The graceful appearance and graceful movements of the Doberman will not leave any lover of purebred dogs indifferent.
This is not only a spectacular dog that attracts the close attention of others, but also a reliable friend of its owner, ready to intervene at any moment.
The Dobermann is admired for its intelligence, excellent tracking and property protection.
History of the origin of the Doberman dog breed
The Dobermann was developed in Germany and bears the name of the man who created the breed. Initially, the breed was conceived to help police officers. The dog had to be efficient and also combine mental qualities and physical endurance.
To create this breed, Dobermann attended many exhibitions, noticing certain qualities of the dogs. Finally, he decided on his choice and after some time he created a dog, which began to be in great demand.
Now there are no reliable sources left about who became the progenitor of the modern breed. There are only assumptions that the genes of pinschers, shepherds and Rottweilers formed the basis. The main thing is the result, and it turned out great.
Dobermans were originally called Thuringian Pinschers. And only after the death of its creator the breed received its name Doberman Pinscher, the second part of which was lost over time.
History of the breed
Friedrich Louis Dobermann brought wide popularity and recognition to the breed back in the mid-1800s. In those days, a purebred dog created authority and a solid image for its owner.
The ambition of the Doberman official pushed him to breed an elite, stately breed.
Historians claim that similar dogs were used in southern Germany as guards, and Louis Dobermann helped popularize it.
To create the “author’s breed,” a house was purchased with all the conditions of a nursery. The hobby of the official and his colleagues exceeded all the expectations of dog handlers and critics of those times.
Working dogs of an athletic build, with cropped long ears, an easy-going and courageous character, were accompanied by city patrols. Later they acquired the nickname "Spy", which meant undercover police agent.
It is difficult to say which breed was chosen as the basis for the selection, since there are no reliable sources, but it is believed that the Doberman is the result of crossing many dogs: Rottweiler, Greyhound, Pinscher and others.In 1900, a professional Dobermann club was founded. But the evolution of Mr. Louis's breeding has undergone many changes. The fact is that breeders gave more preference to improving the external qualities of the pet.
In this regard, a brave police agent with good instincts, semi-long hair and a temperate disposition turned into a short-haired, indecisive individual, unfit for service.
The Doberman fits in well with any family as a devoted and elite pet, winning numerous exhibitions and competitions.
Appearance of Doberman dogs
The Doberman's body is medium in size, with well-developed muscles. The appearance of this dog is simply perfect. The first impression of Dobermans is grace and refined nobility.
The height of the breed at the withers is from 63 to 72 centimeters, depending on gender. A deviation of this indicator by 2 centimeters is already considered disqualification for participation in exhibitions.
Females weigh approximately 32 kilograms, and males about 40. The body is very proportionally built. The head is proportionate to the body.
The ears are set high and may or may not be cropped. The chest is well developed and convex. The tail, like the ears, is set high and can be docked.
The coat is usually black or brown, short and smooth. There is a white Doberman, but this is considered a deviation from the usual standards.
How to choose a puppy
It is better to choose a puppy from a litter of no more than eight puppies, ideally 4-6.
First, you need to decide on the gender of your future pet: girls are more flexible and balanced, males are more impulsive.
When choosing a puppy, you need to look at its mother. She must be in good physical shape and respond calmly to guests.
The dog must protect its offspring, but without hysterics.
Playful Doberman Pinscher puppies
This breed has its tail and ears docked. Tail surgery is performed at 3–10 days of life. By the age of 1.5 months, the puppy’s tail should already be well healed.
The main thing is that the puppy looks well-groomed: shiny coat, clear eyes and healthy curiosity - these are the things you should pay attention to first.
Character of Doberman dogs
The character of a dog directly depends on its owner and upbringing. Previously, these dogs were famous for their aggressive nature, but over time, Dobermans have changed. A good breeder's dog will grow up to be absolutely calm and obedient, even friendly.
Dobermans are very confident and fearless. It is because of these qualities that the dog is considered a good bodyguard. Dobermans feel a person very subtly and require attention from him. They love it when family members take care of them and can be very affectionate.
The Doberman learns everything well, but in order to become his teacher, you need to earn his trust. But having earned it once, a person will know that the Doberman will remain faithful to him throughout his life. A person must have a stable emotional background.
The female sex of this breed is much more affectionate than the male sex. Bitches love children, become attached to them, and protect them. Males are more stubborn and willful. But both of them respect the owner, listen to him and respect him. Of course, with the right upbringing.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive qualities of the Doberman include:
- Excellent power capabilities;
- Loyalty and devotion, the ability to protect oneself and the owner;
- Excellent training ability;
- Lack of any specific grooming due to short coat.
However, there are some disadvantages:
- In winter, the dog must be provided with warm clothing;
- The training process should be approached very seriously in order to avoid serious problems with your pet in the future.
How do Dobermans treat strangers?
Dobermans are very wary of strangers, feeling they are a threat. She will warn a stranger with a loud bark. If he does not leave, the dog will try to reach him to bite or hit him. But he will attack only as a last resort.
Dobermans prefer quiet environments, so loud noises, screaming or crying can frighten him. They also do not like people under stress.
The protective instinct of this dog begins to work when the familiar atmosphere is disturbed by an extraneous sound or person. This quality of the Doberman makes him examine the entire territory until the irritant is found.
When this object is found, the Doberman will try to drive it away from its territory. Often begins to show aggression without first calculating his strength. Therefore, early training is mandatory for representatives of this breed.
Features of care
Combing
The Doberman's muscular body is covered with straight, short hair. It does not require special care.
If your dog gets very dirty during a walk, you can wipe it off with a damp towel. They can also remove fur during shedding.
But a furminator .
You need to bathe your dog 2 times a year. The claws on the paws are periodically trimmed.
The Doberman Pinscher loves long walks. He happily accompanies his owners while jogging and cycling. You can walk your dog with minimal effort by throwing him a tennis ball or a stick.
The Doberman's body is practically devoid of fat and undercoat. It looks impressive: the dog is flexing its muscles.
But this feature has made Dobermans susceptible to cold: owners need to take care of a blanket for cold weather.
For the same reason, a dog cannot be a watchman in the yard in winter.
Ear cropping
If breeders do tail docking immediately after the dog is born, then all the problems associated with ear surgery fall on the shoulders of the new owners.
It is best to crop ears between 7 and 13 weeks of age. This procedure is not necessary: cropped ears are a purely decorative element.
In some countries, artificial reshaping of the ears is prohibited. A long-tailed Doberman with floppy ears is no longer a rarity, but rather the rule.
Clubs from 34 countries that are members of the FCI do not allow docked animals to participate in exhibitions.
The Doberman's body is practically devoid of fat and undercoat. It looks impressive: the dog is flexing its muscles. But this feature has made Dobermans susceptible to cold: owners need to take care of a blanket for cold weather. For the same reason, a dog cannot be a watchman in the yard in winter.
Walk
Temperamental Dobermans need long walks. They do not do well in a cramped apartment. They cannot be kept in closed enclosures either.
The ideal option is a large courtyard of a country house.
Puppies need to be taught to go for walks from an early age. Contacts with people will make the puppy fearless and self-confident, and teach him to behave prudently.
Adult dogs love long walks. They are happy to accompany their owners while jogging and cycling.
With minimal effort, you can walk your dog by throwing him a tennis ball.
In crowded places, you should fasten your pet with a harness .
Temperamental Dobermans need long walks. They do not do well in a cramped apartment. They cannot be kept in closed enclosures either. The ideal option is a large courtyard of a country house
Nutrition
This aristocrat is quite unpretentious in food. Ready-made dry food and natural nutrition are suitable for him
The dog loves meat very much, but it should not be more than 40% of the total diet. It is combined with:
- porridge;
- cottage cheese and fermented milk products;
- boiled sea fish without bones;
- bran and vegetables.
This article will tell you more about what cereals you can feed dogs.
For adult dogs, one meal per day is enough. But usually they are fed twice: in the morning and at lunch.
Doberman Pinschers are real superheroes, ready to help at any time.
Caring for a Doberman dog
This breed is best suited for keeping indoors. In apartment conditions, the dog will not have enough space, especially since its protective qualities are best demonstrated over a large area.
It is also not suitable for people who spend a lot of time at work and do not like to move a lot. Dobermans require long walks and a lot of exercise.
Dogs of this breed have a hard time moving. This characteristic of the Doberman can even cause stress in the dog.
The Doberman is not a chain dog. It would be best for him to build an enclosure where he can sit when guests come. If the dog will live in the enclosure permanently, then you need to insulate the booth for the cold season. Dobermans have too short coats to survive mild frosts.
There should always be a separate place for eating and 2 bowls - one for food, the other for water.
The photo of the Doberman shows that the coat is short and without undercoat, so the dog does not shed. You can bathe a Doberman once every six months. The fur can be combed with a massage brush to remove old hairs.
Eyes should be washed weekly, as should ears. If necessary, clean the fingertips from dirt and file the claws. Teeth need to be cleaned of plaque.
How to care?
First of all, it is worth discussing ear cropping. As a rule, if a puppy is bought after 2 months of life, the ears and tail are already cropped, but if you buy a puppy 4-5 weeks old, then you will need to contact qualified veterinarians who will perform this cosmetic procedure. It is important to note that subsequent care and treatment of stitches is your responsibility.
New technologies offer a modern frame that is installed on the pet's ears to subsequently stretch out the cartilage and form high, pointed and straight ears.
The structure of the hair coat does not allow keeping the dog outdoors in cool weather. As a rule, pets live with their owners at home. The Doberman needs active long walks and vigorous exercise.
Ongoing care includes: Weekly bathing and brushing. You can purchase special wipes and shampoos, individually selected for the type and length of hair. Cleaning the ears with special antibacterial oils, trimming the nails, cleaning the eyes and teeth.
Nutrition is an important element in the life of a Doberman. You can choose natural feeding.
Preparation will take you a lot of time and money, moreover, it must be balanced and include vitamins and supplements; the dog’s nutrition is reflected in the richness of the coat, teeth and physique.
Modern high-quality feeds are more economical in financial terms, properly balanced and save your time.
Love for animals and responsibility will allow you to give yourself and your loved ones many happy moments with a Doberman dog.
Diet for Doberman dogs
Dobermans, like any dogs, should not be given sweet or salty foods. If you feed your dog natural food, it must be balanced.
Up to one and a half years old, you can feed your dog chicken eggs and meat, steamed vegetables, berries and fruits, and then switch to dry food. But don’t forget to give treats in the form of natural food.
Care
Despite the short hair, this breed is subject to seasonal shedding. During this period, it is recommended to brush your pet with a silicone brush as often as possible.
Don't neglect your dog's hygiene. You need to regularly examine your pet’s teeth, ears and ears, and if necessary, clean them of dirt.
The Doberman breed requires an active and active daily routine. These dogs need to get their energy out. You need to constantly play with them and spend time on specialized training grounds. The more energy a dog spends, the better for his well-being and the furniture in the house.
How long do Doberman dogs live?
The lifespan of a Doberman is 11-13 years. To create good offspring, the breeder must exclude family ties, and also introduce the bitch to the male so that they can accept each other.
A female gives birth to 8 puppies in a litter. For the first month of life, puppies must be with their mother so that she can feed them milk. This will be the basis for good health of puppies.
Dobermans and their characteristics
The personality of Dobermans is different from other dog breeds. There are myths about how angry and aggressive Dobermans are, as if they can tear apart anyone who gets in their way. But this is not true at all. In fact, Dobermans are very kind and are characterized by boundless loyalty to their owner. This breed is endowed with a remarkable intelligence, so if properly trained, the dog’s behavior will be ideal. Dobermans perfectly sense the attitude and mood of their owner and adapt to it.
This is why some Dobermans are angry and irritable - because of this behavior of their owner. Dogs become very attached to their owner and are ready to do anything to make him happy and satisfied. You just need to know how to use it.
In a breed like the Doberman, of course, there is aggressiveness, but not to a greater extent than in other dog breeds. This is just a manifestation of genes. Without this quality in dogs, they simply would not be able to protect their owners if necessary.
Well, in general, the character of this dog breed depends on many things:
- purebred breed;
- the owner's attitude towards the dog;
- accommodations;
- is it a female or a male.
REFERENCE! The difference between Dobermans is that they will never attack a person unless provoked.
How much do Doberman puppies cost?
Different breeders have different prices, and they also vary depending on the region. On average, you can pay 25,000-35,000 rubles for a puppy with a pedigree. Without documents you can buy a puppy for 5,000 rubles.
Different breeds have their own costs. For example, a mini Doberman can be purchased with documents for 10,000 rubles. Show dogs will be more expensive - about 30,000 rubles.
