The Dobermann : Dobermann Breed Standard : Medical Issues 		         
   

I am sure there are plenty of opportunities for prospective owners to find out about the origin of the Dobermann and read about their versatility, as there are many excellent books available. They have starred in movies ("The Daring Dobermanns") and in television series ("Magnum PI"); they have worked as Guide Dogs for the Visually Impaired, were adopted as the official dog of the US Marine Corp in the Second World War, have worked as narcotics "sniffer" dogs and K9 Police Dogs in the United States of America, as well as proving themselves excellent Obedience dogs and wonderful family pets around the world.

Reproduced here is an article on "The Dobermann Pinscher" written by the well known and very highly respected USA based breed authority, Frank H Grover, as published in the book "The New Dobermann Pinscher", 2nd Edition, Howell Book House, and also reproduced in Dobermann Quarterly, Winter, 1994.

It explains what we all love and admire about the breed better than anything else I have ever come across.


 

" We had neighbours once who watched our Dobermanns and then one day announced, "we have decided that a Dobermann is the Cadillac of dogs." Most persons who have owned Dobermanns will agree. There are other fine dogs; then there are Dobermanns - the dog of dogs.

Talking about Dobermann ownership is a little like trying to explain a family relationship, for a Dobermann demands and takes a full place in your life. A Dobermann either trains you, or is trained by you, and for most of us, it is a little of both. You can't put a Dobermann away, forget about him and take him out when you want to show him off. A Dobermann isn't built that way; he wants to be with you, to help you, torment you, love you, and guard you. And he will work out ways to get what he wants.

A Dobermann is an affectionate animal; but his affection is noble. You can't bribe a Dobermann with a pat on the head. He doesn't enjoy "just being petted" the way other breeds do. He wants to be close to you, to have your hand on his head, to rest his head on your knee, or to sit on your shoe with his back to you. He won't leave you for a stranger who offers to scratch his ear. Scratching an ear may be nice, but it isn't as nice as resting his rump on your shoe.

Seldom do you find a "licking" Dobermann. A single kiss - a touch of the tongue, a touch of his nose to your ear - that is his way of special greeting. To lick (unless you have a wound that needs healing) would be too undignified for most Dobermanns. Yet with his black eyes, short tail, and graceful body he can tell you more plainly how special you are than could all the licking and rubbing or petting in the world.

  A Dobermann is an energetic dog with lots of strength, speed and agility. He can run with a horse, manoeuvre quick enough to catch a rabbit, track faster than a bloodhound, tree mountain lions, and beat you to the davenport every time if you let him. A Dobermann is a gentle dog with the firmness of the strong. He will let a baby teethe on his ears and nod with pleasure. He will take his six year old mistress walking to show her off and guide her with the mature judgement that knows it is well to let a six year old have her own way - unless it is dangerous.

A Dobermann is a sensitive dog, keenly alert to your feelings and wishes. If someone visits you whom you don't like, watch the dog, for he will be watching your visitor. After he has been with you a few years, you will find often you don't need to speak a wish. He will know and respond. You become a part of him, and he becomes a part of you; and the only tragic part of owning a Dobermann is that a part of you is buried with him when he dies."