Dobermans are most recognizable as black and tan, but can also come in blue and fawn, but these colors are disqualifying at dog shows, there is also a rare white (albino) Doberman. They are medium to large dogs that stand up to 20 inches tall, although there is no strict weight standard, they should be no more than 110 pounds and no less, as their size can determine their strength. They have long, straight and muscular legs that must be parallel and strong, they also have an elongated neck and face, by breed standards they must also have the characteristic spots above the eyes, which look almost like eyebrows. His coat should be short and shiny to the eye. Dobermans are very elegant to look at and often have docked tails and cropped ears, which has become part of their most well-known characteristics. However, in most countries both practices have been banned.
History. The Doberman to this day is credited to a man named Louis Dobermann, he was a tax collector in Germany and developed the breed to use as his guard dog, he used a verity of dogs that had unique traits that he wanted for his ‘new ‘ dog. Although it is not known for sure which breeds he used, it is known that he used a Rottweiler, a Great Dane, a Manchester Terrier, a Greyhound and a German Shepherd. It is also believed that there are some other breeds in the heritage of Dobermans, but it is not certain. Louis Doberman began working on the breed in the late 1800s and in 1889 they were officially recognized by the German Kennel Club. Often used as police dogs and also as tracking dogs, the breed was developed in America after World War I when many American soldiers became so attached to the breed that they took them home with them.
Temper. Unfortunately Doberman Pinschers have a reputation for being an aggressive attack dog, however this is not the dogs fault and the fault for an overly aggressive Dober Pin usually falls on the owner. They are not the right dog for a first time dog owner, however given the proper training and exercise they can be wonderful dogs. They are highly intelligent and several studies have shown that they are, in fact, one of the most trainable dogs. They are protective animals and love to please their owners, they can often become one-man dogs, choosing to prefer one person over all others and forming a close bond. They can be very excitable at times so they need a handler who can be in control and let the dog know who is in charge, though as with all dogs you should never be aggressive or abusive towards them. They should start training from a young age and should be kept active, if they are not well trained they can develop behavioral problems which has led them to be stereotyped as aggressive dogs. They can also become very distressed if left alone for too long.
Health problems. Dobermans have been shown to suffer from prostate disease more than any other breed, they can also suffer from hip dysplasia and Willebrand disease, Willebrand disease is a genetic disease that causes a bleeding disorder, there are genetic tests that can be done to check if all Dobermans have this disease. They are also very susceptible to cold, so they must be kept warm.
Cleanliness. Dobermans require very little grooming as their coats are so short, however a good brushing once a week will help remove loose or dead hair and will also encourage the skin to produce its natural oils that keep the coat healthy and smooth. sparkly.
Life conditions. The Doberman is best suited to a location with a medium-sized garden, however, he could live in an apartment, as long as he gets good regular exercise. They can get along with other animals, although this is not always the case, so it would not necessarily be a good idea, unless they were raised together.
