I have a permanent foster named Raven. She’s loud. Thick-headed. Strong-willed. Persistent. I’m pretty sure, sooner or later, I’m going to be able to say how these traits are a good thing. But currently, they are not.

She has the cute little girly howly bark that other Dobie girls have, but that can quickly turn into a shrieking, high volume, temper-tantrum-throwing demand bark when her initial request isn’t met immediately. These requests usually require service of some kind. My letting her out of the crate, my presenting her food bowl first, my letting her out of the crate the second she is done with her food bowl so she can scavange or otherwise annoy the others who have food bowls in various stages of fullness. She has all sorts of needs that, in her juvenile mind, should be met immediately.

I take it a day at a time vacillating between squeezing her little neck and taking a swig of tonic.

I found Raven on-line at a shelter nearby. I am fond of all natural Dobies, and Raven is that. My favorite of all are the n/n (natural ears/natural tail) black/rust females, which appears to be what Raven is. Yes, she is 100% Dobergirl. It was that 10% Tazmanian Devilette I wasn’t expecting. I have had good luck with temperament. And in walked Raven.

I’m not saying she’s got a bad temperament. I’m saying she’s got a rock-solid, nearly immovable will and plenty of confidence. I’m sure she was abandonned for her incessant barking and lack of deference to authority.

I will never forget the day I saw her in person at the shelter. She was wagging her tail and being cute as pie – a Dobergirl turning on the charm. Most Dobies don’t do well in shelter environments, so you don’t know what you get till you walk out the door and watch what happens. Usually, that is like watching a lovely rose bloom. Raven’s like experiencing a Mack truck barreling through your household.