The Doberman

Breed Background

With its uncluttered look and symmetrical outline, the Doberman is uniquely a product of the 20th Century. Its short shiny coat, clipped ears and tail, superb structure and iron musculature, give the Doberman a trim appearance modern as tomorrow.

Outwardly simple, but inwardly complex, it is a mixture of many breeds, combining the fire and lightning reactions of the terrier with the power and intelligence of the guard and herding breeds. The Doberman was tailored for use in police and military work, and, to be a medium sized protector-companion in the home.

Originating in late 19th Century Germany of somewhat uncertain ancestry, its reputation for courage, loyalty and intelligence coupled with its aristocratic beauty, quickly made it popular in other lands, particularly the United States, where its growth had been fostered by careful selective breeding.

Dobermans, regardless of basic coat color, have a characteristic pattern of markings which ideally are a rust-red color. Its coat may be black, reddish brown, bluish gray or silvery beige. Its weight ranges from about 55 to 90 pounds and its height at the withers from 24 to 28 inches, males being larger than females.

The Doberman Pinscher derived its name from Louis Dobermann of Apolda, Thuringia, whose breeding experiments were reputedly involved in its early development. After his death in 1894, the Germans named the breed Dobermann-pinscher in his honor, but a half century later dropped the pinscher on the grounds that this German word for terrier was no longer appropriate. The British did the same thing a few years later. The Miniature Pinscher is not a miniature Doberman and the two breeds are not related.

There are no records, only speculation, as to the dogs which went into the creation of the original Doberman, but it is documented that crosses were made to two of the English breeds around the turn of the century, using the Black and Tan Manchester Terrier and the black English Greyhound, in order to improve the Doberman's appearance. It is generally accepted as fact that the two German breeds, which played a major role in the Doberman's ancestry were: the old German Shepherd, now extinct: and the German Pinscher - the ancestors of the Rottweiler and the Weimaraner.

The old German Shepherd contributed ruggedness, intelligence and physical and mental soundness, with the Pinscher adding the terrier fire and quick reaction time. The Weimaraner gave to the Doberman its hunting, retrieving and scenting capabilities, for the Weimar Pointer, as it was called, was an all purpose hunting dog. However, it was to the Rottweiler which the early Doberman strongly resembled, that the breed owes so much of its substance, bravery and reliable guarding ability.

The Doberman - History

Breed History

1890	Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann (1834-1894) of Apolda, Germany combines several breeds of dogs to create "Dobermann's Pinschers". Enlarge

1908	The Doberman breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club. It was not until 1922 that more than 100 were registered each year. In 1934, more than 1,000 were registered each year and in 1941 there were 1,637 Dobes registered and they were 15th in popularity amongst purebred dogs. Although there were not a great number of Dobes, they were the one breed that had been produced to be "police-soldier" dogs. Enlarge

1921	Doberman Pinscher Club of America founded by George Earle III

1928	Ch. Big Boy of White Gate (owner/breeder Howard K. Mohr) wins the 1st Best in Show for an American-bred Doberman at the Rhode Island Kennel Club show.

1939	Ch. Ferry v Raufelsen of Giralda (owner/breeder Mrs. M Hartley Dodge) is the first Doberman to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show Enlarge

1944	25 Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam. They served as sentries, messengers, and scouts. Enlarge Another

1945	Historic Newsreel recounts America's invasion of the island of Okinawa, which proved to be one of the bloodiest engagements of WWII. Archival footage provided by The Military Network. This footage shows a brave Doberman.

1951	Enjoy 7 minutes of footage of Peggy Adamson with her "Tater', Ch. Dictator v Glenhugel CD. Don't want to watch the full length video? Watch a short excerpt on our video channel.

1952/ 1953	Ch. Rancho Dobe's Storm (grandson of Ch. Ferry v Raufelsen of Giralda [see above]; owner Len Carey breeder Brint/Vivian Edwards) wins back to back Best in Shows at Westminster. Shown here in 1952. For more Westminster winners, please click here. Another

1950's	After Tess Henseler of vom Arthal Dobermans watched a performance by the Lippizaner horses of Vienna, she starts the Doberman Drill Team. Their performances include Madison Square Gardens in New York City at the Westminster Kennel Club show. Another

1970's	Mrs. Alvarez's Doberman Drill Team toured the United States and Canada for nearly 30 years giving demonstrations at hospitals and public events.

1978	Am/Can Ch. OTCH Teraden's Sweet Gypsy Rose ROM (owner Irene Quesnoy breeder Denyse Lee) is the first Doberman to achieve an obedience trial championship (OTCH).

1989	Ch. Royal Tudor Wild as the Wind UDTX ROM (owner Arthur/Sue Korp Beth Wilhite breeder Beth Wilhite & Judy Bingham) wins Best in Show at Westminster. In 1988, Indy was also #1 dog all breeds. For more Westminster winners, please click here. Another

1992	Ch. Brunswig's Cryptonite (owner Sam/Marion Lawrence breeder Robert/Phyllis Farrer) achieves 124 Best in Show awards. He remains the top winning Doberman in breed history. Another

1994	"Always Faithful," a memorial statue commissioned by the United Doberman Club is installed in Guam. It serves as a permanent remembrance of the courageous Dobermans that gave their lives in service to America and the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. The statue was created by accomplished sculptor, Susan Bahary. Another

1995	Am./Can./Int. Ch. Wingate's Leading Edge, Am./Can. CD, CDX, UD, CGC, TDI, ROM "Ryan" (owner Kathy Rambo breeder Jody Pidino Jan Reed) becomes first Doberman Pinscher in history to achieve Top 20 Status in both Conformation and Obedience in the same year. He wins the Top 20 Conformation Event in 1998. The Ryan Award inaugurated in 1999 to honor any dog who achieves this feat. The Ryan Award

1998	Ch. Toledobes Serenghetti (owner Richard/Sandra Johnson Howard/Huston Hedinger; breeder Sue Brown Judy Doniere Barb Randall ) leads working group dogs with 81 Group Firsts and 23 Best in Shows. She remains the "winningest" Doberman Pinscher bitch of all time with 99 Best in Shows.

2000	MACH6 Ravenswood Sunnysky Careveil CDX "Sunny" (owner Claire D'Andrea; breeder Carole Hoeker, Betty Clark) is the first Doberman to achieve a Master Agility Championship (MACH). She went onto complete this feat an amazing 6 times (MACH6).

2001	Search and Rescue Dobermans assist at the World Trade Center attack Ground Zero. Shirley Hammond and her Dobe are captured in this photo. Enlarge

2002	Ch. MACH Carosel Mexican Princess ROM (owner Rae A O'Leary; breeder Carol Petruzzo Janet Pomerantz Manolo Queljeiro) is the 1st Champion Doberman to earn a master agility championship (MACH).

2005	Cara's Red Sasha, IPO 3 (owner/breeder Ray Carlisle), wins the IDC World Championship. She is the only Doberman bred on American soil to achieve this feat. During the same year Cara's Top Shelf, SchH3, IPO3, placed fourth in the same competition and won the Italian Doberman Pinscher National. He is also the only American-bred Doberman to accomplish this.

2006	Ch. OTCH MACH Jaro Steel Magnolia Alisaton UDX ROM "Smurf" (owner Mary Fitzgerald DVM Gwen DeMilta Grahm Swayze; breeder Jim/Roseanne Kelly) earns her third championship title, making her the only Doberman to have achieved the Triple Crown. She is a conformation (CH), obedience trial (OTCH) and master agility champion (MACH). Another

2008	The Doberman Pinscher Club of America celebrates the Doberman Pinscher, faithful Americans for 100 years. (Ch. Marienburg's Mary Hartman and Ch. Marienburg's Sun Hawk bred/owned by Mary Rodgers)

2010	MACH7 ADCH Thornwoods Flare CD MXF TQX TM WAC CGC TDI (owner Yvonne Mancino; breeder Sharon Stimpfle) is the first Doberman to earn her Master Agility Championship seven (7) times. By the fall of 2011, Flare was a MACH9!!!

2011	CT Wingate 'N Sherluck's Vanadium WAC TDX VST "Vada" (owner Jan Plagenz; breeder Jody Huston Faye/Gary Strauss) becomes the first Doberman to be awarded the Champion Tracker title. To be a "champion tracker" a dog must hold 3 tracking titles - TD (tracking dog), TDX (tracking dog excellent), and VST (variable surface tracking).

2011	Ch. Catawba's Take no Prisoners CD ROM SchHI (breeder/owner Susan Miller) is the first Best in Show CD ROM Doberman to obtain a Schutzhund I title.

2011	CH MACH D'Tales Vivala Ignition Redlaur NF ROM (owned by Connie Apling; breeder Laurie Gott and Stephanie Rudich) is the first Doberman to qualify for both the Top 20 conformation (2008) and Top 20 agility (2011)