Everyone recognizes a Doberman Pinscher ― we’ve all seen them in movies, often as scary military dogs or guard dogs ready to rip intruders to shreds. And while these things have long been part of their job description, the Dobie’s temperament has softened quite a bit over the decades. Today, it’s one of the most popular breeds around, and does just as well in a quiet family as in demanding police work.
That one German tax collector
It’s not entirely certain how the Doberman Pinscher came to be, but they did originate in Germany in the 19th century. Most likely, they’re a mix of breeds like the Rottweiler, the German Pinscher, and the Black and Tan Terrier. The Doberman’s name comes from Louis Dobermann, a tax collector in Apolda, Germany. Due to his job, Louis always ran the risk of bandits and robbers, and wanted a dog that would offer loyalty, strength, and protection. Luckily, Louis was also the town dogcatcher ― after some time, he managed to develop the early Doberman Pinscher. After Dobermann’s death, other breeders carried on his legacy, which eventually gave rise to the modern Doberman Pinscher.
The Doberman Pinscher was brought to the US in 1908, but in Europe, the Dobie population was soon in crisis. Once World War I hit, people couldn’t afford to keep large dogs, and it’s thanks to their use in the military that the Doberman Pinscher survived. In the 1920s, nearly all the top dogs for breeding were brought to the US. When the Doberman Pinscher received yet another devastating blow during World War II, the European population almost went extinct, despite the breed’s police and military uses, and popularity among the rich. Its American presence kept the breed from disappearing entirely.
Today, the Doberman Pinscher finds work in several different fields. Due to their intelligence, loyalty, and hard-working disposition, they still have a place in military and police work. They’re protective and strong, which makes them excellent guard dogs, while their appearance and reputation alone are also enough to deter most intruders. Contrastingly, the Doberman Pinscher is also known for its loving, gentle personality. These days, they also do well as assistance dogs, whether it’s for emotional or physical support, and they’re often found in search-and-rescue.
Size and appearance of the Doberman Pinscher
The first word that comes to mind when seeing a Doberman Pinscher is “elegant”. They’re sleek and streamlined, but strong, fast, and powerful. They stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder, and they have an inherent athleticism and nobility to them, moving smoothly and with confidence. Their head is long and wedge-shaped, with a dignified profile ― it’s easy to see why they’re often considered royalty in the canine kingdom.
The coat of the Doberman Pinscher comes in different colors, such as black, red, blue, or fawn, with rust markings. The most commonly seen one, however, is the black with markings. Their coat is short and sleek, and the word “glistening” seems appropriate. A Doberman Pinscher with cropped ears and a docked tail is so common that most might believe that’s what they naturally look like. But in fact, the tail of a Doberman Pinscher is long and powerful, and their ears are folded ― an uncropped Doberman Pinscher suddenly looks ten times friendlier than the intimidating version we’re used to seeing.
Temperament and personality
The Doberman Pinscher has a reputation of being aggressive and vicious, and it’s understandable why so many have that impression. This dog does have a long history with police and military (25 of them even died in the battle for Guam), and their reputation as formidable guardians is well-earned. But the traits that make the Dobie so great at these jobs also make them loving, gentle companions. They love their family, and want to be close to them at all times ― the protective nature of the Doberman Pinscher makes them loyal and soft around those they love. They’re not a dog that looks for trouble, but they will fiercely hold their ground if they need to, and are a trustworthy breed around their family’s kids, friends, and guests.
In terms of intelligence, the Doberman Pinscher ranks very high ― they’re considered the fifth most intelligent breed in the world. This means that they’re very trainable, and they need a lot of mental stimulation to stay happy and satisfied; the Dobie likes to keep busy overall, whether it’s mental challenges or physical exercise. They learn fast, though, so make sure to keep things interesting and varied, they might try to get their own way, and succeed. That said, they’re not overly stubborn, and love to work with humans. Also, make sure to socialize your Doberman Pinscher from an early age (they also stay pretty puppyish until they’re 3 to 4 years old), both with humans and other dogs. This goes for any breed.
Things to consider
The Doberman Pinscher isn’t a breed for everyone. They can be challenging, due to their high physical and mental needs, and a bored Dobie can become destructive around the home. Their reputation of being aggressive isn’t warranted, even though they can be fierce when it comes to protecting something valuable to them, such as their family. If you can handle the challenges that come with bringing a Doberman Pinscher into your home, you can expect to have a loyal, loving companion for life.
