Mary Allen
The history of the Doberman is clearer than other breeds – it was named after its first breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a German tax driver who plied his trade with fearsome dogs in the second half of the 19th century.
He wanted a new sharp guard dog and decided to breed one himself. The result was the Doberman pinscher, first recorded in 1880.
Doberman – the temperamental being
Sleek and sleek in appearance, the modern Doberman has changed little since Friedrich Doberman’s first breed, except that he is no longer bred to instill fear.
The result of crossing German Pinschers and Rottweilers, with hints of Manchester Terriers and perhaps German Pointers (Greyhound and Weimaraner might also be in the mix), is a large, muscular, powerful dog with a watchful, alert gaze.
Today he is often used as a guard dog. His intelligence and ability to learn have made him a popular police and guide dog. He is very successful in competitions and in agility training.
He is also often kept as a house dog but places high demands on the owner. Today, while less fearsome than the first breeds, they are still a watchdog breed.
As a result, the Doberman Pinscher can be aggressive toward other dogs, wary, and suspicious of strangers. These traits, along with tremendous physical strength, make early, consistent, and regular training and education by an experienced dog aware of their strength and eliminate any behavioral issues long before they become problems.
Anyone deciding to have a puppy should make careful inquiries about the pedigree.
A well-trained Doberman makes an excellent and obedient companion. However, it is unsuitable for owners with small children or someone who is not strong enough to give the dog the amount of exercise it needs.
Appearance
The Doberman is a slender and nervous animal with quick movements and considerable body weight for its size. Add to that his extraordinary muscular strength, he’s downright athletic. Its head is marked by two parallel lines: the line of the frontal bone and that of the bridge of the nose with its less pronounced stop.
Its snout is elongated, but must not be too pointed. The almond-shaped, watchful eyes are dark brown in black animals, otherwise, they match the coloring of the fur. The small cropped or hanging ears have a high base. The coat is short, smooth, wiry, and close-lying.
The coloring of the fur ranges from black to brown to blue with rust-red markings above the eyes, muzzle, chest, paws, and below the tail. The short, firm back merges into a rounded croup. The stomach is not drawn in. Its short-cropped bobtail runs in line with the spine.
Care
The fur hardly needs any care. During the change of coat, a rough, knobbed glove can do a good job of removing loose hair. Nails should be kept short and teeth checked for tartar.
Temperament
The Doberman has an exceptional natural disposition as a guard and search dog. He is intelligent, strong, and aggressive when necessary. It, therefore, requires a strong hand but shows good receptivity. Well-trained animals are extremely affectionate and obedient to their master.
It is a boisterous and fiery dog, not to be confused with the occasional mental instability of some animals. The reason for this deviation is usually wrong selection. Dobermans sometimes act stubbornly to prove their intelligence and to prove their “point of view”.
Unfortunately, in recent years, unscrupulous breeders have bred animals with character defects. This has recently damaged the reputation of this breed, although it actually deserves a good rating. As a working dog, the Doberman shows excellent performance. However, one must bear in mind that it cannot be trained by everyone. His devotion is for one person only.
Consequently, this must always be present when dressing. The dog has an exceptional sense of smell and an excellent instinct. This allows him to react correctly before his master has given an order. In this regard, especially bitches excel. Finally, it should be said that only those who are aware of the high demands of this dog should choose a Doberman as their companion. In return, the dog owner can also expect exceptional consideration from his animal.
Upbringing
Strong, elegant dogs need to be raised thoughtfully and consistently in a harmonious environment. If you are new to dog training, getting a Doberman is not recommended.
Many Doberman pinschers become neurotic because they were touched the wrong way when they were young (and unfortunately that happens far too often). As a result, they either become fearful or, worse, snappy, despite having an “honest” nature by nature.
This is already shown by the fact that many representatives of this breed do their service as rescue, guard, and police dogs or are used as guide dogs for the blind. Dobermans are excellent for training, but that requires early socialization and a solid authoritarian upbringing.
Compatibility
A properly raised and socialized Doberman gets along well with dogs, other pets, and even children. Unwanted visitors will be caught.
Area of life
This breed requires a lot of exercises to stay in shape. If only one apartment is available, you have to go for frequent walks and let the dog run free in the open country. Due to their nature, these animals must always be able to be close to their master. They were bred to share life with humans, which also explains their great willingness to make sacrifices.
Movement
A Doberman cannot be put off with the daily “walking around the block”. He is designed for speed and has great stamina. You can go swimming with him, run him next to the bike, register for dog sports, or let him romp in the forest.