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Having an uncluttered look and symmetrical outline, The Doberman is a unique product of 20th Century Breeding. Possessing a
short-haired and shiny coat, clipped ears and tail, with iron musculature and a superb structure, the Doberman is enhanced with a trim appearance as modern as tomorrow.
Being outwardly simple, but inwardly complex, it is a mixture of many various breeds, combining the lightening fast reactions
of the terriers with the might and intelligence of the guard and herding breeds. The Doberman was bred to be a medium sized protector in the home and for use within the police and military facets of our
culture.
Originating during the the late 19th Century in Germany (of somewhat uncertain ancestry) it has a reputation for courage,
loyalty and
intelligence combined with its aristocratic beauty. This breed quickly gained popularity within other lands, particularly the United States where its growth has been fostered by careful selective breeding.
Dobermans, irregardless of the basic coat color, have that characteristic pattern of markings
which are of a rust-red color. The coat may be black, reddish brown, silvery-beige or bluish gray. Their weight ranges from about 55 to 100 pounds and their height generally runs
at the withers from 24 to 32 inches, the males being larger than the females.
Deriving their name from Louis Doberman of Apolda, Thuringia, whose breeding experiments were involved in their early development.
When he died in 1894, the Germans gave the dogs the name Doberman Pinscher in his honour. The Pinscher designation was later dropped about 50 years later, as they felt this word (meaning ‘terrier’ in German was
inappropriate for the breed. The English followed suit shortly thereafter.
There being no records and only heresay as to the breeds that initially led to the
Doberman, there is however documented fact that around the turn of the century, crosses were made of two of the English breeds of the Black and Tan Manchester Terrier and the
black English Greyhound, improving and enhancing the look, strength and agility of the Doberman.
Also it is widely accepted for fact that the two German breeds playing a major role in
the conception of the Doberman as a breed were the Old German Shepherd (extinct now) and the German Pinscher. They being the ancestors of the Rottweiler and the Weimaraner.
This old German Shepherd gave its ruggedness and intelligence with the Pinscher
contributing the terrier fire and quick reaction time. From the Weimaraner came the hunting and retrieving along with the ability of a keen sense of scent. To the Rottweiler, which early
Dobermans so strongly resembled, came it inherent bravery, substance and the reliability of guarding and protecting.
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