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DOBERMANS AT WAR:
See:
War Dog Page
HISTORY OF THE DOBERMAN:
In the village of Apolda, in the state of Thüringen, in
the southern part of Germany lived Louis Doberman (1823
- 1894). Louis Doberman was employed as a tax collector,
a "dog catcher", a night watchman, and as a supervisor
for local slaughter houses. As a night watchman, Herr
Doberman found his need for a suitable dog to accompany
him on his rounds. It is also not beyond imagining a
protection dog would be desirable while working as a tax
collector carrying large amounts of money.
NOTE: Old records tell of a "dog market" that had been
held in Thüringen since 1863. Its purpose was to improve
the strains and to educate owners as to the advantages
of pure breed dogs. The dogs were divided into various
classes (perhaps one of the first dogs shows), and we
are told "all of the twelve guard-dogs were rubbish
except a Pinscher."
Herr Dobermann also had a great interest in breeding
dogs and was certainly exposed, through his various
occupations and by attending the "dog market," to a
variety of dogs. That enabled him, along with his two
friends, Herr Rebel and Herr Stegmann, to produce within
a few generations dogs that quickly became renowned as a
fearless protection dog. These dogs could also be used
as a gun-dog, for eradicating vermin, and for herding
sheep. They were said to be very intelligent, to have
great stamina, and were highly trainable.
The exact genesis of the Doberman is not known, but
listed below are suggestions that appear to make up the
ancestry of the Doberman: Rottweiller - The early
Doberman was coarse, heavy headed, short-legged - steady
and self-reliant.
The Old German Pinscher (now extinct) -
Black and tan, smooth coat,
and energetic.
The Older Black and Tan German Shepherd -
Giving the early Doberman a
heavy grey undercoat.
Sporting Dogs -
Used to lengthen the head -
attentive, loving, and territorial.
Weimaraner -
Points, retrieves, good nose
for tracking. Possible introduction of the gene for
producing the blue Doberman.
Blue Dane -
Ferocious - used for boar
hunting.
Manchester Terrier -
Authenticated crosses in
1890's. The Manchester was used to improve the coat,
head type, eye colour, and rust markings. This cross was
used again six years later.
English Greyhound -
A black English Greyhound with
white chest markings was used sometime between 1900 -
1908. Speed and refinement.
The first official records of the Doberman appear in the
stud books of the Dobermann pinscher Verein stud book of
1890 in Germany.
The Doberman is one of the few breeds that has been
named after a person. There is also record of an
heirloom photograph of Herr Dobermann, given for a prize
at one of the dog shows, which indicates that Herr
Dobermann was acknowledged as a respected breeder and
his dogs were held in high regard.
Otto Goeller, who became very interested in the breed
and used the kennel name of Thüringen, is credited with
further refining and stabilizing the breed. In 1889,
Herr Goeller established the first "Doberman Pinscher
Club." .
Herr Goeller, along with a fellow townsman Herr Gorswin
who bred Dobermans bearing the kennel name of Groenland,
produced several of the most important Dobermans in the
breed's history. These dogs can be found in the ancestry
of the modern Doberman.
CARE AND TRAINING
Feeding
Many Doberman breeders
recommend a lower protein puppy food (less than 28%) for
the first months of puppyhood. 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.
Training
Dobermans NEED socialization,
socialization, socialization. A Puppy Kindergarten Class
is a very suitable place for you and your Doberman to
start. Following up with a basic (perhaps even a going
on to a Novice) obedience course is also highly
recommended. Your Doberman is a very intelligent working
dog and will love learning.
Are
Dobermans good with kids?
Dobermans are excellent with children.The Dobermans has
a delightful temperament, affectionate but not fawning.
They
are alert, eager to please, and adaptable. However, as
with any dog, it is not a good idea to let puppies and
children play unattended. Children and puppies tend to
be unaware of their own size and strength and could
accidentally injure each other. The best thing to do is
to teach your child and new puppy how to behave around
one another and you shouldn't have any problems.
Do
Dobermans turn on their owners?
When
properly bred, raised, socialized, and trained;
Dobermans are loving, loyal, family oriented dogs who
will never think of doing such a thing. The only reason
a Doberman would turn on anyone is due to abusive
treatment. This is not something that is unique to a
Doberman. Any animal, humans included,will defend
themselves when threatened.
Myth:
If you want a Doberman to be protective, you have to
make it mean.
A Doberman
is naturally protective of his family and home. Nothing
needs to be done to enhance that aspect. If you abuse a
Doberman to try to make it mean, the process will
backfire and your dog will only protect himself from
you.
Myth: If you want a Doberman to protect you from
strangers and intruders you have to keep it away from
people except your family.
A Doberman
that is not properly socialized will probably NOT
protect you. He will be very scared of strange things
and people. Every Doberman must be properly socialized.
Taking your pup to lots of places, such as the pet
store, shopping centers, obedience classes, vet offices,
will help him gain confidence in strange surroundings.
You should introduce your pup to as many different
people as possible and see that he responds in a
friendly manner. Protective instincts are natural and
will not be affected by introducing your dog to friends
or people he meets on the street. As long as you feel
comfortable with a person, by all means, introduce your
Doberman.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DOBERMAN:
The Doberman is a power packed medium sized dog. The Dobe has a
beautifully wedge shaped head, a well arched neck that flows
into smooth fitting shoulders which blend into a firm strong
topline. Connect this with a muscular rear assembly and a well
turned stifle, with tight fitting skin covered with short close
fitting coat and you have a clean crisp silhouette of a dog that
possesses an air of nobility, an alertness to his surroundings,
and the courage and mobility to respond to any situation.
The Doberman is a dog that comes with a built in high energy
level and watching this short backed galloper run free (flat out
with four off the floor) along the beach, in a field, or through
the mountains has left many owners explaining what they see by
describing the gracefulness, speed and beauty of a panther.
Even though the Doberman was originally bred as a guardian and
personal protector, the Doberman has an excellent nose for
tracking and has been used for capturing felons. For many years
the Doberman has been chosen to become an outstanding member of
Search and Rescue Teams. A few owners have been surprised by the
pointing and retrieving instincts of the Dobe and have made
excellent hunting companions out of their pets. Dobes can also
be found herding sheep (one such Dobe even has a Herding Dog
Certificate) and bringing the cows in at milking time. The
Dobermans loyalty, devotion, confidence and high degree of
trainability (in the right hands) made the Doberman the dog of
choice by the Marines during WWII; giving his life for his
country. In contrast, this same breed has been and is still
being used as a guide dog as well as an outstanding therapy dog.
The Doberman is one of the smartest dogs of the canine world
often referred to as “The King of Dogs”. He is known for his
intelligence and his uncanny reasoning ability. These qualities
combined with the Dobe's deceptive power, exuberance for life,
and his simple yet complex nature and temperament require extra
time for early socialization, obedience training, and ample
exercise. The Doberman is not recommended for dog owners of
limited time, energy, and experience.
On the other hand, the Doberman is extremely affectionate and
has been able to find his way into the hearts of his owners,
like no other breed, and many people are life long devotes of
this magnificent "Rolls Royce" of dogs.
CHARACTERISTICS
Ask 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 rat, a lizard, a butterfly, a bird ) 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.
NOTE: Dobe pups have a propensity to put "everything" in their
mouths. Be sure to clear the yard/floor before letting a puppy
out/down to play.
Caution also needs to be taken if your Dobe will be encountering
other dogs. With proper introductions (back to the early
socialization and training) some Dobes will enjoy playing with
other dogs. Other Dobes are not at all social.
NOTE: Male Dobermans are known to be territorial and normally
WILL NOT accept other males in any situation...i.e. living with
another male or meeting another male.
Look into the soft loving eyes of a Dobe, read what he is
saying...You are being told you are the centre 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 (i.e. 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!
Living outside in a kennel 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.
NOTE: 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. HOWEVER, as
with any dog, ANY BREED, it is advisable NOT to leave dogs and
small children unsupervised.
When faced with sickness, Dobermans can be quite stoic,
concealing their pain long before you know something is wrong. A
healthy Doberman comes to you, or moves around in the yard, with
a special little trot, while a sick Dobe does more walking or
plodding, perhaps holding its head and neck level or down. Some
Dobes curl up and don't want to move. Their eyes are sometimes
sad and almost soul searching.
Depending on the illness, some Dobes don't eat and may pace or
move from one spot to another, restless and panting. Others may
stretch a lot or try unsuccessfully to urinate. Dobes have been
known to swallow items that can block the digestive track. If
this is the case, your Dobe may not want to eat, or if he does
eat, he will throw up, and pace and stretch again. Check with
your vet if your Dobe shows any of these symptoms.
The hardest part of owning a Dobe is to be confronted with
evidence of his mortality that a loyal companion may no longer
be there. It is then that you are faced with your only
disappointment in owning a Dobe - the loss of your loved one.
"It is then in these hours ... that he will best be able to face
this difficult time, if he looks to the demeanour of his Dobe
... for it is their distinction that they squarely face
adversity, not unlike that of a professional soldier."
(anonymous)
TEMPERAMENT
In the Early Days, 100 years ago...
Early records tell us that the Doberman in Germany was a dog
used by men as a guard dog. A dog that was alert, fearless,
aggressive, intelligent, and trainable. The dogs were described
as being "sharp" and became very popular as a police and watch
dog. This type of temperament may have been accepted and desired
in the rural settings of the past, but certainly not a
temperament or dog that could survive in the urban society of
today.
The Doberman of Today...
During the past 100 years the committed Doberman breeder has
been able to produce a much milder/steadier disposition than the
earlier dogs exhibited. Upon close examination, the breed is
found in a variety of working positions as well as being an
excellent dog for competition performances, the conformation
ring, and a devoted family dog/clown/couch potato.
Questions about the Doberman Temperament
Quoted below are the two issues of temperament discussed in the
AKC Standard for the Doberman. These areas are shyness and
aggression. Either, if improperly displayed, will result in the
Doberman being disqualified or excused from the ring.
"The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious
Doberman."
Shyness - A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing
to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge; if it
fears an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and
unusual noises to a marked degree.
Viciousness - A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either
the judge or its handler, is definitely vicious. An aggressive
or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed
viciousness."
FAQ's about the Doberman Temperament
Are Dobermans Are Nervous?
No, a Doberman is not nervous.
They are full of energy. If a Doberman owner tends to be
nervous, stressed, and unsure of how to properly handle/train a
Doberman, the Dobe will often display his owner's nervousness
and confusion.
Are Dobermans Shy?
No, a properly bred Doberman
is not shy. Early socialization and training should be part of
developing the correct temperament of a Dobe.
NOTE: This is not to say there
are no shy Dobermans. As with any breed there are dogs that
exhibit abnormal behaviour and since there are various types and
degrees of shyness. If you are having trouble with your
Doberman, please contact a qualified Doberman trainer.
COLORS OF THE DOBERMAN
The breed can trace its history back to the
Dobermannpinshcerherverein stud book of 1890. In 1899 only one
colour was recognized, the black and rust. In 1901 two other
colours were allowed, these additional colours were; the brown
and rust, and blue and rust. With the fawn (Isabella) being
recognized in 1969, this brought the total to four allowed
colours 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 (either sex) recessive gene. Both parents have to
"carry" this gene in order to produce the dilution, or depending
on which genotype, all four colours 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.
Combining the four allowed colours (phenotype) with the 9
possible genotypes will result in 81 possible combinations of
breeding. In order for the serious Doberman breeder to
understand the probability of the puppy phenotype, a colour
chart has been devised and each of the four colours (including
their varied genotype expressions) have been assigned a number
from 1 - 9.
NOTE: Below is a SMALL example
of what is included in the colour chart. This is NOT a complete
listing of the 9 assigned numbers. B is the "black" factor,
dominant over red. b is the "red" factor, recessive to black. D
is the dominant "non-dilution" factor. d is the recessive
"dilution" factor. A number 1 BBDD (black phenotype) will
produce ONLY black. A number 2 BBDd (black phenotype) will
produce only black and blue puppies unless bread to a #1 BBDD
black, a #3 BbDD black or a #7 bbDD red. A number 3 BbDD (black
phenotype) will produce red and blacks except when bred to a #1
BBDD black, a #2 BBDd black, or a #5 BBdd (blue phenotype) in
which case only blacks will be produced. A number 4 BbDd (black
phenotype) can produce all four colours when bred to another #4,
a #8 bbDd (red phenotype), a 9 bbdd (fawn phenotype), or a #6
Bbdd (blue phenotype).
WHITE DOBERMANS
In 1980's the white Doberman made it's appearance and it has
been found that the white gene is a separate gene, and is
located at a different genetic site (locus) than the colour (B)
and dilution (D) that is the basis of the four allowed colours
for the Doberman. The white gene does not interfere with these
four known colours of the Doberman and does not need to be
included in the colour chart.
The white Doberman is considered an incomplete or partial
albino. The dogs have blue eyes and are cream coloured 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.
The WHITE colour is a
DISQUALIFICATION and these dogs CANNOT COMPETE in the
conformation ring.
BREED SPECIFIC TITLES
The DPCA (Doberman Pinscher Club Of America) has devised a
temperament test that demonstrates the proper characteristics
for which the Doberman was created.
The requirements are: the dog must be a Doberman, at least 18
months of age, must be AKC registered or have an ILP (Indefinite
Listing Privileges obtained from AKC) number. To find when and
where these tests are held one should contact their local
Doberman club, or the DPCA.
The tests include 5 exercises that evaluates the dog’s responses
to:
People
+ The Neutral and Friendly
Strangers
Auditory
+ The Hidden Clattering and
The Gunshots
Visual
+ The Umbrella
Footing
+ Walking Across Variable
Surfaces
Threat
+ The Protective Reaction
ADDITIONAL TITLES
Within the past 10/15 years, some within the Doberman fancy have
turned their attention to the Doberman in Germany, Holland, and
other European countries. This interest has resulted in many
fine imports. Imported dogs bearing their European breed
championships linked with their working titles, these Dobermans
have been successfully combined with some of the outstanding
Australian & American Dobermans. The resulting combinations can
be found in the conformation ring, obedience trials, and in
organizations devoted to the working dog. It can be very
confusing to try and sort all of the various titles found in the
pedigrees of these Dobermans, so we are listing them for you
below.
---Conformation Titles---
Hol Ch
Holland Ch.
Spa Ch
Spanish Ch.
Ger Ch
German Ch. (also listed as D
Ch. for "Deutsche" Ch.)
Int. Ch
International Ch.
VDH Ch
Verein Deutscher Hunde, the
German National Kennel Club (equivalent to AKC)
N Ch.
Norwegian Ch.
S Ch.
Swedish Ch.
D Ch.
possibly Dutch Ch. or German
Ch. Dutch is usually N Ch. or S Ch.
Sieger
Sieger means "victor" and
there are 5 Sieger shows a year. The main winner in dogs is a
Sieger and the main winner in Bitches is a Siegerin.
Bdsg
(Bundessieger) German Sieger.
Bundes"leistungs"sieger refers to a working National Champion.
Weltsg
World Sieger
DV Sg
Doberman Verein Sieger (Dobermann
Verein is the German Dobe Club).
IDC Sg
Winner of the International
Dobe Club Show.
---Working Titles---
SchH I
1st level Schutzhund Title.
SchH II
2nd level Schutzhund Title.
SchH III
3rd level Schutzhund Title.
FH
(Fahrtenhund) Advanced
Tracking Title.
ADPr
Endurance test. Dog must go 20
kilometers and pass a temperament test.
AD
US equivalent. Dog must go 12
miles in 2 1/2 hours and pass a temperament test.
IPO I, IPO II, IPO III
Internationale
Prufungs-Ordnung. Titles are similar to Schutzhund titles but
testing under international rules.
ZtP
(Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung)
Fit for breeding test. Requires temperament testing,
conformation evaluation, as well as a protection test similar to
SchH I. Dogs must be X-rayed clear hip-dysplasia to obtain the
certificate for breeding.
ZtP V1A
"V1" is the highest
conformation rating and "A" is the highest temperament rating.
Angek
(Korung) extensive temperament
test and conformation evaluation. A step above the ZtP!
Kk, KL1, KKL 1, or KKL 1a
(Korung) hard core temperament
test and conformation evaluation above the Angekoert title.
HD-I & HD-II
Hip displasia ratings similar
to OFA's Excellent and Good. HD-I is the highest rating.
The Kiss:
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The photograph above shows a red Doberman licking an
exhausted fireman. He had just saved her from a fire in
her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house
into her front yard, while he continued to fight the
fire. She is pregnant. The firefighter was afraid of her
at first, because he had never been around a Doberman
before. When he finally got done putting the fire out,
he sat down to catch his breath and rest.
A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina
newspaper, "The Observer," noticed this red Doberman in
the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking
straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was
going to do. As he raised his camera, she came up to the
tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her
babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped
this photograph.
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