SearchRed vs. Black
Hello,
Lately I have heard some more controversy based on the red vs. black coat. I read an article at
http://www.botrina.ca/redvsblack.html (interesting reads on this website) and I am curious again
and hoping that anyone here could give their own opinion based on their experiences, or supporting
that article.
Thank you!
No disrespect to the author of that article, but my first reaction when I read it was "baloney" LOL
I've had red males and red females in the past, but my personal preference is for black & rust females. No scientific reasoning behind that, I just like the way they look. My sister in law has one red male, 1 red female, a black male and 2 black females (three of these dogs belong to her kids who moved back in with her, but she actually takes care of the dogs, so she says they are "her dogs") and they ALL are laid back sweeties. No real difference in the personalities of the blacks or reds that I have noticed, anyway.
Ziva I have to agree with you , my first reaction was.""come on Now"!!...LOL...but was entertaining read.
Sounds to me like stereotypes conceived of human blondes, redheads, etc.
Like she said in the article, there is no scientific basis.
The more pushy or dominate the pup, the more dominate the adult no matter what color or size even.
Hmm..ya I'd call that baloney! Dakota is a red and she's definitely NOT the alpha of the 3 dogs at our house, nor has she ever tried to be. She also doesn't take criticism lightly, if she gets scolded she will sulk or lay down and look as sorrowful as possible until someone pats her lol.
Hmm. I have had 3 red Bitches and one is definitely the Alpha - Princess. But then I have had 4 Black ones and 3 of them were definitely Alphas. The first was Windy (my Avatar) and my first Dobie as well. She ruled the roost and Hans as well. But then he came in as an 8 week old pup with Windy already in the house and 2 years old.
Another Gretyl (1994-2003) really ruled the roost and was definitely the Queen. He mother Trudy was far more laid back, but bossy in her own right. She was very intelligent and I lay the tunnel they were digging out in back to her.
I had her and three grown off spring in a 70' x 100' enclosure out back. I had gone the extra step to make it escape proof. I had tilled the perimiter with the tractor, and then with the blade had pulled the dirt back and laid 4' welded wire fencing down flat on the ground and then put the dirt back over the top. Then down the center of the wire, I put a 6' chain link fence and tied the bottom of the fence to the welded wire fencing so they couldn't go under the chain link.
My sister was visiting and called in a panic. The Dobies had started 3' inside the fence and had dug down and were tunneling under the welded wire. They had tunneled almost 4 feet when she discovered the escape tunnel. It was in an area that could not be seen from the house because of the trees in the pen. She tossed some fire wood in the tunnel to keep them from getting out until I got home. When I inspected Trudy's front paws she had almost no nails, at most they were 3/16" long and rounded with dirt on them. The others were not as short.
You really have to get up early to stay ahead of the Dobes, Red or Black.
Then there is the present Diva in the house. She has taken over from Red, and now goes first everywhere. She now also lays closest to me, and has become a cuddle bear. I think to pry more out of her human.
My two red males have really been laid back, but then so was my only black male.
I definitely don't think color has anything to do with personality. Every dog is its own individual.
Except Fawns
They are soulful and wise, mystic and magic
i don't know the reds...but my blue...is a genetic enhancement of my black....everything hogan is...blue is...but more so....affection....committment...tolerance... speed....stamina....agility....all seemingly enhance...but while there are indeed genetic diffeerences...the personalities...are very similar...i just finished the article saying its irresponsible to buy a blue.....not sure thats true...i don't want to be one who is taking the breed down....just so happened to be one in the litter....as far as an alpha behaviour.....neither is alpha...because i am.....but they take second in command by what seems to be convenience...as in the one on the couch first will be the alpha.....and finally...the blue wins every fight the boys have....hogan...my black and tan....is 31 inches at the shoulder...blue...is 28...i know way too big....but its not their fault right.....they do play with a red.....and he is one crazy dog....i think it comes from liveng with a brindle boxer...but yes...the breed is the dog...but the dog is the owner....regardless of colour....be well all
I have heard that comment before "it is irresponsible to buy a _______". You can fill in the blank with almost any color except black and there are certain people who agree. However, only in the case of the white does the DPCA and then the AKC come close to agreement. Then they say it is irresponsible to breed the dog, not buy the dog.
Once the puppy is born, if no one is willing to buy a blue/fawn/red puppy, then the outcome for the puppy is not good. There was a time, that some Doberman breeders would kill any puppy that was not a black. Thankfully, the vast majority of breeders have come a long way since then.
Yes, some blues, fawns and even reds have coat problems, but this is not the fault of the dog, but of poor breeding. If you have a dog with a very thin coat or other coat problems, then you have to expend a little more effort on the behalf of the dog, but that does not affect the basic wonderful nature of the dogs. And despite the comments, many have lustrous coats. Look at the photo of Sofia above and her lustrous coat.
I remember when you first got them, the only real concern most members had was the two males in one house. So far, you seem to have fared well. I certainly would not worry about the coat color, especially if the blue has a good thick coat.
It sound as if you are ejoying the presence of your boys in your home.
Wow! I hadn't read that before, but our 6mo. old red male has mellow written all over him. He does love to frolic, he is only 6mo. after all, but he's sooo social with everyone and seems fine with just tagging along whereever anyone is. Loving him more every day and it's only been 2 weeks! 
I had a red , he was so friendly to me and my family. And talk about laid back, it did at times seem like he had feelings. But very protective, Loved that dog. I now own a black he is also a very protective and loving to my family. But he seems a little more clumsy, not as proud as the red. I think every dog has it's own personality, but i have only owned two. Looking at getting a blue , we will see how he is. My brother has a black female and she is very stand off to anyone she doen't know. Still a good dobie though. Both of mine were males , the blue im looking for will be female. If i don't go with a blue I will be getting a red female. So in short it was nice reading something new, Thank you for sharing.
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Interesting that it is written by Judy Donier a very well known and respected Doberman breeder and judge that passed away last year I believe. She was well respected and will be missed by the Doberman community.
I've always owned blacks and prefer them over the other colors for various reasons. We have bred reds, and I almost kept a red male from our last litter. I've know a few women that prefer the red males like Judy spoke of and say the same thing she does about them. I think the rest of it may be arguable like anything else in this world but certainly interesting. I'm sure with every story a person can come up with for a red that others can do for a black, blue, or fawn. The common thread is they are Dobermans and that is what makes them special not the color, they are all capable of the same things it is all in how they are raised and cherished throughout their lives that bring the stories to life.
Desiree