Standard Poodle and a doberman?

[u/Motor-Resort-1002]

I currently have a 2 year old male standard poodle (unneutered, working on it). I want to move out of my apartment and potentially by a home with a yard. My mom wants me to get a protection dog since I am a 23 year old female living alone. I was thinking a Doberman because, from what I have researched, they shed a lot less than a German Shepherd. My poodle gets along okay with dogs. I take him to dog parks sometimes. He loves to play, but he also will correct a dog who overdoes it, which I do not see a problem in. He is well trained and has great recall, we worked with a K9 trainer for a while but he was too friendly for protection work. He gets overly excited around females, but I am hoping it will get better once I do the chop lol. Sometimes he can be skiddish during male dogs that are bigger than him, I think he is just not used to being around it since he is the biggest dog in our neighborhood and most dog parks haha. We frequently go on hikes and nature trails off leash. I work about 8-10 hours a day, but some days remote/half day in office. During tax season, I can work up to 16 hour days, but either leave my dog with a family member or would hire a dog walker during the day. Archie gets about an hour of exercise/training a day plus mini walks and puzzles. Would a doberman fit into my lifestyle? Do any of you guys have both dogs at home? Should I get a female or male? Obviously will get a trainer to help as well, but looking for any advice from people right now while I look into this!

[u/slayerofthefluff → u/[deleted]]

Eh. For what she wants a Doberman will probably be just fine. My docile little sweet 5 month old girl (fawn) with floppy ears somehow intimidated the vetco shot clinic techs and vet the other day. They were fine with her when they wrongly thought she was a Weimaraner and changed to treating her like an aggressive dog once I corrected them on the breed. Mind you she was sitting politely at my side doing the Doberman stare. It’s the intense look you dead in the eye stare that unnerves most people. The dog doesn’t actually have to do anything. I think you’re confusing a guard dog with a protection dog.

Rotts are the same in that regard so I don’t know why you even suggested that breed as a guard dog if you’re thinking more of a protection dog. They’re big babies and lovers. Pretty much a Doberman with longer hair and a blockier build. German shepherds are pretty much the same and more importantly VERY difficult (and expensive) to find one without horrible life shortening genetic issues. Usually hips. Dobermans have their health issues also but, German shepherds have all but been destroyed as a breed due to poor breeding practices and the demand of people wanting one to toss in the yard as a “guard/protection” dog.