The Dobermann

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Appearance

Medium size, muscular and elegant, and well set body. Of proud carriage, compact and tough. Capable of great speed

History

The Dobermann as we know the breed today is comparatively modern and is unusual in that one man is credited with its origin, Herr Louis Dobermann. The breed was originally known as Thueringer Pinscher or Polizeilicher Soldatenhund (translated Police or Soldier Dog.) In 1899 the breed was officially named the Dobermannpinscher and kept this name until after World War II, when the word "Pinscher" (meaning Terrier) was dropped in 1949.

The Dobermann was unknown as a breed before 1865, although the foresters of Switzerland and southern Germany used a type of dog not unlike the Dobermann mainly as a guard dog and for herding cattle.

Herr Louis Dobermann was born in 1823 in the town of Apolda, Theuringen and while a young man worked as an official dogcatcher and administrator of the Chamber of Accounts, as well as flayer and official of the Tax Office. He was also employed as the night police officer and selected a likely specimen from the dog pound to accompany him on his rounds, not only as a guard dog but also to scent out intruders.

It was not sufficient for a dog to be worthy of the duties of a guard, for Herr Dobermann also wanted to breed a type that would reproduce itself with the same qualities. It was not until 1880 that Herr Dobermann was able to buy a small house and commence his serious dog breeding.

Beginning in the year 1860, the town of Apolda held an annual dog market or dog show for the promotion of breeding purebred dogs. The dogs were classified into various types and there were generally at least one hundred dogs exhibited. Herr Dobermann was a regular visitor to this dog market and was especially interested in type bordering on the dobermann as we know it today. This was apparently a large terrier-type dog, which would be utterly fearless, highly intelligent, and a first-class guard dog. Herr Dobermann had in his hometown two enthusiastic friends, Herr Rabel, a night watchman, and Herr Bottger, a watchman of the tower, who helped and co-operated with the breeding of his dogs.

After a period of years, the three men, with Herr Dobermann as their leader, became renowned for the fierce guards that they bred. These dogs were in great demand and were sold as fast as they could breed them fetching, for those days, a very good price. Older specialists affirm that the Dobermann breed existed before Herr Dobermann helped to popularise it. Nevertheless, after his death, on 9 June 1894, the breed was named after him.

Undoubtedly breeders used various crosses in the early years. These crosses of miscellaneous dogs were made in great number and the results had been useful in producing clever, elegant, courageous and alert dogs. It is not known for certain which breeds were used, but the base stock was combination of the old German Pinscher, the Rottweiler (the Butchers dog), the old German Shepherd dog (not the present day German Shepherd) and the Beauceron.
Later infusions included the Great Dane, Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier and a Greyhound. It seems that all of the ancestors of the German Dobermann gave of their best quality of body and spirit, because the Dobermann excels as a runner and jumper, and both his size and his practical short coat are of great advantage.

By the end of the 19th century, Herr Otto Goeller, also of Apolda, started to take a keen interest in the breed, which by then was already established. It is he who took over the rough breed and commenced to improve it enormously. Herr Goeller was quick to realise the use of the excellent brain and exceptional qualities as a guard dog.

He was successful in retaining its alertness and its excellent qualities as a guard dog. He also realised that the dog as it was, was too fierce and vicious and he therefore set about taming the breed, in order to make it generally more amenable and useful. He was successful in retaining its superb guard dog characteristics, whilst softening the breed to the extent that it became a good house-dog and eventually one of the most popular dogs in Germany.

Unfortunately, Herr Goeller found that his neighbours complained about the noise his dogs made and was forced to distribute them. This helped to popularise the breed as others found the dogs useful and highly trainable.

In 1893, the first Dobermann Pinscher was registered in the German Studbook of purebred dogs. This was a dog named "Bosco" and in 1894, the bitch "Caesi" was registered. This pair was the foundation of the registered Dobermann. The breed had become sufficiently established by 1899 and the first Dobermann Club was formed in Apolda by Herr Goeller. One year later, in 1900, the breed was officially recognised in Germany

The Dobermann was on its way to becoming one of the world's top breeds. The Dobermann had spread into Holland, Belgium and other European countries by 1909 and wherever they went, Dobermanns attracted attention. Very soon, the police and army dog trainers were looking seriously at Dobermanns.
In 1908, the first Dobermann arrived in America. The popularity of the breed soared and many Dobermanns became great show dogs. The Americans added "finesse" to the Dobermann, making subtle alterations to the original breed type, refining and improving the look of the dogs over decades. They can also take credit for improving temperaments. One Dobermann dog, "CH RANCHOS DOBE'S STORM" was one of the greats of American Dobermanns, winning Best In Show at Westminster on two consecutive occasions. A Royal Doulton figure of this dog was cast in 1953 at the height of his show career and it is still popular today.

In 1947, the first serious importation of Dobermanns in Britain. The Taveys Kennels and Birling Kennels are acknowledged as the first importers from Europe. In this year twenty-four Dobermann enthusiasts gathered together and formed "The Dobermann Club". From that point the Dobermann went from strength to strength and is now one of the most popular breeds of working dog in Britain. Many Dobermanns have been utilised in the Police Force. During the first decade of Dobermanns in the U.K., the majority of the stock came from Germany and Holland. It soon became apparent that with restricted bloodlines available in Europe, new stock had to be introduced. In 1954, two bitches were imported from America. They were in whelp to the top producing dogs of that time, "CH RANCHOS DOBE'S STORM" and "CH STEB'S TOP SKIPPER".

The Dobermann is a relatively new breed to Australia. The first Dobermanns in this country was imported from England in January 1952. "BRICK OF TAVEY" a dog, his sister "WORTH OF TAVEY" and another bitch, "ELAINE OF LACROSSE". They were owned by Mr E Pilko, who bred under the prefix of "Dioklip".

1959 saw the formation of the Victorian Dobermann Club, the first in Australia. 1963 saw the formation of the New South Wales Dobermann Club. There are now Dobermann Clubs in 5 states of Australia.

Temperament

Intelligent and firm of character, loyal and obedient Bold and alert. Shyness or viciousness very highly undesirable

Care / Grooming

NAILS:

Nails should be trimmed with clippers or filed or ground at least fortnightly - preferably weekly and using a file or a grinder. The more often you do them the easier they are to do! Long nails will alter the shape of their toes, spoil their cat-like feet and could impede correct growth & gait.

BATHS:

Bathing becomes necessary only when demanded by hygiene. There is little point in washing your Dobermann unless it is either dirty or requires protection from fleas or ticks. Only use preparations especially designed for dogs or the mildest of human shampoos, such as baby shampoos. Dogs have rare exposure to disinfectants and detergents and the skin is more sensitive than ours. Plain liquid soaps without waxes and fillers are fine. Preferably use warm water and rinse thoroughly. A good temporary bathing measure is the use of wool wash (small amount) on a hot wet towel over your dog then towel dry with a clean towel.

COAT:

Use a very soft cloth or lambswool mitten to groom your Dobermann on a regular basis. The condition of your Dobermann's coat reflects the condition of your dog and the care given to it. A dry and dull coat with loose scalps or falling hair could mean that your dog is not in its best of health. Dry and unhealthy coats can be caused by a variety of reasons, from an unbalanced diet, presence of worms and parasites, allergies caused by environment or unsuitable products, or lack of exercise. Some are external causes while some are biological.

Health

Dobermanns may suffer from the following:

Bloat (Gastric Torsion)

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Cervical Vertebral Instability (CV1) also known as Wobblers

Von Willebrand Disease (vWD)

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