Dobermann

Breed Description

The Dobermann is a specially bred dog breed. Today, it is known and recognized worldwide for its superior qualities. It has established itself as a guard, watch, and police dog. It was first developed for this purpose 150 years ago in the Thuringian town of Apolda. It is named after Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who made a living as a dog catcher and tax collector in Apolda during the mid-19th century. It is said that Mr. Dobermann mixed local dogs into a fierce guard dog, a watchdog, and an optimal police dog. However, there are indications that dogs of the modern Dobermann type have always been present in this region. There is also debate about whether older breeds, shepherds, or others like mastiffs are ancestors to this new dog breed.

On the genetic map of dog breeds compiled by Heidi G. Parker, we see the Dobermann Pinscher,” as it is called in the U.S., placed next to the Rottweiler and Giant Schnauzer. This fits well. Finally, Otto Giller, a local commercial breeder, shaped and established Dobermanns as a stable dog breed. It was worth it.

The Dobermann is one of the most popular dog breeds not only in Germany. It continues to be an excellent service dog. Today, its focus has shifted to dog sports, where it regularly achieves top results. In 1895, the Dobermann breed was officially recognized in Germany. In 1955, it was finally recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The Dobermann is a dog breed developed in Germany, and its global standard is maintained here. It is represented in breeding by the Dobermann club based in Munich. Unfortunately, this association is largely responsible for the fact that published information since 1949 regarding the hereditary heart disease DCM, which is widespread in the Dobermann population, has often been ignored.

In Munich, almost at the doorstep of the Dobermann Association, veterinarian Professor Kraft from Ludwig Maximilian University urgently addressed DCM in 1989. Professor Weiss and other researchers from the UK and the USA have published extensive research on this issue in recent years. Studies from American universities in Arizona and North Carolina were added only in 2020, all yielding the same evident result. The Dobermann remains one of the best German working dogs. However, it has lost an average of five years of its lifespan due to breeding failures. Every year, between 500 and 800 Dobermann puppies are born under the auspices of VDH.

The Dobermann emerged in Germany as a guard dog against thieves. Today, they are considered highly competitive in obedience trials, agility, and other sports. Their athletic build and regal appearance seem aristocratic. Their height ranges from 61 to 71 centimeters, and their weight from 27 to 36 kilograms.

Dobermanns are medium-sized, athletic, and elegant dogs. They are alert, energetic, and intelligent, excelling in endurance sports, making them great family guardians and companions. Since they were originally bred as guard dogs, they protect their families very well and have a keen sense of threats and dangers.Generally, they are gentle and confident in their uniqueness. Dobermanns are affectionate and people-oriented dogs. They are friendly with everyone, especially those with whom they have been socialized and properly introduced.The price for a puppy ranges from 70,000 to 80,000 rubles.

Appearance

The Dobermann is an extremely elegant, athletic dog. It is of medium height, with a strong and muscular build. You can be confident in seeing that the dog has a very temperamental character. The official standard adds:

With its graceful body lines, proud posture, spirited nature, and expression of determination, it embodies the ideal image of a dog.

This statement is by no means an exaggeration. There is nothing unfavorable in its appearance. Trying to improve it would be a misguided effort. You truly feel there is no need to change anything about this dog.

Special emphasis is placed on its gait. It should appear springy, elegant, agile, free, and spacious. The coat is short, stiff, and dense. It lies flat and smooth, evenly distributed across the surface. No undercoat is allowed. The Dobermann comes in two colors: black or brown with rust-red, clearly outlined, and clean markings.

Dobermanns are medium-sized, muscular, and elegant. They have a smooth coat, athletic physique, and a regal, aristocratic appearance. They are compact, sturdy, and capable of great speed. Ears are often cropped to stand upright, and the tail is usually docked short.

The dog is medium-sized, muscular, and elegant, with a well-proportioned body. A proud build, compact and robust. It is capable of reaching high speeds.How big is a Dobermann?Its height at the shoulder should be between 68 to 73 centimeters for males and 61 to 71 centimeters for females. The ideal height at the shoulder is: males: 69 cm; females: 65 cm. Significant deviations from this ideal are undesirable. Each ounce of it belongs to a hardworking athlete.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The head is proportional to the body. It is long, with a clear outline, well-filled under the eyes, and has sufficient depth of the muzzle. Viewed from above and the side, it resembles an elongated blunt wedge. The upper part of the head is flat and without folds. The top of the skull is also flat with a slight transition.

Морда

The muzzle of the dog has a line parallel to the top of the skull. The cheeks are almost flat, and the lips are compressed. The nose also corresponds to the color: it is solid black for black dogs, solid dark brown for brown dogs, solid dark gray for blue dogs, and light brown for fawn dogs. The head should not appear round, and sharpness or harshness is highly undesirable. The neck of the dog is long and slender, and it is carried with dignity. The back of the head is very muscular, but a dewlap and loose skin are not desirable.

Уши

The ears are small, neat, and set high on the head; they are lowered and closely pressed against the cheeks.

Глаза

Dogs have almond-shaped eyes that are moderately deep-set and not protruding; they express liveliness and alertness. The iris should have a uniform color, which can range from brown to dark brown in black dogs. However, a darker shade of the iris is more desirable in black dogs. In brown, blue, or fawn dogs, the iris should blend with the color of the markings but not be lighter than them. Light-colored eyes in black dogs are highly undesirable.

Зубы

Dogs have well-developed and strong teeth and jaws, with a full and proper set of teeth and a complete scissor bite. The upper teeth tightly overlap the lower teeth and are positioned perpendicular to the jaws. The teeth should be evenly arranged, while an underbite, overbite, or poor alignment of the teeth is highly undesirable.

Корпус

The body shape is rectangular, and the height is measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, and is equal to the length from the front of the chest to the back of the thigh. The Forechest is well developed, and the back is short and strong, with a straight line that is slightly inclined from the withers to the rump. The female may have a slightly longer loin. The ribs are deep and well curved, reaching the elbows, and the abdomen is quite firm. A long, weak, or convex back is highly undesirable.

Конечности

In the dog's front limbs, the scapula and shoulder meet at a right angle of 90 degrees and are approximately equal in length. It is highly undesirable for the shoulder to be shorter than the scapula. When viewed from the side and front, the legs should be completely straight and parallel from the elbow to the pastern. They should be muscular and flexible, with a rounded bone that aligns with the dog's body structure. When standing or walking, the elbow should be close to the chest. The dog's hind limbs should be parallel and slightly spread apart. The pelvis should be set back from the spine at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, and the croup should be well filled out. The dog's paws should be well curved, compact, and cat-like, with no excessive turning in or out. Long, flat, or curved paws, as well as weak pasterns, are highly undesirable. The dog's gait should be elastic, free, balanced, and energetic, with a good reach of the front limbs and a powerful push from the rear limbs.

Хвост

The tail was usually docked earlier. A docked tail is of a length that ends at the first or second joint and is a continuation of the spine without loss of material. An undocked tail appears as a continuation of the spine without any bends or deformations. Such a tail can be freely lifted and carried when the dog is moving or standing.

Шерсть

The coat should be smooth, short, stiff, thick, and closely fitting to the skin. A small undercoat on the neck is permissible. Hair that forms a crest on the back of the neck and/or along the spine is highly undesirable.

Окрас

The color must definitely be black, brown, blue, or only fawn (isabella) with rust-red markings. The markings should be clearly defined and located above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, front chest, on all legs and feet, and under the tail. Any kind of white markings are extremely undesirable.

Character

The Dobermann is one of the ten officially recognized service dog breeds in Germany. It uniquely combines protection, strength, elegance, and speed. It takes pleasure in training and, as a result, in its work. It needs to work alongside its owner to feel comfortable. The Dobermann is certainly not a homebody. At the same time, it can be very pleasant, and after the work is done, it can also occupy the couch in the living room. Thanks to its qualities as a service dog, it can be raised and trained very well. Yes, it truly requires ongoing education.

Dobermanns are professionally socialized through serious breeding-they are stable and reliable. They are affectionate and loving with their families, but they can be suspicious of strangers. Territorial thinking is well-developed, so a Dobermann should be introduced to other pets early in its training. Later in training, it should learn how to handle a leash properly and behave well around unfamiliar dogs.

The official standard describes its essence as follows: “The Dobermann’s primary temperament is friendly, peaceful, and very affectionate within the family. It requires a medium temperament and medium sharpness. Additionally, a medium threshold for stimulation is needed. If a Dobermann knows how to lead and work well, attention should be paid to its working ability, courage, and endurance. With proper attention to the environment, self-confidence and fearlessness are particularly important.”

The Dobermann is intelligent and strong-willed, loyal, and obedient. The breed’s temperament is quite bold and alert. Shyness or aggression is highly undesirable.

A Dobermann is an impressive partner for a person. It is an excellent family dog. However, due to its extremely high performance, it is not recommended for beginners.

Dobermanns are wonderful family dogs. Their good-naturedness makes them great companions. They are loyal and caring toward their families. With proper socialization and introduction, they can become fun playmates for children! They enjoy playing with children who are old enough to treat them with respect. Dobermanns can also get along well with other pets. They are friendly but can be reasonably reserved around strangers. It is best to keep them on a leash during walks, as they can display aggression towards others if they sense something unusual nearby.As for other breeds, proper and early socialization will help them learn how to behave with new friends.

Care and Maintenance

Caring for a Dobermann requires minimal effort to keep it clean and healthy. They have short, smooth coats that require very little grooming. A Dobermann should be brushed at least once a week to maintain its coat, especially if it sheds moderately. Occasional bathing will also help keep their coat healthy, but only bathe them as needed.

To avoid dog odor, they should be bathed, but only when truly necessary. Ears are an important area to check during care, so if you notice a smell or see wax, clean the inner ear with a cotton swab using a cleanser recommended by your veterinarian.

What food is best for a Dobermann?

A Dobermann’s diet is straightforward. Like all large dogs, the growing and developmental phases require professional nutritional guidance. A Dobermann is well-suited for professionally done BARF.

Dobermanns should be fed between 2 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food each day. The amount of food they will consume depends on their size, age, activity level, metabolism, and overall health. It is also essential to monitor the pet’s weight to prevent obesity. As with other breeds, fresh and clean water should always be available.

Training and Education

If you want to get a Dobermann, you should have specific requirements for its care: time, space, the means, and the desire to engage in physical activity in the broadest sense. It doesn’t matter what kind of sport. The Dobermann loves movement and will enthusiastically accompany you on runs, horseback riding, or cycling. Additionally, it seeks challenges in dog sports or in training and professional working tasks of all kinds.

Most Dobermanns have a fairly high energy level and require a lot of exercise to stay healthy. Due to their natural athleticism, several daily walks or runs will help the Dobermann maintain its excellent condition.

Dobermanns are very smart and talented dogs that are quite easy to train. They strive to please their family, which makes them highly trainable.

As with other breeds, early and proper training will help them become more responsive to their owners. Treats and a reward system are also recommended!

With a Dobermann, you must have a genuine desire to work with it. You should enjoy the ongoing training and education of your Dobermann. It needs a strong owner with a good intuition for dogs. Strong means, first and foremost, having willpower and empathy. This is how wonderful, successful human-dog teams can develop. A Dobermann does not need any means of coercion for good upbringing. Such methods only reflect the incompetence of its people.

The Dobermann is the perfect companion to go through fire and water with. It behaves well everywhere. It’s best to take it with you in a suitably spacious aluminum dog crate in the car.Dobermanns are not recommended as dogs for a big city. Safe, well-socialized, and well-mannered, they will know how to behave there. A Dobermann is not an apartment dog. It is well suited to look after things in a rural estate with a spacious yard. This does not contradict an intimate and loyal bond with its people, whom it loves most in the world. The Dobermann embodies all the good qualities of a service and working dog. Its temperament sharply requires experienced guidance and restraint. The Dobermann forms a deep partnership with its owner or caretaker, whom it trusts, and thus manages all challenges. A Dobermann wants to continue training after the initial stage. For this, you should join a dog sports club or look for special dog schools or trainers. Zoonika offers elite breed puppies with complete documentation.

How to Choose a Puppy

A Dobermann is an impressive companion for humans. Its performance and elegance are equally striking. Being able to experience a partnership with one is a gift from nature. Unfortunately, a large part of the breeding community ignores the insidious heart disease present in their population.

As a prospective Dobermann owner, you should always seek positive evidence that the parent animals are not carriers of the aforementioned defective genes, particularly DCM. Otherwise, the breeding approval conditions from the Dobermann Club give you a good guarantee that you will receive a fit, athletic, and mentally healthy dog. You must always remember that while a Dobermann makes a good family dog, it is not an apartment dog. It needs to work and run. A healthy Dobermann can easily live up to 12 years or more and remain surprisingly productive into old age. You can also find your dog in animal shelters and various initiatives.

Popular mixes.

Mixing Dobermanns with other breeds or mixed breeds is not uncommon. However, they should be considered problematic, as the high potential of a Dobermann requires a high threshold for stimulation and trainability to serve as a counterpoint. At Zoonika-it’s simple, fast, and safe, with a quality guarantee.

Health and Diseases

Veterinary visits are recommended for all dog breeds at least once a year for preventive care.

For Dobermanns, it is essential to regularly monitor their weight, as obesity can increase the risk of other diseases. They are also prone to cervical vertebral instability (CVI) and cardiomyopathy, which are serious health concerns that negatively affect Dobermans.

It is advisable to visit the veterinarian at least twice a year. During these visits, your vet will perform physical examinations aimed at addressing common age-related issues.

The problem with this dog, as appealing as it is in both looks and performance, lies within. Due to years of neglect in breeding, the hereditary predisposition to the fatal heart disease DCM has spread throughout the population like a plague. According to a 2018 British study, the average lifespan of a Dobermann has decreased to just over 7 years, whereas it should be around 12 years. This health burden is a significant depressor today. It is particularly tragic for such an agile dog when it can no longer do what it wants due to heart failure. Here, caution is vital when purchasing a puppy, and it is best to buy only from breeders who openly engage with this topic.

In principle, the health of Dobermans is quite robust and generally uneventful. Unfortunately, mistakes and ignorance in breeding have allowed hereditary diseases to spread widely in the Doberman population. Dobermanns are predisposed to Wobbler Syndrome, which is characterized by severe spinal cord damage in the cervical spine. Congenital vestibular syndrome, a hereditary inner ear disease that causes balance issues and deafness, is also more commonly seen in Dobermanns. However, the disease named after them, Doberman cardiomyopathy, a form of DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy), is widespread in more than half of the population and is likely the most significant hereditary disease. This genetic disease of the heart muscle causes the heart to beat weakly and enlarge. One potential consequence is sudden cardiac death in otherwise perfectly healthy dogs. Dobermans suffer from DCM more often than any other dog breed.

A list of major health issues may include the following conditions: patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and heart murmurs. Considering? There is a vast selection of ads on the Zounika map by city.