For over a century, Doberman Pinschers have both protected and loved their families. The breed’s strong work ethic complements its appreciation of sport and play. Observant, affectionate, and protective, the Doberman is an unwavering companion for experienced dog owners.
History of the Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed
Few dog breeds have a more specifically defined “breed sire” than the Doberman Pinscher. The first Dobes were originally developed in Apolda, Germany in the late 1890s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. A local tax collector, Dobermann also served as the custodian of Apolda’s dog pound. Harassed by thieves while collecting taxes, Dobermann decided to develop a practical dog breed for protection, deterrence and companionship. As a pound keeper, Dobermann had access to many dogs for his breeding program. He mixed both strays and conventional breeds such as Rottweiler, German Pinscher and Beauceron.
Because Dobermann did not keep stud records, the specific percentages of breeds he used are not known. Most historians, however, say that the older version of the German Shepherd contributed significantly to the new breed. The Dobermann program focused on courage, strength, acuity, endurance, loyalty and protection. While today’s Doberman has evolved into a handsome and capable working dog breed, early Doberman Pinschers weren’t bred for glamour.
After Dobermann’s death, Otto Göller, another resident of Apolda, continued to breed Dobermans. The breed took on the original developer’s name, although over time the second N in the Doberman name was dropped. The Germans also dropped the Pinscher from the breed name. The American Kennel Club, however, kept Pinscher (German for biter, terrier) in the name of the Doberman.
Doberman Pinschers in World War II
Dobermans continued to be developed in Germany for police and military work, protection, and companionship. During World War II, Dobermans served as sentries and messengers for the US Marine Corps in the Pacific. The dogs alerted the soldiers to approaching enemy forces. Doberman Pinschers Could Detect Human Scent About 800 Meters Away. The platoons of war dogs were therefore well protected from ambushes.
Many dogs were killed in action in the Pacific and others died of tropical diseases, heatstroke, disease or accidents. A memorial statue in Guam, “Always Faithful”, commemorates the dedicated Doberman Pinschers who served. The statue’s sign lists some 25 dogs who made the ultimate sacrifice and is “given in memory [of these dog] and in the name of the surviving men, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals.
The memorial sculpture depicts Kurt the Doberman, the first military working dog killed in action during the Battle of Guam in 1944. Kurt alerted his men to the presence of approaching Japanese soldiers before tragically dying by an enemy grenade. The heroic dog is estimated to have saved the lives of 250 Marines on Guam before being killed.
Doberman Pinscher Jobs, Training, and Family Life
These days, Doberman Pinschers are not often used for military or police work. One of the reasons for this change is that the Dobe’s single, short coat does not protect it against heat and cold as well as double-coated breeds, such as the German Shepherd. Others speculate that the Dobe thinks a bit too much on its own, or is less trainable and/or less motivated to obey than, say, the Belgian Malinois or the German Shepherd.
The Doberman Pinscher, however, continues to excel in search and rescue work, as well as service work. In mobility assistance work, for example, Dobes may help pull wheelchairs, help owners pick up objects, or help stabilize moving owners.
Thriving with constant interaction with the owner, Dobermans need focused training, regular affection, and plenty of exercise. The self-confident Doberman learns quickly. Although he is an obedient breed, he is also a thinker (yes these two traits can conflict!). Dobes shines both in formal obedience and around the house. Sports such as agility, rallying, and Schutzhund keep the Dobe’s mind and body well exercised. Physically, the Doberman Pinscher requires long exercise sessions. A feisty, driven and energetic breed, Doberman Pinschers need room to run and play hard. Large fenced yards are ideal. Apartment living with a Dobe only works if owners engage in plenty of outdoor activities.
Dobermans generally bond closely with children in the family and are generally calm with respectful children. All dogs, however, require supervision with young children.
Do Doberman Pinschers get along with other dogs? Although not a classic type, hurry to the dog park, a highly socialized Dobe is usually indifferent or does well with new dogs. Some Dobes may show suspicion towards new dogs (especially of the same sex). A Doberman Pinscher raised with other household pets generally does well with them.
Doberman Pinschers as protectors
An excellent watchdog, the Doberman Pinscher alerts owners to new events and often stands protectively between its family and danger. Bred to guard and in some ways think for themselves, a Dobe can sometimes interpret threats with their own judgment. This is why obedience and socialization are essential at the puppy stage.
To avoid overreaction as adults, Doberman Pinscher puppies must learn, through many experiences, to distinguish threatening behavior from non-threatening behavior. The more the family socializes the Doberman puppy with many people, places, and behaviors, the sooner it develops the confidence and experience necessary to discern real threats. And the more the Dobe learns to obey, the more likely it will respond to its owners’ cues in a given situation.
A well-socialized Dobe shows quiet respect to strangers, enjoys being outdoors, and maintains its keenest enthusiasm for its beloved owners. His reputation as a tough working dog is well deserved, but his loyalty and affection to his family are just as remarkable.
Want to know more about the Doberman Pinscher? Here are some fun facts about the Doberman:
White Dobermann Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher Club of America and the AKC standard do not include the color white. The White-Furred or White-Factor Doberman is believed to be a genetic mutation that may correlate with health and/or temperament issues. The AKC uses specialized tracking for albino and albino Dobermans, with special registration numbers (the “z” list). The AKC’s position on the white Doberman is disputed by some breeders. However the controversy is viewed, potential buyers are rightly skeptical of breeders’ higher prices for any “rare” trait.
Doberman Pinschers in drill crews
In addition to their wartime service, Dobermans entertained the public in a traveling drill team developed in the 1950s by Tess Henseler. Rosalie Alvarez went on to form Dobe teams that performed at many events, including halftime football shows. For decades, various Dobermans have marched in formations and performed agility maneuvers at parades, football games, and other public events. The shows displayed the dogs’ agility, obedience, grace and raw athleticism.
Miniature Dobermann
There’s actually no such thing as a miniature Doberman! There is, however, a separate toy breed that is often confused with a small Doberman. The Miniature Pinscher (Pinscher means Terrier in German) was bred centuries ago in Germany to control rats. Now he is part of the Toy Group, although he is often considered the king of toys. It is sometimes thought to have been bred from Doberman Pinschers, but the Miniature Pinscher was actually developed before the Doberman.
Doberman Pinscher Ears
Doberman ears are usually cropped and carried erect. Some families who don’t plan on showing their dogs choose to keep their puppies’ ears naturally floppy. Some countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, have banned crops for aesthetic reasons. Historically, the thin, drooping ears of the Dobe were cropped to facilitate the work of guard dogs. Short, erect ears were more difficult, for example, for human or animal enemies to grasp in a conflict.