Having a little difficulty

[Vicky]

Summary: For those who don't wish to read the entire post, I am looking for some help comparing three out of four of my favorite breeds. The German Shepherd, Doberman, and Belgian Malinois. I would prefer input from people who have personally owned one or more of these breeds, however anyone's opinions are welcome. Please no bashing though!

Ok, so, I am in the beginning stages of getting "my" first own dog. I have had countless dogs in my life, owned and not, so I am not lacking in experience. However, I was never the person paying for and actually picking out the animal as I was living under my parent's roof. I've been doing research and trying to make an informed decision about which breed is best for me when I am able to own a dog in about a year or so as I am still in college right now.

Ideally, I would like to own all three of these breeds but that can't happen all at the same time unless I win the lottery! So basically, I would love it if someone can compare the personalities of these three breeds. I know what they are like as individual breeds, but I would like to compare traits such as affection level, loyalty, natural protectiveness, aloofness, etc. I understand individuals of different breeds and lines can be different. I don't need 100% accurate statements, just personal experiences and opinions would be nice.

Oh and just to be clear, I am the type of person that changes my mind often so I have done some research on all three breeds since I kept changing my mind. Regardless of my indecisiveness on which breed I would enjoy most and is most right for me, I am still responsible and willing to put in the time and money to properly care for my dog. Thanks!

[BlackthornGSD]

I have a friend that had 2 dobermans when I met her. Now she has 2 dobermans and 2 GSDs...

One of the big differences between dobies and GSDs is that dobies want to TOUCH you. ALL THE TIME. They will sit leaning against you or on your foot or with their head in your lap. A GSD will follow you from room to room to room, always nearby, but they are happy checking in with you and then lying down a few feet away.

Another factor with dobies can be that they are very weather sensitive--they don't like getting their feet wet or going out in the rain or snow. GSDs love to swim and don't much think about the rain and love the snow.

One day, I may get a Dobe.... they have a definite sense of humor and panache. But they can very much be divas.

[Vicky]

That was helpful, thank you. I can definitely see the dobies being more of a diva than the shepherds. (:

[Holmeshx2]

umm not to take anything away from this but not ALL shepherds are content being a few feet away.. Jinx HAS to be touching me she sits on my feet in the bathroom she pokes her nose in the shower and licks my leg she completely LAYS on top of me on the couch, at night she sleeps next to me but places on paw on top of my leg or some other part of her body on top of me. While there are some shepherds that don't even want to be touched there are those (like Jinx) that are beyond cuddle bugs and can never seen to get enough attention and touching.

Ive only been around a few dobes before so know very little. 1 they are FAST lol they definitely have their own sense of humor and great characters I dont know about how they work as far as training etc.. I do have to say I love the shepherds just because of how indepth they are. Everything I've heard about mals are that they are alot like shepherds just a bit higher strung/higher energy.. I'm sure again there is a WIDE spectrum.. all amazing breeds I have great admiration for but for me personally shepherds are the only way to go.

[JakodaCD OA]

ok this is from a diehard german shepherd lover, I've had them my entire life and will always have atleast one in the house

I have quite a few friends with dobies and mals..Dobies, are ok, the ones I know, just seem to have a stubborn streak IF they choose to not do 'something'.. maybe it's more independent is the word I'm looking for? Mals, LOVE EM, but if I owned one, I would want to be able to devote ALL my time to that one dog..They have their quirks, a little to reactive for me, some are very touch sensitive..As in, you touch em on the butt and they jump 50 feet in the air

I always go back to my gsd's, brains, versatile, easy trainers (atleast the ones I've had), biddable, adaptable. Sure they have their own set of problems, but I've been blessed thru my life to have/had some wonderful german shepherds

Just my 2 cents

[BlackPuppy]

I have been in classes with a lot of dobermans, and they are always laying down and looking bored. But very good at obedience. That's all I know about them.

Malinois are dogs that don't want to be everybody's best friend. They could not care less if a stranger wants to pet them. Just stand there and look uninterested. Also, expect to spend a lot of time with one. They are definitely not a "leave in the backyard all day" type of dog. My working line Malinois was my second dog. I thought I was prepared for her, but I certainly was not. She is the most challenging dog I've over owned, but partly because she is incredibly smart! Also a great agility dog.

All three of my dogs are protective.

My Laekenois will kiss everybody, but knows a bad guy when he sees one. They have a history of being employed as police and war dogs. They were nearly exterminated during the WWII. You will find them doing Protection Sports all over Europe and in the USA. (The Laekenois is the foundation breed for all the Belgian Shepherds and a couple of other breeds.)

My Malinois is my early alert dogs - poor nerves.

My Dutchie (I know not on your list but worth considering) has shown that he has solid nerves during a temperament test. He is not as quick to attack as my Laekenois. He is the most athletic dog I have ever seen. I think he will give the Border Collies some competition in agility. He's young, so still a work in progress. (The PURE Dutch Shepherd has changed very little in the last 100 years. It is an old breed and very much like the German Shepherds of 100 years ago.)

[Franksmom]

one of my friends has 3 dobies from the same breeder and I can honestly say I love all 3 of them very good in obedience and loving towards their family, 1 of her dobies is a real Diva and the other 2 are more like my GSD in personality.
Frank my GSD is both content to lay at my feet always in the same room as I am, or he can also be a snuggler laying beside me in bed whichever I want. He's been Great in obedience and he's still not very old so I'm looking forward to see how far we can go.
I looked at the Mal's before deciding on the GSD and from talking to different people I decided the Mal just had a little more energy then I wanted right then for me.

[nitemares]

Personally if I think between those 3 breeds a GSD is the best as a first time owner, I have not owned a Malinois, but my Grandmother (may she rest in piece) was a breeder (Dobies and poodles).
My take on it is as much as Dobies are versatile, GSDs just have a bit extra. For example, Dobies can't handle cold weather as well as GSDs, so winter is pretty tough if you live somewhere cold. also water will be an issue, if the temperature is not just right. I'm sure others will come in and add to that. Doberman can be a bit more stubborn too. (not that some GSDs aren't, but we love them anyways )
And finally if you get a GSD you get to hang out here with us we are awesome LOL

[lhczth]

My first obedience dog was a Dobe and I will always have a soft spot for the breed. Christine is right, many don't like the water or at the least are not good swimmers. Ours loved going in the water, but he didn't swim well and actually hated it. Funny, my parents also had a Dobe/Lab mix and he didn't like the water either. The Dobe had excellent ball drive and in many ways wasn't that much different to work with than my GSD. We got him in 1983. They don't do as well in colder temps though ours would play in icy puddles in spring. Many are sort of wussy about sitting or downing in wet grass or on the cold ground which can be an issue when you compete in outside sports. I don't feel the breed is as strong as it used to be though I do see some nice ones come into our puppy classes. They are, for the most part, a quick athletic breed. The breed has in many areas been dumb down so do a lot of research.

I am a GSD person. I probably will never own another breed again. I love this breed, but also hate it. We see a LOT that are very bad coming into the puppy classes. Nervy, fearful, reactive or just detached from their people. This breed probably more than any other has been divided into so many types that picking a good puppy can be confusing for a new person. Get used to hair. LOL I swear that a new dog grows around Alexis' crate over night. All three of these breeds shed and the Mal also has a double coat, but I think it is the thickness of the GSD undercoat that makes them the worst. Also, get used to having a shadow. My guys always believe that I may go out the door at any minute and that I must have an escape route out of the bathroom. What I love about this breed is their strong desire to work and work with me. Plus, they can be so darn much fun to train. They were bred to work with people while also thinking on their own. I have not seen this so much in other breeds. And I like how they look. Again, be very very careful where you get a puppy.

I have never owned a Mal, but have trained with them. They are fun to watch, but I have just never been attracted to the breed. They are probably the healthiest of all three breeds. I, and I know this will tick off someone, would stay away from the AKC show lines. I have not seen a good show bred Mal in many many years. Horrible horrible nerve issues. When we have a bad GSD come into class most are at least fairly social to the people. The Mals (we get the other Belgians in classes too with the Tervs being the worst) are fearful of not only the other puppies, but also people. Mals do tend to be a bit lower threshold and more reactive overall than a GSD when puppies. Even the really good ones. This low threshold can make them super obedience dogs and probably fun to work in agility.

[zyppi]

I've had GSDs and my parents had Dobies.

I'm biased.

That said, either breed might fill your bill with the caveat that you need to know, have references for, and trust the breeder. Call the references, check out the breeder's vet. Ask where puppies from other breedings are and what the dogs are doing. Find out if the breeder knows what he/she is trying to achieve with the selection of dogs he/she intends to breed. Of course, ask health questions.

Lots of folks with puppies on their hands talk a good game so follow up and check, check, check.

Do you mind shedding? A GSD is a big time shedder. GSDs are prone to a lot of health issues and can be very expensive to maintain. But there is no more versatile or loyal breed than the GSD.

Not sure about Dobies or Mals healthwise.

If you research Mals, go to the source. Talk to trainers, look out a club in your area
and learn more about them.

Good luck!