Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Health and Care

The Doberman is a powerful, muscular service dog, extremely loyal, assertive, with a strong character.

• Country of origin: Germany
• Size: large Height: 63-72 cm
• Weight: 32-45 kg
• Age: 12-15 years
• FCI breed group: Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossoid breeds, Mountain and Swiss Cattle Dogs

Basic information

• The breed was named after its first breeder, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a resident of the city of Apolda in Thuringia, a tax collector with the right to catch stray animals. He ran a small shelter where he bred, his goal being to obtain the ideal guard dog.
• Initially, representatives of the new breed were registered as Thuringian Pinschers, later the first part of the name was replaced by the creator’s surname, and then it was shortened to one word – Doberman. Nevertheless, the previous form of the name has been preserved in everyday life, although it is not included in the current international standard.
• At first they were used for law enforcement and security services, and later became pets. They have proven themselves to be universal helpers.
• Dobermans have attracted attention since their inception, they have repeatedly become characters in books and films, and have been noted for outstanding achievements in searches, for example, a dog named Sauer was included in the Guinness Book of Records, having managed to find a criminal by a trail 150 km long. Many representatives of the breed have dozens, if not hundreds, of solved cases, and they were preferred in various countries, including the Russian Empire.
• Today, Dobermans remain one of the most popular dogs in the world; they are bred in almost all countries.

History of the breed

These dogs were purposefully bred through careful selection. Their creator was Karl Dobermann, a tax collector who also ran a small shelter for homeless animals. He selected individuals for his work, which began in the 1870s, from among the mongrels that came there.

Little information remains about which breeds were involved, but it is believed that the basis was German Pinschers , Rottweilers , Belgian Shepherds , Old German Shepherds and Thuringian Shepherds., some French Bloodhounds and Beaucerons , and possibly many others.

The data on this matter differs, only crossing with the Greyhound and Manchester Terrier is documented . The closest assistant of the first breeder was Otto Geller, it was he who compiled the earlier description and continued the activity after the death of his comrade.

Initially, the new breed was called the Thuringian Pinscher, but due to the death of the breeder in 1894, the Germans, impressed by the results of his work, renamed it the Doberman Pinscher. In the USA and Canada, this version is still used, with a double “n” – Dobermann. In 1949, the word “Pinscher” was removed from the official standard, today the breed is simply called the Doberman, although the previous version is firmly entrenched in everyday life.

The dogs quickly spread around the world, having proven themselves from the best side, they came to the Russian Empire in 1902, having been brought for the needs of the police. The FCI recognized them in 1955, and soon other cynological organizations did the same.

Dobermans remain one of the most popular and widespread breeds in the world to this day, they are bred in fairly large numbers and often uncontrollably, which does not have the best effect on the population, but specialized clubs and responsible breeders try to maintain the exterior, working qualities and health of their pets at a high level.

Description of Doberman

This breed is well known to almost every person, even those far from cynology – tall, lean, handsome, muscular, elegant, with short shiny hair, proud posture and a determined look. All the features of the physique speak of the strength, agility, speed of the Doberman.

The current version of the international standard was published by the FCI in December 2015, below are its main provisions. Head From the top angle it has the shape of a blunt wedge, from the front – the forehead is flat, almost horizontal, with a noticeable groove and a small occipital protuberance, the transition to the line of the neck is smooth and rounded.

The bridge of the nose is straight, the nose lobe does not protrude beyond the edge of the muzzle, the nostrils are open, the stopslight but visible, brow ridges developed but not protruding, as are the cheekbones. Facial area proportionate to cranial, deep, mouth opens well, lips tightly closed, without the slightest looseness, pigmented, jaws powerful, with scissor bite, teeth in full set.

Eyes Moderate parameters, oval cut, dark iris in black Dobermans and slightly lighter in brown ones. Eyelids are close-fitting, not flabby, covered with hair. Expression is intelligent, passionate, lively.

Ears They are set on the sides of the head at its highest point, and are in harmony with the dog’s build in size. The ideal option is when the ear flap hangs almost from the very root, completely rests on the cheekbones, and is triangular with rounded ends.

Neck Relatively tall, proportional, with excellent muscles, dry, not fleshy or thick. Set on the shoulders straight, strong, elegant, with a beautiful upward curve at the nape, flowing into the back of the head without a sharp junction.

Frame Almost square, the length exceeds the height by no more than 5-10%. The withers are clearly defined, from it the descending topline begins, going through a short strong back and muscular loin to a slightly sloping rounded croup.

The proportions of the chest are correctly related to the structure of the body, it is oval in cross-section with curved ribs, in depth equal to approximately half the height, the forechest (front part) is developed. The belly is noticeably tucked up.

Tail The exact parameters of this area are not specified, but in general they are moderate. It cannot look excessively thick, short or, on the contrary, stretched, it is optimal if it is carried high and slightly curved, but not twisted into a ring. Limbs The front ones look straight, set vertically.

The shoulder blades are muscular, protruding above the vertebrae, forming the withers, maximally inclined and abducted. The elbows are close-fitting, the shoulders are long, strong, as are the forearms, equally harmonious, the skeleton is strong, not coarse.

The back ones have wide rounded hips and croup, the muscles are developed, the angles of the joints are correct, strong. The paws are shortened, gathered into a lump, the arch is high, the claws are short. Movements This point plays a huge role both in terms of appearance and performance. The gait demonstrates elegance, dynamics, freedom.

The reach of the front legs is extremely wide, the push of the back legs is sufficient to provide a large amplitude and plasticity. Balance and timely throwing of the limbs forward are taken into account. Wool The Doberman’s hair is thick, short and hard to the touch, distributed evenly over the body, smooth, shiny, and close-fitting. There is no undercoat, it does not grow even in winter, so such fur does not protect from the cold. The skin is without folds.

Breed color There are two colors – brown and black, with a clear red-rusty tan, its zones are well defined, the tone is pure, without impurities, saturated. Markings are located on the cheekbones, eyebrows, on the neck and chest in separate spots, on the lower part of the legs, on the inner side of the thighs and under the tail.

The nose, lips, edges of the eyelids and skin are pigmented in accordance with the main shade of the coat, without unpainted areas. Any other variants are considered a genetic anomaly and a discrepancy with the breed type, but are recognized in some cynological associations that are not part of the FCI.

Size and weight of dogs

The permissible height at the withers for males is 68-72 cm, for “girls” – 63-68 cm. These are the maximum limits, above or below which the animal should not be, but preference is given to average values.

The weight of males is about 40-45 kg, females – 32-35 kg. Doberman character Modern representatives of the breed are much more peaceful than the original type, but still remain powerful service dogs. In different regions of the world, due to the approach to breeding, the temperament may differ. With mutual understanding and good contact with the owner, they are easily trained and forever remember what they have learned, but a strong and strong-willed person should train them, the owner with a soft character will be perceived by the Doberman as a lower-ranking member of the pack, and not a leader, this is a serious and assertive dog.

There is a dominant quality in the character. It is most noticeable in the first months of life, but you should not expect that with age your pet will “settle down”, all the qualities demonstrated at an early stage will remain with him forever, especially the bubbling energy, it is necessary to accustom him to discipline immediately. Self-confident, fearless, a medium threshold of excitability is desirable for him. He has outstanding guarding abilities, is extremely active, tries to be busy with something every waking minute, it will not work to raise him as a lazy person.

The Doberman is able to adapt to almost any conditions, including the role of a family dog, affectionate and friendly with all household members. Do not forget that he will not look after children, but he will enthusiastically take part in any hooliganism, do not leave them unattended. With other pets, he builds relationships on an individual basis: he gets along well with some, but perceives others as rivals, and it is impossible to predict this. He reacts to his relatives on the street in exactly the same way.

Training

The most important period in training a Doberman is the first year of life. At this time, it requires maximum effort, attention, care and discipline. Re-educating it and adjusting previously acquired skills is a task that is not feasible for every specialist; you need to initially form exactly those that suit you. These are very strong-willed dogs that strive to dominate, they need a strong-willed owner, otherwise they become destructive and do not respond to orders.

With the right approach, the Doberman grows up to be a great helper, unquestioningly obedient, reliable and incorruptible, but for this you need to invest strength, care and love in him. Once a skill has been learned, the pet will try to apply it in practice immediately and will do it at any convenient opportunity.

A learned prohibition will never be violated, no matter what it relates to, even if it ceases to be relevant, and you try to retrain the dog, the original setting will remain dominant. From the first day, introduce the puppy to the rules of behavior in the house, remember that he definitely needs toys, preferably complex and interesting ones, or something else will be used for fun, ensure that your requirements are met strictly and unwaveringly, indulgences cannot be allowed – when something is prohibited, there are no exceptions.

Socialize your pet thoroughly – this is a service dog, not a couch potato, without solid disciplinary skills it will be uncomfortable to live with him in the city.

The Doberman must learn to behave impeccably in different situations, be able to calmly interact with people and their pets, not to misbehave in public places, transport, etc. It is best to train him under the guidance of a dog trainer, and sign up for courses in advance and consult with the leader on how to raise the baby before the classes begin.

This will help to avoid many incomprehensible and undesirable moments and achieve the best results. The breed can be used in any field of activity – from police service to all kinds of sports .

Doberman Maintenance When getting such a dog, you need to firmly understand that you will have to pay a lot of attention to it. Walks should be long, at least 2-3 hours daily, and active, just walking along the park paths is not enough.

Every few days, do more energetic and longer runs, combine them with training. It is acceptable to keep a pet in a house or apartment, and not on the street, but the presence of a yard will be a significant plus. In winter you will need clothing, the short fur does not protect from the cold.

Doberman fur care is minimal – it is enough to wipe it with a damp towel and periodically brush it, you should bathe it three to four times a year with a specialized zoo shampoo, and wash its paws and belly after walks. Sometimes, if it is heavily soiled, an additional water procedure is required. The fur dries quickly, but while it is damp, the four-legged friend should not be released into a cool room or into the open air.

Ears are cleaned with a disinfectant lotion, teeth – with veterinary paste, this must be done to prevent inflammatory processes in the ear canal and diseases of the oral cavity. Eyes are wiped with a damp cloth from accumulated tears in the corners, and claws are trimmed as they grow, otherwise they interfere with walking and lead to problems with joints.

Be sure to take the time to visit the veterinarian, as the breed is prone to a number of diseases, and it is important to identify them at an early stage for successful treatment. The puppy is accustomed to all procedures as early as possible, otherwise they will turn into an “adventure” that is unpleasant for both the pet and the owner.

Tips for healthy eating

Feeding is an important point for representatives of the breed. Dobermans do not have any specific needs, but unbalanced food composition causes a number of diseases, since they are extremely active, and the body in such conditions needs resources for the correct formation of tissues and the functioning of all systems.

It is especially dangerous to make mistakes at an early age, an excess or deficiency of important nutrientsduring this period will lead to the most unfortunate consequences for many organs, primarily for the skeleton and ligaments, it is unlikely that they will be completely corrected. In addition, for some diseases, veterinarians prescribe a special diet, which is part of the course of therapy.

An overweight Doberman is a rare exception rather than a rule; with good physical exercise, fat has no chance of being deposited, but some owners still manage to overfeed their pets, which has a very bad effect on their health. These dogs do not refuse tasty morsels; you cannot give them too many treats, and the calorie content and volume of the main portions should be controlled.

Bowls are kept clean, drinking water is left in open access and changed twice a day. It is important to monitor the quality and freshness of food, do not feed before a walk, otherwise the risk of excessive gas formation in the stomach and intestines increases, which can lead to volvulus. In order to stabilize the digestive tract, it is also recommended to divide the daily dose into two doses and adhere to a single schedule.

From the point of view of veterinarians, the most acceptable option would be to use ready-made premium-class industrial feeds, since good companies develop the composition taking into account the digestive characteristics of pets. When buying a specific product, rely on the current needs of the pet – energy level, well-being, age and size.

Health issues

Dobermans cannot be called sickly. Provided that the pairs of parents are selected correctly and tested, their offspring almost never have problems. However, popularity plays a cruel joke with many breeds, uncontrolled breeding leads to the emergence of various ailments. That is why it is safer to buy puppies from good nurseries, and not from private individuals. Here’s what these dogs might encounter:

• Cardiomyopathy is an anomaly in the structure of the heart. There are several types, each requiring a special approach to treatment. Causes: age, consequences of certain diseases, parasites, etc.
• Dysplasia – occurs in approximately 7-8% of individuals. With this disorder of bone and cartilage tissue development, the hip and sometimes the elbow joints suffer, which leads to lameness and pain, and in severe cases complications are possible. The earlier the problem is detected, the easier it is to deal with it.
• Wobbler syndrome is a compression of the spinal cord in the cervical spine, it is inherited or caused by trauma or abnormal skeletal development due to rapid growth. Symptoms: poor coordination, neck pain, limb deformity or atrophyTreatment varies from therapy to surgery.
• Cataract is a clouding of the lens, observed in older animals, causes deterioration of vision, and without timely assistance leads to blindness.
• Copper hepatology is a genetic disorder characterized by copper accumulation in the liver. With this diagnosis, the veterinarian prescribes a diet, but sometimes, if the concentration of the metal is too high, he or she also adds medications to it.
• Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory process affecting the kidneys and spreading to adjacent tissues, and can be acute or chronic. Annual vaccination is necessary for prevention, as it is a frequent consequence of infectious diseases, as well as proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity, and care. The fight against the disease comes down to complex therapy.
• Progressive retinal atrophy is the detachment and destruction of the inner layer of the eye, caused by genetic factors.
• Oral diseases – to reduce their likelihood, teeth need to be cleaned and examined regularly. Chipping of enamel due to the desire to gnaw, tartar, caries, etc. are not uncommon.
• Injuries and cuts are a direct consequence of an active lifestyle, and while fractures are not that common, bruises and sprains are common.
• Von Willebrand disease is a blood clotting disorder, especially dangerous in the presence of wounds and surgeries, scratches take a long time to heal, and bleeding gums are possible.

Who is this breed suitable for?

The Doberman is not a pet for everyone. It is definitely not worth getting for a person who is not ready to devote a huge amount of time, attention, work and love to their dog. People with a gentle character and homebodies should also take a closer look at calmer animals.

It is also undesirable for those who want to get high places at exhibitions almost without effort – this is the most popular breed, the competition in the ring is huge. And here’s who would find such an animal a wonderful companion: A professional dog handler or an experienced amateur is the ideal option for such dogs, in which case you can confidently count on harmony and mutual understanding between the owner and the pet.

A Doberman needs not just an owner, but a self-confident leader, reserved, calm, capable of properly raising a restless puppy and not developing undesirable qualities in him. This is a good family pet, he will get along well with a child and will start to misbehave together with him – do not leave them unattended, otherwise the fun will become truly uncontrollable.

He doesn’t always get along with cats and other animals, it depends on his individual character traits, such a four-legged friend may suit the owners of different animals, but this is not certain.

Famous Owners Many famous people kept such dogs, among them are: US President John Kennedy, Sylvester Stallone, Alain Delon, Ozzy Osbourne, Anne Veski, Valery Syutkin, actress Anna Kovalchuk, director Vladimir Naumov, academician Nikolai Amosov.

This is far from a complete list of influential and famous people who were not left indifferent by energetic dogs. Tips for choosing a puppy Doberman is one of the most popular breeds in the world, and finding a suitable baby is not difficult.

In Russia, there are many nurseries and breeders with high-quality breeding producers. On the one hand, this is convenient, on the other, it creates some difficulties. Not all litter owners set themselves the task of choosing the right pairs, testing the parents for genetic disorders.

Because of this, the risk of getting a dog that has not only poor health, but also behavioral deviations – cowardly or overly excitable – increases. It is more reliable to buy puppies from specialized nurseries with a good reputation; to find such, it is enough to enter a request on the Internet and read reviews about the selected organization, or contact the National Breed Club and other associations.

Reliable breeders are also not uncommon, but it is somewhat more difficult to verify their integrity. It is necessary to check whether the litter is registered with the RKF, what places at exhibitions the breeding animals from which the offspring were obtained occupy.

Next, you should make sure that the babies are kept in good conditions, they have been vaccinated according to their age and treated for worms. It is best to examine the future pet and get acquainted with its living conditions in person, photographs do not always accurately convey the real situation. Reasons to be wary will be the lethargy and unsociability of the puppy, bald spots in the fur, a bloated belly, discharge from the eyes and nose, an unpleasant odor, ulcers, as well as overly timid or, conversely, impudent behavior, non-standard color, obvious discrepancy with the exterior features.

Do not forget that Dobermans do not suffer from modesty, so a healthy puppy will not behave with you decorously and calmly under any circumstances, unless he has already run around, is tired and wants to sleep.

 

Representatives of the breed are found in almost all regions, it is not difficult to choose a pet near your place of residence, but if you want a high-class dog with a champion pedigree, are going to regularly attend exhibitions and engage in breeding work, then you may like a baby from a remote region or territory. In this case, it is still advisable to pick it up in person and talk before buying, but if this is not possible, you can discuss with the breeder assistance in delivery, more often this is done by nurseries, not individuals.

Personal experience of owners

There are a great many reviews of Dobermans on the Internet, this is a popular and widespread breed, only a few have been selected that most accurately characterize these dogs:

In terms of energy level, he is comparable to a nuclear reactor; you need to educate him carefully, devote a lot of time to him, otherwise he will find something to entertain himself and will not take your opinion into account. People get along with pets in different ways: they are friends with some, but there is constant rivalry with others; it all depends on the individual characteristics of the dog itself and the other pets.

A pet is not for everyone, you will have to invest a lot in it to get the desired result, but the return will be colossal. The character is difficult, especially in a puppy, with age it becomes a little calmer. Reacts to everything lightning fast – you only open your mouth to give a command, and he has already managed to do something, so you need to accustom him to discipline from the first day, you can not spoil and indulge whims, otherwise he will get used to such treatment, then it will not be possible to fix it.

The Doberman is not a cute plush sofa puppy, he will quickly teach you to walk on time and not to leave things on the floor, but when well trained, he becomes an ideal dog. There are fans and opponents of the breed, but it leaves no one indifferent, it is impossible not to pay attention to it.