Quick Facts:
- Breed: Doberman
- Gender: Male, neutered
- Age: 18 months old
- Size: 96 pounds
- Good with…
- Dogs? Some!
- Cats? Yes!
- Kids? Yes, older, calm children
Hello! My name is Archie and I am a sweet, snuggly, and super smart Blue Doberman!
History and Why I am Looking for a New Home
I was adopted by my family when I was 3 months old and have lived happily in my home ever since. I am a super sweet, very loving, very friendly, very lively and affectionate boy! I truly am! I am a doll with people and very respectful of dogs who are higher status than me. Please keep this in mind as you read the next paragraph, because I really truly am a loving wonderful boy with a heart of gold–I just have a bit of an obnoxious streak with submissive dogs in my home!
Ok, so I live with two other dogs: a 7-year-old alpha female and a 3-year-old submissive male. I respect the alpha female dog because she established her dominance over me and has put me in my place a few times, so we have no troubles at all. But the submissive male…wow, I know he is a pushover and would never put me in my place, and consequently, I do whatever I want with him. Which mostly is to treat him like my pouncy play toy! I love to have fun with him, I’m not mean exactly, but I don’t seem to notice (or care?) that my kind of fun is NOT his kind of fun. I think it’s great fun to wrestle him to the ground, pounce all over him, and chase him around. He does not like this one bit, it’s upsetting and stressful for him. If we are both outside together in the yard, he will often sit by the door asking to be let back in so that he can avoid my chasing, pouncing and unwanted wrestling. It’s even hard for him to go to the bathroom sometimes, for all my pouncing and chasing. I don’t mean to be a bully, I’m just not very good at empathy. And since this is how I love to play and he isn’t confident enough to make me stop, I just do my thing all over him.
Personality
Other than in that specific situation, I am a super sweet, loving boy! I am affectionate and love to snuggle with my family! I am very connected to my humans, and follow them around the house, gazing at them lovingly. I love being close with them. Playing with my family is one of my favorite things! I enjoy when they throw toys for me, take me on walks, and give me any kind of attention at all. I am devoted to my people and love to accompany them wherever they go. I enjoy going on car rides and going into dog-friendly public places with them!
I am also a super smart boy! I know all of my basic commands (sit, down, stay, off, drop it, leave it, wait) and I love making my owners happy by following their commands. I am crate-trained and I sleep in my crate on a comfy bed with some nylabones and a peanut butter-stuffed Kong toy when my family is out of the house. When I am left home uncreated, sometimes I find things to chew. I am getting to be more trustworthy and when my family does a good job of puppy-proofing the house, I just sleep on my bed and don’t chew anything. Shoes, books, and magazines left within reach are very tempting for me, though!
I am a very athletic boy! I love to stretch my legs and run when outside, so a fenced yard or electronic fencing system would be ideal. I love going for long walks and hikes, and my family has recently started training me to be a jogging partner. I am strong and have a lot of energy, so I wear a prong collar when walking on leash. I need a lot of exercise. Having a yard to run freely in is great for me to get my energy out.
I can become overstimulated by lots of noise and excitement in the house; therefore, I would be happiest in a calm and quiet home. When my family acts wild, it causes me to become very elevated/overstimulated because I don’t understand this sort of energy. Once, when my human mom was dancing around and acting very silly, I got so overstimulated that I nipped her on her thigh. Now my family makes sure they are calm around me. We Dobermans are very sensitive.
Cohabitation
I live with two middle school-aged kids and I adore them. They are active participants in taking care of me and reminding me of the rules of the house. I listen to them and respect them. I have been around kids of all ages and I generally do well with them. I get stressed when there is a lot of noise, energy, and activity around me—that gets me very overstimulated/elevated. I need a household that is calm and quiet. If there are kids in my new household, it would be best if they are older and calmer.
I live with two cats and I am very gentle with them. I like to sniff them and give them gentle licks.
Unless put in my place by a more dominant, higher status dog (preferably female), I am dominant with other dogs. This has gotten me into trouble. I used to spend time at a dog park, but after getting into trouble with other dogs several times, I don’t go there anymore. I am not ok in that sort of situation, please never take me to a dog park! If I meet a strange dog when I am off leash, I will run over to meet the dog, but my boisterous approach and large size can cause other dogs to react to me aggressively. When this has happened, I have reacted by getting snarly in response. So, best to keep me on leash please!
I love both of the dogs in my family, even the one I am obnoxious with! I enjoy snuggling and playing with them, but I would do best as the only dog in a house or in a home with a very confident, dominant female dog who will not stand for my obnoxious shenanigans.
My human family are clear leaders and firm with me and let me know that they are in charge. I will need the same from my new family because I am very smart and some might say a bit headstrong. I will need lots of exercise and the opportunity to run freely, as well as mental stimulation so that I can be my very best version of myself!
Favorite Activities
- Running! I would make a great jogging partner.
- Cuddling on the couch next to my person!
- Lying on my soft bed and chewing on my nylabones!
- Playing “fetch” and “keep away!”
- Learning new things…I have an active mind and love to learn! Especially with treats as rewards!
- Going anywhere that you go! Being with you!
Medical
I am a very healthy boy. I recently had a wellness checkup, and I am current on all of my vaccinations. I am on a monthly flea and tick and heartworm preventative. I have a hereditary condition called color dilution alopecia (also known as Blue Doberman Syndrome). This condition is very common in blue and fawn Dobermans. This condition is purely cosmetic– no treatment is necessary. I have sparse hair on my back but it is not very noticeable due to my blue coat. My family gives me fish oil in my food because it is good for my skin and coat!
Summary
I am such a sweet and loving boy, and I am very devoted to my people. I am looking for a loving person or family who understands my breed a bit, is around a decent amount, would enjoy teaching me things, likes to do active things outside with me, and lives in a calm household. I would do well as an only dog or sharing a home with a dominant alpha female dog. I will reward you with all of my love and devotion!
If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption application and live close to Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, or Elmira. We do home visits on every applicant, and can’t do home visits where we don’t have local volunteers.
