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| Doberman Pinscher |
General
A square, medium-sized dog, the Doberman Pinscher is muscular and
possesses great endurance and speed. He is elegant in appearance and
reflects great nobility and temperament. The properly bred and
trained Doberman has proved itself to be a friend and guardian, and
his intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training have
brought him into demand as a police and war dog. Although the roots
of the breed are relatively obscure, it is thought that the Doberman
Pinscher originated in Germany around 1900, taking its name from tax
collector Louis Dobermann of Apolda, who desired a medium size dog
to perform as a guard dog as well as companion. Breeds utilized to
develop the Doberman Pinscher may have included the old shorthaired
shepherd, Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier and the
German Pinscher.
The breed was registered with the AKC in 1908.
History
This is a breed of fairly current origin. It was developed in Germany in the 1860′s, presumably by crossing amongst German Pinschers with Rottweilers, Beauceron, Pinschers, Greyhounds and English Greyhound to make the sleek and very intelligent Doberman Pinscher. The creator of this mixture was a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann. Dobermann
had to travel often via bandit-infested areas, and decided to
“construct” a watchdog and bodyguard capable of handling any
circumstance that may arise. Bearing the name of its originator
(shortened by 1 n), the Doberman was very first presented at a dog show in 1876. It was right away a massive achievement.
General Appearance
The Doberman Pinscher is an elegant, muscular and very powerful dog.
It has a well proportioned chest, a short back and a lean, muscular
neck. Its hard, short-haired, close-fitting coat comes in black,
black & tan, blue-gray, red, fawn and white. While white markings
are considered a fault in some clubs in others it is accepted. The
hair is short, thick, hard and tight to its body. Its teeth are
strong and close in a scissors bite. Eyes are dark with a lively,
intelligent expression. The ears are usually cropped (cut at the age
of about 12 weeks). The pup's ears have to be taped for a couple of
months to make them stand up. I believe England has banned the
cropping of pup ears and the docking of their tails. Lately, many
breeders have left their pups natural. If left natural they develop
ears somewhat like a hound. The tail is usually docked at the age of
3 days. If the tail is not docked it grows a tail somewhat like a
hound. Its legs are perfectly straight. The Dobermans gait must be
elastic, elegant, and cover a lot of ground.
Temperament
Proud, noble, and alert, the Doberman Pinscher is a dog with plenty
of devotion and love to give. These dutiful dogs tend to have an
even, well balanced temperament, and are intelligent, creative, and
quick to learn. The Doberman Pinscher excels in obedience training
when it is positive and includes treats and lots of praise. They are
one of the most intelligent and fastest learning of all breeds.
These dogs are best suited to those who can establish themselves as
"boss" from day one, as this breed can be strong willed and
stubborn. These dogs definitely do not take kindly to being teased
or treated roughly. It is important to ensure that you provide the
Doberman Pinscher with plenty of physical and mental stimulation,
otherwise he can get bored and restless, which can result in
behavioral issues. The Doberman Pinscher tends to get on well with
children when raised with them, although you should be mindful that
his large size can result in problems when younger children such as
toddlers are around. He also gets on okay with other pets, although
he may be bossy and dominant with them, quickly establishing himself
as the leader of the pack. He may chase smaller animals such as cats
or rabbits due to his high prey drive, but this can be curbed by
socializing him with your household pets early on. The Doberman
Pinscher can be reserved with strangers so plenty of socialization
from a young age is important. He is fearless, powerful and
protective of his loved ones. He will fight if provoked, and he
definitely wont back down (unless trained to), making him an
effective guard dog.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy :
The life expectancy of the Doberman Pinscher is around 8-12 years,
and there are a number of health problems and disorder linked to the
breed. The Doberman Pinscher is prone to Wobbler Syndrome,
Von
Willebrands Disease, bloat, hip dysplasia, and congenital heart
disorders. They do not do well in cold climates.
Height :24-28 inches
Weight : 66-88 pounds
Color : black, red, blue and fawn.
Grooming
Doberman Pinschers require minimal grooming. Occasional brushing or wiping of the coat with a damp cloth will minimize loose hair. Dental hygiene is crucial to prevent early tooth loss. It is also important to keep their nails trimmed short. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when absolutely necessary.
Highly energetic, Doberman Pinschers require daily extensive exercise and stimulation. They enjoy family play sessions and make wonderful walking companions. This breed will do okay in an apartment provided they are sufficiently exercised. However, a securely fenced yard is best for romping and running freely.
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