Doberman – a brave and intelligent super guard with character

Doberman – a brave and intelligent super guard with character

The Doberman is a medium, muscular dog with an elegant and noble figure. He is a brave and intelligent super watchman who is famous for his extraordinary courage and endurance. He has a lot of energy and loves challenges.

Doberman

Doberman - what is the standard of the breed?

  • Doberman: Group II FCI Section 1 Standard No. 143
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • The genesis of the breed: circa 1860, Apolda in Thuringia
  • Size: males 68-72 cm, females 63-68 cm
  • Weight: males approx. 40-45 kg, female dogs approx. 32-35 kg
  • Hair: dense, short and hard hair, lying flat and uniform all over the body, no undercoat
  • Ointment: black or chocolate with intensely rusty red tan lines, clean tan lines, clearly marked, appearing on the muzzle and in the form of single spots on the cheeks, on the head, on the neck, in pairs on the chest, on the legs, thighs and underside of the tail.
  • Physique: the head is long, strong, and seen from above, it resembles a wedge shape. Ears erect, medium size, natural or profiled. Eyes oval, dark. Withers clearly emphasizing the line of the back, rising from the croup. The chest is wide and roomy, with a depth that is 1/2 of the height at the withers. The tail is cut short, with a visible part of 2 vertebrae.
  • Length of life: 10-13 years

History of the breed

The first mention of Doberman breeders dates back to 1880. Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann is considered the creator of the breed, after whom the breed was named. The Doberman was created by crossing several breeds, including the Rottweiler, German Pinscher, Beauceron (French Shepherd Dog), Manchester Terrier, and Weimaraner (Waimaraner). However, the ancestor of the modern German Shepherd probably had the greatest influence on the body structure and overall appearance of the Doberman. The result was a fast, agile, durable and highly intelligent dog with acute senses and a strong protective instinct that showed ferocity when necessary.

After the death of Karl the Doberman, the breeding program was taken over by Otto Goeller, who introduced minor changes that established the appearance of the modern Doberman. Both physical and mental characteristics have made the breed very popular. It soon became known throughout Europe and also in the USA, especially as a police and guard dog. During both world wars it became famous for its heroic attitude and was used, among other things, to detect mines. Currently, apart from the fact that it is still a working dog that performs well in various types of services, it is also a great family companion.

Suggested sizes and widths of accessories for this breed of dog:

Here are the suggested sizes for adult dogs of this breed. They were selected on the basis of many years of experience in sewing accessories and the most common choices of other dog owners of this breed. Remember, only measuring will give you 100% certainty - every dog ​​is different.

Doberman
Doberman

Character and skills

The Doberman is a dignified, elegant, very proud dog with a strong character. Endowed with great temperament and extraordinary physical fitness, independent, stubborn, prone to domination. According to popular opinion, dogs of this breed are characterized by innate aggressiveness and fierceness. In fact, the Doberman has a balanced psyche and relatively high discipline, but if mishandled, it becomes unpredictable, brutal and unyielding. Properly trained, he is committed to playing the role of a caregiver and family friend.

Please remember that this breed of dog does not like loneliness and requires close contact with humans. He is sensitive, sociable and emotional. He doesn't tolerate isolation very well. The Doberman craves attention and favors from its owner. Isolated from the family, deprived of the opportunity to spend time with people and other animals, it may become hyperactive and, in some cases, even aggressive.
It is worth emphasizing that the Doberman is a versatile dog that can boast many skills. He is known as an excellent guardian who effectively protects his loved ones and guards their property. He shows a very strong responsibility for his territory and is always ready to defend his loved ones from danger. So if your four-legged friend spends time in the garden, for the safety of your pet and the surroundings, you should secure the area well and ensure that you have a securely locked gate and an appropriate fence.

The unique features of this fearless, energetic, persistent and alert dog with a strong character are also used in police, military and rescue services. The Doberman is perfect as a policeman, bodyguard, tracker, rescuer and even therapist.

Doberman and children

In the right hands, the Doberman becomes a loving, devoted and affectionate household member. To ensure happy and, above all, safe contacts in a family with children, it is worth taking certain precautions. A good idea is to take care of proper relationships on both sides, i.e. teach children how to properly treat their four-legged friend and how to behave around him. And similarly, teach your pet how to behave in the presence of children. Overall, children need to treat their pet with respect and friendship, and it will do the same. Despite this, their play together should always be under control.

It is also important to remember that a dog's reactions to the arrival of a newborn at home may vary greatly. Especially for a pet that has not had any contact with children before and has already built a very strong bond with its owner. In this case, the key element is to prepare the pet for the arrival of the baby. In the next step, the role of the household members is to control the common space and teach the dog and the child how to behave properly towards each other.

Doberman and training

The Doberman has very keen senses. He observes his surroundings with extraordinary attention and reacts quickly to the slightest stimuli. Moreover, he shows great willingness to work and likes to cooperate with people. He is very intelligent, brave and agile. However, if the pet does not receive proper instructions and competent training, it will decide on its own what behavior is appropriate in a specific situation. Unfortunately, this may result in a feat contrary to the guardian's expectations. For the dog's mental development to proceed properly from the first weeks
Life requires systematic, consistent and patient work of the guardian, aimed at controlling the pet's hyperactivity. It should be emphasized that Doberman Pinschers do not tolerate pressure well, so training conducted at a slow pace, gentle and friendly, should take into account the dog's sensitivity.

Doberman
Doberman

Physical activity

The Doberman has a strong, athletic build and the soul of an athlete. He is full of energy and enthusiasm. Therefore, it needs a lot of outdoor exercise. He loves physical exercise, including games such as tug of war, fetching and hide and seek. He is tireless and extremely durable. Therefore, a wide range of activities, including mental challenges, are a must for this breed. The Doberman is perfect for agility and obedience training, as well as as a companion during long walks or intense running.

Who is this breed for anyway?

The Doberman is not a dog for everyone. It needs a calm, consistent and decisive guardian who will ensure the proper, balanced development of the pet and who will devote a lot of time and attention to the puppy from the first moments of its stay at home. Because it requires a lot of exercise and a lot of movement, it will be a great companion for a physically active person.

Health

Dobermans are strong animals that are generally in good health. However, like any other breed, they have their weaknesses. The most common diseases include:

  • hip and elbow dysplasia
  • demodicosis and juvenile dermatitis, allergic skin diseases
  • progressive retinal atrophy (hereditary disease)
  • von Willebrand's disease - a hereditary disorder characterized by a tendency to bleed spontaneously or after trauma.
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Wobbler's syndrome - as a result of rapid growth, compression of the spinal cord in the posterior cervical section may occur, leading to loss of control over the limbs
  • dilated cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle that causes irreversible degenerative changes in muscle fibers.

Moreover, males often suffer from prostate diseases, including prostatic cysts and prostatic hyperplasia.

To minimize the impact of hereditary diseases in dogs, geneticists, in cooperation with veterinarians, have developed genetic tests that enable the identification of the presence of specific genetic markers indicating a potential disease. These tests provide responsible breeders with a valuable tool in preventing the spread of hereditary diseases. For this reason, an extremely important issue when buying a four-legged friend is choosing a proven breeder. In addition, regular check-ups with a veterinarian are of key importance in the broadly understood health prevention of dogs, including early diagnosis of many genetic diseases.

Doberman - nutrition

High-quality, properly balanced food provides the Doberman with sufficient energy and strength, increases its performance, strengthens the immune system and guarantees well-being. A proper diet combined with an appropriate amount of physical and mental exercise, family contacts and care for health create the foundation for a good, long and happy life for your pet. Feeding a Doberman does not pose any major problems. Dogs of this breed can be fed with protein-rich, high-quality dry and wet food, as well as cooked meals. Because they are particularly sensitive to vitamin and microelement deficiencies, their diet should be well-balanced and enriched with appropriate supplementation (including glucosamine and chondroitin).

Each dog is different, so the daily food portion should be calculated primarily based on: age, gender, activity level, general health condition, current weight and the number of treats given during the day (e.g. during training). Optimally selected meal composition, avoiding additional calories (eating human food, unhealthy snacks) and determining the right portions remain key to preventing obesity in your pet.

It should be remembered that an increase in body weight in such an active dog as a Doberman may adversely affect the general functions of its body and affect the animal's quality of life. In addition to the risk of diseases such as diabetes, skin diseases, heart disease and arthritis, there may be difficulties with walking (including stairs) and a gradual reluctance to run. To lose a few kilograms, your pet will then need positive encouragement to exercise more intensely. You will also need to adjust your daily nutritional intake.

Doberman
Doberman

Care

The short, smooth coat of the Doberman does not require any special treatments and is extremely easy to maintain. To comb it, it is best to use rubber brushes or gloves with protrusions, and after an intense walk, it is often enough to wipe the fur with a towel. Due to the lack of an undercoat, dogs of this breed do not shed, but their short, black hairs stick into any material and are difficult to remove from carpets and furniture upholstery. Dobermans get cold quickly at low temperatures, so it is worth thinking about buying winter clothes. Like any other dog, the Doberman requires regular care of its ears, teeth and claws, as well as the delicate skin around its eyes.

Doberman accessories

The Doberman is an extremely strong dog, so it should be walked with a well-fitting, strong harness and on a traditional leash at least 3 meters long. A good solution will be a flexible physiological muzzle that will allow the dog to drink water and breathe freely. A bed for a Doberman should be selected according to the size of the pet, so as to allow it to stretch freely and rest after an intense day. Due to the lack of an undercoat, it is worth wearing properly fitting clothes for your dog on colder days.


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