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Greetings everyone. First off, let me say that I understand this post may get some folks riled up, and for that I apologize. My wife and I very much want a Doberman, and I have been researching the breed for years now. Here's the run-down:
We live in a 2 BR 1,000 sqft apartment in...New York City... I have wanted a Doberman for years, but as I was in the military I had the tendency to get deployed and fight for other nations a lot.. So I could not raise a Doberman (or any pet for that matter) with what I believe to be the necessary dedication. Now, however, I have a stable job and we will be in the city for the next few years at the least. We literally live in Manhattan, so I anticipate several tricky parts to raising a Doberman. Thus, I have come here for your advice and guidance.
First, I am aware that many would say don't raise any dog in the city period. However we have done our research. We know all the local dog runs, puppy kindergartens, trainers, groomers, vets, and dog parks with off-leash hours, and the local laws about leashes and cleaning up after them. We also know that the Dobe is at home inside with the family, so that actually works in our favor. We are both law enforcement with routine schedules (not random patrol hours), and are VERY physically active. We actually joke that we ourselves are like dogs in that we are cranky unless we get our daily run in. However, I am very serious about raising a Dobe properly, and would not want to risk anything for the sake of our new family member should we not be able to provide the correct environment for him/her.
For example, we will be able to run him/her every day, as well as a nice evening walk. We also plan to run to a dog park once a week for a good hour of off leash fun, as well as a nearby dog run if needed (it's a big one, in Battery Park City). Would you believe that's enough exercise to cultivate a calm and stable Dobe?
Next, house training. We live on the 25th floor of a high-rise. We would like to have that special bond of a puppy, but a 24 level ride on the elevator could make house training tricky to say the least. (We've discussed getting an older dog). Any advice?
Please keep in mind neither of us are native New Yorkers, so we don't have any preconceived notions about how much better New York is than everywhere else that so many here seem to have. ;-)
I have ignored some of the usual novice questions, as I am incredibly anal retentive when it comes to making big decisions, and have read all about raising a Dobe puppy, breeder info, temperment, etc. I still have questions, but one thing at a time, and some of you may be asleep by now from reading this. I would very much appreciate any and all input. All my best,
-G
KevinK, thank you for your insight and advice. That was one of my main concerns. I obviously don't believe my wife and I alone could provide enough of a workout, so your workout suggestions, especially with regards to more park time, are exactly what we were looking for.
I have seen two Dobes in the city so far, but they were only in passing while I was driving and couldn't get out to talk to the owners. There are great resources for pets in the city here, but I wanted the unique perspective of a Dobe owner. Or even if there are any breeders here who could continue the advice?
Again KevinK, thank you. If there are others, we would love to hear from you. Thanks everyone!
-G
Yo, G! 
Welcome! I do not mean to contradict anyone and there are far more members of this forum that have more valuable things to offer than myself, however, I do want to offer my perspective on your question. I own a home in the suburbs and do not have a huge lot that Ginger can run around on. I have not exercised her regularly and it has caused some behavior problems with her (that I attribute just as much if not more, however, to my lack of consistency and fortitude in training her). I will state, too, that Ginger is a small dobie - approx. 45 lbs., if that factors into anything. The long and short of it is, Ginger has never gotten the exercise that I should have given her. She has led a pretty sedentary life (I feel like I'm leading with my chin here, but it is the truth). My husband and I have doted on her, loved her to pieces and played with her in the house, and she has spent most of her time indoors. This was somewhat problematic when she was a puppy because she did have a lot of energy as Doberman puppies do. We did take her to school, which she loved, and trained her many nights in the park. We would walk her with our other dog occasionally. After she reached about two years of age, however, she seemed to calm and seemed very content to just hang out with us. Do I think she could have benefitted from and enjoyed more exercise - I'm very sure of it, however, we now have a six year old dobie who is a love and with whom I am now working to correct the permissive behaviors that I have allowed up until now.
So, my feeling is if you and your wife are "very active" people and you would take her jogging or walking every day, and to the dog park, etc. on the weekends, I think you could have a very happy dog while living in Manhattan. I think the most important thing is that you train her and unequivocably establish yourselves in her mind at the top of the pack from the moment you get her (and that isn't done through harsh training or punishment) [see Kevin K's posts among others]. Because you are around so many people, you would have to make sure she is socialized so that she is not in any way aggressive to anyone. Very important, too, is if you get a dog, you have it for life. If it has behavioral problems, it is because the owner has fallen short. That is up to you to correct. And I realize, too, that regular exercise helps to markedly decrease behavior problems - but from what you say, I think you would be doing enough. Just remember, they can be pretty large dogs, their puppy stage is wicked, and they can be a challenge. To me and folks on this board, there is no better breed, however.
On housebreaking, my experience was when Ginger was very young, when we took her out of her crate in the middle of the night or early morning to go outside, she would pee as soon as her feet touched the gound. Being so young, she didn't have the control to walk from the her crate in the bedroom, down the stairs, through the great room, out onto the porch and then to the outside before she could pee. Until she got old enough, my husband and I would carry her to the great room and then let her down and make a bee line through the porch to the outside so she could go.
Good luck to you.
No problem. And G, I know my neighbors put their dogs on a treadmill, maybe that would be a good way to get them plenty of exercise when you can't get them down to the park.
Thanks, Kevin! Great suggestion about the treadmill. I didn't even think of that! SnoopyDog had a great post on this board about a month ago about Snoopy on the treadmill. It was really cute. He said Snoopy now will sit on the treadmill waiting for him to turn it on!
Yea, I bet that's a real fun and easy way to tire them out without having to go down to the park! Probably not as fun as running around in the park with other pups, but it will definitely get the exercise in. Dakota is NUTS without her exercise lol... I missed a walk a few days ago because it was cold and raining, and she was off the wall bonkers.
G - Welcome to the forum. Obviously the Doberman although a high energy dog is extremely intelligent and adaptive. Assuming you don't have any restrictions on having a dog in the apartment, then the 24 floors of the apartment building is the next impediment until the dog is about six months old or so.
If you crate the dog and have no more gap in coverage at home of more than 3 hours then it is doable. Alternatively there is the rescue operation and of course the ASPCA Animal Cops there in NY would be glad to work with you I am sure. Of course you would not get to necessarily choose whether it is full blood or mixes, and may come with a tail and long ears rather than docked and cropped. Those on this forum that have rescue animals can tell you how appreciative and special the dogs are.
Alpha Admin has described Doberman puppies as "evil", and when he first posted that, I though he was very unfair, and then I remembered my first litter of puppies who had learned to climb over the 12" high sides in the welping box in the corner of the kitchen, so I barricated them in the kitchen (two doorways, one door) only to come home and find a huge hole in the sheetrock in the kitchen where the had tried to eat their way into the dining room. It was over 12" in diameter, and you could see the teeth marks on the inside of the sheerock in the dining room. They had also proceeded to chew the end of the counter where they could get to it. I looked for horns and pointed tails, but found only docked tails, smooth heads and pink tongues trying to greet me. (I had not yet discoverd crating my dogs - they are the greatest thing since sliced bread).
Until Princess was at least 4 months old, I always carried her out to the yard, only setting her dainty paws down on grass. At that age it was two steps and go. With the increase in apartment living, and the desire for many owners to have pets, there are many products on the market to make life easier for new puppies and their owners. One place you might discuss this with is the local pet store, for after all they know many items that work. One item is puppy pads. They have rather replaced newspaper as they are like diapers in they are more absorbent. Always put them in the same spot, and if you have a large tray to put them in so the smell is on the tray, not the floor.
I take it from the comments, that you and your spouse both run, so when the dog gets older you can actually run together. Many have a chain that clips to a belt and give the dog about 4' or so of lead so you can both get your exercise together. I am one of the fortunate that have my own dog park, living on 4 acres in the country, almost 2 of which are old pasture and kept mowed. I take my pair out back and let them chase each other.
If you have the commitment and the space for a tread mill (could be used by all three of you) then it seems as it will work. The tough part will be getting through puppyhood. Once you get the house training accomplised (don't even expect much until the pup is 4 months old or more), then it will be easier. If you both run the dog, then in the evening you should have a happy exhaused loving companion. The other benefit is that if you run with a Doberman by your side, neither of you will be bothered very much.
I can tell you have though this though to a great extent, and we are he to help you in any way we can.
There used to be a woman on one of the Doberman newsgroups that lived successfully in NYC for years with a succession of Dobermans. She has sinced passed away. Obviously, it can be done.
That said, it's not without problems. Some of which you're realizing. I think you're wise to consider a young adult Doberman that is already housetrained because I can see that being a huge issue with a puppy in a high rise. They simply can not wait while you get dressed and ride down 25 floors. When they have to go, they have to go NOW. I have a friend who recently moved to an apartment building, which is not a high rise. I think she's on the 2nd or 3rd floor, and she has problems getting her adult dogs out at times, especially in times of illness. One of her dogs had a nasty diarrhea accident in the hallway while she was trying to get her out, and of course, she had to leave it while she did get Gracie out and my friend was just panicking that someone would see it before she could get back and clean it, she'd get reported and get kicked out.
Since Dobermans are a protection breed, they can also be really prone to barking when they hear noise in the halls or in the apartment above. That can also lead to big problems with your neighbours and landlord.
You also have to consider that despite your best intentions when it comes to exercise, Dobermans (especially males) may have issues in places like dog parks. Doberman male adults are notoriously same sex aggressive, so you are likely to find that you can't use dog parks after a certain point.
You may not realize that you can not "run" or jog with a puppy until after their growth plates close, usually around 18 months. Puppies need a lot of free run exercise on grass, but should not have enforced-type exercise like jogging/running on pavement. You said that you would take the dog for exercise once a week at a dog park for an hour of offleash exercise, but I think you'd find a dog needs that daily, not weekly.
Speaking as a breeder, I don't think I'd sell to someone in your situation unless you were already an experienced NYC dog person because I think it takes a lot more dedication than most realize. As someone who sometimes fosters and adopts out rescue dogs, I'd be more apt to consider you as a home in that situation, depending on the dog, of course. I don't know if there are any rescue groups operating in/near NYC these days. There was one on Long Island, but she passed away, too. You may want to look into DRU / Doberman Rescue Unlimited in New Jersey?
Thank you again to everyone who has responded thus far. Your help, information, and advice have really helped us to try and work out some options. The difficult part is separating the emotional desire we have in wanting a Dobe in light of a rational decision of what is best FOR the dog. Especially being for life, as has been mentioned, we want to be the right family for life. I envision many nights ahead discussing our options. Commited we are, but as you have all mentioned, once the new arrival comes - adult or puppy - all bets are off.
Thank you also for the insight from a breeder's perspective. It helps to hear all points because in many ways we would be going through an adoption process akin to a human. In fact, we understand and expect much hesitation in anyone we contact with regards to taking on such a huge responsibility.
If anyone thinks of anything else, please feel free to let me know. Thank you all again so much for the kind welcome and very helpful advice.
-Gary
People who do successful own large dogs living in cities like NY do so for two reasons: One, they've got enough money that they have spare time. And two, they spend ALL that spare time with the dog and when they're not with the dog, he's getting walked or otherwise cared for by a paid dog-walker, house keeper, or whatever.
And I agree with everyone up-top. The whole puppy house training process in a high rise building would be a magic show. One of the keys to the usual process is to get the puppy out of his kennel and outside before the excitement of seeing you causes him to spring a leak. And this is tough when the kennel is by the back door and the back door is two steps down to the yard.
Right now I'm picturing you cradling a Doberman puppy and running full-steam down a hallway and flights of stairs. There's no way a puppy would miss the opportunity to pee in an elevator.
If you're prepared to spend the time it's going to take to keep this dog exercised, mentally and physically, I'd suggest getting a rescue Doberman or an otherwise mature dog.
Oh yeah, one other thing to keep in mind: Dogs get tummy aches ever now and then, which result in not-so well formed stools. 
Dear G~~
Welcome to the forum and thank you so much for being so conscientious and concerned.. I know some day you will be a terrific doberdad..
The dog you get deserves the best. They all do.. I'll bet in two years, when you have your house and yard you'll still want a doberman no?
Lady Kate,
Thank you for your kind words and supprt. We will probably not move out of the city for 2-5 years, but when we do, it will definitely be a large, fenced yard! :-)
We both very much appreciate everyone's opinions and advice. Yes, we know it will be difficult, and yes, we are very willing to meet these challenges. We have met a few others in the city who own Dobermans, and they all said that yes, exercise and housebreaking are important, and like many of you said, it's not impossible. We're now actively looking for a reputible breeder in the tri-State area, so if anyone has recommendations, let us know. THANK YOU all again for your support and help.
You know what.. a thought just occured to me.. I have a good friend with a min-pin who puppy pad trains her little girl.. I'm wondering if you could get a head start on potty training ( at least til your new bundle of joy's bitty bladder gets bigger) ( Lot's of 'b's there)with one of those. Say out on your balcony?
Thoughts anyone>? It's been years and years since I had a pup so I really am not qualified for opinions.. which never keeps me from voiceing them now does it??? 
Sometimes people in the large cities / apartments set up a child's pool on the balcony with sod in it to simulate a yard and train the puppy to "go" there.
To the OP, please visit the Doberman Pinscher Club Of America's website / breeder referral area. Keep in mind, though, that members pay for the privilege of being listed there. It's not a recommendation for any of the breeders there.
Pet Profiles
I would most be concerned with the amount of excersise more than anything else, if you can do that comfortably, than it shouldn't be a problem. Dobermans have extreme endurance, are very fast, and really need to be able to spread their wings often. To give you an idea, my 15 week old doberman will run circles around me, and she is still a tiny pup. If I were to chase after her, I would have about a zero percent chance of catching her.
I would read through some of the articles here, in one of them alphaadmin points out the fact that no human being is able to run fast and/or far enough to give a doberman sufficient exercise. They need an area to run full out daily. They are bred to have endurance, all day, every day, and work full out and not get tired easily. He also points out that daily walks, even if long, are not sufficient. I would say for city living you would need to get your dog to the park as often as possible. An hour a week will not even come close to working your dog. My pup is outside probably about 5 hours a day, running all over the place, and still comes back in the house with an insane amount of energy. We play inside when we're not out, and it takes alot to wear her out. We have a fairly big yard, and between balls out running in the yard, several mile walks/runs every day, and running around with other dogs in the neighborhood, she is still ripping to go every time we head outside. I walk her in the morning, my fiance walks her after work, and I take her out twice after I get home. Without a good way to get out the energy they have (which is absolutely mind boggling) that energy will be directed towards something else, and I predict some future posts something along the lines of "my dog is acting crazy, what can I do" Without enough exercise, there WILL be problems. I would say you will have to get your dog to the park daily, along with several long walks thrown in and lots of play time inbetween.
Maybe if anyone lives in a city they can chime in a little more about what would be required, and how they handle it. The classes will be good for socialization, and getting your pup used to other people and animals. A well trained and well behaved dog will be crucial in the city.