24/09/2026
This dog is my Nova from an Addidas commercial a few years back 😀 It was a lot of fun to work on, especially with a fellow Dobermann lover!
Soccer fans know Alexander Isak (born Sept. 21, 1999) as the Swedish striker who has played at the highest levels of European football, including for Newcastle and Liverpool, England.
In 2023, Isak was photographed walking a black-and-rust Doberman around Newcastle. The image took on a life of its own among soccer fans, inspiring memes of Isak casually “walking” opposing defenders. It became so closely associated with him that Newcastle United later recreated the scene for a promotional film.
But behind those photos was a story that received considerably less attention. The pretty black-and-rust Dobie was a rescue named Bonnie. In April 2023, Smart Dogs Training shared that the then-11-month-old Doberman had suffered neglect in her previous home and was especially nervous around men. Isak rescued her and was working with trainers to build her confidence and improve her obedience.
The trainers had high praise for Isak. Despite the demands of life as a professional athlete, they said he remained committed to Bonnie’s training and continued putting in the work she needed. The frightened young dog was making remarkable progress, becoming more comfortable around people and steadily gaining confidence.
Two years later, in 2025, Isak made headlines when he acquired another Doberman, this one professionally trained for personal protection amid security concerns. Much of the coverage focused on the reported £30,000 price tag.
But his history with Dobermans began well before that, and perhaps that’s the better story: long before one of the world’s top soccer players looked to a Doberman for protection, he gave one a safe home, training, patience and the chance to learn to trust again.
Sources include:
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/liverpool-striker-buys-34-000-214000814.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37400559/liverpool-alexander-isak-buys-guard-dog-death-threats/
