Doberman Pinscher Wiki: Comprehensive Guide to the Breed

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed of dog that originated in Germany in the late 19th century.

Developed by Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector and dog breeder, the Doberman Pinscher was initially bred as a guard dog.

The breed's name is a combination of its creator's name and the German word for "pinscher", which refers to a type of terrier.

Doberman Pinschers are known for their intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty, making them a popular choice as both family pets and working dogs.

The Doberman pinscher is a breed of working dog developed in Apolda, Germany, by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann.

This breed is known for its sleek and agile build, standing between 24 to 28 inches tall. It weighs between 60 to 88 pounds.

Its short smooth coat comes in four colors: black, blue, fawn, or red. Rust markings are found on the head, throat, chest, base of the tail, and feet.

Doberman pinschers have a reputation for being fearless, alert, loyal, and intelligent.

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed that originated in Apolda, Germany. They're known for their intelligence and athleticism, making them a popular choice for families and working roles.

Here are some key facts about the breed:

The Doberman Pinscher's lifespan is relatively short, ranging from 10 to 12 years. With proper care and attention, they can live a happy and healthy life.

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed with a rich history and impressive physical characteristics. This table provides a quick overview of some key facts about the breed:

Today's Doberman Pinscher is a breed that's evolved significantly from its humble roots in Apolda. The breed is recognized worldwide, but its name has undergone changes over time, with some countries dropping the word "Pinscher" due to its physical transformation.

The breed's name has been spelled differently in various parts of the world, with the United States and Canada sticking to "Doberman Pinscher" and other continents using "Dobermann". Despite the name changes, the breed's loyal and courageous nature remains unchanged.

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In World War II, American soldiers were impressed by the Doberman Pinscher's bravery and loyalty in the trenches, which led to the United States Marine Corps adopting the breed as its official war dog. This marked a significant milestone in the breed's history and solidified its reputation as a fearless and loyal companion.

The Doberman Pinscher has a rich history that dates back to the 1880s when Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector, first bred them in Apolda, Germany.

Dobermann's goal was to create a breed that would be ideal for protecting him, and he set out to breed a dog that would exhibit impressive stamina, strength, and intelligence.

Five years after Dobermann's death, Otto Goeller created the National Doberman Pinscher Club and refined the breed in the 1890s.

The breed is believed to have been created from several different breeds of dogs, including the Beauceron, German Pinscher, Rottweiler, and Weimaraner.

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The exact ratios of mixing and the exact breeds used remain uncertain, but experts believe the Dobermann is a combination of several breeds.

The single exception is the documented crossing with the Greyhound and Manchester Terrier.

The old German Shepherd is widely believed to have been the single largest contributor to the Dobermann breed.

The American Kennel Club believes the breeds utilized to develop the Dobermann Pinscher may have included the old shorthaired shepherd, Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, and the German Pinscher.

After Dobermann's death in 1894, the Germans named the breed Dobermann-pinscher in his honor, but dropped the word "pinscher" a half century later.

The British followed suit a few years later, and now the US and Canada are the only countries that continue to use Pinscher and have dropped an "n" from Dobermann's surname.

During World War II, the United States Marine Corps adopted the Doberman Pinscher as its official war dog, although the Corps did not exclusively use this breed in the role.

Cardiac health is a significant concern for Doberman Pinschers, with 15% of deaths being cardiac-related according to a UK survey.

Cardiomyopathies are a common problem for the breed, with 5.8% of Dobermanns having dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) according to the University of Purdue Medical Veterinary Database. This condition impacts Dobermanns more severely than other breeds, with an average survival time of 52 days compared to 240 days for other breeds.

Sudden death can occur in Dobermanns with cardiomyopathy, with roughly a quarter of affected individuals dying suddenly from seemingly unknown causes.

For more insights, see: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers

Cardiac health is a significant concern for Dobermann Pinschers, with cardiac issues being a common cause of death in the breed, accounting for 15% of deaths according to a UK survey.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a particularly common problem in Dobermanns, with a prevalence of 5.8% in one study and 7.32% in another.

This disease impacts Dobermanns more severely than other breeds, with an average survival time of 52 days compared to 240 days for other breeds.

A quarter of Dobermann Pinschers who develop cardiomyopathy die suddenly from seemingly unknown causes, while an additional fifty percent die of congestive heart failure.

Female Dobermanns are more likely to experience sudden death from the disease, whereas males tend to develop congestive heart failure.

Following a diagnosis, the expected survival time for non-Dobermanns is 8 months, but for Dobermann Pinschers, it's less than two months.

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The Dobermann breed is prone to certain health issues that you should be aware of.

Von Willebrand's disease is one of them, a condition that affects blood clotting.

Prostatic disease is another condition that Dobermanns are predisposed to, which can be serious if left untreated.

Canine compulsive disorder has been found in 28% of Dobermanns in one study, so it's essential to monitor their behavior.

Hypothyroidism is also a concern, with one US study finding 6.3% of Dobermanns to have the condition compared to 1.54% for mixed-breeds.

Gastric dilatation volvulus is a serious condition that Dobermanns are at risk for, with 6.1% of cases in one American study belonging to the breed.

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Some owners crop Dobermann's ears, which is a requirement for conformation with the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. They must be "normally cropped and carried erect".

Ear cropping, like tail docking, is illegal in many countries. This means it's not an option for many Dobermann owners.

In some Commonwealth countries, ear cropping has never been legal, so it's not an option for Dobermann owners there either.

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The Doberman Pinscher is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, ranking 5th in obedience command training according to psychologist Stanley Coren. This intelligence makes them a gifted student, capable of learning complicated tasks.

They are also known for their alert and quiet nature, sounding an alarm only when needed. However, they can be aloof towards strangers and tough towards those they perceive as threatening.

Doberman Pinschers have a distinctive pattern of aggression, ranking relatively high on stranger-directed aggression but extremely low on owner-directed aggression. In fact, they are less aggressive towards humans and show less aggression than many breeds without a reputation.

The Doberman Pinscher is known for its exceptional intelligence. This is backed up by expert evaluations and experimental studies, which have ranked the breed as one of the most intelligent.

Stanley Coren ranks the Dobermann as the 5th most intelligent dog in the category of obedience command training. This ranking is based on the selective surveys answered by experienced trainers.

The Doberman Pinscher has also been ranked high in general trainability, with one study giving it the highest rank. This is a testament to the breed's ability to learn and adapt quickly.

Psychologist Stanley Coren's book, The Intelligence of Dogs, provides valuable insights into canine intelligence and the Doberman Pinscher's place within it. His research highlights the breed's exceptional cognitive abilities.

In two separate studies, the Doberman Pinscher was ranked first in obedience command training, demonstrating its exceptional intelligence and trainability. This makes it a popular choice for dog owners and professionals alike.

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The Dobermann's tail is a natural part of their anatomy, but many individual dogs have a short tail due to docking, a surgical procedure that removes most of the tail shortly after birth.

The practice of docking has been around for centuries, with the historical reason being that it ensures the tail doesn't get in the way of the dog's work.

Dogs born after 2016 will not be allowed to participate in FCI or IDC shows without a full tail and natural ears, as docking and cropping have been written out of the Breed Standard.

In the UK, dogs with docked tails have been banned from shows for a number of years, and the practice is now illegal for native-born dogs.

Docking is also illegal in all European Union states and Australia.

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