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Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed

by Long Nguyễn
Doberman Pinscher Dog

Alternate Names

Common nickname: Dobie

Pinscher means “Terrier”

Appearance

Body: Square, medium build, very muscular, powerful, and compact, with broad chest, short back, well-sprung ribs, well-defined shoulders, well-defined withers, and capable of reaching great speeds.

Coat: Smooth, short, thick, close-lying, and flat.

Color: Black, red (dark brown), blue, and fawn (Isabella), all with rust markings.

Ears: Small, clean, high-set. Can be cropped or natural.

Eyes: Almond-shaped, very dark, and very alert.

Feet: Compact and cat-like with well-arched toes.

Head: Long, strong and sleek with tight-fitting skin and flat skull. Wedge-shaped (tapering from the ears to the end of the muzzle) with a very slight stop, and deep, broad jowls. Nose is black on black dogs, deep brown on red dogs, dark gray on blue dogs, and dark tan on fawn colored dogs.

Neck: Long and graceful tapering from the nape to the body, well-muscled, and well-arched.

Legs: Forelegs are straight, muscular, well-boned, and parallel to each other. Hind legs are muscular with well-defined stifles.

Size:
Height is 24 – 28 inches (61 – 71cm)
Weight is 66 – 88 pounds (30 – 40kg)

Tail: Docked and carried slightly upward.

Doberman Pinscher Puppies
Doberman Pinscher Puppies

Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers.
Can be hyperactive and/or biters.

Dobermans can be courageous and outgoing, pleasant and gentle or easygoing and clownish, and some are nervous and sensitive. He is an athletic dog who will take off running around the yard, in his rocking-horse style, whenever he has the chance. Dobies are energetic and require daily exercise, as well as daily companionship to avoid behavioral problems from developing.

The Doberman Pinscher can be a great pet if trained well. He is loving, loyal, trustworthy, and known for being a good companion and good guard dog. He is fearless and determined, and sometimes aloof with strangers and very protective of his family and territory.

This is an alert and obedient breed that should be trained and socialized at an early age. Early obedience training, constant socialization, and continued mental and physical exercise, such as advanced obedience classes, agility courses, tracking exercises, and guard dog training will help to develop a balanced and stable adult Doberman dog. Even young pups have been known to growl and bare their teeth.

Obedience training should always be positive including lots of praise and reward-type treats. As with most breeds, the Doberman may become obstinate if teased or treated harshly.

His willingness to get along with other animals varies considerably. Some will be controlling of other dogs, some will give chase to cats and other animals, and some will live and/or play joyously with other smaller animals.

Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher

Breed Type

AKC Group: Working Group

Originally developed by Louis Dobermann, in Germany, as a guard dog and for military purposes. Dobermans have been used as guide dogs for the blind, for police work, and they were used in WWI as guard dogs on the German front lines.

The Doberman is the result of combining the Rottweiler, German Pinscher, Weimaraner, English Greyhound, and the Manchester Terrier.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: The Doberman is highly energetic requiring lots of daily exercise.

Grooming: Easy grooming with a quick brushing each day.

Health

Life Expectancy: 11 – 13 Years

Possible problems:
Alopecia (in the blues and fawns)
Autoimmune problems
Cancer
Demodectic Mange – skin parasite causing grayish bald spots around the eyes and elbows.
Dialated Cardiomyopathy
Hypothyroidism
Incontinence
Renal Dysplasia – an eye disorder
Staphylococcus – a bacterium that causes blisters – often between the toes.
Von Willebrands Disease – vWD (a bleeding disorder)
Wobbler’s Syndrome

Recommended Certificates:
DNA (at least one parent needs to be free of vWD
OFA (hips)

Country of Origin

Germany – Late 1800s

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