Variety:
Doberman
Country of origin:
Germany
Purpose:
Domestic, protection dog
Colours:
Black, brown, fawn, blue, combinations of these colours
Character
Alert, energetic, fearless, intelligent, obedient, affectionate, loyal
Height:
63-72 cm
Weight:
32-45 kg
Longevity:
11-12 years
Other names:
Doberman Pinscher, Doberman Pinscher, dobermann
Hypoallergenic:
No
Litter size:
7-8 puppies
The Doberman is a medium-sized dog with elegance and affection. Although this breed is sometimes feared, there is no reason for this – purebred Dobermans are never aggressive. Such a pet is only suitable for active people who have enough time and are willing to socialise and train their dog. Dobermans are happy to learn new commands and remember them easily, but it is important that the training is done properly and consistently. Although a Doberman needs a firm and rather strict owner, this does not mean that violence or psychological pressure can be used in dressage. A poorly trained Doberman, like any other breed of dog, can have behavioural problems.
History of the breed
The Doberman breed is just over a hundred years old. The first Dobermans were bred around 1890 in Germany. The breed was named after the breeder Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who worked as a tax collector. This was a very dangerous job at the time, so K.F. Doberman needed a dog that would defend its owner if necessary. The breed is believed to have been created by cross-breeding not a few dog breeds: Manchester Terriers, Weimaraners, Old German Shepherds, Rottweilers, German Pinschers, Bichons, etc. After the breeder’s death, the breed was given the name Doberman Pinscher, and fifty years later the name was shortened – the dogs were simply called Doberman. In the post-war years, the Doberman breed was almost extinct: between 1949 and 1958, no Doberman was registered in Germany. That would have been the end of it, but breed lover Werner Jung illegally imported a female Doberman into West Germany. Today, Dobermans are highly valued in Great Britain, the USA and the Middle East – here they often assist police officers. the first Dobermans were brought to Lithuania around 1960-1970. After the restoration of independence, the Doberman breed became very popular – in 1992-1993, about 100 dogs of this breed took part in the dog shows in Lithuania. However, at that time Dobermans were bred in very large numbers and this did not bring good results. In 1995, the breeding requirements were tightened and a dressage test and a mental test were made compulsory for Dobermans. Currently, only 2-3 Doberman litters are born in Lithuania every year, and some puppies are sent to foreign countries.
Doberman: appearance
The Doberman is a tall, bony dog. Females are usually between 63 and 68 cm tall at the withers, males between 68 and 72 cm. Females weigh approximately 32 to 35 kg, males weigh 40 to 45 kg. The head of the Doberman is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped. When viewed from the side, the male’s body appears square, while the female’s may be slightly longer. The abdomen is retracted and the ribs are rather prominent. Legs are long, the heel joints very large. The Doberman’s muzzle is long and broad, the lips are close-set and stiff. The teeth are large, strong and the bite is scissor-like. The coat is short, smooth and dense, and there is no undercoat in this breed. The coat may be black, brown or bluish. The colour of the nose and eyes depends on the colour of the coat – lighter coloured dogs may have a lighter coloured nose mirror and eyes. The eyes are oval, rather dark. Ears are drooping, tail of medium length (it is forbidden to shorten in Lithuania).