The modern Dobe
Today's Doberman Pinscher has lost the second
'n' from its name and has mellowed in fierceness to become a family member
apable of displaying great gentleness and devotion to children and other
animals in the home. Having left behind his terrier roots, he has also
dropped the Pinscher portion of the name in many countries.
In appearance, the modern Doberman Pinscher is
elatively tall with males standing between 26 and 28 inches at the shoulder
and females standing 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder. he weight of an adult
dog will typically range between 60 and 85 pounds depending on size and sex.
Overall, the Doberman should appear muscular, athletic and energetic. The
ideal specimen should be squarely built with the height at the withers
approximating the length of the dog's body from the point of the chest to
the rearmost portion of the upper thigh. The back rises in a clean, well-
arched, muscular neck to the head. The chest is deep and broad with a smooth
line from it into a well-tucked up belly and loin. The legs are strong and
possess good bone mass without appearing coarse. Dewclaws are usually
removed if they occur. The tail is most often docked at the second joint
within a few days of birth and is carried as an extension of the spine.
The ideal Doberman head is wedge-shaped with
eyes blending in color with the color of the coat. Dark eyes are much
preferred over other shades and should be relatively deep set. A Doberman's
expression should display his great intelligence and vigorous character.
Of great importance in the proper appearance of
the breed is the ear, and especially the proper cropping of the ear to
create a pleasing shape and appearance. Ear cropping is illegal in many
countries including Great Britain and Australia but many others, including
American Doberman fanciers, believe that an erect, cropped ear enhances the
appearance of this breed.
In making a decision on whether or not to crop
the ears of your own Doberman, remember that it is a surgical procedure that
is best done by only the most experienced veterinarians. For this reason,
many breeders do not place puppies until after this operation has been done.
Mistakes can be made that adversely affect the appearance of the dog.
Following surgery on the ears, taping and propping to achieve proper healing
and ear carriage is essential.
The Doberman occurs most typically in black with
rust markings or red, actually a deep rusty red with lighter rust markings.
Less common but also acceptable in the breed are steel blue or light fawn.
Known respectively as blue and Isabella, these colors must also possess the
rust markings of the other colors. The rust markings should appear on the
muzzle, the throat, above the eyes, the front of the chest, beneath the tail
and on all legs and feet. A small white patch less than one-half inch square
is permissible on the chest but no other white is allowed. White Dobermans
may not be shown as this is a disqualifying fault.
The coat is short and smooth and requires little
beyond a good brushing or rubdown with a rough towel. Shedding is minimal
and tolerable because of the shortness of the coat.
In temperament, the Doberman should possess a
great intelligence and desire to please the owner. It is not unusual for
this breed to produce one-man and one-family dogs because of their great
loyalty. With their protective natures, Dobermans should not be left
unsupervised with children. Many protective breeds will be very good
companions for their own children but may be overprotective and misread the
roughness and shouting of play as a threat to their own children.
As a working dog, the Dobe may display
nervousness, destructiveness, excessive barking and other undesirable
behaviors if it is deprived of exercise and training. This breed is full of
quick learners and training should be undertaken as soon as possible after
bringing the new dog into the family to cement the bond between owner and
dog and to control this energetic breed. With their great capacity to
understand and react properly to situations, the Doberman is quite adaptable
to city life if it is given the proper training.
Exercise is critical for the health and
well-being of the dogs. They were bred and born to work and have a great
deal of energy to burn. Long walks and frequent play sessions in secure
areas will make your dog fit and keep him from becoming nervous. A good romp
or game of fetch in a fenced yard is an ideal way to keep your dog healthy
and happy.
As wonderful as the Doberman Pinscher is, there
are health problems that occur in the breed. As with any breed of dog, hip
dysplasia is a real threat and any dog's pedigree should be checked to see
if it's parents are from sound stock. Dobermans may also have heart problems,
bleeding disorders, eye defects, skin diseases, and hypothyroidism. Bloat is
also a major threat to any Doberman and owners are urged to consult with
their veterinarian for advice on preventing this problem.
If the Doberman is the breed for you, the threat
of a health problem is not a reason to avoid the breed. Health concerns
should only inspire you to be more careful in
finding a breeder committed to protecting
and bettering the breed. Going to dog shows and reading dog magazines are
both good ways to meet breeders and learn more about the breed. Talking to
friends with Dobermans or who are active in dog sports may also help you
find a reputable breeder.
With a little luck and a bit of hard work, you
will find the Doberman for you. As your reward you will have a friend for
years of happiness
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