| Doberman Pinschers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Doberman Pinscher personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Doberman Pinscher, including these excerpts:
"This athletic dog needs brisk walking every day and all-out running as often as possible. Too little exercise and too little companionship can lead to restlessness and other behavioral problems.
Mental exercise (advanced obedience, agility, tracking, Schutzhund) is just as important to this thinking breed.
Though some Doberman Pinschers are big softies who love everyone, most are reserved with strangers and protective of their family. Early and extensive socialization is mandatory to avoid either shyness or sharpness.
Some Doberman Pinschers are dominant with other dogs. Some are confirmed cat chasers, while others love small animals.
Some excel in advanced obedience competition, while others are hardheaded and will test to find their place in the pecking order.
Calm, consistent leadership is a must, and obedience training must be upbeat and persuasive rather than sharp. This breed does not tolerate teasing or mischief."
History
The Doberman Pinscher (also spelled Dobermann Pinscher) was developed in Germany by Louis Dobermann as a guard and military dog.
Size
24-28 inches and 60-85 lbs |
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Doberman Pinschers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and strong, yet sleek- and elegant-looking
- Has a short easy-care coat
- Thrives on exercise, athletic activities, and challenging things to do
- Looks serious and imposing, so makes an effective deterrent even when friendly
A Doberman Pinscher may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- An extra careful search to avoid dangerous lines
- Providing enough exercise to keep him satisfied
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Aggression, sharpness, suspiciousness, or shyness when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Emotional sensitivity to stress and loud voices
- Physical sensitivity (tendency to react defensively when startled or mishandled)
- Shedding
- A multitude of serious health problems
- Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)
A Dobermann Pinscher may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Doberman Pinscher... |
My major concerns would be:
- Unstable temperaments. Doberman Pinschers are a dime a dozen, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of Doberman Pinschers with neurotic behaviors, including aggression and biting, extreme fearfulness, and hyperactivity.
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Doberman Pinschers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Doberman Pinschers can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or schutzhund (protection), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. |
- Providing enough socialization. Many Dobermann Pinschers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Dobermans go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
- Animal aggression. Some Doberman Pinschers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
- Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Doberman Pinschers are extremely sensitive to stress and can end up literally sick to their stomachs, with digestive upsets and nervous behaviors, if the people in their home are having family problems.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend a Doberman Pinscher. First, young Dobermanns (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. Second, Doberman Pinschers may try to protect their own children from other children, which could lead to tragedy if kids are simply roughhousing and your Doberman decides to stop it. Finally, there are just too many Dobermans who feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. |
- Shedding. Doberman Pinschers shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.
- Extremely high prices. Some breeders are charging over $1500 for a Doberman puppy. In my opinion, this is absolutely absurd and I wouldn't even consider supporting prices like this.
- Serious health problems. In the health department, Doberman Pinschers are extremely risky. An alarming number of Dobermans die of heart disease and cancer at an early age.
- Legal liabilities. Doberman Pinschers may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.
| Frankly, most Doberman Pinschers are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. |
| Not all Doberman Pinschers are alike! |
- There are energetic Dobermans, and placid Dobermans.
- Hard-headed Dobermans, and sweet-natured Dobermans.
- Serious Dobermans, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Dobermans, and Dobermans who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Doberman Pinscher puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Doberman Pinscher... |
There are plenty of adult Doberman Pinschers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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