Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher Appearance

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Often thought of as a guard dog, the proud stance and muscular build of the Doberman Pinscher easily make them one of the most elegant dogs for the job. Their compact bodies are composed of graceful curves and robust muscles. Dobermans have a unique carriage; instead of standing flat on their pads like most dogs, they walk on their toes and have a light-footed, agile gait. They carry large heads with long muzzles and have naturally floppy, pendulant ears. Some owners choose to dock or crop their Doberman’s tail and ears for aesthetic reasons, although this practice is illegal in many countries. The Doberman’s coat can be a wide variety of colors such as black, red, blue, and fawn. Most Dobermans will have rust colored markings around their throat, chest, and muzzle as well as above each eye and on their legs and paws. These coats are short and smooth, needing little grooming, aside from daily brushing. The average Doberman will stand between 25-28 inches tall and can weigh about 75-100 lbs. With proper love and care, Dobermans often live to be 10-13 years old. Very affectionate and loyal, Dobermans quickly become attached to their family and are protective of their home.

Doberman Pinscher Grooming

Doberman Pinschers have short, sleek coats that are close to the skin. It is not unusual for some to have a light, gray undercoat around the neck. Their short coats only require minimal grooming to help keep excess fur at bay. The shortness of their fur helps the Doberman maintain a clean-smelling coat since odors and debris aren’t easily trapped in their fur. A quick daily rub with a grooming mitt will remove excess fur and help avoid any buildup. Bathing a Doberman too often will strip them of their natural oils; an occasional bath whenever they get into a messy romp outside will be enough to keep them fresh and clean. Periodically wiping their ears out to prevent earwax buildup and infection is recommended for both ear styles. Trimming their strong nails is also a good idea if they don’t wear down naturally through daily activities. Grooming can be a great bonding experience for both owner and dog, so making it a consistent and positive experience is always beneficial.

Doberman Pinscher Temperament

These dogs are extremely high energy with equally high levels of intelligence. They quickly grow affectionate and protective of their family and will not hesitate to sound the alarm when threatened. Their loyal, loving nature coupled with their intimidating appearance make them excellent guard dogs. Dobermans don’t immediately warm to strangers, but aren’t aggressive unless provoked. Early socialization is important to establish acceptable behavior when meeting new people and dogs. These dogs are very social and thrive on family interactions; including them during daily activities is vital to their mental health. They do not do well when left alone for long periods of time and will quickly turn to destructive behaviors to burn off their excess energy and boredom. Taking them out for daily exercise as well as working with them during training will greatly benefit their health, both mentally and physically. While Dobermans typically will get along well with other animals, they can be aggressive and try to dominate another Doberman of the same sex. Pairing littermates of the opposite sex is usually makes for a dynamic duo. Early socialization is key in preparing the Doberman for cohabitation with other animals. Dobermans typically get along with children, especially ones they know and love. As with any dog breed, it is important to supervise young children during play to ensure they don’t play too rough or agitate the dog.

Doberman Pinscher Training

Beginning training with the Doberman in puppyhood will help establish acceptable behavior early on and set them up for positive interactions later in life. Obedience training as well as early exposure to socialization with other people and animals will greatly enhance the Doberman’s demeanor towards others. Their high energy and intelligence levels make them excellent students as long as they are intellectually engaged. They learn quickly and can easily become uninterested with a repetitive lesson pattern. It’s important to keep training lessons mentally stimulating and challenging to prevent the Doberman from getting bored. Positive training sessions are an excellent way for a dog and owner to bond and should be consistent. Irregular training is not very effective and will often result in poorly behaved pooches with a lack of respect for their owners. Staying on a schedule and rewarding good behavior is the best way to ensure lesson retention and establishing the owner’s role as leader of the pack.

Doberman Pinscher History

During the late 19^th century, a tax collector, Louis Dobermann, working in the town of Apolda in the Thuringia district of Germany wanted a dog that could be both a companion and an impressive deterrent for potential thieves. He also was the local dogcatcher and ran the dog pound. His interest in breeding resulted in the early Doberman Pinscher. The exact dog breeds he used for this new breed aren’t certain, but most speculate that the German Pinscher, the Rottweiler, and the Black and Tan Terrier were utilized. Dogs with strong traits of loyalty, strength, intelligence, and ferocity were chosen to establish the Doberman Pinscher’s temperament. Early breeds had sharp, highly aggressive personalities in order to best serve their role as guard dogs. Effective breeding methods throughout the years have greatly reduced their aggressive levels and today’s Doberman Pinschers are very affectionate and loving companion who is protective of their family.