Breed Standard
Head: Long and dry. Strong, blunt wedge-shape. Stop not pronounced. Muzzle line almost at level with topline of skull. Powerful, broad jaws. Lips smooth, lying close to the jaws.
Ears: Set on high. Cropped, erect, length in proportion to length of the head. If not cropped, semi-drop with the front edge lying alongside the cheek.
Eyes: Medium size. Oval. Dark color.
Body: Square body outline. Dry, well muscled neck. Powerful forechest. Clearly defined hocks. Well developed chest with slightly sprung ribs. Belly well tucked up. Rounded croup. Solid, short back.
Tail: Set high, short, docked after the second caudal vertebra.
Hair: Short, hard, thick, smooth, and close-lying. No undercoat.
Coat: Black or brown with clearly defined tan markings on the muzzle, cheeks, throat, forechest, legs, and feet.
Size: Dog: 68 to 72 cm. (27-28 in).Bitch: 63 to 68 cm (25-27 in).
Weight: Dog: 40 to 45 kg. (88-99 lb).Bitch: 32 to 35 kg. (70.5-77 lb).
History
This breed's history begins in Apolda, a small German village in the province of Thueringen. F. L. Doberman developed this fearless guard dog to protect him as he made his rounds collecting taxes. Around 1870, he crossed a number of aggressive breeds (many ancestors of the Rottweiler), including local black and tan sheepdogs, the German Pinscher, the German Shepherd, the Beauceron, and the Rottweiller. The result was a vigilant working dog, farm dog, guard dog, and police dog. For hunting, the Doberman was used to fight off predators. Later, new blood was added, notably the black and tan Terrier and probably the Greyhound. In 1910, the standard for the Doberman was established. During World War I, the Doberman served as a patrol, as a sentry at military bases, and as a guide dog for soldiers blinded during the fighting.
Behavior
Although they are considered to be working dogs, Doberman Pinschers are often stereotyped as being ferocious and aggressive. As a personal protection dog, the Doberman was originally bred for these traits: it had to be large and intimidating, fearless, and willing to defend its owner, but sufficiently obedient and restrained to only do so on command. These traits served the dog well in its role as a personal defense dog, police dog, or war dog, but were not ideally adapted to a companionship role. The Doberman Pinscher's aggression has been toned down by modern breeders over the years, and today's Dobermans are known for a much more even and good natured temperament, extreme loyalty, high intelligence, and great trainability. In fact, the Doberman Pinscher's size, short coat, and intelligence have made it a desirable house dog.
They can easily learn to 'Respect and Protect' their owners, and are therefore considered to be excellent guard dogs that protect their loved ones. They are generally sociable toward humans and can be with other dogs. However, Dobermans rank among the more-likely breeds to show aggressive behaviour toward strangers and other dogs, but not among the most likely to do so. They are very unlikely to show aggressive behavior toward their owners.
There is evidence that Doberman Pinschers in North America have a calmer and more even temperament than their European counterparts because of the breeding strategies employed by American breeders. Because of these differences in breeding strategies, different lines of Doberman Pinschers have developed different traits. Although many contemporary Doberman Pinschers in North America are gentle and friendly to strangers, some lines are bred more true to the original personality standard.
This dog needs space and exercise to burn off his energy. He will not tolerate being tied up. Regular brushing is required. Usually gentle, but will upset with unruliness, best suited for older children. Generally good with children.
Function
Guard Dog, Defense Dog, Pet.
Health
The breed is prone to a number of health concerns. Common serious health problems include dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), cervical vertebral instability (CVI), von Willebrand's disease (a bleeding disorder for which genetic testing has been available since 2000), and prostatic disease. Less serious common health concerns include hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia. Canine compulsive disorder is also common. Studies have shown that the Doberman Pinscher suffers from prostatic diseases (such as bacterial prostatiti, prostatic cysts, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and benign hyperplasia), more than any other breed.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a major cause of death in Dobermanns. This disease affects the breed more than any other. Nearly 40% of DCM diagnoses are for Dobermann Pinschers, followed by German Shepherds at 13%. More recent studies based on European dogs, however, has indicated that DCM affected rates are much higher for this population than their American relatives: around 58% of European Dobermanns will develop DCM within their lifetime. Research has shown that the breed is affected by an attenuated wavy fiber type of DCM that affects many other breeds, as well as an additional fatty infiltration-degenerative type that appears to be specific to Dobermann Pinscher and Boxer breeds. This serious disease is likely to be fatal in most Dobermanns affected.
Roughly a quarter of Dobermann Pinschers who develop cardiomyopathy die suddenly from seemingly unknown causes, and an additional fifty percent die of congestive heart failure. Among female Dobermanns, the sudden death manifestation of the disease is more common, whereas males tend to develop congestive heart failure. In addition to being more prevalent in Dobermanns, this disease is also more serious in the breed. Following a diagnosis, the average non-Dobermann has an expected survival time of 8 months; for Dobermann Pinschers, however, the expected survival time is less than two months. Although the causes for the disease are largely unknown, there is evidence that it is a familial disease inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Investigation into the genetic causes of canine DCM may lead to therapeutic and breeding practices to limit its impact.
