DOBERMAN PINSCHER - THE MOST LOYAL
THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER
Doberman Pinschers are arguable the most loyal and devout of all dog breeds. We all know they make fantastic security, police and military dogs, but little is understood by most as to how good dobermans are as a family dog. Intelligent, obedient, protective, friendly and lovable, dobermans, as their owners know, are one of the best breeds of dogs in the world. Pictured above is The Snake Hunter (head dog trainer) with "Archimedes" the doberman at the end of Canine Snake Avoidance Training coming in to give a kiss.
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Official classification: Utility Dog
Country of origin: Germany
Size: 67-70cm males, 63-66cm females.
Weight: Males 34 – 45kg, Females 27 – 40kg.
Doberman Pinscher
Canine Snake Avoidance
Of all of the breeds of dogs trained, Dobermans excel in canine snake avoidance training more than the ‘average’ dog. Their extremely high intelligence allows them to recognise the purpose of canine snake avoidance training and they quickly learn what to do/not to do around snakes. As dog trainers, we continue to be surprised at how well Dobermans fare at canine snake avoidance training both in terms of visual as well as olfactory (scent) identification of a snake and the conscious and reflexive decision to move away from them. One interesting feature that we have developed over time when working with Dobermans, is that during training, they tend to leave snakes when alone with one in the backyard which is great for when the owner is out at work during the day. However if the owner is home and displays fear (screaming etc) towards a snake, the Doberman will override its training to avoid snakes and their instincts to protect the owner takes over. As such, Dobermans exclusively, need to be trained to avoid snakes in this specific situation as well.
About Dobermans
POSITIVE FEATURES OF DOBERMAN PINSCHERS
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Dobermans are Energetic and playful dogs that are a lot of fun
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Dobermans are An affectionate companion and family dog
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They are Obedient and devoted
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Dobermans are Easily motivated and highly trainable
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Dobermans make for Protective and excellent guard dogs
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They are Large, strong, and athletic
CHALLENGING FEATURES OF DOBERMAN PINSCHERS
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​Dobermans MUST be socialised or they can be aggressive, fearful, and overprotective of family and territory.
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Dobermans require vigorous, frequent exercise and space to run
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Dobermans are prone to boredom and separation anxiety, with associated chewing and howling behaviors
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These dogs can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a puppy
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Dobermans Overprotective of family and territory if not socialized properly
History of Dobermans
The story of the Doberman is an interesting one. In around 1863, in Germany, there was a town bailiff and tax collector for a small town of Apolda named F.L Doberman. To keep his money safe from thieves, Mr Doberman required a guard dog and bred rottweilers with German Pinschers and it is believed that Greyhounds and Weimaraners were also part of the breeding creating the modern day Doberman Pinscher. These dogs became officially recognised as a breed in German in 1900 and were exported initially through Europe and then throughout the world. Throughout the years, Dobermans have made a name for themselves as police and military dogs. During World War II, the United States Marine Corp used Dobermans as combat sentries, messangers and scouts. Dobermans were used in Guam, the battle of Okinawa. During the 9/11 attacks of the World Trade Centre, Dobermans were used at Ground Zero for search and rescue.
Doberman Appearance
Coat: Dobermans have Short thick hard close lying black with fawn markings or rust red hair with brown, tan, blue markings.
Head: When viewed from the side, the Doberman head appears as a blunt wedge, not heavy but is solid. They have thin lips and scissor type bite.
Ears: Ears on the Doberman are set high on the head, erect or drooping. Often ears are docked on this breed.
Eyes: Doberman eyes are oval shaped, dark in colour.
Body: Dobermans display an Athletic body, deep ribs, well sprung back and belly tucked up.
Gait: Free elegant gait. Dobermans are an excellent runner.
Legs: The legs of the Doberman are long, powerful with small cat like feet.
Tail: Often Dobermans have a docked tail. If undocked appears as an extension of the spine.
Doberman Care
Health & Lifespan
Good breeding is essential for Dobermans and they are generally a very healthy dog. Genetic conditions to consider include: Bloat, hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, von Willebrand’s disease, progressive renal atrophy, albinism, hypothyroidism. If you get a dog from a good breeder, you are likely to have a strong sturdy and durable dog that should live for 10 – 13 years.
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Grooming
Grooming Dobermans is easy. Daily brushing will keep the coat shiny, wipe the ears every few days, nails need to be trimmed monthly, teeth brushed regularly and bathed only when required.vv
Doberman Character
Dobermans are courageous, highly trainable and very intelligent. This makes them capable to perform a host of roles from police and military work, or as a family protector and loyal friend. Dobermans are energetic, determined, alert, watchful never shy and can be extremely obedient. When a Doberman lives with a family, they develop extremely close bonds with the family members and their loyalty is unmatched. That said, unsocialised and untrained Dobermans who are not given sufficient mental stimulation and left alone, become aggressive, and fearful as well as destructive. It is important to make sure a Doberman is the right breed of dog for your family.
Exercise & Training Considerations
Dobermans are very easy to train if raised properly and given good socialisation which is the real key. Starting as a puppy, socialised your Doberman as much as possible. This includes puppy classes and exposing your dog to as much of the world as possible. Regular obedience classes will help with this as well and set up foundations for training as well as a happy and well mannered dog.
Dobermans are instinctive guard dogs. They can be suspicious of strangers and anticipate dangers and threats. Dobermans required what we refer to as “loving leadership”. Be consistent, fair, and apply all types of training using both reinforcement and punishment so there is balance in your Dobermans training. Dobermans love to ‘live’ with their families rather than spend all their time outdoors. Training will require them to have a lot of exercise. One aspect of training to be considered is that Dobermans are undervalued for their intelligence. In fact they are one of the smartest of dog breeds on earth and often outsmart their owners. As such, constant mental stimulation is required to prevent unwanted behaviours associated with boredom .
The Doberman
Dobermans have developed a reputation as a formidable guard dog that is perfectly suitable to police and military operations. What is lesser known in the general public is that despite their size and capability as a protector, what makes the Doberman so effective as a guard dog is they endless loyalty and love for their owner. Dog trainers or people that say that “dogs don’t really love you” (we disagree with this) may not have spent much time with a Doberman. Dobermans develop a tremendous and extremely close bond with their humans which makes them (when socialized) an amazing, stable and friendly, fun family dog.
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caninesnakeavoidance@gmail.com
Ph: 0491 120 668
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