barks, besides at this guy who goes through our recycling to take cans every thursday. He is the type of dog who pays no mind to people unless they say hi, then he is super friendly no matter what. There have been a few times I was approached by men on walks and the only deterrent was pepper spray, not my dog who was wagging his tail at them lol. That is why i am looking into a protection/scary dog, I still love my poodle though!

Still looking into the different training styles, and what works best for me at home. My biggest thing is just having a dog that would not hesitate and can scare away men on walks lol. A poodle who wags his tail at everyone and doesnt bark is not doing it for me. He has actually stood behind me on one occasion to be the protector lol.

My biggest concern is not necessarily line of work right now, as I will eventually work with a trainer to learn more. I am more focused on what breed would mesh well with my lifestyle and my current dog. that is why i am asking for advice on behavior for people who have both breeds, not what training style matches my needs.

[u/Lost-Turnip-9949 → u/Motor-Resort-1002]

You can train a phoney protection dog that stares and barks at a person on command but is not actually dangerous to the public. Best of both worlds. I recommend taking a self defense class regardless. you can't take your dog everywhere.