The history of the breed, the appearance of the dog, the nature of the animal and its health, recommendations for care, training, interesting facts. Purchasing a puppy. These dogs are appreciated all over the world for their beauty, expressiveness, excellent sense of smell and their dedication to work. If you pick up a key for them, then they are quite easy to train. This rule was laid by the founder of the breed, who put his soul into them when creating them.
The history of the Doberman breed
Shepherds, bakers have always lived in the city of Apolda, they poured the best bells in Germany, and from here a new type of dog originated - the Doberman Pinscher. This place sacredly keeps the traditions of dog breeding. Already from the middle of the 19th, or rather from 1865, the first fairs of various breeds of dogs began to be held here. Frederick Lewis Dobermann bred a variety of canines for protection. Perhaps this is one of the few breeds in the world that bears the name of its founder. Recently, we celebrated its centenary. In honor of such a significant event, the world championship was held in Apolda. And on the one hundred and tenth anniversary, dogs came from almost all over the world.
The creator of the Dobermans was a tax inspector. They say that in the profession he was not very lucky. Because, returning after collecting taxes, with the proceeds, he was regularly robbed. This person is tired of this combination of circumstances. Since he was a dog lover and kept a small kennel, he set out to bring out the best guard dog, who could accompany him everywhere, protecting him from criminals. And he succeeded. Dobermans are now popular all over the world, they are loved and treated with great respect. And in their homeland, they quickly became police officers.
To breed a new species, he selected malevolent, powerful and persistent dogs on the slaughterhouse. Alas, he did not write down the sequence and results of his work. With the help of such diaries, it would be possible to clarify the family tree of the species. The opinion of researchers is inclined to believe that for the formation of a breed group, at least five generations of dogs are needed. Ardent discussions about which varieties were used to create the Doberman are troubling hearts. It can be assumed that its progenitors were: the German Pinscher, Rottweiler, Beauceron, smooth-haired hunting cops, including the Weimoraner, as well as various mestizo of all these species.
At first, an amateur dog handler tried to breed dogs that would have erect ears and a short tail. However, later, he abandoned this idea and came to the conclusion that it was better to stop them. He called the bred dogs Thuringian Pinschers. Outwardly, they were not very respectable, but in everyday life they were simple. But at the same time, they were distinguished by the amazing qualities of a watchman, a brave defender and had an excellent sense of smell.
In the city of Apolda, puppies from the kennel of Friedrich Dobermann were in great demand. But during his lifetime, the father of the breed did not wait for her official recognition. After his death, the Thuringian Pinschers received the name of their creator, which rightfully belonged to them, and began to be called Doberman Pinschers. In 1899, the very first club of this variety was formed in Apolda. The case of the famous breeder was continued by cynologist Otto Geller. It was thanks to his labors that the Doberman was transformed into the kind of dog we know today. The current simplified name is Doberman, the breed received in 1960. At the same time, she was registered with the International Cynological Federation.
Description of the appearance of the Doberman dog
The Doberman is a proud and sophisticated dog with a slender posture, the owner of a strong character, an outstanding mind and deep devotion to its owner. His body is elegant and his physique is strong and muscular. On the one hand, it seems like it seems that this dog is walking with a rather heavy gait, but this is a deceptive impression. She moves quickly, very agile and jumpy.
The sizes of individuals of this breed are average. For males, the average height at the withers is 68–74 cm, for females - 63–70 cm. The total body length of Dobermans is on average 7–8 cm (measured from the chest to the beginning of the tail). The weight of adult males reaches 40–45 kg, and that of females - 33–37 kg.
- Head proportional to the body, wedge-shaped, dry muscles. The line of the crown, straight - does not go down to the ears. The frontal hollow is well discernible. The superciliary arches are pronounced. The nape is slightly rounded. The transition from the forehead to the nose is distinct. The cheekbones are prominent. The cheeks are flat and well muscled. The lips are dry, tight-fitting, dark in color, and in brown Dobermans, lighter shades.
- Muzzle pronounced, long, widened towards the base. The jaws are strong and muscular. The oral incision is deep - up to the molars. Scissor bite. Complete dentition (42 teeth), which is positioned according to the standard dentition pattern.
- Nose - The nose is large, rectangular. The nostrils are large. In black and tan individuals it is pigmented with black color, and in brown individuals it is in tone with the coat.
- Eyes Doberman pinscher is small in size, oval in shape. The color is dark; in brown representatives, lighter shades are acceptable. The eyelids are slightly lowered to the outer edge.
- Ears high, cropped. If cropping is prohibited in a particular country, then hanging ears are recognized as equivalent to cropped ears. The bottom of the uncropped ear should be level with the cheek.
- Neck muscular, long in relation to the body. The curvature of the neck is distinct.
- Frame - the withers protrude (this is especially pronounced in males). The female's loin is slightly wider (room for the mammary glands is needed). The back is massive, broad and muscular. Rounded croup. The chest is convex, wide, its size is proportional to the length of the body. Ribs protrude. From the chest to the pelvic bone, the abdomen is distinctly tucked up.
- Docked tail (two vertebrae are left). Previously, the standard only included cropped ears and tails. Now the European Union is fighting for humanity and therefore, uncropped ears and tail are also recognized as part of the standard, and such individuals can take part in various exhibitions.
- Front limbs: straight, massive, of medium length, strongly developed musculature. The shoulder blades are laid back. Sloping shoulders. The elbows are close to the chest. The length of the forearms is proportional to the size of the body. The wrists and pasterns are strong. The hind legs are straight. The pelvis and croup are round. The lower legs are broad and muscular. The knees are strong. Metatarsus are short.
- Paws the fingers are curved, tightly closed, the claws are black.
- Coat Doberman pinscher is shiny, thick, short and hard. No undercoat.
- Color includes two colors: black or chocolate brown with brownish red or ginger tan. The tan spreads to the cheeks, eyelids, extends slightly to the neck, there are two small spots on the chest. Tan is also present on the metacarpals and paws, the inner thighs and the ischial tubercles.
Features of the character of the Doberman
Modern representatives of the breed are real nobles of the canine society. They are tough animals, but at the same time, they are distinguished by their beauty and elegance. The breed and according to the rules of trained Dobermans have an excellent nervous organization. The hot blood of active energetic and temperamental creatures flows in them. Their natural protective qualities and with appropriate training, contribute to the creation of an exceptional bodyguard.
But with all its advantages, not everyone is able to raise and maintain a Doberman. A person is kind, but persistent, with a strong core inside, he will be able to control him, becoming for the dog a respected owner and leader. Anyone who wants to earn the recognition of such a pet must have an unbending disposition and be in tune with himself. You should not start this breed for people who do not like an active life. It is vital for this dog to move a lot. Her physical activity should be serious enough, and long walks. He needs to throw out the accumulated energy in running and jumping. Otherwise, the dog will become a destroyer at home.
To familiar people, the Doberman is calm, but the owner, as a rule, the pet worships. Even after his short absence, the dog will meet the owner, as if he had not seen him for ages. The pet will run, jump and rejoice. A great connoisseur of Dobermans, Russian cynologist Vasily Rosenberg argues that individuals of this breed are such perfect creatures of nature and man that, upon close acquaintance, they cannot but cause a surge of emotions and enthusiasm.
Doberman breed health
Since the breed is artificially created by man, it has hereditary diseases. In dogs, they are not common relative to other breeds, but in order to eradicate them completely, individuals with genetic flaws must be culled and not allowed for breeding.
There are problems with the bone apparatus: hip dysplasia, Wobbler's syndrome (prolapse of the cervical vertebrae), intermittent claudication. Both diseases lead to painful sensations and impaired coordination of movements. The therapeutic effect has a temporary effect in the early stages of the disease. Basically, you have to resort to surgical intervention. Such diseases are almost never completely cured.
There are individuals whose cardiovascular system is affected by cardiomyopathy. The first symptoms of heart failure: fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath. The gastrointestinal tract of Dobermans is sometimes prone to volvulus, torsion, and bloating. Therefore, dogs should not be overfed, given a lot of water to drink after eating, and also walk immediately after eating.
Doberman Pinscher Care Tips
Doberman is unpretentious. Caring for this animal is not difficult, but this does not mean that it does not need to be given time and attention at all.
- Wool shedding, but due to its short length and lack of undercoat, it is not so noticeable. It should be brushed with a stiff brush and wiped with a damp cloth every one to two weeks. Bathing is carried out as needed - usually every 2-3 months. Before water procedures, the dog should be combed out, and after that, it is enough to wipe it with a dry towel. Specialty bathing shampoo can be found at specialized pet stores.
- Ears Dobermans need constant cleaning to prevent excess cheeses and, as a result, otitis media.
- Eyes do not need special attention.
- Teeth over time, plaque can accumulate, as a result of which a stone is formed, which is then removed only by mechanical action from a veterinarian. Therefore, to prevent diseases of the oral cavity, the pet is taught from an early age to clean them regularly.
- Claws you need to regularly cut with a special tool - a nail clipper.
- Feeding is one of the main components for the full development of Doberman puppies and the maintenance of good physical shape in adult representatives. Two options are possible here - dry food or natural food. It is better to use them in combination, because each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Both dry and canned food are suitable for the Doberman. At the same time, the advantages of this food option are that the feed contains trace elements and vitamins necessary for your pet's body. The downside is that high-quality premium feed is quite expensive, and the breed is not small and needs a fairly large amount of food. Considering feeding with natural food as an option, the breeder should not only know what a Doberman can eat, but also make a balanced diet of the dog in order to avoid future health problems. Food must also be carefully checked for freshness. These animals are unpretentious in the matter of food, they love meat very much, but feeding the dog exclusively with meat is a big mistake. Recommended natural food should also include: cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, etc.), fermented milk products, boiled sea fish without bones.
- Walking for good health and a cheerful mood, the dog needs constant physical activity and frequent, long, active walks. If you love sports jogging, then your pet will keep you a good company.
Doberman training
This is a versatile dog that is quite easy to train. She has amazing working qualities. She is very strong and sturdy, has an excellent sense of smell, but not everyone can train her. In order to find contact with the dog, it is best to come to the training area.
Here they will not just teach you how to handle a Doberman, but explain how to understand and how to reward your pet for each correctly executed command. When a dog is wrong, it is punished, but this does not mean that it needs to be kicked in the ribs with a boot. Everything has its own boundaries and, most importantly, not to cross them.
First of all, the dog should be calm about the people who surround him - not show aggression towards them, but also not play with them. In the society of "two-legged", he should be calm, and then we can say that the pet is properly trained.
Interesting facts about the Doberman
A Doberman puppy brought from Germany to Russia, a legendary dog named Tref has solved more than 1000 crimes. Here is one of them: on November 28, 1909, residents of the village of Kuznetsovo near Moscow, found in one of the houses the bloody corpse of the owner, a lonely rich peasant Grishaev. The officers of the district police who arrived at the scene of the crime learned from the neighbors of the deceased that five days ago three beggars had come to him. According to the expert, the murder was committed just at this time. The killers may be beggars, vagabonds, but how do you find them?
"Tref" came to the rescue. Having sniffed the body of the victim, he jumped out into the yard and dug out a bloody rag from a heap of rubbish, with which the murderers wiped their hands. Taking the trail, the dog confidently walked about 115 km along it. The criminals were neutralized and arrested. And portraits of the Doberman Trefa and his guide Dmitriev adorned the front pages of not only Russian, but also many European newspapers. The dog became the embodiment of law and order in a very turbulent pre-revolutionary Russia. Unfortunately, what happened to this unique animal in the future is unknown.
During World War II, the United States of America command officially enlisted the Dobermans in the United States Marine Corps and awarded them the title - Always Loyal. In 1943, for tracking down and destroying an enemy sniper, on the island of Bougainville in the Pacific Ocean, they were named - the dogs of the devil. In official documents, the breed has been named after its creator Friedrich Lewis Dobermann for more than a hundred years.
Purchase and price of puppies
If you are ready to raise a dog with a strong spirit and body, then the Doberman is for you. In order to get a pet with a good nervous organization and healthy genetics, never buy it hand-held in spontaneous markets. The heredity of such individuals has not been tracked. You can get not only a sick animal, but also a dog with an unbalanced nervous organization. Such a pet will subsequently be inadequate, and this can threaten the life of your family and you.
Please contact professional nurseries only. Experts will help you in choosing and keeping your future four-legged friend. After listening to you, they will give practical advice on what kind of puppy is suitable for what: breeding, exhibitions, protection, or will be a universal family dog. The price for it will also depend on these parameters. The approximate cost can range from $ 1000 to $ 6500.
A full description of the Doberman breed in this video:
