Hey {{first_name}} , it's Gerald.
I recently spent three hours on a panel with breeders from different working breeds: American Bulldogs, Cane Corsos, and Dobermans. We covered everything from importing dogs to raw feeding to buyer expectations.
What stood out: we're all navigating the same challenges. Different breeds, same patterns.
Buyers choosing dogs for the wrong reasons. Breeders chasing trends instead of building programs. And a fundamental gap between what "working dog" means on paper versus in practice.
What to Expect in This Issue
Why 95% of working dog buyers will never do protection work (and why that's okay)
The questions worth asking before you buy
Aesthetics versus function: knowing the difference
What "working dog" actually means in 2025
Reading time: 3 minutes
The 95% Reality
Here's something worth acknowledging: 95% of people who buy a working line European Doberman will never do protection work. Never train IPO. Never put a bite sleeve on.
And that's completely fine.
The issue isn't wanting a European Doberman as a companion.
The issue is buying a dog bred for work and being caught off guard when it needs a job.
That's when the January calls start coming in. "He won't settle." "She's destroying the house." "This isn't what I signed up for."
"The dog needs an outlet. The owner needs calm. Neither gets what they need."
AESTHETICS VERSUS FUNCTION
A lot of buyers are drawn to the look without considering the work. The title without the training. The pedigree without the performance.
You can have a 120-pound Doberman, but if he's scared of his own shadow, what have you accomplished?
The reverse is also true. A dog with excellent working temperament, placed with someone who just wants a couch companion, creates frustration on both sides.
The dog needs an outlet. The owner needs calm. Neither gets what they need.
THE QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Whether you're breeding, buying, or evaluating where you stand, these are the questions that matter:
Does this dog have drive?
Can this dog handle pressure?
Am I selecting for function or appearance?
Is my knowledge firsthand, or borrowed from Instagram?
And the most important one: Am I the right owner for this dog?
WHAT “WORKING DOG” ACTUALLY MEANS
A working dog needs a job. That doesn't have to be protection work. It could be obedience. Agility. Scent work. Even structured daily training sessions count.
The point is simple: if you bought a dog with working genetics, give it something to do.
A 30-minute walk isn't enough. A fenced backyard isn't enough.
These dogs were bred to work alongside humans for hours.
Match the dog to the lifestyle. Not the other way around.
WHY THIS MATTERS
January is when expectations meet reality.
Christmas puppies are now a few weeks into their new homes. The energy hasn't slowed down. The behaviors haven't magically corrected themselves.
If you're in that position, start by asking whether the dog is the problem - or whether the match was off from the beginning. That clarity changes everything.
Until Next Tuesday,
Gerald
Alll World Doberman Insider
Instagram: @european_doberman_stud
Youtube: All World Doberman Club
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