Growing Up - Doberman Style

Everybody loves puppies.  It's that simple.  Even people who don't really like dogs, love puppies. The problem for the latter is that puppies don't last forever.  At some point your cute little four-legged friend may well develop into a gigantic, sofa-hogging drooler/snorer.  Of course it depends on what type of dog you have.  If you find yourself with an adorable mongrel puppy then it's simply pot luck as to how much of the sofa you lose in years to come.  If you go for a pure-breed then at least you have an idea of what's to come in the future, but in reality nothing can prepare you for the seemingly overnight growth with larger breeds.

When we got Sam, he was about the same size as a cat. Our Italian neighbour used to call him "Patatino" for the first few months, which would probably translate as "little potato".  But by the time he was 8 or 9 months old, the first faces of fear started to appear as we walked him through the local markets. After his first birthday the dobermuscles developed and people stopped approaching him altogether. This despite having unusually floppy ears for a doberman and a full, constantly wagging tail!  By his second birthday only doggy enthusiasts looked at him the same way as everyone else when he was a puppy and it's a real shame, because when it's your dog, you know that even with 45kg difference, he's still the same puppy! :)

Sam & Co. on Facebook at, Twelve Hairy Legs