Doberman (Doberman Pinscher)

One mention of the Doberman or Doberman Pinscher makes one visualize a robust, strong, sturdy, and muscular breed with a courageous demeanor. Their vigilant, fearless disposition makes the Doberman one of the best protection dogs in the world. They excelled as adept war dogs, police dogs, and personal defense dogs.

Doberman (Doberman Pinscher) Pictures

History and Origin

The origin of the Doberman Pinscher dates back to the 1880s, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector from Apolda, being instrumental in its development . Louis’s inspiration to create this breed was his urge to produce a dog to protect and accompany him during his tax collection rounds. He even desired the resultant breed to have the strength, intelligence, and stamina needed to perform his duty efficiently as a fierce protector.

The dog that Louis Dobermann decided upon appeared much bigger, and less refined than the Doberman Pinschers of the present times. According to historians and experts, various other breeds have also contributed significantly to the development of the Doberman, mainly to acquire the distinct features its founder was looking for. Though the names of all the breeds and the exact proportion they contributed to Doberman’s development remain unknown, the significant ones include Rottweiler, Weimaraner, German Pinscher, and Beauceron.

While the Weimaraner may have given the Doberman its scenting ability, the Rottweiler possibly contributed to its strength and guarding skills. The Old German Shepherd, instrumental in developing several European breeds, was perhaps present in the Doberman’s development, too, accounting for its intelligence and stamina.

After Louis Doberman’s demise in 1894, the dog he created was named Dobermann Pinscher by the Germans in his honor. However, eventually, they removed Pincher from its name since it meant terrier in German. The British followed suit some years later. However, the United States and Canada have retained ‘Pinscher’ but omitted one ‘n’ from the name, keeping it as Doberman instead of Dobermann.

They eventually evolved into excellent working dogs, employed in k-9 services and search and rescue operations. The Doberman even functioned as a service and therapy dog, comforting and providing solace to the elderly, sick, and disabled. In the Second World War, it became the war dog of the United States Marine Corps officially, though it wasn’t used for the purpose. Its popularity peaked in time, ranking relatively high in the American Kennel Club’s list of Most Popular Dogs – 16th as per the 2021 rankings.

Temperament and Personality

As a family dog- They are people-oriented, sweet, and affectionate with their kith and kin. Most of their behavioral traits depend on their socialization. Though they would love every one of their family, many Dobermans are known to bond intimately with only one particular person, perhaps their master.

As a fierce protector – It would live up to the reputation of a devoted protection dog if trained well from the time it is a puppy. A Doberman trained for protection would safeguard its family against all odds at any cost. These dogs would go to any extent for the purpose, even sacrificing their lives. With the Doberman around, it wouldn’t be easy for any intruder to mess around your home, as they would be fast enough to get after their prey.

Their aggression –The Dobermans are stereotyped as aggressive dogs because of their defensive, protective, and attacking nature, ranked at no 4 of the world’s most aggressive breeds. The Dobermans of the past were a lot more ferocious than the modern-day dogs that appear toned down to a great extent through careful breeding. The present-day Dobermans are even-tempered and should receive proper training to display their ferocity only when the need arises and not out of purpose.

There have been several instances of a Doberman attack, one relatively recent in June 2020, when a 9-year-old girl was attacked by a Dobe while out on a family walk.

With kids – The Dobermans mingle well with kids, especially when brought up with them. Yet, owing to their enormous size and powerful approach, their interaction with toddlers needs supervision.

With strangers – At the first meeting, they would exhibit reservedness towards people whom they don’t know. However, when exposed to different situations and people since their childhood, they would eventually learn the difference between the good and the bad. They might not display aggression at every stranger.

With other dogs: If brought up with the other canine, the Doberman would get along well with them. However, when it comes to dogs outside their territory, they could display untoward behavior, especially if they consider the latter a threat to their family.

With cats: If socialized, the Dobie would exhibit friendliness with cats, yet owners should supervise their interaction as the dog could get agonized by the slightest trigger. 

As barkers: They could get noisy and bark a lot, not without reason, though only if the need arises. For instance, if they sight something unusual when at guard and need to alert their masters of the same. It is also needed to know that a Doberman, when bored, would also bark without a cause; hence giving them sufficient exercise is required.

Training

They belong to the world’s most intelligent dogs list, ranking 5th as per Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs. So it is pretty evident that they would respond to training if handled firmly and tactfully. Train them at the earliest lest they could turn pushy and destructive, provided the strong, powerful breeds are.

Socialization:  This is a mandate since the time they are puppies. A lot depends on how well they are socialized, which impacts their personality positively or negatively. A well-socialized Dobe acquainted with diverse smells, situations, and people right from the start would have the capacity to distinguish the good from the bad. This, in turn, would even help control their aggression level.

Obedience: Training them on basic commands like ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘bark’ right from the start would help instill guarding traits in them when these dogs grow. After training them on obedience, the next lesson must be on impulse control. When interacting with welcomed guests, they should keep their attitude under control and sit silently or lie down in their company. You should also teach them their boundaries to understand the territory they are protecting and won’t go beyond that.

Feeding

Like any other big dog breed, the Doberman Pinscher also needs a high-quality diet, homemade or store-bought, rich in protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. Ensure that the food you prepare for them has a meat source like beef, lamb, or chicken, whole grains like brown rice, and veggies like peas, beans, and sweet potatoes.

Interesting Facts

• The Doberman’s fame peaked after they clinched the Westminster Club Dog Shows title for four years – 1939, 1952, 1953, and 1989.
• They have been a part of television series. Some famous fictional Dobermans include Alpha from the 2009 American animated movie Up and Diablo appearing in the 2008 American comedy Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

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