About Dobermans

Doberman Pinscher Club of America Link

About the Doberman

Someone once said that the Doberman Pinscher is the "Cadillac" of dogs. Most people who have owned Dobermans will agree... There are many other good breeds of dogs... and then there are Dobermans... "the dog of dogs".

A Doberman is a affectionate animal, but his affection is noble. He wants to be close to you, to have your hand on his head, to rest his head on your lap, or to sit with his back to you pressing his body as close to yours as he possibly can. He owns you and he wants you to know that he enjoys this role. He is glad that you belong to him.

A Doberman is a lively dog with lots of speed, strength, and agility. He can run with a horse, maneuver quickly enough to catch a rabbit, track faster than a Bloodhound, tree a mountain lion, and beat you to your favorite chair every time - if you let him...

A Doberman is a very gentle dog with the firmness of Gibraltar... He will let a baby crawl all over him... He will take his six-year-old mistress walking to show her off and guide her with mature judgment... He knows that it is well to let a six-year-old have her way - unless it is dangerous...

A Doberman is a sensitive dog, keenly alert to your feelings and wishes... if someone visits you whom you don't like, watch the dog, for he will be watching your visitor. After he has been with you a few years, you will find that often you don't have to speak a wish. He will know and respond... You become a part of him and he becomes a part of you. The only tragic part of owning a Doberman is that part of you is buried with him when he dies...

A Doberman is useful. He was first bred as a guard and watchdog and he is the only dog that was originally bred for this purpose. No other breed excels him at this task. Many owe their lives to these great, sleek animals. No one will ever know how many attacks and robberies have been prevented because of the family Doberman...

The Doberman is a gentle dog. He guides the blind. One of the largest foundations specializing in guide dog work kept records on various breeds in training. They found that the Doberman had the best training record, the best record for "rejects", and the best record for continued devotion...

The Doberman is an obedient dog. Today, those who want a great performing dog in obedience trial work usually turn to Dobermans. As one top professional trainer and exhibitor says, "In obedience, a top working Doberman can be topped only by another Doberman. No other breed can compete for cleanliness, speed, and performance."

The Doberman is a magnificently beautiful animal. He is a square dog with ample body. He has a sleek dry coat with precise clean markings; a long, arched neck for balance and nobility, a dark eye, almond in shape and set fairly deep for appearance only. He is a dog with "built-in beauty". There is no such thing as an ugly Doberman.. some are closer to perfection than others, that is all...

The Doberman in pose is a noble and loving thing, but the most thrilling part of a Doberman's beauty is in action. He is an animal so natural you would think that evolution has been aimed at him, and yet the precise control of selected breeding of more than sixty years is what has crystallized his form and motion...

(From an article by The Doberman Pinscher Club of Chicago -Land)

Breed Profile

Country of Origin: The Doberman Pinscher (also known as a Dobermann or affectionately called ‘Dobe’) was bred in Germany in the late nineteenth century, almost exclusively as the work of one man—Louis Dobermann. Dobermann was a tax collector who sought to breed an alert guard dog for personal protection. Within a decade, a breed similar to the modern Doberman Pinscher had been created, popularized, and imported to America. In America, it became a popular guard and police dog, and later a well-admired show dog. By the late 1970’s, the Doberman Pinscher was the second most popular breed in America. Today, it serves mostly as a pet. Famous Doberman Pinschers include Zeus and Apollo, ‘the lads’ from ‘Magnum, P.I.’. Doberman Pinschers are the official combat dog of the U.S. Marines.
Size: The Doberman Pinscher is a medium to large sized dog with a shoulder height of 63-72 cm (25-28 in) and a weight of 27-45 kg (60-100 lbs). Some Doberman Pinschers weigh over 100 pounds, usually serving as guard dogs or police dogs. The Doberman Pinscher has a long, wedged shape head, almond-shaped eyes, a flat skull, and erect ears (which may be cropped). They have small, round feet and docked tails.

Coat: The Doberman Pinscher has a short, stiff, smooth, coat. It can be black, brown, or fawn, all with tan markings. Black and tan is most common. Markings are usually found on the muzzle, legs, feet, and chest. The Doberman Pinscher is an average shedder. Any color other that the listed approved colors is considered a disqualification by the American Kennel Club.

Character: Doberman Pinschers have a tendency to become very loyal and devoted to one particular person. They are brave and intelligent, making excellent guard-dogs. Doberman Pinschers are not bullies or violent by nature, but they are highly protective and can be pushy if left unchecked.

Temperament: If properly socialized, Doberman Pinschers get along well with children, other dogs, and other household pets. Doberman Pinschers should be socialized when young. They are uncomfortable with strangers and do not take kindly to unwanted visitors. Dobes require a dominant owner to ensure they do not become overly aggressive. They are honorable, fearless, and devoted, making fine companions.

Care: The Doberman Pinscher must have its claws kept short. The teeth should be brushed regularly and checked periodically for tartar. Remove dead hairs from the Doberman Pinscher’s coat with a knobbed rubber glove during shedding. Dobes are susceptible to Von Willebrand disease (a blood disorder), hip dysplasia, and obesity. They are also sensitive to cold, and should not be left to live outdoors in cold climates. The white Doberman Pinscher may be more susceptible to deafness or blindness, but this is disputed. The Doberman Pinscher has a life span of 8-12 years, and has litters of 3-8 pups.

Training: The Doberman Pinscher must be trained carefully, thoroughly, and consistently. One should never hit a Doberman Pinscher, and should avoid pressuring the dog during the early stages of training. Females may be more stubborn than males.

Activity: The speed and tremendous stamina of the Doberman Pinscher make it ideal for a variety of outdoor sports. It requires frequent exercise and will not be satisfied with daily walks around the neighborhood. The Doberman Pinscher is not suited to apartment life.

Source: http://www.puppyfind.com/breed/?breed_id=47&sid=9496f758d9fb6c637ce812a3d488708c&back=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsubmit%3D1%26str%3DDoberman%26page%3D1


To visit a website with additional information and characteristics about dobermans, click HERE.