Showing posts with label Doberman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doberman. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Growing Up - Doberman Style
Everybody loves puppies. It's that simple. Even people who don't really like dogs, love puppies. The problem for the latter is that puppies don't last forever. At some point your cute little four-legged friend may well develop into a gigantic, sofa-hogging drooler/snorer. Of course it depends on what type of dog you have. If you find yourself with an adorable mongrel puppy then it's simply pot luck as to how much of the sofa you lose in years to come. If you go for a pure-breed then at least you have an idea of what's to come in the future, but in reality nothing can prepare you for the seemingly overnight growth with larger breeds. When we got Sam, he was about the same size as a cat. Our Italian neighbour used to call him "Patatino" for the first few months, which would probably translate as "little potato". But by the time he was 8 or 9 months old, the first faces of fear started to appear as we walked him through the local markets. After his first birthday the dobermuscles developed and people stopped approaching him altogether. This despite having unusually floppy ears for a doberman and a full, constantly wagging tail! By his second birthday only doggy enthusiasts looked at him the same way as everyone else when he was a puppy and it's a real shame, because when it's your dog, you know that even with 45kg difference, he's still the same puppy! :)
Sam & Co. on Facebook at, Twelve Hairy Legs
The Dangerous Doberman...
We have a sign hanging on our gate which says "Beware, Dangerous Dog" and next to it is a picture of a doberman. The reality of what goes on inside the house is very different... This wasn't the first time Sam has sported fashionable headwear either (http://saharanscot.blogspot.de/2012/05/disconnected-no-more.html).
See more of Sam on facebook at Twelve Hairy Legs
The Doberman Experience
Exactly 3 years ago on Havelock Island, India, I met Spike. A crab-hunting, fish curry eating doberman who's affection I won through a daily supply of biscuits and cakes. Whenever my girlfriend and I arrived at the bamboo, beachside shack on our little Honda scooter he was always on hand to welcome us back and ready to accompany us on a beach stroll i.e. crab hunt. Over the two weeks there, we were together at the beach every day and when it came time to leave, my heart was broken. It was a teary backpacker that got into the departing tuk tuk. A month later and back home, we contacted the owner of the bamboo shacks to ask about Spike only to discover that he had died. Another guest had placed poison outside his hut to kill the rats which plagued the resort and Spike had inadvertently eaten some...
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| Sam 2011 |
The news was a shock and saddening but it actually had a positive side. Until then, I'd always been worried about taking on the responsibility of a dog but the news of Spike's death made me think "fuck it"...
Now, a couple of years later, we have 3 large, hairy and slightly crazy dogs, one of them a doberman called Sam. With him in mind, here are a few points to keep in mind if you're thinking about taking on four hairy legs!
- Creatures of Comfort
Theoretically dogs can sleep anywhere, but then so can you. Would you prefer to sleep on a cold floor or in a comfy bed? Your dog will likely make the same decision, except if we're talking about a husky, then you need ice cubes and an open fridge door...
- Adaptability
Despite the husky comment before, dogs are happy in every climate. Our dogs (husky included) came with us to the beach when it was 40C, all three enjoy eating the snow when it arrives and they're especially happy in Spring & Autumn when covered in mud.
- Playtime
All dogs need to play but if you're looking for a quieter four-legged friend then maybe a doberman isn't for you. ;)
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| Doberbat |
- Socks are Never Safe
Find more photos of Sam and his ladies on Facebook at "Twelve Hairy Legs"
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