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Doberman Pinschers comprise a breed of
medium- to large-sized dogs that originated
in Germany in the late 19th century. They
were initially bred by Karl Friedrich
Ludwig Dobermann, for whom the breed is
named, to create a dog that would protect
him as he worked as a tax collector in
dangerous areas. Dobermann ran a dog pound,
granting him access to a wide array of
dog breeds from which to breed the first
Doberman Pinschers; Doberman Pinschers
therefore likely share ancestry with several
breeds, the identities of which are not
known for certain.
On average, Doberman Pinschers measure
24-28 inches in height, and weigh 60-90
pounds. They are sexually dimorphic in
that females tend to be smaller than males.
Doberman Pinschers have compact, athletic,
and square but slender builds. They have
long heads, flat skulls, and almond-shaped
eyes. Doberman Pinschers have naturally
long tails and V-shaped ears, but are
often seen with cropped ears and docked
tails. Docking and cropping, however,
are illegal or limited in several countries,
most of which are concentrated in Europe.
Doberman Pinschers have short, glossy
coats with sharply defined, rust-colored
markings below their tails, on all of
their legs and paws, the frontmost parts
of their chests, their throats, their
muzzles, and above their eyes. Doberman
Pinschers may have a base coat color of
black, blue, red, or fawn. Black is the
most common and therefore best known color,
while fawn is the rarest.
Despite their bad reputations, Doberman
Pinschers can be excellent companions.
They tend to be extremely loyal to, obedient
of, and protective of their owners, and
are known to develop deep respect for
their caregivers. They are also very intelligent
and highly trainable. Doberman Pinschers
are even described as playful, highly
energetic, and sociable toward humans.
Many North American breeders in particular
have emphasized these traits and toned
down the aggressiveness often associated
with the breed.
While Doberman Pinschers are rarely ferocious,
one should note that they are fearless
and can be aggressive in defense of their
owners. However, most well-socialized
Doberman Pinschers will either be sociable
toward or tolerate strangers that they
do not deem threatening, unless instructed
to do otherwise. Though they can be sociable
toward other dogs, one should know that
they are less likely to do so than they
are to humans.
A Doberman Pinscher requires a fair amount
of exercise daily, and for that reason
fares best with a yard of at least an
average size at their disposal. Doberman
Pinschers may, however, live in apartments,
provided that their owners ensure that
they exercise often. They are very sensitive
to cold, and therefore do not do well
in cold regions. They shed an average
amount, but require little grooming.
Doberman Pinschers are prone to dilated
cardiomyopathy, a heart disease and major
cause of death in the breed; von Willebrand
disease, a bleeding condition; prostratic
disease; and cervical vertebral instability,
which causes weakness and an unsteady
gait. On average, Doberman Pinschers live
for 10-11 years.
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