| Training | |
| Sensitivity to strangers | |
| Affection for family | |
| Suitable for first-time owners | |
| Ease of grooming | |
| Energy level |
Contents
The Dobermann or Doberman Pinscher has always been labeled as an aggressive and dangerous dog, but it actually is a lovely family-oriented breed.
Recognized by the AKC and the FCI, the Dobermann, also known as Doberman Pinscher, has always been labeled as an aggressive and dangerous dog, but it actually is a lovely breed that becomes very attached to its family.
If you are wondering if the previous statement is correct, the answer is yes: this really is a lovely dog. We have heard countless times about the Doberman’s fierce reputation. The Doberman Pinscher has been stereotyped by many people as a highly aggressive, unmanageable, and violent dog.
But the truth is that this could not be any further from the truth. So, could we define this dog as an adorable cuddle toy? Yes! The Doberman Pinscher is a family dog; it enjoys being part of its family and spending time with them.
This breed develops a close relationship with its owner, for whom it would also give its own life if it came to it. The Doberman Pinscher is a loving and patient dog, even with children, with whom it is extremely protective.
Dobies need an owner who can properly socialize them since early puppyhood. They also require an owner who is determined and firm, so that the Doberman, with its exuberance, does not assume the alpha role in the household. Note that we do not refer to it in violent terms.
In the past, the obedient Doberman Pinscher was used by the army. Today, it is used as a search-and-rescuer dog. Marines call him the “Devil’s Dog”. They got this dark nickname due to the intimidating appearance they got after going through elective surgeries, such as ear cropping and tail docking. Dobies are not the only ones that undergo these highly controversial surgical procedures; other breeds have their ears and tails removed. Fortunately, nowadays many countries are banning this practice, even forbidding dogs from being recognized if they have cropped ears.
A Dobie is a dog that looks regal, proud, and elegant. It may seem sober, but if you pass a ball under their eyes, their playful active side comes out.
Doberman Pinscher: Origins
The Doberman Pinscher breed originated in Germany, between 1850 and 1870 in Apolda, central Thuringia, Germany. The creator of this breed, hence its name, is Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who worked as a tax collector (a dangerous profession at that time) loved to attend dog shows. He wanted to create a breed that combined certain qualities, such as courage, temperament, and love for the owner; a dog which in moments of need would become a powerful and fearsome defender.
The breeds he used for the Doberman’s creation were numerous, like the Rottweiler, the Beauceron, the Weimaraner, the Manchester Terrier, and the Pinscher. But it can be said with accuracy that the main one was a female Pinscher.
The Doberman Pinscher was recognized as a breed in 1898, four years after the death of its creator.
Doberman Pinscher: Use
During the First World War, Dobermans were used by the German military to search for the wounded, the missing, and to guard the prisoners. Today it is used by the army and police forces as a search-and-rescuer and as a defense dog. Its duties also include searching for drugs and explosives.
It is also used by the United States Marines, who gave it its nickname the “Devil’s Dog” due to the resemblance of their ears to the Devil’s horns if they are cut off. The Doberman Pinscher is recognized by the AKC and the FCI (standard classification No. 143).
Doberman Pinscher: Ear Cropping and Tail Docking
Traditionally, many dog breeds, including Dobermans, required ear cropping, so that they remained upright and erect, as well as tail docking near the second vertebra. The reasons for these mutilations were three:
- Purely aesthetic: The dog acquired a more aggressive appearance.
- Functional: By doing so, they eliminated what could be weak points. They turned it into an even more fearsome dog.
- Health-related: An intact Dobermann suffers from otitis more often than dogs with ear cropping. Besides, its tail, being very thin and unprotected, may be broken.
Fortunately, these procedures are increasingly being banned. In Italy, for example, under the 2007 Turkey ordinance, mutilated dogs like Dobermans are not allowed to participate in dog shows. Long-established advocates for ear cropping and tail docking continue to oppose those who consider this practice unnecessary and cruel, since they do not welcome the emergence of a “complete” dog.
As of November 1st, 2011, Act N° 201 of November 4th, 2010, entered into force: “Ratification and implementation of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, made in Strasbourg on November 13th, 1987, as well as the rules for the adaptation of the internal legal system.” Article 10 of this Act states that surgical interventions aimed at modifying the appearance of a pet or aimed at other non-healing purposes should be prohibited, unless strictly necessary for the dog’s health.
In countries where ear cropping and tail docking are prohibited, selection led to the emergence of dogs with smaller ears and tails attached to their body.
Doberman Pinscher: Physical Characteristics
The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the category of large, athletic, and slender dogs. It has a proud and upright bearing. It is said to have a “square” constitution, where the height at the shoulder corresponds to the length of the trunk. It is a muscular dog with a small head and dark eyes.
While its muzzle is pronounced and prominent, the coat is glossy and shiny.
The color of the Dobermann can be:
- Fawn, a combination of red with rust spots;
- Blue, a combination of black with rust spots;
- Black with rust-red spots on its legs, face, belly, and chest. This is the most common color;
- Red with rust spots.
Since 1995, reproducing the blue-oxide Doberman Pinscher is forbidden since it is believed that a defective gene is responsible for a form of alopecia called “Color Mutant Alopecia”.
The tail, when not mutilated, is thin and mid-length; while the ears, also when not cropped, are long and hang gracefully.
As for heights, males stand at about 21-31 inches (55-80 cm), while females stand at about 20-27 inches (50-70 cm). In terms of weight, males can weigh around 77-88 lbs (35 -40 kg), and females can weigh around 55-77 lbs (25 -35 kg).
Doberman Pinscher: Health
What is the Doberman Pinscher’s life expectancy? This breed has an average life expectancy of 8 to 11 years. Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common diseases in this dog breed. It is thought that there is a genetic propensity for this condition that can drastically reduce the animal’s life span.
At this point, it is mandatory to refute one of the great myths that surround this dog breed and that has contributed for many years to the belief that it is a dangerous and bad dog. It is not true that the Doberman Pinscher goes crazy because its brain grows while its skull does not. If this were true, our friend Dobermann would also show physical deficiencies, don’t you think?
Doberman Pinscher: Temperament
While some fear this wonderful dog breed, others know that when you have a Doberman Pinscher your days are full and filled with companionship. Perhaps, it is one of the sweetest and most affectionate dogs that can exist among all the breeds of our furry dogs. Yes, you’ve got it right.
It is a calm and very friendly animal. Of course, it is always a guard dog. If it feels that its owner is threatened in any way, then it will show its 42-tooth smile. The Doberman Pinscher is also an obedient dog. If it is well-trained, it will obey its owner immediately. For this reason, this breed needs a determined and confident owner who can convey calm and determination.
A special feature of this animal is that kind of “photocopy dog” trait. Yes, because our friend, the Doberman Pinscher, has a lot of fun imitating everything its owner does. And if there have been or still are dangerous and violent Dobermans, some owners should make a thorough examination of their conscience.
It is a dog breed that needs constant affection and contact with its owner, with whom it establishes a very close bond. It would give its life for its owner and will affectionately be between his feet always. It is not a dog, but a member of the family.
Doberman Pinscher: Relationship With Children
Another piece of evidence that disproves the Doberman’s myth of “bad dog” is the relationship it has with children. Once the dog has been socialized properly, you can use it as a good babysitter.
It is a fantastic playmate. The Doberman is patient and tolerant, especially when playing with small children, letting them do everything. Of course, the correct education of both, the dog and the children, is required.
Doberman Pinscher: Price and Puppies
A Doberman puppy may cost up to 1200 dollars, or about 1100 English pounds. If you find it at a lower price, this could mean that you are dealing with an unreliable breeder and the dog could have pedigree problems and the like.
There are specialized and registered breeders in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. However, you can also find breeders in New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, India and South Africa.
Doberman Pinscher: Breeders and Puppies For Sale
In this section, you can find the best registered breeders to whom you can ask for all the information you need. It is essential that you buy a dog from a reliable breeder so that you can be sure that your puppy has been:
- Bred for good health and temperament;
- Well-selected (this means that its parents were chosen without genetic diseases);
- Properly socialized, so that it is not too fearful or too aggressive;
- Vaccinated and well-groomed.
In addition, if you adopt a puppy, the reliable breeder will provide you with a veterinary certificate which states that the animal has been dewormed and is completely healthy.
You can always ask for the pedigree, which is essential: it allows you to check the purity of the dog’s breed. An animal with a pedigree has certain characteristics of its breed that differentiate it from the rest.
Now that we have clarified all the most important aspects, you can go in search of your new 4-legged friend, who is surely waiting for you.
You may be interested in reading another article related to other dog breeds such as:
- Pug
- Pekingese
- Siberian Husky
- Rough Collie
- Bull Terrier
- German Shepherd Dog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Dane
- Saint Bernard
- Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff)
