1. WHERE DID THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER ORIGINATED?
The Doberman Pinscher was developed in Germany by Louis Dobermann in the 1890's. Little is known of the developer of the breed; even less is known about the breeds used in creating the Doberman. An article written in 1898 theorizes that a crossing with a German Pinscher may have been involved, and perhaps a local sheepdog. Early breeders of the Doberman claimed that a sheep dog, the Weimaraner and the German Pinscher were used to develop the breed, not the Rottweiler or Manchester Terrier. Another early Doberman breeder, Otto Goller, felt that the heaviest influences were the German Shepherd Dog, the Great Dane, an unnamed shorthaired hunting dog and the German Pinscher. One theory posits that the French Beauceron may have been used. The Doberman beginnings, there fore, were the product of many dogs, including mixes that would be considered mongrels by today's standards.

2. WHAT IS THE SIZE, WEIGHTAND LIFE SPAN?
Height: Dogs 26-28 inches, Bitches 24-26 inches,
Weight: 66 - 88 pounds
Life Span: 8 - 12 years (10 years is average)

3. WHAT COLORS DO THEY COME IN?
Black, red, blue, and fawn (Isabella). The rust markings are sharply defined, appearing above each eye and on muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and feet, and below tail.

4. WHAT ABOUT A WHITE DOBERMAN?
The White Doberman Pinscher is blue-eyed with a cream colored coat and light tan markings. The White Doberman is not recognized as a diluted color, but as a genetic condition. White Dobermans are tyrosinase positive albinos, a genetic condition causing the dogs to be born with a lack of pigment in their coats and eyes. This condition makes them severely sensitive to bright light, skittish, squinting or retracting from light. There are also a lot of other health problems associated with them. The AKC has implemented a system called the "Z-list", which marks carriers of the albino gene. Standard colored Dobermans carrying the albino gene are given a "Z" in their registration number in order to alert potential breeders.

5. WHAT AGE DO YOU GET THE EARS CROPPED?
It is recommend that the ears be cropped between 8 to 12 weeks. While virtually any licensed vet can legally crop a dog's ears in the U.S., not every vet is qualified to do it. As any veteran Dobie breeder will tell you, cropping is not only a specialized surgical procedure, it is also an art form, and many dog's ears have been maimed and injured by practitioners who were not properly trained or skilled in the procedure. Of course, you do not have to have the ears cut. It is for appearance look only.

6. IS THE DOBERMAN A GOOD WATCHDOG AND A GOOD FAMILY DOG WITH CHILDREN?
The Doberman is naturally protective and does not need additional training to be a fine guard dog. If fact he should be thoroughly socialized when young to prevent over-protectiveness. Dobermans can be good family dogs if of good temperament, well trained and raised with children from early puppyhood.

7. WHAT IS THE TEMPERMENT OF A DOBERMAN?
Bred for a century to be an outstanding guard dog, the Doberman is intense and energetic with tremendous strength and stamina. The ideal Doberman temperament is one of high energy, alertness, relentlessness, protectiveness and loyalty. A Doberman is highly intelligent (very easy to train), affectionate and gentle with its human family. Dobermans are highly reliable and trustworthy with children, especially when raised with them. It likes to be physically close to the family members. Devoted and watchful, this is a very people oriented breed. The Doberman needs an owner who is willing and able to discipline the dog without being afraid of him. All family members should learn to handle the dog properly, as Dobermans can be pushy if allowed to have their own way too much. Though generally a dominant breed, Dobermans vary greatly in temperament. Some are even very submissive. Some individuals are family dogs, and some bond only to one person.

Although the Doberman has the reputation of being a very aggressive dog, this is just not the case. Dobermans were originally bred to be guard dogs, and although properly bred and socialized Dobermans are not the vicious animals their popular image suggests, they are inclined to be protective of their human family and family's property. Dobermans have suffered from an unfair image. Depicted not only on "Beware of Dog" signs, but also in movies, TV, and elsewhere as vicious beasts that would be happy to tear any human from limb to limb at the slightest provocation, Dobermans have been given an unfair rap. These dogs are like big, protective babies. Dobermans love being lap dogs and staying close to their family members.

Doberman Pinschers have many talents including tracking, watchdogging, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, therapy work, competitive obedience and schutzhund.

8. WHAT IS A "WARLOCK" DOBERMAN?
There is a standard for the Doberman, which was developed many years ago and for specific reasons...Variations from this standard should be looked at carefully...There are Dobermans that are being called "Warlock Dobermans" the reasons being... they are very large and out of standard dogs...Actually, there is no such thing as a "Warlock Doberman"per say, for the size!
Over the years Warlock has been associated with oversized Dobes. Because of their size, the "Warlocks" are not shown. There probably always will be breeders telling people their puppies are "Warlocks" so the name will live on.

Home    About    Sires & Dams    Litter Info

Breed Info     Resources     Contact Us    Ear Taping   Buyer Beware