Information on the Doberman Pinscher

Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector, developed the Doberman pinscher as both a guard dog and companion, according to the American Kennel Club. Like most breeds, the chances of selecting a dog that meets your expectations increase with understanding the breed, getting it from a responsible breeder and providing the dog with training and exercise.

  1. History

    • No documentation provides information on which breeds created the Doberman; however, the German pinscher, Rottweiler and black and tan terrier may be part of the foundation stock, according to the American Kennel Club. Others likely include an extinct German shepherd breed and the Weimaraner. Later, mixing the breed with the black and tan Manchester terrier and the black English greyhound helped shape the looks of the Doberman. The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1908 and a Doberman won Best in Show at Westminster in 1939.

    Standard

    • The breed standard accepted by the American Kennel Club calls for a dog standing 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder, brown almond-shaped eyes and a scissor bite. Generally, a standard size Doberman weighs 55 to 90 lbs. The only acceptable colors include black, red, blue and fawn. Rust colored markings include those above the eyes, underneath the tail and on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs and feet. Disqualification for showing includes dogs with four or more missing teeth, wrong colors, including white or albino, and improper bites, according to the American Kennel Club. Dobermans typically undergo tail docking and ear cropping.

    Health

    • Doberman pinschers most common health issues include hypothyroidism, eye disorders -- including progressive retinal atrophy -- and Von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder, according to the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada. Available testing for these disorders helps breeders to select healthy dogs for their breeding programs. Cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that causes sudden death in almost one-third of affected dogs, presents a serious problem for the breed and requires yearly evaluations until a DNA test becomes available.

    Structural

    • Approximately 6.2 percent of tested Dobermans show hip dysplasia, according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Another problem, wobbler's syndrome, occurs due to compression of the spinal cord and causes neurological symptoms including unsteady gait and dragging the hind feet. Dobermans may develop potentially deadly bloat, a condition caused by gas in the intestinal tract, creating swelling and sometimes twisting of the stomach.

    Temperament and Behaviors

    • A well-bred Doberman possesses an affectionate, energetic, watchful and fearless temperament, according to the American Kennel Club. Both shyness and viciousness demonstrate undesirable traits. However, approximately 70 percent of Doberman puppies and 8 percent of adults demonstrate obsessive behaviors, according to Catherine O'Neill Grace, editor of Tufts Veterinary Medicine. While this inclination might pose some issue for owners, research on the breed may help researchers understand both the dog and human genetic inheritance of the disorder.

    Myths

    • Giant Dobermans, called Warlocks, simply occur from people breeding dogs, possibly to great Danes and other large breeds, to create large unhealthy dogs, according to Doberman Rescue of North Carolina. Dobermans do not possess brains that explode or a tendency to attack their owners. Finally, miniature pinschers do not come from Doberman pinschers.