Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Information | Dogs 101 Doberman Pinscher

Majestic, regal, and noble. These are three words to describe the Doberman Pinscher. One look at their stance and you can see their strength, agility, and intelligence. This makes them outstanding partners for military men and the police force.

But they are not the only people who utilize the capabilities of the Doberman. They are also trained as service dogs to assist Persons with Disabilities (PWD), nurses, doctors, and many more. Because of their high-trainability, everyone wants to have a Dobermann Pinscher as a companion. But does everyone have what it takes to care for one?

The Doberman has a long muzzle which is proportional to its head. It is a medium-built dog with a muscular and lean body. Traditionally the ears of the Doberman are cropped. However, some places already marked cropping as illegal because they believe that the process of cropping is inhumane. Little do they know that ear cropping can prevent various ear problems such as infections, allergies, and ear mites.

You can easily distinguish a Doberman Pinscher because of the markings under its muzzle, chest, paws, and legs. Many believe that the Doberman only comes in black color, when in fact some of them come out red. Others even come out with rare colors such as blue and white.

History

According to historians, the first Dobermann Pinscher was raised during the 1880s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in Germany. He’s a tax collector who managed the Apolda dog pound. Because of his access to other breeds, he got the idea to create another type of dog that can display protective instincts. He also wanted to raise a dog that exhibits stamina, strength, and intelligence.

Although there is no exact information on how the Pinscher was created, experts believe that it is the combination of the Beauceron, German Pinscher, Why mariner, and Rottweiler.

Five years after Karl Dobermann’s death, Otto Goeller created a national Doberman Pinscher club in honor of Karl Dobermann and finally perfected the breed in the 1890s. Because of their outstanding personalities, it’s no surprise they instantly gained popularity as guard dogs and working dogs worldwide.

Other Names

The Dobermann Pinscher is also known as Dobie or Doberman. When people hear these names, they eventually think of a protective dog who is willing to do everything in its power to protect its masters. Because of their vigilant nature, people tend to fear them. But if you look closely, you can see their loyalty and dedication, which you will find outstanding in a long-lasting companionship.

Size

Despite being called a medium-sized breed, the male Doberman can grow up to 72 cm and weigh up to 45 kg. Females, on the other hand, can grow up to 68 cm in height and 35 kg in weight. Their size is one of the reasons why the military and the police force want them on the squad. They can definitely scare off criminals. Plus, they make outstanding companions during search and rescue operations, raids, and many more. With a lifespan of 9 – 12 years, people can live with them long enough to attain objectives as a team.

Personality

It is inherent that a Doberman is intelligent, energetic, alert, and fearless. But there is one trait that differentiates it from other breeds – being respectful. The Doberman Pinscher thinks highly of its masters. All of their behavior is based on how their masters handle them and command them. With that said, the Doberman’s personality is defined by how its owners trained and socialized them. With a regular and healthy dose of attention, you can unleash the full potential of the Doberman Pinscher.

Family Life

The Doberman Pinscher makes outstanding home pets. Because of their intelligence, they can easily be taught how to do house chores such as taking out the garbage, babysitting, fetching towels and mails, pushing or pulling heavy objects, and many more.

The Doberman Pinscher has a never-ending need to learn. He will look up to you as his master to give him purpose. So, if you were to get this dog, make sure you involve them in various family activities. Don’t just leave them caged or leashed. With training and socialization, you can see how valuable and helpful they really are in the family.

Children Compatibility

Dobermans are people-oriented dogs. Especially if properly socialized, they make outstanding babysitters. Some dogs become impatient and aggressive when dealing with rowdy and playful children. The Doberman is different; It shows patience and respects towards children no matter how playful or rowdy they are.

So, if your child loves to play rough, the Doberman is your best bet to observe patience. They are unlikely to show aggression to children especially if they already established a strong bond between them.

Pet Compatibility

The Doberman also displays friendliness to other dogs especially if they have been raised together. They might display aggression to outside dogs, but only when they pose a threat to their masters. This is the reason why handlers recommend training the Doberman pinscher as early as a puppy.

Take them on long walks in the park and allow them to socialize with other people and animals. Play with them regularly and pair it with training so they can have fun while learning new tricks. If you do this, you can balance the protective nature of the Doberman with their tendency to be energetic and playful.

Temperament

These dogs are raised to become working dogs and guard dogs. Because of their tendency to be protective of their owners, most of them are stereotyped as ferocious and aggressive. On the contrary, these creatures are intimidating, and fearless only when they need to protect their masters from any attackers. If you get to know the breed properly, you can see how loyal, even-tempered, watchful, and obedient they really are.

Owning A Doberman Pinscher

If any of your family members is asthmatic, the Doberman pinscher is for you. These creatures have low shedding tendencies which make them hypoallergenic to have at home.

All you need to do is brush their coat 2 or 3 times a week and keep their ears clean to prevent allergies and ear mites. Also, don’t forget to trim their nails once in a while to avoid protrusions that could lead to painful walking and running.

Experts also suggest brushing their teeth twice a week. This helps prevent dental problems such as tartar buildup, red gums, and bad breath.

Don’t forget to take them regularly to the vet to prevent common Doberman illnesses such as thyroid problems, hip dysplasia, kidney diseases, and bone problems.

Their needs including checkups, vaccination, food, and supplies can amount up to $500 to $700. Pricey as it seems, it is not compared to the protection and loyalty that they offer you. Do you think you can care for a Doberman Pinscher? If so, there’s no stopping you from getting the most devoted pet that ever walked the planet.