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Dobermann

Dobermann

This is a moderately large, powerful, yet elegant dog. The coat is smooth, short and the body carriage should be proud and can be likened to a thoroughbred horse. They’re full of energy and smarts which makes them great guardians and amazing candidates for police and military jobs.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for experienced owners
  • Extra training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
  • Large dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Quiet dog
  • Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Key Facts

Life Span: 10-13 years
Weight: The adult weighs around 32-45kg
Height: Adult males measure around 69cm and adult females 65cm
Colours: Brown, black, blue or fawn (also known as Isabella) with rust markings
Size: Large
Kennel Club group: Working

Ratings

Family-friendly:  4/5
Exercise needs:  3/5
Easy to train:  5/5
Tolerates being alone:  2/5
Likes other pets:  1/5
Energy level:  3/5
Grooming needs:  4/5
Shedding:  4/5

Personality

The Dobermann is a dog who needs mental and physical activity. Socialised early with other dogs, pets and children, the Dobermann can make a good family pet. Being loyal and affectionate these dogs will certainly protect the home.

They often tend to be a 'one man dog' and will usually ‘belong’ more to one person in the family rather than the whole family. Dobermanns are often suspicious of strangers - human and canine. By merit of their size, strength and activity levels - as well as their guarding tendencies - they are not for the inexperienced or for those who can’t put in the time to exercise and train these demanding dogs.

History and Origins

The Dobermann was created with a very specific job in mind. In the late 19th century Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector was getting pretty fed up of getting robbed when he was collecting money and decided he needed an effective personal protection dog. As he was also the director of the local animal shelter, he had plenty of opportunities to do some complicated cross-breeding in order to produce a physically imposing dog who would be both fierce if needs be and act as an effective deterrent.

Sadly, Herr Dobermann was a far better tax collector than he was at recording his dog breeding so it is largely guesswork what breeds he used to create his perfect companion. It’s thought that he added German Pinschers, Rottweilers, Beaucerons and German Pointers to the mix, but despite some now hazy beginnings, he certainly created an impressive and now well-loved dog.

By 1899 the breed was recognised by the German Kennel Club and they soon became popular the world over for their almost unbeatable skills as a property guard and in security work. Their guarding traits have been watered down over the years and they are now more often to be seen as companion dogs but those instincts are often not that far from the surface.

Did You Know?

During the first World War the breed almost died out as people in Europe couldn’t afford to keep such large dogs but the Dobermann found work in the military and police which ensured their future. When they first hit the show rings legend says that judges were too scared of them to open their mouths to look at their teeth and so one dog became a Champion despite missing several teeth!

Dog with red collar looking out the window
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