The Dobermann originated around the middle of the nineteenth century in Apolda, a province of Thüringen in East Germany. Herr Louis Dobermann was Apolda’s local tax collector, night-patrolman and dog catcher. Through conducting his duties he became aware for the need of an alert, sharp, fearless and loyal companion to accompany him on his rounds.
His exploits as the local dogcatcher provided him with a continuous supply of breeding stock to help him in his ambition to create his “protector”. The resulting breed “Dobermann” was then named after it’s creator.
There is no official record of which breeds were used in the early stages of breeding, but the Dobermann is thought to contain old German Shepherd (not the present day version), Great Dane, Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier, English Greyhound, among others.
Otto Göller later refined the breed, and in 1899 the breed was officially named the Dobermann Pinscher in recognition of his work, and was kept this way until 1949 when the word Pinscher (meaning terrier) was dropped. Otto Göller, and later Philip Grünig played a significant role in refining the breed into the Dobermann we know today.
During World War II the Dobermann earned the name of “Devil Dog” where they went ashore with the American Marines and were used to flush out the enemy. The Dobermann was an extremely effective war machine and during the Guam campaign dogs and handlers accounted for over three hundred enemy kills with only one handler killed on patrol. No unit that was under the watchful eye and nose of a Dobermann was ever ambushed or infiltrated by the Japanese. Twenty-four “Devil Dogs” are buried in the Dog Cemetery on Guam fourteen of which were killed in action. A memorial has been erected on the site, to honour their memory.
It is no wonder that the reputation of the Dobermann precedes it where ever it goes, and only an extremely foolish individual will consider jumping a fence sporting the sign, “A Dobermann lives here”.
Despite the reputation, a Dobermann is what you make them. Their nature is to be a loyal, trustworthy and obedient companion for the entire family, and in fact if not occasionally reminded that they are a “dog”, will consider themselves as a little “hairy” member of the family. This becomes particularly evident when they are allowed on the couch or bed, and can become very good at sneaking on when you are not looking.
Dobermann’s can be very reserved when it comes to people they don’t know, however aggression or nervous behaviour in normal situations is very undesirable in the breed.
All in all the Dobermann is an extremely robust breed, which can be as gentle or as tough as you make them.
© Graeme Baker