Dobermans in Military Housing

Sign the Petition : 5,943 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

In January, the Department of the Army released a memo stating a new breed specific ban for all on base housing. The ban targets Pit Bulls (including American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Wolf-Hybrids, Dobermans and crosses of these breeds. This ban also includes other dogs that demonstrate a propensity for dominant behavior such as:

Unprovoked barking, growling, or snarling at people approaching

Aggressively running along fence lines when people are present

Biting or scratching people

Escaping confinement to chase people

Every military branch has this same policy. So far it is ONLY the Army who has decided to add Dobermans to their list. Dobermans have played a major role in our military’s history and the Army apparently couldn’t care less.

Dobermans are very loyal, gentle and docile creatures. They are excellent with children, seniors, and everyone in between. I have done my research and can’t find a single bite incident regarding a Doberman on a military installation. My grandmother (who dislikes all dogs) has even commented on how well behaved and good natured my DOBERMAN is over all the other dogs she has been around. So why is my girl banned? She is not just a pet, she is my child. Why is it that my neighbor’s German Shepherd is allowed on post? Every time I go out into my own yard, I get barked and growled at by that evil thing. Myself, and a lot of people I know, are more afraid of Chihuahuas than Dobermans. The banning of a dog should be based on individual temperaments, not a specific breed.

When my husband and I recently moved into base housing, due to money issues, I was told, not asked, to get rid of my Doberman or live off post. No exceptions. It did not matter that my husband has dedicated the last six years of his life to the Army, spending one tour in Korea and two in Iraq. It didn’t matter that he is actually employed by the Army as an explosive dog handler. It didn’t matter that he spent 800 training hours at Lackland AFB becoming the excellent dog handler that he is today… nothing mattered.

How are current military families expected to want to reenlist if they cannot even be trusted with their own animal? Until recently, we had planned to stay Army until retirement. Now, we’re giving serious thought to rejoining the civilian world. When weighing the options staying in no longer makes much sense. We can’t afford to live off post, and we certainly won’t be giving up our silent family member.

I’m writing this petition in the hopes of opening some new eyes to this subject. I am not only writing this for myself, but also for the other families that have been hit with this ridiculous policy, and for the potential future military families. I can only hope that my cause will be taken seriously by my politicians, and others. I’m asking you congress, to please help me keep my family and others together.		Dobermans in Military Housing

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People signing the "Dobermans in Military Housing" petition!

  1. Tue., Mar. 9, 2010 3:54 PM    link Pamela . | Standish, ME

    Both my husband and I have owned Dobermans for over 20 years. We have had three from backyard breeders, two from Doberman Rescue in Sandown, NH, one from the NHSPCA, and two from very reputable breeders. Each and every one of them holds a special place in our heart. At present, we have three. Our mail is quite the ambassadore for the breed - everywhere we go, we are complimented on the fact that he is such a sweet gentleman. Our response each time is "Thank you for seeing that Dobermans, or any other so-called bully breed, are the problem - it's the deed, not the breed".

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  3. Sun., Mar. 7, 2010 12:14 PM    link Diana H. | Rochester, NH

    My husband and I have had dobermans in our household for over 20 years. We love the breed dearly. They are very loving, smart and loyal. One look in to their deep, soulful eyes, and we're hooked. This is not an aggressive dog in any way. Please remove this breed from the Army's list, they do not belong there!!

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  5. Sun., Mar. 7, 2010 2:52 AM    link Robin D. | Naugatuck, CT

  6. Sat., Mar. 6, 2010 11:49 PM    link Ann S. | Vail, AZ

    I have owned, loved and trained Dobermans for 33 years. Breed specific regulation will never work to protect people. The Doberman is just another breed; yet a very intelligent, loving and loyal one, that can be taught to be about anything the owner would like it to be. And those who would teach aggression in today's world are the ones who should be banned from their military bases, never the breed in general. Dobermans serve as respected Therapy, Service, Seeing Eye and Companion dogs today. Please reconsider directing your actions toward the owners of aggressive dogs, no matter what breed. Ann S.

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  8. Sat., Mar. 6, 2010 4:55 PM    link Charlotte W. | Tucson, AZ

  9. Fri., Mar. 5, 2010 11:04 PM    link Name not displayed | ,

    It's not the dobermanns that should be punished, but the owners that make the breed vicious to guard their property !
    Dobermanns are like any other breed, loving, kind , gentle and companions ! Start educating Congress why they should learn more about the breeds rather than blame them.
    Ban aggressive owners !!!!!

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  11. Fri., Mar. 5, 2010 1:02 PM    link Theresa S. | Temecula, CA

  12. Thu., Mar. 4, 2010 11:19 PM    link Frank B. | Rochdale, MA

  13. Thu., Mar. 4, 2010 1:59 PM    link Mark M. | Arlington, MA

  14. Thu., Mar. 4, 2010 11:44 AM    link Nicholas K. | Alton, NH

    It's the owner, not the dog that is typically the problem. This is a capricious and poorly thought through decision by the US Army.

  15. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  16. Wed., Mar. 3, 2010 12:27 PM    link Kalene F. | Springfield, MA

  17. Tue., Mar. 2, 2010 9:19 PM    link Name not displayed | Port Jefferson Station, NY

    All dogs should be allowed. No-one should be able to dictate that a breed deserves to be banned.
    There are no bad dogs...only bad owners.

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  19. Tue., Mar. 2, 2010 5:40 PM    link Carol T. | Epsom, NH

    I own a doberman cross and have known many people who have owned dobermans and other breeds throughout my 24 years of adult life. Dobermans are far more trustworthy and docile than even labradors. I beleive that any dog can be vicious in the wrong hands but in the instance of dobermans overall, the Army is giving them a "bad rap" they do NOT rightly deserve. Please stop banning dobermans. The banning of dogs should be based solely on the individual dog as I have witnessed even Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the family environment and although proven to be vicious, in the right hands, they are even tempered. Please, remove Dobermans from the vicious dog list.

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  21. Tue., Mar. 2, 2010 5:20 PM    link Name not displayed | Providence, RI

  22. Tue., Mar. 2, 2010 3:01 PM    link T C. | Woburn, MA

  23. Sun., Feb. 28, 2010 11:50 PM    link Pat K. | Bayville, NJ

  24. Sun., Feb. 28, 2010 11:18 AM    link Nancy H. | Claverack, NY

    We have had dobermans for years. Your ban of any breed, including dobermans is nothing more than people ignorance of dogs. It is never the dog but the people who train them that makes any one of them vicious! To ban a loving breed, no matter what kind, is just a show on how ignorant so many people are and how they allow their own inbred fears to affect others.
    I agree that the doberman breed should not be banded from any base. It is interesting to note that you used them in war times and build a memorial to them and yet place the doberman on a list of dogs you do not wish to see in the very bases which praised them.
    Shame on you!

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  26. Sat., Feb. 27, 2010 10:07 AM    link Daryl G. | Hoboken, NJ

    Our two Doberman Pinchers, Mario & Sophie are smart, well trained, calm dogs and they have always been great with kids. Perception lags behind reality. In my opinion the Doberman should not be on a restricted list.

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  28. Fri., Feb. 26, 2010 11:14 PM    link Pat K. | North Easton, MA

    I have owned 3 Dobies-They are the best, most lovable & gentle dog on earth- I trust my children with them - I trust them with my lif-

    Has the military forgot that the Dobie has a history helping with the military especially During WW2-

    These are great dogs- But the media/ hollywood always classify them as mean & aggressive-- WRONG- I have more of a problem with small breeds ( I have been inspecting homes for 2o years, & the little ones are the biters)

    My kids sleep with this dog & thier friends- It is how they are raised!! NOT THE BREED

  29. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  30. Fri., Feb. 26, 2010 3:32 PM    link roger j. | Lebanon, CT

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