The Doberman
Area of Origin: Germany
Date of Origin: 1800s
Country of Origin: Germany
Today's Function: Multi Fuinctional- family pet, security, police, military, schutzhund
Height: Males 26 - 28 inches, Females 24 -26 inches
Weight:Ranges from about 65 - 90 lbs.
Life Expectancy: About 12 years.
Coat: Smooth, short, thick and close
Colors: Black, Red (brown), Blue, Fawn (Isabella) with rust marking on his head, body and legs.
The breed can trace its history back to the Dobermannpinshcerherverein stud book of 1890. In 1899 only one color was recognized, the black and rust. In 1901 two other colors were allowed, these additional colors were; the brown and rust, and blue and rust. With the fawn being recognized in 1969, this brought the total to four allowed colors for the Doberman in the USA.
The fawn (Isabella) Doberman is a known recessive gene (dilution) of the reds; while the blue Doberman is a known recessive gene (dilution) of the black. This is a simple autosomal recessive gene. Both parents have to "carry" this gene in order to produce the dilution, or depending on which genotype, all four colors a "rainbow" litter.
The blue and fawn Doberman ARE NOT rare (meaning they should NOT demand a higher price than a red or black); as you can readily see the mode of inheritance for the blue and fawn is a VERY well known simple genetic fact. Many within the Doberman community do a considerable amount of research when planning a breeding and breed accordingly, often times this will eliminate producing blues and fawns.
The white Doberman is considered an incomplete or partial albino. The dogs have blue eyes and are creamy white colored with light tan markings. The dogs suffer from photo phobia (photosensitive). This means the dogs cannot tolerate light, often closing their eyes and bumping into objects when put in unfamiliar surroundings. Their temperaments range from being very shy to fear biters. These are not the attributes a responsible breeder or one that is familiar with the criteria of a working dog wish to produce or perpetuate.
WARNING: The white Doberman is NOT considered to be of great value (charging more/more expensive) by Responsible Breeders.
Responsible Breeders DO NOT include the white Doberman in their breeding stock/programs.
Description
The Doberman Pinscher is compactly built, muscular and powerful, has great endurance and speed. He is elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. He is universally known as a police dog for his devotion to duty on the German Front during World War I. The Dobie is constantly alert and is a great companion or guard dog, shyness is a fault. He makes an admirable obedience and show dog or a wonderful family pet. An excellent breed for a jogger to own.
Characteristics
Ask a any Doberman owner and they will tell you a Doberman is a character with character. Look into those dark dancing eyes and you just know the Dobe is off to satisfy his curiosity. Investigating every tree and rock. Letting every blade of grass reveal it's "secrets" to a very fine tuned nose; alert for any movement (a squirrel, a lizard, a butterfly) that will provide a chase. Returning, perhaps with a grin, letting you know how fortunate you are to be "protected" by such a fine companion/guardian.
Look into the soft loving eyes of a Dobe, read what he is saying...You are being told you are the center of this dog's world. He will match your emotions, takes direction from your acceptance or non-acceptance of a situation. If he perceives there is "something wrong with this picture" or senses your fear he comes to attention - the eyes change - ready to meet the challenge.
NOTE: The instinct to protect is natural (early socialization will NOT undermine this trait), and further "guard dog" training is not necessary. A prospective Doberman owner being advised to forego early socialization, puppy kindergarten, and obedience training to produce a protective Dobe is being ILL ADVISED!
Dogs living or expected to stay in the backyard without constant attention and in a position as an important member of the family causes a host of problems with a Doberman. Often a Dobe that is relegated to this type of living arrangement goes hand in hand with poor training and these Dobes often show evidences of shyness, fear, and nervousness. As with any breed there will be dogs that exhibit these traits even when the breeding/training are correctly administered.
Dobes are people dogs. Showing an extraordinary devotion to their family or owner. A Dobe is very happy to settle down once inside (providing he has had time to exercise) to share your home, your bed (takes it over), and your food. It is also very normal for your Dobe to smile, lean on you, bump your hand for more attention, and follow you from room to room. For these reasons, Dobes are often referred to as "Velcro" dogs and one of the advantages of such a dog is; you never have to go to the bathroom alone again!
The Doberman is no different in their reactions to children than any other breed of dog. Interaction with children when the Doberman is a puppy often enables the dog to develop a strong loving bond with the child and family. There are also stories of rescued and older dogs adapting well to children.
Temperament: Temperament: Bold, fearless, energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal.
With Children: Usually gentle, but will upset with unruliness.
With Pets: Usually good, will adopt others to be boss.
Special Skills: Guard dog, defense dog, family pet.
Watch-dog: Very High, suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog: Very High
Learning Rate: High, intelligent and creative
Health Problems: Wobblers Syndrome, Cardiomyopathy,Von Willebrand's, Hip Dysplasia, Thyroid Issues.
Living Conditions:Suburban or rural best, some can adapt to city life. A house with a fenced yard is best.
Excercise:High energy. Needs daily, exercise.
Puppies need firm handling and knowledgeable training and should be socialized with lots of people to prevent shyness.
Grooming: He should be groomed a couple of times a week with a soft cloth or brush.
History
Few people can claim to have had so great an impact upon the dog world as Louis Dobermann of Thuringen, Germany. Dobermann was a door-to-door tax collector who needed a watchful guard dog to accompany him on his rounds. In the late 1800s he set about to create an alert streamlined guard dog, most likely by crossing the old German shepherd and German pinscher, with later crosses of the black and tan Manchester terrier, greyhound and Weimaraner. He soon obtained the prototype of the breed that now bears his name. The original Dobermans were still somewhat heavy-boned and round-headed; subsequent breeders selected for a more racy-looking dog. The breed evolved in remarkable time; by 1899 the first breed club was formed. The breed continued to attract acclaim, and the first Doberman arrived in America in 1908. It soon found favor throughout Europe and America as a police and guard dog, and later as a war dog. Its prowess in these areas soon brought more admirers, and the Doberman quickly became a valued family protector. Its chiseled silhouette and fearless alert demeanor has made the Doberman a top contender as a show dog. As its fame grew, many families grew to appreciate the breed as a family pet, and the Doberman eventually rose to be the second-most popular breed in America in 1977. During this same period, a new challenge arose for the breed. The emergence of the albinistic white Doberman. In an effort to decrease the chance of producing these dogs, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America convinced the AKC to tag the registration numbers of dogs with the likelihood of carrying the albino gene with the letter Z.
Temperament
The Doberman pinscher is an intelligent capable guardian, ever on the alert and ready to protect its family or home. It is also a loyal and adventurous companion. It likes to be mentally challenged and is a gifted obedience pupil. It is sensitive and very responsive to its owner’s wishes, though some can be domineering. It is generally reserved with strangers.
Form and Function
The Doberman is compactly built, muscular, powerful and square-proportioned. It combines elegance and strength with speed and endurance. Its carriage is proud and alert, and its gait is free and vigorous. Its coat is short, smooth and hard, showing off the exceptionally clean-cut lines of this athletic breed.
Upkeep
This is an active breed that needs daily mental and physical exercise, lest it become frustrated or destructive. Its exercise requirements can be met with a long jog or walk on leash, or a strenuous run in a safe area. The Doberman can live outside in temperate climates, but it is a much better companion and effective guardian if it shares its human’s home. Coat care is minimal.
Health
• Major concerns: CVI (wobbler’s syndrome), cardiomyopathy
• Minor concerns: vWD, demodicosis, osteosarcoma, narcolepsy, gastric torsion, CHD
• Suggested tests: DNA for vWD, cardiac, (hip)
• Life span: 10 – 14 years
• Note: Blue and Fawn Dobermans often have alopecia; white Dobermans suffer from several serious health problems.
Color Mutant Alopecia is a condition of the coat associated with blue (dilute black) or fawn (dilute brown) coat colors. It affects blue, and occasionally fawn, Doberman Pinschers. Despite the name, other breeds can have a hair loss linked to coat color.
What are the symptoms?
Most dogs who develop this condition are born with (except for color) normal appearing coats. Symptoms generally develop in dogs 4 months to 3 years of age. As they grow and mature, they develop brittle hair, followed by patchy hair loss sometimes referred to as a 'moth-eaten' coat. Only the blue or fawn portions of the coat are affected. Other colored areas remain normal. Secondary infection and inflammation of the hair follicles is also seen.
What are the risks?
Initially, the dog will appear quite normal, but with a thin or bald coat in the blue areas. As the condition advances, the skin also becomes involved and can become infected and inflamed. The condition is incurable. Treatment, however, may help alleviate some of the symptoms. Medicated shampoos such as benzoyl peroxide may help reduce scaling and itching.
See the Doberman AKC Standard
| 
