by Andy Markison

Ah, the Doberman. Rarely in dogdom has a breed evoked such conflicting emotions in people. Many would use words like loyal, elegant, intelligent, obedient and loving, while others may say vicious, destructive, menacing and dangerous about the same dog. So how does a single breed give rise to such conflicting emotions? One reason may be the fact that the modern Dobe and the Dobe of yesteryear are not really the same dog. Sure they are the same species and they descended from the same canine ancestors, but the Dobe of today, through careful and selective breeding, has had many of it’s rougher edges softened over the years. Dobes have also been the unfortunate recipient of bad doggie press. Doberman's are physically powerful dogs and have been used as guard dogs since their beginnings. Naturally a guard dog must at times be aggressive and much of the origins of their bad reputation probably stem from these initial impressions. Add to this that the Doberman is an elegant looking dog with a physically large stature and it becomes the Hollywood equivalent of the perfect villain dog; handsome but dangerous. So it's not terribly surprising that the Doberman has maintained it's dubious reputation over the years, and while there certainly are instances of vicious or aggressive Dobes, largely this reputation is blown well out of proportion.

The History Of The Doberman
Louis Dobermann of Apolda, in the German province of Thuringen, is credited with the creation of the world's first Doberman. Dobermann was a door-to-door tax collector and night watchman in Germany in the 1890’s and found the need to have a dog that could act as both a companion and a guardian as he made his daily rounds. He thus began to experiment with breeding available dogs to achieve this result. Fortunately for Dobermann he was also in charge of his local dog pound and as a result had access to several different breeds of dogs for his experiments. It is unknown exactly which dogs were bred to make the first real Doberman but it is thought that Dobermann may have used some sort of combination of Rottweilers, Weimaraners, Black and Tan Terriers and the German Pinscher. In 1894 Dobermann died, with his dog creation in existence, but not yet perfected. His protégé, Otto Goeller, picked up where Dobermann left off and is often credited as the true creator of the breed. Goeller assembled the National Dobermann Pinscher Club in Germany in 1899 and shortly afterward he and his committee members wrote the first breed standard for this new, carefully engineered, canine.

In the early years of the breed, Dobermann Pinschers were thought of as very vicious and fearless. An early owner, Gottfried Liechti, is quoted as saying, "it required a good deal of courage just to own one." In fact the breed's reputation preceded its arrival in America in 1908. One early Dobe import won, not one, but three Best in Shows before a judge had courage enough to examine the dog’s mouth—only to find several missing teeth!

In World War 2 the United States Marine Corps (USMC) enlisted Dobermans (because of their obedience, loyalty and high intelligence) to accompany their soldiers in many situations, including combat. At the conclusion of the Second World War the popularity of Dobermans began to rise as people saw the value of the Doberman as a great protector as well as a good family pet. In 1977 the Doberman grew to become the second-most popular breed in America (today it ranks more modestly at #22 according to AKC recognized breed popularity).

Around half a century after the first Doberman came into existence the word Pinscher (German for terrier) was dropped in many countries since it was determined that the Dobe no longer fit into the terrier class. The American Kennel Club, however, still recognizes the name of Doberman Pinscher on their website and both Doberman and Doberman Pinscher seem to be widely accepted as a suitable name for the breed. The Dobe of today officially belongs to the Mastiff group of dogs and is considered a working class dog.

The Dobe Temperament
Much has been made of the famed Doberman temperament. The Doberman has been labeled over the years as both aggressive and vicious. Much of this bad reputation is ill gotten however. The Doberman of today can be both an excellent protector and companion for both you and your family. This does not imply that you should adopt one lightly. You should know that much effort and attention must go into raising a Doberman properly, perhaps more than you are willing to invest. If you find that you have a family that does not have much time to spend with a new dog then you may be better suited to adopting another, lower maintenance, breed, or even a cat or other type of pet entirely. The Doberman by it's physical stature and strength alone is capable of causing great damage to another living being, for this reason, you should take great care in making your decision as to whether you adopt one or not.

Considerations in Adoption
Something you should consider should you opt for a Dobe is the natural energy level of the dog. A Doberman is full of what may, at times, seem to be boundless energy and will require a way to let that energy out, a long walk or jog with your Dobe each day will probably be sufficient. A Doberman is not a dog that should be left to idly wander around the house, nor is a Dobe an ideal pet for an apartment or an enclosed area where his or her movement will be restricted. A family that has ample space and time to dedicate to their dog is more likely to fit better with a Doberman than a family that does not have these luxuries.

A Doberman is also a dog that requires significant amounts of both structure and guidance, especially during puppyhood. Some Dobermans have a tendency to be domineering, if this is the case you will need to strongly assert yourself as the Alpha member of the group (or leader) and show the dog who is running the show. A Doberman that feels comfortable with you as the leader will become attached to you, possibly more than with any other breed. In fact Dobermans are famous for the loyalty they display for their owners.

The Doberman; Your Family, Children And Pets
A properly raised Doberman can make a wonderful companion for a family, but maybe not every family. A Doberman is bred to be a powerful and energetic dog. If you are not seriously willing to invest the time to properly train your new Doberman and you have other family members living with you or other pets, then you could be inviting trouble. You should not take this need for attention lightly as neglecting these duties could conceivably help foster an unstable temperament. Secondly, it may not be advisable for a Doberman puppy be brought into a home with small children. Depending on the dog's age, a Dobe puppy may not have had adequate training and with its naturally high energy level may unknowingly "play" too roughly with children injuring or scaring them as a result. Understandably, parents in this situation might choose to lock the dog away or banish it to the backyard to protect the child. This sort of neglect and abandonment of a puppy, especially if persistent, could end up resulting in an adult dog that is difficult to control.

Even with an adult Doberman you may find yourself wanting to make sure your child's time with your dog is supervised. A young child may not know any better than to tease the dog as it plays. The family Doberman may normally be patient and docile, but dogs, like any living creature have their threshold for irritation and in a worst case scenario the dog could "turn" if pushed too far. It should be noted that these incidents are exceedingly rare, but they do occur, so when it comes to your children it is better to be safe than sorry. If you do have small children you should at the very least make sure they are aware of the respect they should have for the family Dobe.

Other pets may pose a possible conflict for a Doberman, though, as before, a properly socialized and trained Doberman is likely to get along fine with other animals. Be aware, however, that some Dobermans may have a tendency to be dominant and may not get along with another Doberman of the same sex. If raised together this hostility can often be curtailed, but even then, there is no guarantee of peaceful harmony in a two Dobe home.

Breeders and Shelters
When considering the adoption of a Doberman it is best to thoroughly research a breeder or shelter before adoption and bring a list of questions to ask to ensure the best possible fit for your family. A good breeder or shelter is not only interested in selling you a dog but making sure that the dog fits well with your family and situation. Be alert to a breeder or shelter who seems in a rush, will not let you handle the dog prior to adoption, can not answer all of your questions or will not provide the proper paperwork for the dog you wish to adopt. A reputable breeder or shelter has made sure the dog is adoptable and has been screened for temperament as well as illness. Adopting a Doberman is not the same as adopting a house cat, don't just assume that all Dobermans and Doberman breeders are the same, there are what are known as "backyard breeders" (amateur breeders), that may not take the same care or have the same knowledge and training that will ensure you get a high quality, well adjusted dog. Many of the potential problems and much of the bad press come from Dobes that originate from these types of breeders.

Once you do find that perfect Dobe take pride in knowing that you have adopted what may well be one of the most loyal animal companions and best protectors you will ever know.

Other Information About Dobermans
Life Expectancy: 9-12 years
Average Weight: 60-75 lbs.
Size: 24-28 inches

If you are interested in learning more about Dobermans you can find information out at the following links:

The AKC (American Kennel Club):
AKC Dog Profile: Doberman

Animal Planet:
Doberman Profile

The Doberman Pinscher Club of America:
Doberman Background

Dog & Kennel Magazine:
Revisualizing Herr Dobermann's Ideal Dog

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