The Doberman Pinscher

November 7, 2:18 PMScottsdale Pets ExaminerTiffany White

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It's been decades since the Doberman Pinscher was one of the more popular dog breeds.  In the 1970's they were everywhere.  Could it have been bad "press" from movies like, "The Boys from Brazil" and "They only kill their masters" that led to their diminished popularity?  I wonder.  Remember the famous Richard Pryor skit in which he talked about his Doberman Pinscher named Champ?  Richard said, "The Doberman will let a burglar come into the house" but when they get ready to leave the Doberman says, "You can't leave, I want to play!!!"

All joking aside, the Doberman Pinscher is a wonderful breed of dog.  What makes them so special is their playful nature, alert demeanor, extreme intelligence, and fierce loyalty.   The Doberman is a member of the American Kennel Club's working group.  Other members of this group are the significantly less popular German Pinscher, Mastiff, Great Dane, Rottweiler, and the Siberian Husky to name a few.  The breed originated in Germany and is named after Louiss Dobermann of Apolda.  They are of medium build and typically have a docked tail in the United States.  The ears can be cropped, as shown in the picture of Davis, or can be left floppy.  However, that distinctive Doberman "look" can only be achieved with cropped ears.  Many object to the process of cropping so its a personal choice. 

Doberman are known to be one of the smartest of all dog breeds.  They require a great deal of exercise and lots of toys (if you get one of those indestructible balls too big to fit into your Dobie's mouth get out the camcorder!).  Known for their smooth short coat, they are easy to maintain.  They shed a bit but still make an excellent addition to any home.  Doberman love to socialize and play.  Its best to socialize your young Doberman so they are used to other dogs and people.  There has been much talk about the perceived aggression of this breed.  Studies have since proven that this is simply untrue.  The Doberman is a far less aggressive breed than many others that lack any such reputation.

When selecting your puppy be sure the breeder addresses von Willebrand's disease within the bloodline.  Von Willebrand's disease is a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia in humans (as a matter of fact humans can be born with von Willebrand's disease).  The good news is that testing is now possible to screen for its presence in the line.  There is also Cardiomyopathy, that has been known to cause sudden death in Doberman Pinschers.  Healthy dogs have been reported to drop dead prior to the disease ever exhibiting an symptoms.  Other than these issues the breed is known to be relatively healthy with a life expectancy up to 15 years, with 8 - 12 years of age being the most common range.  Feed your dog a good diet, give it plenty of exercise and play time, and the Doberman will reward you with over a decade of fun, love, and affection.

Additional Breed Information

The Doberman Pinscher Club of America : ( www.dpca.org/ )

The American Kennel Club: ( www.akc.org/breeds/doberman_pinscher/index.cfm )

Doberman Pinscher rescue: ( www.dobierescue.org/ )

Dedicated to Davis, my Dobie of 12 years, I miss you pooter.