Feb 12 2008
The Doberman Pincher: Vicious Beast or Affectionate Family Pet?
You’ve seen them in movies and on television; the dog that inspires fear in even the toughest of tough guys. Doberman pinchers have received a bad rap for many years as a vicious beast that could never be a loveable pet to a family. However, this image of the breed is largely incorrect and rather unfortunate since it results in mostly unfounded fear of the breed. In fact, the Doberman pincher is an affectionate, gentle pet that will be protective of his family while he is exceedingly loving toward them. If you are considering the addition of a Dobe to your family, there are a few factors that you should consider first.
Strong Personality
A Doberman Pincher is considered to be a dominant dog, which means that a firm hand is needed to train this breed properly. Since aggression toward people and dogs outside the family can be characteristic of the Doberman, training should begin early and be done consistently to ensure that there are no problems as the dog matures. This animal can possess a stubborn streak that can make training a bit more challenging, but their eagerness to please and their intelligence certainly make them capable of becoming an obedient, well-trained family pet. The female Doberman pinchers can tend more toward the stubborn side than the males.
Energetic and Playful
This breed was created for power and strength in the 1860’s by a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann. Because Dobermann had to travel through dangerous areas at times to conduct his business, he wanted an animal that could serve as a guard dog by his side on his journeys. This means that the Doberman pincher is a perfect choice for families that want a bit of extra protection at home. Not only is the appearance of a full-grown Doberman pincher enough to scare off all but the boldest of bandits; this dog will protect his family and his home to his fullest capacity if necessary.
Because of his energy and strength, the Doberman pincher needs plenty of exercise every day in the form of a walk and time to run in a fenced yard. This dog can work in an apartment setting, as long as daily walks are taken without fail. However, a bit of room to run in a back yard is generally a better choice for the Doberman pincher. This is also not a dog that will enjoy staying outdoors alone most of the day. The Doberman pincher will want to spend as much time with his family as possible, and this bonding will socialize the dog well and reduce the possibility of aggressive behavior.
Overall, the Doberman pincher can make a good choice of a pet for many families today. If you are considering one of these beautiful dogs for your own family, talk to a breeder or veterinarian to see if a Dobe is the right dog for you.
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All of the above is true.
It must be stressed that this is not a toy dog, but is a challenging breed to raise. If you’re not experienced with dogs, AND not fully committed to engaging in constant and consistent early obedience training, this is not the breed for you. I do not say this to criticize the breed, I say this to criticize some owners.
The Doberman as a family pet is both an awesome addition to the family, and an awesome responsibility. Any well bred Doberman, even one bred for temperament, will hold a bond with his family, and home, like steel. This is not something to be trifled with, or dismissed. Something as simple as your child engaging in rough housing with a neighborhood friend can elicit from the dog a protective reaction. This breed must be well trained, socialized, and supervised.
Do not hesitate to buy this breed if you are willing to accept the responsibility that good Doberman ownership demands. You will be rewarded with a dog of immense intelligence, astounding ingenuity, and a commitment to his family beyond reproach.
I have had the pleasure of owning many breeds, Collies, Corgies, Goldens and Dobermans, and I assure you each have been wonderful companions, but each breed brings with it its own peculiarities.
Do not choose a Doberman lightly, because this is a very powerful and dominant breed.
If you do choose a Doberman, and provide to him or her a good Doberman household, you will be rewarded every day with a best friend beyond compare.
I adopted a puppy about six weeks ago. She is now 5 months old, the best guess of my vet. She is some mix with a Lab. She weighs 15 pounds and is 16″ at the shoulder. About the only thing that I am wondering about are her canine teeth both upper and lower curve backwards in severe, sharp hooks. Is this a birth defect, a puppy characteristic, a breed indicator, or what? She looks like an all-black Doberman with white edged paws. Can you help with a more definitive breed mix indicator? I am just curious. Thanks!
Nancy I am no expert but I do own a 1 year old Doberman and his canine teeth do tend to curve back towards the throat a bit. I’m sure at her age though the curve looks a bit more severe because they aren’t proportionate to the width of her teeth. I hope that helps and she sounds like a really cool mix