The Doberman Pinscher is an AKC registered dog breed. The following discussion reviews the breed.
They kinda have a bad reputation, don't they?
Attack dogs. Devil dogs. Mean dogs.
If someone mentions the words “Doberman Pinscher” in casual conversation, these terms sometimes come to mind.
Dobermans are Hollywood's bad boys: they chase the good guy off of the bad guy's property. They guard seedy back-alley residences. They appear to be the hit-men of the dog world.
It is a commonly recognized fact that Dobermans are somehow meaner or more dangerous than other dogs.
Why is this?
A handler recently had her dog at a park where there was a crowd of event onlookers.
A young girl came over and asked to pet the dog. Consent was granted, and the girl proceeded to pet the dog, pull the dog's ears, ask questions about the dog, and generally make friends.
“Do you know what kind of dog he is?” the handler asked. “No,” the girl replied. “A Doberman,” the handler said.
The girl, without a word, turned and walked away. She must have been fooled by the long ears. Yes, some Dobermans have long, floppy ears.
But why was that name the deal-breaker for an otherwise enjoyable encounter?
What is it about Dobermans…?
The Doberman is a very old, historic breed of dog.
Around 1890, Louis Dobermann, a tax-collector, sought to breed a dog suitable for both protection and companionship. His job at the time could prove dangerous, as he carried money with him on his rounds.
By crossing several breeds including the Rottweiler, Greyhound, and Manchester terrier, Dobermann achieved his goal: a medium-sized, powerfully built, obedient guard dog.
The dog gained popularity as a protector and companion. After Dobermann's death in 1894, the Germans named the breed after Louis Dobermann (the second “n” was dropped later on); Otto Goeller continued to refine the dog's breeding to create the dog we see today.
The German word for terrier, “pinscher,” was also later dropped, as “terrier” no longer described the dog in general.
How did the breed progress? Are they a working dog?
The Doberman's primary working-dog role is guard and protector of property.
Back in 1945, the breed served in World War II, helping U.S. Marines in their patrols on Guam. By the end of the war, 25 Marine Doberman dogs had given their lives to protect the U.S. soldiers by detecting land mines, sniffing out enemy forces in heavy cover, carrying information communiques to different areas, and providing protection in foxholes so that the soldiers could rest.
A few of these dogs were nicknamed “Devil Dogs” by the Marines for their fierceness in battle. Of course, the pointy, cropped ears helped complete the picture.
The dogs' ears and tails were cropped to minimize the ability of the enemy to grab the dogs if the opportunity arose.
The cropped ears are still popular today, but are no longer necessary for any practical reason other than appearance.
Are the dogs popular today?
Recent breeding programs and education about the Doberman have improved the breed dramatically.
No longer bred for aggression, Dobermans are family-oriented, loving dogs. Their high intelligence and boundless energy require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation such as obedience and agility, but in their minds, they are indeed Man's Best Friend.
Perhaps in the years to come the Devil Dog persona can fade into history, yet never be forgotten.
(antlerhollowmillville.com)
Bonnie Cox has grown up with horses and dogs. A lifetime horsewoman and dog-pack member, Ms. Cox has worked with a variety of breeds and temperaments of horses and dogs alike. She owns and trains two Doberman dogs and two quarter horses.
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Some recent Doberman Pinscher sales on Amazon:
The Doberman Pinscher: Brains and Beauty (Howell's Best of Bre)The Doberman Pinscher: Brains and Beauty gives potential owners, new converts and veteran Doberman lovers all they need to know ab…
DOBERMAN PINSCHER Guard Dog 9″x12″ ALUMINUM “ANIMALZRULE ORIGINAL DESIGN – “NO ONE ELSE IS AUTH0RIZED TO SELL THIS SIGN” (Any one else selling this sign is selling a CHEAP COPY)ONE ALUMINUM (.040) DOG SIGN. This sign is a 9″x12″ WHITE sign blank with BLACK GRAPHICS. This sign comes with (2) PRE-DRILLED HOL…
Doberman Pinscher Cookie CutterEach cookie cutter is handcrafted in our workshop from heavyweight solid copper, jointed using lead free solder . This Doberman co…
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