However, about a quarter of a century ago, during a dog confirmation event, a judge named Peggy Adamson decided to disqualify a prize Doberman because it displayed vicious behavior in the judging ring during the event. It has been said that this event might have been the catalyst that changed how the Doberman temperament should be viewed. Breeders then started to try and extinguish the aggressiveness in the breed, but to maintain the intelligent, playful characteristics of the breed. Essentially, the Doberman was originally a breed in which the aggressiveness was supported, and now may always be a bit apprehensive around unfamiliar. However, with appropriate training and socialization, and a confident, firm handler, this aspect of Doberman behavior should be a very manageable trait for a competent handler.

At this time, even though much of the aggressiveness has been bred out of the Doberman Pinscher, it is possible that some of the dogs will still display this type of temperament. If you are thinking about acquiring this breed, you will really need to do your homework about the breed and how to choose the right Doberman Pinscher. Research and read about the breed. Visit some breeders to talk to them about the breed and their particular dogs. Look carefully at the environment. Observe the pups and parents if possible to get an impression of their temperaments. The more information you have about the Doberman breed and the possible choices you have, the better you will be able to decide if this is actually the breed for you.

Feeding:

Many Doberman breeders recommend a lower protein puppy food (less than 28%) for the first months of puppy hood. They also discontinue feeding puppy food at an early age, ~4 months. This practice is thought to help reduce the incidence of Panosteitis (wandering lameness) and reduce the rapid growth produced by a higher ratio of protein found in most commercial puppy foods. Many also recommend raising the food dish off the floor to lessen neck strain while feeding.

Adult Dobermans should be an adult dog food containing “joint support” supplements, such as glucosamine, to help reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.

A typical and health adult Doberman can eat nearly 40 pounds of dry dog food a month, which can mean an average of $20 per month per dog. As a Purina “Rally to Rescue,” we feed and recommend the Pro Plan brand dog food.

Water:

All mammals need water. Like in feeding, raising the water dish off the floor will help lessen neck strain. Also, water quality is important. Just like human consumption of tap water is a health concern, the same contaminates can affect your dogs well being. If at all possible, your dogs should be give water that is filtered. If filling a water dish from a garden hose, remember to allow the water to run through the hose for a few minutes, because harmful germs and bacteria grow in the stagnant water left in a hose.

Toys:

The Doberman is likely to be able to destroy most toys suitable for other breeds. One safe bet is a Kong toy which is fairly indestructible. We also recommend toys from Helping Udders. Dobes also have a love of tennis balls but these should only be provided with supervision. There are known cases of Dobermans choking on tennis balls. Beware of products stating they can be “ingested” safely. This DOES NOT mean they can be digested successfully.

Average Doberman Pinscher males will stand 26 to 28 inches tall and females 24 to 26 inches. Their weight will average 66 to 68 pounds and Doberman Pinschers will live about 13 years. Most Doberman Pinscher coats are black with rust and markings of red. Some Doberman Pinschers are born all white (albino). There is some disagreement if this indicates future medical problems. The hair is short and smooth, needing minimal grooming other than the occasional brushing and bath.

Doberman Pinschers shed less than other breeds, thanks to this coat. Doberman Pinschers are intelligent and like to please their masters. They develop close relationships with their family, but can be stubborn. Firm and consistent training and correction is a must with this breed, and not just from the master.

All people who come in contact with a Doberman Pinscher regularly must not be afraid to assert their position as the alpha. Doberman Pinschers make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs, and are often times used in law enforcement. Their desire to please their master and loyalty makes them a good family pet. However, they are not always the best choice with children. While Doberman Pinschers enjoy playing with and protecting children, some of the boisterous yelling and sudden movements children make can be interpreted as a threat by a Doberman Pinscher and it may attempt to defend itself.

Doberman Pinschers have a lot of energy and need to exercise at least once a day, but not in the cold, as they cannot tolerate it well. If given sufficient time to exercise, they may do all right in an apartment setting. Doberman Pinschers do have medical concerns. Some Doberman Pinschers can develop cervical spondylitis (wobbler syndrome) due to fusion of neck vertebrae and compression of spinal cord, Von Willebrands disease (an inherited blood disorder), obesity in middle age, bloat, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and congenital heart disorders.

In conclusion this is a great breed to own if the above information is not an issue, but as always if you are thinking of getting this breed please consider dog shelters and rescue dogs first.

History. The Doberman to this day is credited to a man named Louis Dobermann, he was a tax collector in Germany and developed the breed to use as his guard dog, he used a verity of dogs that each had unique traits that he wanted for his ‘new’ dog. Although which breeds he used for certain are not completely known, it is known that he used a Rottweiler, a Great Dane, a Manchester Terrier, a Greyhound and the German Sheppard. There are also a few other breeds thought to be in the Dobermans heritage but it’s not certain. Louis Doberman first started work on the breed in the late 1800’s and in 1889 they were officially recognized by the German Kennel Club. They were often used as police dogs and also tracking dogs, the breed developed in America after the 1st World War as many American soldiers became so attached to the breed they took them home with them.

Temperament. Unfortunately, Dobermans have a reputation for being an aggressive attack dog, however this is not the dogs fault and the blame for an overly aggressive Doberman usually lies with the owner. They are not the right dog for a first time dog owner, however if given proper training and exercise, they can be wonderful dogs. They are highly intelligent and several studies have shown that they are in fact one of the most trainable dogs. They are protective animals and love to please their owners, they can often become a one man dog, choosing preference to one person over all others and forming a close bond. They can be very excitable at times, so they need a handler who can be in control and let the dog know who’s in command, though as with all dogs you should never be aggressive or abusive to them. They need to start training from a young age, and need to be kept active, if they are not well trained they can develop behavioral problems which has led to them being stereotyped as an aggressive dog. They can also become highly distressed if left alone for too long.

Health Issues. Dobermans have been proven to suffer from prostatic disease more than any other breed, they can also suffer from hip dysplasia and Willebrand’s disease, Willebrand’s is a genetic disease that causes a bleeding disorder, there is genetic testing that can be done to check all Dobermans for this disease. They are also very susceptible to the cold so should be kept warm.

Grooming. Dobermans require very little grooming as their coat is so short, however a good brush once a week will help to remove loose or dead hair and also encourage the skin to produce their natural oils that keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Living Conditions. The Doberman is best suited to somewhere with a medium sized garden, however they could live in an apartment, as long as they have good regular exercise. They can be good with other animals, although this is not always true so wouldn’t necessarily be a good idea, unless they were raised together.

The Schutzhund Trials, also formalized and standardized in Germany, was a way to test these characteristics. An important ingredient of the Schutzhund trials, however, is the Obedience component which requires a reliable response at all times to the commands of the dogs’ master.

The Doberman Pinscher was never intended to be ONLY a dog that would be a fierce guard dog, it was intended to be the “ideal” guard dog, a dog that is obedient, faithful and protective when necessary. A “Schutzhund” dog should not only be a fierce protector but should also be a responsible member of society, controllable and mannerly in social situations. With some breeds earning a successful Schutzhund title is the pre-requisite to using the dog in a breeding program in Germany. The Doberman’s development in Germany has been tempered with responsibility on the part of the owner being a main ingredient in his training and upbringing.

The Doberman requires a strong and sensible owner who has knowledge of dogs and canine behavior. The Doberman must first of all be responsibly bred and then socialized early and faithfully trained in obedience and it can be a great family companion and still maintain a naturally protective instinct. In the United States the Doberman Club has from the beginning provided a responsible approach to educating the public about the breeding, socialization and training of their protege. To a large degree this has protected the Doberman Dog from becoming a status symbol for violent members of society, as has been the sad fate of the Pitbull.

In today’s society the Doberman is often a champion in the obedience trials. As an example in 1992, The A.K.C. recorded in their records 2, 175 CDX titles earned by Dobermans. The Doberman Club has for years put strong emphasis on providing education for the public about the potential working abilities of their breed and many are trained in tracking, search and rescue and police dogs.

The Doberman Pinscher for many years suffered from Von Willebrands Disease but now that there is a DNA test for this problem it can be avoided through responsible breeding. Wobbler’s syndrome, bone cancer and heart problems are also prevalent in the Doberman breed and responsible breeders usually test for these conditions.

The Doberman Pinscher is described in the A.K.C. standard as “Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament,” and the temperament is further described as “Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient.” Owners of Dobermans should have a sense of responsibility and determination also and if they follow through on good socialization and training for their dog they will have a dog that exemplifies every aspect of a great companion and watch dog for their family.