The Doberman Pinscher is a breed often misrepresented negatively, not only in movies but also in the media. In some areas, they are even listed as banned breeds — a discriminatory tactic that is both unjust and harmful. Many outstanding Dobermans are passed over, and countless people never experience the joy of working with these exceptionally smart and loyal dogs.
A cashier at a store was on duty when a beautiful Doberman came in with a customer. The dog had obviously recently been to the veterinarian, with a large, jagged area stitched up. Defying his stereotype, this dog couldn’t have wagged his tail any faster as he sat politely, giving kisses to the stranger before gently taking a cookie. His owner explained the events of the previous night. The dog had woken the family up at 1 a.m., whining anxiously enough to stir the couple — though the children were still asleep. The dog did not normally wake them to go outside, but something was different this time. They opened the door. What followed were growls, screams, and chaos. Although the man was not immediately caught, he surely bore scars, as did the dog. A large meat knife was found, with a trail of blood leading from the kitchen window to the back of the property. One can only assume that someone carrying a 10-12’ knife outside your kitchen window at 1 a.m. isn’t there with positive intentions. Fortunately, the family was safe, and the dog was expected to make a full recovery.
The Protective Instincts of the Doberman Pinscher
Sikasso, a year-old red Doberman, woke his family one night by persistently barking. His mom let him out but then went back to bed. He continued to bark, waking the whole family until someone ventured outside and saw that the attic of the home was on fire. The smoke alarms had not gone off because the fire was above the alarms, but Sikasso instinctively sensed the danger. He was honored with the Everyday Hero Award from the Doberman Pinscher Club.
People often misunderstand the natural guarding ability of breeds like the Doberman, mistaking assertiveness for aggression. There’s no need to make a dog mean; the natural guarding and protection instincts are there. By the standard, Dobermans typically stand 24-26 inches tall for females and 26-28 inches for males. Combining speed, power, athletic abilities, and intelligence, this is a breed that needs consistent training more than many others. Think of the movie K911 and the incredible amount of training and discipline that Zeus, the dog in the film, underwent.
Dogs that are not trained or consistently disciplined can become unruly, further adding to the negative image some people have of the breed.
According to the breed standard, the allowed colors for Dobermans are black, red, blue, and fawn, with rust markings above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, front of the chest, and on all legs and feet, as well as below the tail. A very small white patch under half an inch square is permissible, but other colors, including all-white Dobermans, are not.
Dobermans have long been among man’s closest working allies. They’ve served in the military, worked as search dogs to check vehicles at borders, and served as service dogs. They’ve protected millions of homes and families without incident and have been used as seizure-alert dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and even guide dogs for the blind.
During World War II, seven Marine war dog platoons were trained at Camp Lejeune. These dogs served alongside soldiers, and by the war’s end, 1,047 canine heroes served as “Devil Dogs,” with 29 of them giving their lives for their country. Snipers, aware of the value these dogs provided, would often target them. The War Dog Cemetery at the U.S. Naval Base in Guam features a life-sized bronze statue of a Doberman, “Always Faithful,” as a tribute to these heroes and their handlers.
Dobermans are often able to thwart a problem before it happens. For instance, a young woman was walking across a parking lot at a grocery store when a man approached her, asking for directions. He reached for the door of her truck as her Doberman stood up in the back and effectively changed the man’s mind about approaching his owner.
This is a breed that is smart enough to be whatever you want it to be, whether good or bad. Dogs don’t differentiate between the two — humans must. The dog pays with its life when humans mishandle it or fail to provide the training needed for survival in our world.
Some breeders have bred smaller breeds down to minimum sizes, while others have produced “extra-large” Dobermans. The downside to this is that the Doberman is an athletic dog, and as size increases, the athletic qualities often decrease, making these dogs less than ideal overall. Additionally, some have bred “rare” white Dobermans, but these dogs are not eligible for AKC registration, as they do not meet the breed standard.
Due to their heritage of training and willingness to serve, Dobermans can be high-drive dogs that are active and easily bored. They require plenty of exercise and consistent training to become wonderful, naturally protective, but not vicious dogs. The best protection animals are those that are trained — a dog is not an effective protector if it’s not biddable and under control, and those qualities don’t develop without training.
There’s no need to produce or maintain a dog with a bad attitude, and creating such an animal is highly irresponsible. Unfortunately, because of a few individuals who have mishandled the breed, the majority of Dobermans suffer from breed bias, bans in many areas, insurance hassles for their owners, and other issues, despite doing nothing but being true to their breed.
These dogs are best suited as part of a family. If isolated or simply cast off to a kennel, an intelligent dog becomes a bored dog. Moreover, it’s impossible for the dog to bond with your family and protect them if he’s removed from the situation. Many Dobermans love having their own space within the home — a crate in a quiet corner, for example, where they can retreat on their own.
Before getting a Doberman, research the health issues that can occur with some individuals of the breed. Many of these issues can be avoided with testing and evaluation. Hip Dysplasia, eye disease, and congenital heart disease are some of the major health concerns that affect the breed. These can be cleared before breeding, and individuals that don’t pass clearances should not be bred. Autoimmune thyroiditis and von Willebrand’s Disease are also concerns.
Understanding and bringing out the good in these dogs rewards you with a gentle companion that will, without hesitation, lay down his life for you. But sometimes, even dogs need second chances.
Cota fell into the hands of people who didn’t understand the Doberman nature and spent most of his days in a crate. An active, intelligent dog became frustrated, unruly, and unstable. At a year old, he had been in his third home and was even afraid of toys. He needed an attitude adjustment and was possibly one that many would give up on. Today, at 7 years old, he is a certified wilderness search dog with the North American Police Work Dog Association and a Delta Society Therapy dog.
Give the breed a chance, and in the right hands, they will steal your heart and hand you theirs.
