Doberman Pinscher
Bred in the 1890s by a German tax collector who wanted protection on his rounds, and it worked. Fast, alert, and it thinks several steps ahead of most dogs.
Overview
The Doberman was created in the 1890s by Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector who wanted a dog to accompany him on his rounds, which is an unusually specific and unusually candid origin. He assembled it from several breeds in about a decade.
The result is a fast, powerful, intelligent protection dog, and the modern breed is considerably softer in temperament than its reputation suggests.
Temperament
Alert, intelligent and deeply bonded. Dobermans are affectionate with their families to the point of being physically clingy, and they are natural protectors without needing training to be.
They are sensitive dogs that respond badly to harsh handling and well to clear, fair training. They can be dog reactive, particularly with the same sex, and they need early socialisation. They are also velcro dogs and they do badly left alone.
Care and grooming
A short smooth coat, a weekly rub down. The easiest coat on this shelf.
The health picture is difficult and should be understood before buying. Dilated cardiomyopathy affects the breed at very high rates and can cause sudden death, and it is the single largest reason Dobermans die young. Von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder, has a DNA test. Cervical vertebral instability, called wobbler syndrome, also occurs.
Living and exercise
Ninety minutes to two hours a day plus training. They excel at obedience, protection sport and tracking.
They feel the cold badly with that coat and need one in winter. Ten to twelve years is the expectation, and buying from a breeder who does annual cardiac screening including Holter monitoring is the most useful thing anyone can do about it.
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