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The Fascinating History and Origin of the Doberman Breed

The History, origin, and purpose of the Doberman


To borrow a snippet from the DPCA, The Dobermans is “Outwardly simple, but inwardly complex, it is a mixture of many breeds, combining the fire and lightning reactions of the terrier with the power and intelligence of the guard and herding breeds”.


The Dobermann was originally referred to as the Thuringian Pinscher, created by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in Apolda, Germany in the late 1800s.  After Karl’s death in 1894, the breed was given the name ‘Dobermann-

pinscher’ to honor him.   Approximately 50 years later the German registry dropped the terrier (pinscher) portion of the name and refer the breed today as the Dobermann.  In NA we register this breed as the Doberman Pinscher, (dropping one of the last n’s).  This is the same breed, influenced only by interpretation of conformation and temperament, but

never to stray too far from their original standard.


Developed to be an imposing personal protector, of a medium-large size, with a simple short-haired coat, it is speculated that the Dobermann was comprised of a mix between German Pinscher, Rottweiler, old German Shepherd (now extinct), then refining the breed’s function to include the Manchester Terrier, black English Greyhound, and Weimaraner.


CKC Doberman Pinscher Breed Standard


General Appearance

The Doberman should be elegant in appearance, with proud carriage, reflecting great nobility, and should be compactly built, muscular and powerful for great endurance and speed.


Its coat may be black, reddish brown, bluish gray or silvery beige. Its weight ranges from about 55 to 90 pounds and its height at the withers from 24 to 28 inches, males being larger than females.


Temperament

Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal, and obedient.


Ref: CKC breed standard (full version)


 
 
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