The Burr in the Burgh

Assume mastery asap (duh).
Very intelligent breed, fast learners, very loyal; idiosyncratic, but harmlessly.
For example: prepare to have your clothing 'adored' when you are away from home. A pair of pants or a shoe makes a good companion when no one's around.
All my dobes have done this, into adulthood.
Recommend a female.

What's your current dog's breed? I don't know anything about Dobes and can't comment either way on them. We own two dogs, a Bassett Hound and a Brittany Spaniel.

Based on my experience, Bassetts are an aquired taste. Ours is the most stuborn, hard-headed, loud, abrasive dog I've ever known. They require a lot of patience... although our Bassett (Chester) is also a loving and fun dog most of the time. He's a little "food agressive" though. He'll growl if you get near him while he's eating. I've had to work with him to make sure he knows that he isn't the alpha male in the house. If he ever bites one of the kids, he's gone.

On the other hand, I'd enthusiastically recommend a Brittany to ANYONE. Our Brittany is typical of the breed. Tilda is the sweetest, smartest, most loving dog I've ever known. I wouldn't trade this dog for anything, and once she's gone (which I can't stand to think about) I'm going to have to have another Brittany right away. And food agression is no problem with Tilda. I could open her mouth and take food out of it with my hands if I felt like i needed too and she'd just wag her tale and look at me as if to say "Whatcha do that for?" I work with two other Brittany owners who tell me that their dogs are just like mine... sweet, friendly, and absolutely lovable.