Doberman
(Dobermann, Doberman Pinscher)
A dog breed created by tax collector Louis Dobermann, who wanted to create his ideal personal protection dog. This light-footed aristocrat among dog breeds excells in Schutzhund training, search-and-rescue, and as police dogs and guide dogs for the blind.
Introduction
Once known as the Thueringer Pinscher or the Polizeilicher Soldatenhund, this breed was created by a German tax collector from Apolda in Thueringen who wanted a dog that would be aggressive enough to protect him while making his
rounds collecting taxes.
Origin
Doberman with uncropped ears
Markanja BV
Various theories exist as to what breeds Louis Dobermann used to create his superbreed. In addition to be a tax collector he was alo in charge of the local animal shelter, where he had access to a wide variety of breeds. However, unlike the creator of the dogo argentino, he did not keep records of the crosses he made and there have been endless conjectures about the foundation stock of the Doberman.  What is sure is that he used not merely pure breeds, but many mongrels and crosses between different hunting dogs, terriers and shepherd dogs. The breeds that may have been added to the gene pool include the Thuringian Shepherd dog,  the German Pinscher, the black-and-tan Manchester Terrier, the black greyhound, the Beauceron, the Weimaraner, the Rottweiler, the Great Dane and the German Shorthaired Pointer.
The Doberman is an elegant, medium to large-sized dog with a compact and square body, suggestive of power, courage and stamina. The short, smooth coat comes in solid ground colors of either black, red, fawn (Isabella) or blue, all with the typical tan markings (above the eyes and on the muzzle, throat and forechest, feet and legs, and below the tail).
Appearance
The ears are usually cropped. In the early years of the breed bobtail puppies appeared occasionally, resulting in today's fashion of docked-tailed Dobermans.


Character and Temperament
 
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Dog Breeds Home > Guard dogs > Doberman
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Mastiff
black/red/blue+tan
highly trainable
Germany
Tall
short
High
FCI, AKC, UKC,...
This highly trainable and intelligent dog, is a natural, loyal guard, that will do nearly anything to please his owner.  Early socialization and consistent discipline are recommended with this breed.
Photo: Christine Nichols
See also:
Beauceron
Rottweiler
Neapolitan Mastiff
Molosser breeds
How to Train Your Doberman Pinscher
(Hardcover)
by Liz Palika
 More information:
A New Owner's Guide to Doberman Pinschers
(Hardcover)
by Faye Strauss
 More information:
a blue dobermann (left), black doberman (center)
 and a brown doberman (right)
Photos: Doug Miller (left), Nataliya Kuznetsova (center),  Emmanuelle Bonzami (right)
See also: blue dogs
Guard dogs
Molosser dogs