Personality
The Doberman, as described in the written standard for the breed,
is energetic, watchful and determined. They are guarded with strangers,
but excessive shyness or aggressiveness should not be tolerated. The
Doberman is naturally protective and should never be trained to attack.
A very intelligent breed, they can be a challenge to train as they
require quick thinking on the part of their trainer to make progress.
A superb family dog noted for its devotion to the family, the properly
bred and trained Doberman has a sound mind and body, and the heart
and spirit of a gentleman.
History
The Doberman is a German breed that traces its heritage back to some
of the old German dogs such as the Rottweiler, the smooth haired German
Pinscher and the Black and Tan Terrier of England. The word pinscher
in German actually means terrier. Herr Louis Dobermann (note the original
spelling) of Apolda, Germany, developed the breed in the 1890s to
use as a guard dog and a watchdog. At first the Doberman was used
almost exclusively for this purpose. As it developed, its qualities
of intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training brought
it in demand as a police and war dog. In this service its agility
and courage made it highly prized. An excellent nose adapted the dog
to criminal tracking and also has led to its use as a hunting dog.
The breed was officially recognized in 1900 by the American Kennel
Club. The Doberman has been fortunate with the aid of selective breeding
to have absorbed the good qualities of the breeds which have made
a contribution to its heritage. From the beginning it has been a working
dog devoted to the service of mankind.
Appearance
The Doberman is a medium sized dog of clean cut appearance with males
reaching 26-28 inches tall at the withers and bitches 24-26 inches.
Dogs not within this size range would not be considered correct according
to the breed standard. Males usually weigh 70-75 pounds; bitches 60-65
pounds. The Doberman has a smooth, muscular body with a short, fine,
close laying coat. Ears can be cropped and erect or natural. The tail
is docked short. Permissible colors are black, red, blue and fawn
(Isabella). White is not an allowed color although white patches on
the chest not exceeding ½-inch square are permissible. All
colors have sharply defined rust markings above each eye, on the muzzle,
throat, forechest, legs, feet and below the tail.
Care and exercise
The Doberman is an athletic breed and must have regular exercise to
maintain its look, condition and agility. Many behavioral problems
can surface due to boredom or lack of exercise. The Doberman is a
"people" dog and does not do well with lengthy stints alone.
The short coat requires little care but does not afford sufficient
warmth to allow the dog to thrive housed outside in cold climates.
Obedience training, even just the basics, is very important to make
a Doberman a viable member of the family. It takes time and dedication
to train a dog correctly, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Health issues
The Doberman is generally a healthy breed, although as with all breeds,
there are some problems which occur more frequently in the breed than
in the general dog population. There are tests to screen for many
of the common problems, and the puppy buyer would do well to inquire
whether the sire and dam were tested for the various problems, as
well as the incidence of the problems in the specific lines. A bleeding
problem known as von Willebrand's disease (vWD) sometimes occurs in
the Doberman. Recently, researchers at Michigan State University successfully
isolated the genetic mutation responsible for von Willebrand's disease.
We now have a genetic test (DNA that will identify whether a Doberman
is genetically clear, carrier or affected. It is important to note
that many affected Dobermans never experience a bleeding problem,
but when it occurs it can be serious although such incidences are
rare. When considering some of the other health problems in the breed
this disease is not the most serious problem but it is listed first
because we now have a definitive test to screen for the problem and
eliminate it in the offspring.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM or cardio) is a serious heart condition.
It is thought to be inherited, and the genetics of the disease are
currently being studied by the same researchers who developed the
test for von Willebrand's disease. While we do not yet have a definitive
test for DCM, there are some methods of testing that are recommended.
Both sire and dam should be tested by a veterinarian or cardiologist
within three months of the breeding. There are different testing methods
available such as ultrasound and 24 hour heart monitoring. DCM cannot
be diagnosed by simply listening to the heart.
General information
The following is a list of additional information that you may choose
to use when selecting a dog:
- Be prepared to shop
around. Do not buy the first dog or puppy you see. Look at as many
dogs as you can and talk to as many breeders as you can.
- If you are buying from a breeder, ask about their breeding program.
Are they breeding for good temperaments, show dog, health, etc.,
and does this agree with your expectations?
- Is the sire and/or dam of a litter available for you to see? Do
the dogs appear healthy? Are their temperaments stable?
- In what kind of environment are the dogs? Is the area clean and
well tended?
- Health records and/or any health tests done on the parents should
be provided. Ask for proof.
- Vaccination records, wormings and general health information should
be provided for the puppy or dog being purchased.
- You should expect to be provided with some kind of written bill
of sale. This should also include some form of health guarantee.
A health exam by a veterinarian should be encouraged.
- If AKC registered, the litter registration slip or current registration
should be provided at the time of purchase. You are entitled to
this paperwork at the time of sale. Do not buy any dog with only
a promise of AKC papers. Remember, AKC registration does not necessarily
indicate quality; only that both parents are registered.
A puppy should not be
removed from a litter prior to seven weeks of age. Many breeders keep
a puppy until after the ears are cropped and the stitches are removed,
which is at about 10-12 weeks of age. Some breeders will sell a puppy
uncropped. Ear cropping is done by a veterinarian and ranges in price
from $200 to $300 per puppy and does not always include trips back
to the vet for taping and aftercare.
The price you can expect to pay for a dog ranges from approximately
$1000 and upward, and can vary from breeder to breeder, depending
on whether the dog is considered "show quality" or not.
Many breeders sell a puppy as "pet quality" because for
one reason or another, the breeder doesn't feel the dog can become
an AKC champion. This wording is not intended to reflect upon the
overall health, looks or temperament of the animal, merely its ability
to obtain a conformation championship.
Look for a breeder who is willing to help you with problems and provide
you with additional information. A responsible breeder carefully evaluates
the homes in which they place their dogs and they continue their involvement
throughout the life of the dog. Expect the breeder to have many questions
for you!
Obedience classes are available in many areas. A good place to check
is the pet section in the classified ads of your local newspaper.
Many organizations advertise classes there, from private individuals
to the local parks departments. Before choosing classes offered by
chain pet stores, inquire about the training and experience of the
instructors.
Acquiring a Doberman
Hopefully, you have researched the breed and have made an informed
decision that the Doberman is the right breed for you. The rewards
of pet ownership cannot be measured, but first ask yourself these
questions before you decide to get a companion:
1. Are you willing
to make a commitment of 10-15 years to an animal needing almost
constant attention?
2. What is your reason for getting a dog? Protection? Companionship?
Show? Are these expectations reasonable?
3. Do you have sufficient time to devote to housebreaking, obedience
training, and possible problem solving, as well as daily care and
exercise?
4. Is your life reasonably settled and secure so that you can assure
the dog a permanent home?
5. Should the unforeseen need arise for the dog to be placed in
another home, are you committed to the work involved in acquiring
a home equal to or better than the one you can provide?
6. Do you have sufficient funds to provide for a dog? Food and veterinary
care, even yearly maintenance, can be costly.
7. Are you a responsible dog owner? Do you obey leash laws, license
your pets, clean up after your dogs and spay or neuter non-breeding
pets that are not shown in the conformation ring?
Have you considered
adopting a rescue Doberman rather than raising a puppy? This is sometimes
the best option and you can usually skip the housebreaking stage.
Remember that there are adult Dobermans who, for a variety of reasons,
find themselves in need of a loving home.
If you can honestly answer yes to all the above questions, the next
step is finding the right dog for you. Acquiring a dog, like anything
else, takes patience and some leg work. This information is designed
as a general guideline.
