Mary Allen
Shoulder height: 63 – 72 cm
Weight: 32 -45 kg
Age: approx. 12 years
Colour: black or brown with rust-red markings
Use: Companion dog, guard dog, protection dog, service dog
The Doberman comes from Germany and is considered a versatile working, guard, and family companion dog. It is agile, intelligent, and docile and also needs a physical and mental occupation corresponding to its disposition. Likewise, a Doberman belongs in a competent hand – for inexperienced, very easy-going people, it is therefore not an ideal companion.
Origin and history
The Thuringian tax collector Louis Dobermann laid the foundation for breeding the Doberman, later named after him, by crossing Pinschers, Weimaraners, Pointers, and Pointers. The versatile utility, working and guard dog was also used early on as a police dog. In the two world wars, the Doberman was used primarily in the German army as a reporting, mine detection, and medical service dog. Today, the Doberman is still a welcome police and guard dog, as well as a good family and companion dog.
Appearance
The Doberman is a slender, elegant 63 to 72 cm tall and up to 45 kg heavy dog of the pinscher type. The smooth, glossy coat is black with auburn markings and dark brown with auburn markings. The short coat is easy to care for, only sheds moderately, but offers little protection from the weather. The ears are typically medium-sized, rounded, and hanging. Tail and ears were often docked in the past, which is now illegal in most European countries.
Nature
The Doberman is a very spirited, alert, and agile dog. It is willing to work, intelligent, and docile, but does not submit unconditionally. Its sense of territory is strong, so it is also excellent as a guard or protection dog. It hardly tolerates foreign dogs in its territory. Often he also shows a pronounced hunting behavior. He has strong assertiveness but is still sensitive. The Doberman is peaceful in his basic nature, very affectionate in the family, loyal, and fond of children.
The Doberman needs a knowledgeable and experienced owner and consistent training without being too harsh. The agile and maneuverable dog must be physically and mentally busy according to its abilities. If he succeeds, it is a great and lovable, albeit demanding companion. Thanks to its temperament and its intelligence, it is also suitable for many dog sports, such as agility, obedience, or as tracking dogs. The Doberman is also suitable as a therapy and guide dog for the blind.