About the Doberman

The Doberman was officially recognized in 1900 by the AKC and is an elegant yet muscular, quick and powerful dog. Other adjectives commonly used to describe the breed are intelligent, versatile, easily trained, determined, fearless, assertive and loyal. That’s just about everything you could want in a companion animal. But that adorable puppy will soon become not only a graceful and affectionate companion, it will also become very attached to its owner and family and will mature into the ultimate in personal and home protection. The Doberman is naturally protective and does not need additional “protection training” to be a fine guard dog. A Dobermans is always aware of his surroundings. He is on guard and on duty at all times. He doesn't miss a thing and is responsive and will check out anything that alerts him to possible danger to his family. The Doberman standing alertly---staring at the danger---ears held totally up and eyes focused on the threat. Woe to the foolish man who doesn't think the Doberman will stand his ground and dare the intruder to go through him. It is this stance and attitude and lightening fast reflexes and responses that, coupled with the Dobermans totally fearless and confident attitude, which makes him the absolute PREMIER protection and guard dog, as well as cherished pet, family companion and comrade. He is unflappable when danger is present. Total devotion to family is the Doberman's job everyday. He is focused on his family and wants to please and do exactly what they want him to do. He will bond and attach himself to the family and execute his role as companion and protector like no other breed can. Dobies are well known for their desire to please the human they own. And they are very intelligent. Just about the only thing they can’t learn is what you don’t teach them!

A Doberman likes to be physically close to its family members. In fact, it is also often described as a “Velcro” dog. That’s because it will almost always want to be wherever its owner is and usually in physical contact with him or her if it can manage it. There’s something funny about at 75 pound lap dog, don’t you think? Dobermans are definitely great house dogs. They can be yard dogs too, but they prefer to be close to their humans. If you do keep them outside, please have a yard large enough to provide them with plenty of exercise which they desperately need.

Although Dobermans have the "reputation" of being very aggressive, even vicious, this is simply not true in the vast majority of cases. Any animal that is not properly cared for has the potential of becoming unbalanced, and even dangerous. Of course, you can make a Doberman vicious but that is true of any breed. Only cruel, unprincipled and immature owners think making a dog vicious is “neat”. As a rule, and when given a good home and kind treatment, they are very sweet and gentle and are really excellent with the elderly, the infirm and with children. They are merely big, protective babies who are devoted to their human children as well as any other pets in the home. That being said, due to their protective natures, it may not be a good idea to leave your Doberman with unsupervised children. As with many protective breeds, Dobermans will be very good companions for their own human children but they may be over-protective and misread the shouting and rough-house play of other children as a threat to their children. This isn’t very likely but it is something to consider.

Dobermans are active and should be consistently and thoroughly trained to be a good pet. For this reason, they do best with an experienced owner (but even humans can learn!) so, if you are a first time owner, it is best to learn as much about them as you can before you take on the responsibility of owning this canine thoroughbred. Fortunately, there are many good sources available in book form and on the internet. Pet stores and veterinarians are also excellent sources of advice. Selecting the right puppy personality and activity level for each new owner is much more easily accomplished by doing so.

Many make the mistake of wanting to become “backyard” breeders only to learn too late the inordinate amount of time necessary and the rather surprising expense of being a Doberman breeder. In fact, just the expense of owning and caring for a single puppy will convince most owners that becoming a breeder is far from being the “money making hobby” which many uninformed people think that it is. Experts estimate that it costs $6,400 to raise a medium sized dog to 11 years, so, if you’re in it solely for the money, you’re going to have to sell a lot of puppies and "work like a dog" just to break even. In fact, the first two years after Spear-Bar kennels was started, it saw over $25,000 invested before a single puppy was ever born!

The Doberman Pinscher is instinctively alert, loyal, loving, and has a watchful temperament. He is naturally protective of those he loves, and uses his keen intelligence to weigh various situations. Unless neglected and bored, the Doberman is a quiet dog. Usually when there is barking, there is a good reason to check out the source of the dog's concern.

Today's well bred Doberman is not prone to outbursts or temper, although, unstable dogs of poor breeding stock can be found in this as well as other breeds. It is to be stressed that poor temperament is more a sign of careless breeding by unknowledgeable persons than a characteristic of the Doberman. It is vital that potential puppy owners be sure of the quality of the parent stock and have a trusting and communicative relationship with the breeder of their pup.

The Doberman is a healthy and hearty dog with few inherent illnesses. A good breeder will take caution to breed only those dogs that have a clear health history, having passed all health and genetic testing specific to the breed. Most important of these tests are

Whether you are looking for a companion, a dog for agility, AKC conformation showing, tracking, obedience work, or many of the other dog related activities, the Doberman is the dog to look toward.

Males: 26-28 inches tall. Females: 24-26 inches tall.
Males: 70-90 pounds. Females: 60-75 pounds.

10-13 years with 9.6 being the average life span given proper nutrition and care. At one year, the females are usually close to being their adult height and further growth is mostly in mass. Males will continue to grow over the next year and may even add a few inches of height. At 12 months, a puppy has become an adult. A male is considered to be in his “prime” at 3+ years and a female at 2 to 3 years. From 1 to 6 years of age, a Doberman is enjoying life and is a great joy to his owner. Dobermans begin collecting their senior citizen discounts at about 7 years of age. They begin to slow down and may begin experiencing the “aches and pains” of aging. They may require a special diet and trips to the vet become more common. Heart problems and cancer are major concerns as are teeth and joints. Examine your friend for lumps/bumps or anything which looks different. Unusual behavior may indicate a problem which should be attended to by the dog’s vet.

On the standard Doberman, 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. Of course, if you don’t plan to “show” your dog in competition, who cares? They’re all lovable.

The Doberman comes in a variety of colors, black and rust, black and tan, red and rust, blue, and fawn (known as an “Isabella“). The "blacks" usually will have the thickest coats while "reds" have less hair per square inch than a black. "Fawns" and "blues" are also referred to as dilutes. They have a much thinner coat than even most reds. We do not highly recommend breeding the dilutes because they have a high incidence of thyroid insufficiency and coat loss and there have been other adverse health factors associated with them. Therefore unless a buyer specifically requests one, we usually try to avoid producing the fawns and blues and concentrate on producing the healthier "blacks" and "reds" with rich colors and stable coats.

Whites are also possible but are considered to be a genetic abberation and are very prone to disease, a wide variety of illnesses, temperament problems, congenital defects and early deaths. In addition, they are not recognized by the AKC. Reputable breeders are making a conscientious effort to breed away from the production of whites, will not sell a white and you should never pay extra for one. An unscrupulous seller will point out how rare they are…. And thankfully so because they will have many, many problems, their lives will be miserable and they will be the cause of eventual, if not immediate, heartache and expense for their owners.

The “White” Doberman:
There is no such thing as a "white" Doberman. A "white" dog (for example, a white German Shepherd) has dark eyes and a relatively dark-pigmented skin and nose. There IS, sadly, an albino Doberman, actually classified as a tyrosine positive albino. These dogs have pink skin and nose, and blue eyes (or light yellow in a few specimens). Albino Dobermanss have a white or cream-colored coat with light tan markings. Albinos suffer from photosensitivity. This means that the dogs cannot tolerate sunlight or bright light, often closing or squinting their eyes and bumping into objects when put in unfamiliar surroundings. They will often burn and blister if exposed for much time in sunlight. They classically have temperament problems, ranging from being shy, fear-biters to hyper-aggressive. Again, though, because they are relatively rare (thankfully), unethical breeders strive to produce them and charge outrageous prices, advertising them as "rare and exotic". Responsible breeders deplore the breeding of albino Dobermans. Albinos can be registered with the AKC but the white color is a disqualification and these dogs cannot compete in the conformation ring. If you own one now, love and care for it for its whole life but PLEASE do not perpetuate the breeding of these poor animals by buying another.

Blue and Fawn Dobermans:
Alopecia means hairlessness and is a form of follicular dysplasia (FD). Blue and fawn Dobermans often suffer from a condition called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA or “Blue Doberman Syndrome”).

Some people believe that a mutated dilution gene is involved. The dilution gene which produces blues and fawns is itself NOT a mutated gene or genetic defect. It has been with the Doberman since the beginning.

Other people think that there is some other independent genetic factor that, when COUPLED with healthy dilution genes, results in CDA. A single litter of dilutes can produce both good and poor coats.

Because CDA is thought to have a genetic link, blues and fawns should not be bred until they reach three years old or so, and still have a good coat. Note that a "good coat" for blues or fawns is still thinner than the average black or red coat (they have less hair per square inch of skin). There is a possibility that environmental factors may play a role, at least in the severity of the disease. cleanliness and grooming are VERY IMPORTANT for blue Dobermans!

This condition develops in some, but not all dogs that have been bred for unusual coat colour, especially "fawn" (a dilution of a normally red coat) or "blue" ( a dilution of the normal black coat). It is seen most commonly in Doberman pinschers and as many as 90% of blue Dobermans and 75% of fawns are affected to some degree or other.

Symptoms generally develop in dogs 4 months to 3 years of age. They include bilateral balding, which commonly begins on the flanks or along the topline and spreads down the back. As they grow and mature, they develop brittle hair, followed by permanent patchy hair loss sometimes referred to as a 'moth-eaten' coat. Only the blue portions of the coat are affected. Other colored areas remain normal. Initially, the dog will appear quite normal, but with a thin coat in the blue areas. Most often, dogs with CDA end up with very thin coats along their back and flanks, but do not go completely bald. The dogs remain healthy and happy, despite a thin coat. In severe (and rare) cases, all the blue or fawn hairs can fall out. .

As the condition advances, the skin can also become involved and can become infected. Sometimes the earliest sign is a recurring bacterial infection (folliculitis), generally on the back, where you will see small bumps which are infected hair follicles. Pustules may also appear over the body. This clears up temporarily with antibiotics, but the affected area is very slow to regrow hair, or remains hairless. There is no cure, only treatments to relieve the surface conditions.

Hypothyroidism is very common in all colors of the Doberman. Be aware that thyroid problems are often assumed to be CDA in blue Dobermans. Many vets who see a blue Doberman with a thin coat may just assume that the cause is CDA and overlook or fail to recommend a thyroid test. ALWAYS perform a thyroid test on a blue Doberman with a thin coat! The problem may not be CDA at all. A thin coat is a common symptom of hypothyroidism and it may affect blues to a greater degree -- or it may just be more apparent since blues have less hairs per square inch to begin with.

As I stated before, many breeders choose to avoid including dilution in their bloodlines because of the possibility of coat problems which many people will not want to deal with. Others are perfectly willing to take that risk and have been able to produce dilutes with healthy coats. If you are considering owning a blue Doberman, make an informed decision knowing that it is quite possible that the dog will eventually have a thin coat. In fact, PLAN on a thin coat. If your dog maintains its coat, it will be a plus. If considering a blue or a fawn Doberman, you will want to ask to see several other older blues and fawns from that bloodline since CDA usually doesn't appear until the dog is past the age of 1-3 years. You should only consider getting a blue or fawn if you will LOVE them, beautiful coat or bald!

Puppies are born with long “hound-dog” ears and tails. Tails are customarily docked (either “Rotweiller style at the first joint or Doberman style at the second joint depending upon the breeder’s preference) and dewclaws are removed by a vet at the age of 3 days. Ears are cropped at 8-12 weeks of age. The ears are sutured after cropping and taped over the head by the vet and then covered with gauze or glued to a piece of Styrofoam between them. The ears heal and, after about 10 days, the sutures are removed and the ear can be taped to begin the process of keeping them upright.

Of course, some owners prefer not to crop the ears but most prefer to do so. If for some reason, you must sell the dog later, its resale price is usually much higher if the ears are cropped and the tail is docked. Once cropped, they must be “taped” for a couple of months to make them stand. If they are cropped too late, the chances are very good that either one or both ears will fail to stand. In fact, many vets will refuse to crop after 12 weeks of age. The usual fee for cropping is in the neighborhood of $250.

Important tip: If When you take the puppy to the vet for ear cropping, be sure to tell your vet EXACTLY what ear shape you want because vets have their preferences too and those preferences may not match yours. If possible, show them a picture of the ear shape you want and stress it several times or you may be dissatisfied with the result.

Teething:

At about 12 weeks of age, the Doberman starts the teething phase which continues for about 3 months. Baby teeth fall out and the permanent teeth come in. Often the puppy simply swallows the baby teeth (which is normal) but sometimes you will find them on the floor. During this time gums can become swollen and bleed and the puppy chews on EVERYTHING it can get its mouth around since chewing helps the new teeth come through the gums. You need to provide soft, chewable toys and treats during this period or you will soon begin to think that termites would be a blessing compared to your little angel. Supervise your puppy CLOSELY during this phase. They not only chew but they also often swallow what they are chewing and this can result in blockages, illness and even a very painful death. Permanent teeth should all be present at about 6 months.

Weekly grooming should be a ritual in any Doberman's life. Grooming is quite simple. Dobermans have semi-coarse overcoat fur and a soft undercoat fur. They need to be combed to remove the soft fine hair or it will quickly mat and shed. Taking a few minutes to comb and brush your Doberman on a weekly basis is an excellent control for shedding. The shedding blade draws out all the already dead but not shed hair. This makes it possible to dispose of them just once instead of having them all over the house, furniture and your clothing all the time. You have to wait for the new coat to come in while the old one sheds off. During this time, you may actually see an INCREASE in shedding but it will be obvious to you that the new coat is softer, shinier and a lot healthier. A bath every 3 to 4 weeks is helpful in controlling parasites and shedding. It also helps to maintain a healthy skin condition.

Healthy Dobermans have little to no "Doggy" odor. An occasional bath with a mild moisturizing dog shampoo will keep them looking their best. There are products on the market to use for cleaning the ears. They should be used after the bath and should contain a drying agent. This will help to dry up any excess water that may of slipped past the cotton and made it's way into the dogs ears during the bath. Water left in the ears frequently does cause problems. Don't forget to trim the toenails as they grow quickly.

Dobermans will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised but do best in a medium to large-sized yard. The Doberman is a “working class” dog and may therefore display nervousness, destructiveness, excessive barking and other undesirable behaviors if it is deprived of exercise and training.

Dobermans are very temperature sensitive. In general, if you are uncomfortable with the temperature, your Dobie will be as well. Dobermans are definitely not cold weather dogs. Insulate their dog houses in the winter. If possible, also provide a safe winter heat source in the dog house if they are to be kept outside for any length of time. Provide them with lots of shade and fresh water in the summer. DO NOT EVER lock you dog in a car on a hot summer day even with the windows slightly opened or even for “just a short time". It is a terrible way to die.

Myth: “Warlock Dobermans” (also known as "Kings", “Excelsiors” or "Goliaths")?

Was there a Warlock Doberman? Yes, there was…sort of… and Frank Grover in The Doberman Scribe, No. 7, in an article entitled "American Doberman Pinscher Legends" wrote about Borong the Warlock. Frank stated that Borong came along at just the right time. In the early 1950's, the Dobie world was dominated by Rancho Dobe's Storm, a back to back Best in Show winner at Westminster in 1952 and 1953. Storm was never beaten in the breed ring and he dominated Dobie publicity all over the nation. When Storm retired, exhibitors and judges foundered for a while. There were many who resented Storm's successes and his popularity and were looking for a different kind of Dobie. Borong fit the bill. He was clearly a different kind of Doberman.

Borong the Warlock was born in Florida in the middle 1950's. His breeders were Theodosia and Henry Frampton. Borong was not even picked as best in his litter but when the pup grew up, Henry began to show Borong and he began winning. This was the beginning of what would go on for years.

In 1957, Borong won Best in Breed at the DPCA National. Henry continued to show Borong and he went Best in Breed at three Nationals. Breeders eventually sought him out because they wanted winning pups. One of his daughters won the National. In his old age he won his first all breed Best in Show. Before Borong retired, Henry Frampton took him to Germany where he competed against the top German Dobies. It was at a time when the German Dobermans were aggressive towards other dogs and judges. Borong was a quiet, well mannered Dobe without an enemy in the world. He came in second and Henry complained about this for a long time.

Many of the pups he sired in his later years established him as one of the fine sires of his time. His interesting name helped the growth of the legends. The name "Warlock" had an air of mystery about it and legends started in Texas where some of Borong's excellent descendants lived.

People began to believe there were signs that identified a Dobie as a Warlock. The sign could be a lock of hair, a “Warlock” could have great size or, alternatively, be small but powerful or simply have a certain a look in the eye and any number of other tell-tale characteristics. "When Dobermans were being bred by everyone and sold as ways to get rich quick, hundreds were sold in the underground as Warlocks, each with a secret sign of distinction and value known only to a few."

Back in the 1970's, Dobermans experienced a sudden surge in popularity. Many people were lining up to acquire a Doberman and they often wanted a stereotypical "big, bad guard dog". Unfortunately for the breed, money-hungry and unscrupulous breeders responded to the demand by breeding for grossly oversized dogs. Many believe that these so called "Warlock" Dobermans were actually offspring of Dobermans bred to Great Danes or Dobermans bred to Rottweilers and not to purebred Dobermans at all. Breeding reports and registration applications were falsified and the Doberman breed suffered long-term damage.

In 1973, there was a person who lived in Pasadena, Texas who told people that her Dobies were Warlocks. She did a lot of breeding and sold her puppies to people who really did not know much about Dobies. The Dobies she bred were not exceptional and in some instances were rather poor specimens of the breed. That was more than thirty years ago!

"Warlocks" have no connection to the original Borong the Warlock but there probably always will be breeders telling people their puppies are "Warlocks" so the name will live on. Regardless of their size and their pedigree or lack of pedigree, the Warlocks have one thing in common with the best of the Dobies in the show ring and that is they are loved by the people who own them. When one of them dies the owner will continue looking for another “Warlock”. Even today, people are still being convinced by the unknowledgeable or the unscrupulous that “Warlocks” are rare and special and these buyers will sometimes foolishly pay astounding amounts of money for them. Please be advised---there is no such thing as a Warlock Doberman---other than what an exploiter or backyard breeder makes up. The term "WARLOCK" is a myth and is used as a gimmick to sell puppies to the unsuspecting public. Dracula is a myth too, so you might as well call them "Dracula Dobermans" because they will suck the money right out of your wallet. Beware of any breeder, advertisement or kennel which advertises "WARLOCK" Dobermans.

The Doberman is actually bred to be a "medium" sized breed and should NOT be oversized because the larger the Doberman becomes (beyond the ideal height of 27 1/2 inches at the shoulder for males, and 25 1/2 inches at the shoulder for females), the more they lose the agility, speed and the ability to turn and maneuver quickly which make the Doberman so admired and desirable in the first place. Dobermans were not MEANT to be a large size and, when they are purposely bred as such, it jeopardizes their health in many ways regardless of what the breeders of these Dobies tell you. Bigger is NOT better in this case. A very general rule is that the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan. Reputable, responsible breeders breed according to the standard for the breed.

MYTH: When Dobermans grow older, their skulls stop growing but their brain doesn't. As their brain becomes larger as they grow, it puts pressure on the brain driving the Doberman insane and causing it to “turn” on its owner.

Of course this is ridiculous. Doberman people merely shake their heads in wonderment at the total lunacy of these claims. When they are properly bred, raised, socialized, and trained, Dobermans will love, protect and often die for their families. This loyalty to his family is instinctive. It will develop naturally and you don’t have to do anything to develop it. Of course obedience training is a different matter and should be considered by all Doberman owners.

Just like any other dog, when the skull stops growing, so des the brain. If Dobermans routinely went insane and became vicious, nature would eventually target them for extinction. However, if you abuse any dog, a dog can, and probably should, turn on the person perpetrating the abuse. You would probably do the same if you were abused or threatened. Only a %^$%@*! abuses any animal and those who do, in my humble opinion, deserve what they get.

FACT:
We can offer no explanation for the origins of these outrageous fallacies. Knowledgeable dog people know that any dog of any breed (just like any person), if abused, could certainly display aggression toward its abuser, even if that abuser is its owner. But common sense should lead people to dispel these blanket, ridiculous assertions.

A Doberman is naturally protective of his family and home. Nothing needs to be done to enhance that aspect of its instinctive personality. If you abuse a Doberman to try to make it mean, the process will backfire and your dog will only protect himself from you. Further, if the dog injures someone else and it is proven that you intentionally made it mean, you are probably going to get sued and the dog will probably be put down. Lose/lose.

MYTH:Don’t “socialize” you Doberman because keeping a Doberman isolated from people and other animals will make it more protective of you and your family.

FACT:
If a Doberman is not properly socialized, it probably will not protect you because he will be shy and uncertain around other dogs and people. Unfamiliar situations may confuse or frighten him. Allowing your puppy to encounter as many different situations, people and other dogs will bolster his confidence and teach him not to fear bite. He will then take his cue from you when he reacts to a given situation. Greeting people in a friendly manner will assure him that he should do the same. And vice versa. I don’t, however, recommend that you begin exposing him to others (animals or people) until his immune vaccinations are complete to prevent him from contracting diseases.