The Breed
Introducing the Dobermann
The Dobermann is classed as a medium sized breed. Males are around 27 inches at the withers (between shoulder blades) whereas bitches are usually a couple of inches shorter. The Dobermann is a powerful, muscular dog with a short, smooth coat. Intelligent, loyal and obedient they will stick by your side through thick and thin.
The UK breed standard recognises 4 colour varieties – black, brown, blue and fawn, with tan/red markings. Tan markings on Dobermanns are well defined above each eye, on the muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and feet and under the tail.
Sadly it’s often during their teenage years that owners can struggle more with some behaviours. They require consistent and fair training throughout to ensure they know how to behave.
As a breed they can be prone to SSA ( Same-Sex Aggression) which is why most good breeders and rescues do not place a male in a home that already has a resident male. This can occur with the females too so again it requires a sensible approach and it’s important to ensure that two dominant females are not put together.
They can have a strong prey drive to thorough recall training is extremely important before allowing them to run free. As a breed their reputation proceeds them somewhat so extra caution is needed to protect your dog particularly under the new legislation around what constitutes livestock worrying. Some dogs may never be able to be recall trained effectively enough and may require private fields to allow them to free run.
The breed is very intelligent so requires plenty of mental stimulation, otherwise they can be destructive. It’s rare to tire a Dobermann with physical exercise alone but mental exercise such as scent work is both rewarding and tiring for them.
A brief history of the Dobermann’s development
The Dobermann Pinscher is alert, intelligent and loyal, making it a popular companion dog. Originally developed in the German town of Apolda in the last 1800’s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, the breed was intended to accompany him on his dangerous tax collecting duties. The height, strength and loyal nature of the dog required wes derived from several other breeds, including the Great Dane, Weimaraner, and Manchester Terrier amongst others, although the exact mixes have been lost to history.
After Dobermann’s death in 1894, the breed was named Dobermann-pinscher in his honor. The pinscher (meaning terrier) attribute was later dropped in Germany was it seemed no longer appropriate. The British did the same a few years later. The breed was further developed by Goeller and Gruening, and gradually became the dog that we are familiar with today.