Weight: 55 - 90 lbs.
Description: The Doberman Pinscher is compactly built, muscular and powerful, and has great endurance and speed. They are elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. They are universally known as a police dog for their devotion to duty on the German Front during World War I. The Dobie is constantly alert and is a great companion or guard dog, yet shyness is a fault. They are loyal, protective, and adventurous. Dobermans are sensitive to their owners emotions. They are knowledgeable of their owner's needs or wants. Some of them can be dominant in relationship, but they have been bred down to have a more amiable personality. Doberman Pinschers make admirable obedience and show dogs or wonderful family pets. They are also an excellent breed for a jogger to own, as they can be very athletic. They may be a challenge because of their dominance for the elderly or disabled. Dobermans are excellent guard dogs, capable in simply appearance of scaring away unwanted guests. Early socialization and training is needed to ensure the dog will not be shy in the future.
Other Names: Thuringer Pinscher, Pliezeilich Soldatenhund, Doberman
Type: Guardian Dog
Height: Males
26 - 28 inches; Females 24 -26 inches.
Weight: 55 - 90 lbs.
Colors: Solid
black, brown, blue, fawn (Isabella) with rust marking on their head, body and
legs.
Coat: Smooth, short, thick
and close.
Temperament: Doberman
Pinschers are bold, fearless, energetic, watchful, determined, alert, and loyal.
They are protective and unafraid. They are very loyal to their family, and very
sensitive to their owner's wishes. They are very intelligent and creative, as
well as obedient. Some can be dominating to other members of the family. They
are adventurous, reserved with strangers, and can be aggressive with other dogs.
The Doberman loves to be around its family. They are excellent watch and guard
dogs, active and devoted to family. The Doberman Pinscher generally gets along
with other animals and children, and is very trainable.
With Children: Usually gentle, but will
upset with unruliness, best suited for older children. Generally good with children.
With Pets: Usually good, will adopt others
to be boss. Dobermans have an instinct to be dominant.
Special Skills: Guard dog, defense dog,
family pet.
Watch-dog: Very High. Dobermans
are suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog: Very High.
Care and Training:
Doberman Pinschers need daily extensive exercise, including running. They should
be groomed a couple of times a week with a soft cloth or brush. Puppies need
firm handling and knowledgeable training and should be handled by a number of
people to increase socialization and decrease the risk of shyness. Training
is essential.
Learning Rate: High. They are intelligent
and creative. Obedience - High.
Activity: High. Needs daily,
vigorous exercise that will keep it in shape.
Living Environment: Suburban or rural best,
some can adapt to city life. A house with a fenced yard or kennel is essential
for the Doberman Pinscher. The best owner for this breed would be an
experienced, active family or owner living in rural or suburban environment.
Health Issues: Wobblers Syndrome (disease of the spinal column of the neck). Lethal heart disorder. Von Willebrand's disease is no longer a large problem.
Life Span: 10 - 15 years.
Litter Size: 3 - 8 puppies.
Country of Origin:
Germany
History: The origins of the Doberman
Pinscher come from Apolda in Thuringen, Germany in the 1870s. Louis Dobermann,
a tax collector and local dog pound owner is credited with the creation of this
breed. Dobermann needed protectors and intimidators on his tax collection rounds
due to traveling in bad areas. Louis would take certain dogs with him, but he
wanted to develop a breed that was hardy, intelligent, of sound temperament
and had quick reactions. He also wanted a dog that was strong and had more of
a guarding instinct. Within record timing, Dobermann created a breed from the
German Shepherd, German Pinscher, Weimaraner, Rottweiler, English Greyhound
and Manchester Terrier. This breed was called the Doberman, obviously due to
his name. Most authorities feel they came from a shorthaired shepherd, the Rottweiler,
a German smooth-haired Pinscher and a Black and Tan Terrier. At first, the breed
was quite vicious and was said to attack "even the devil himself". They were
difficult to keep, and courage was needed to own and train one. In America around
that time, one Doberman won three Best in Show awards before the judges even
looked at the teeth. When they finally examined his mouth, they discovered he
had several missing teeth--a major fault in the Doberman. Today, the breed has
been bred down to have a more cohesive personality and easier training capabilities.
This is credited partly to Otto Goeller, who took over the breeding of the dogs
after Dobermann's death. Goeller created the German National Doberman Pinscher
Club in 1899, and the breed was given official recognition in 1900. Around WWI,
America began to seek out this new breed, while in Germany the breed was lilting
due to the war, and scarcity of food. In 1948 the breed gained a club in England,
and soon after was given recognition by the British Kennel Club. In 1977 the
Doberman was the second most popular breed in America, and today the breed thrives
as a popular police dog as well as a guide dog for the blind.