For more than a century, Doberman Pinscher has protected and appreciated their family. The breed’s strong work ethic complements its appreciation for sport and play. Observant, affectionate and protective, the Doberman is a steadfast companion for experienced dog owners.
History of the Doberman Pinscher breed
Few dog breeds have such a defined “father” as the Doberman Pinscher. Early Dobes was originally developed in ApolloGermany in the late 1890s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. A local tax collector, Dobermann also served as a warden at the Apolda dog shelter. Harassed by thieves while collecting taxes, Dobermann decided to develop a practical breed for protection, deterrence and companionship. As a pound manager, Dobermann had access to many dogs for his breeding program. He mixed both wild dogs and common breeds like Rottweiler, German Pinscher and Beauceron.
Because Dobermann keeps no crossbreed records, the specific breed percentage he uses is not known. However, most historians say that the older version of the German Shepherd was a significant contribution to the new breed. Dobermann’s program focuses on courage, strength, acumen, endurance, loyalty, and protection. While today’s Doberman has developed into a beautiful and hard-working breed, the early Doberman Pinschers were not bred for their flashiness.
After Dobermann’s death, Apolda resident Otto Göller continued to breed Dobermans. The breed takes its name from the original developer, although the second N in Dobermann’s name was later dropped. The Germans also removed Pinscher from the breed name. American Kennel Clubhowever, kept Pinscher (German for biting dog, hunting dog) in Doberman’s name.
Doberman Pinschers in World War II
Dobermans continue to be developed in Germany for police and military work, protection and companionship. During World War II, Dobermans served as sentinels and emissaries for the United States Marines in the Pacific. The dogs warned the soldiers of the approaching enemy. Doberman Pinschers can detect human odors from half a mile away. As a result, War Dog platoons were well protected from ambushes.
Many dogs were killed in action in the Pacific and others died from tropical diseases, heatstroke, illness or accidents. A memorial statue in Guam,”Always loyal,” in memory of the dedicated Doberman Pinscher dogs that served. The statue sign lists about 25 dogs that were sacrificed in the end and were “given in memory .” [of these dog] and on behalf of the surviving men, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these brave animals.”
The memorial sculpture features Kurt the Doberman, the first military service dog killed in the Battle of Guam in 1944. Kurt alerted his men to the presence of advancing Japanese soldiers. when tragically killed by an enemy grenade. The hero dog is said to have saved the lives of 250 Marines on Guam before being killed.
Doberman Pinscher’s work, training and family life
Today, the Doberman Pinscher is not often used for military or police work. One reason for this change is that the Dobe’s short, single coat does not protect them from heat and cold as well as breeds with two coats, such as German Shepherd Dog. Others speculate that Dobe thinks a bit too much for himself or that he is more difficult to train and/or less motivated to follow, such as Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd.
Nevertheless, Doberman Pinscher continued to excel in search and rescue, as well as service work. For example, in mobility assistance, Dobes can help pull a wheelchair, assist the owner by picking up items, or help stabilize the owner when in motion.
Thriving with consistent owner interaction, Dobermans require focused training, regular affection, and a heavy dose of exercise. Doberman is confident to learn quickly. Although he is a docile breed, he is also a thoughtful person (yes, those two characteristics can conflict!). Dobes shines in both formal obedience and around the house. Sports such as agility, rallying and Schutzhund keeping Dobe’s mind and body well exercised. Physically, Doberman Pinscher requires prolonged exercise sessions. A strong, active and energetic breed, the Doberman Pinscher needs space to run around and play hard. A large, fenced yard is ideal. Apartment living with Dobe only works if the owner commits to doing a lot of outside activities.
Dobermans are often attached to the children of the family and are usually calm in front of any good children. However, all dogs require supervision from small children.
Do Doberman Pinschers get along with other dogs? Although not the classic dog-go-to-the-park dog type, a highly socialized Dobe is often apathetic or well behaved with new dogs. Some Dobes can be suspicious around new (especially same-sex) dogs. Doberman Pinschers raised with other pets in the house usually get along very well with them.
Doberman Pinschers as guardians
An excellent watchdog, the Doberman Pinscher warns owners of new developments and often stands guard between the family and the path of harm. Bred to protect and, in a way, to think for himself, Dobe can sometimes interpret threats according to his own judgment. This is why obedience and socialization are so important in puppy stage.
To prevent overreaction as an adult, Doberman Pinscher puppies must be trained, through extensive experience, to distinguish threatening behavior from non-threatening behavior. The more a family exposes their Doberman puppies to a variety of people, places, and behaviors, the sooner they develop the confidence and experience to discern real threats. And the more a Dobe is taught about obedience, the more likely it is to respond to its owner’s cues in any given situation.
A well-sociable Dobe shows a quiet respect for strangers, loves to travel, but still has the deepest enthusiasm for his beloved owners. His reputation as a hard-working dog is well-deserved, but his loyalty and affection to his family is equally remarkable.
Want to know more about Doberman Pinscher? Here are some interesting facts about Doberman:
White Doberman
Doberman Pinscher Club of America and AKC standard does not include white color. The white-haired Doberman or white-spotted dog is considered a type of genetic mutation that can be associated with health and/or temperament problems. The AKC uses a dedicated tracking method for Dobermans with albinism and elements with albinism, with special registration numbers (“z” list). The AKC’s position with respect to the White Doberman is disputed by some breeders. Controversy considered, however, potential buyers are justifiably suspicious of any breeder’s higher prices for any of the “rare” traits.
Doberman Pinscher in the rehearsal team
Along with wartime duty, the Dobermans entertained audiences in a touring rehearsal team developed in the 1950s by Tess Henseler. Rosalie Alvarez next formed Dobe teams that performed in many events, including halftime soccer performances. For decades, many Dobermans have paraded in formation and performed nimble moves at parades, football matches, and other public events. The shows showcase the dogs’ agility, obedience, grace and raw sportsmanship.
Miniature Doberman
There really is no such thing as a miniature Doberman! However, there is a distinct toy breed that is often confused with the Little Doberman. Miniature Pinscher (Pinscher means Hound in German) was bred centuries ago in Germany to control rats. He’s in the Toy Group now, though he’s often referred to as the Toy King. He is sometimes said to have been bred from the Doberman Pinscher, but the Miniature Pinscher was actually developed before the Doberman.
Doberman Pinscher Dog Ears
Doberman’s ears are usually cropped and erect. Some families do not intend to show dogs, so let their ears hang naturally. Some countries like New Zealand and Australia have banned cropping for aesthetic reasons. Historically, the Dobe’s thin and soft ears have been clipped to allow the guard dogs to work. For example, short, erect ears are more difficult to catch a human or animal enemy in a conflict.
