Breed History of the Dobermann

In its country of origin, Germany, the dobermann is the only breed named after its originator, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann (01.01.1834-09.06.1894), who lived in the city of Apolda. It is believed that he was a tax collector and dog catcher.   As a dog catcher Mr Dobermann was authorized to catch stray dogs. With these dogs, he started his breeding programme in the 1870s. He focussed on a natural sharpness, courage and the ability to react fast.   Besides the pinscher, the so-called “butcher dogs” (an early rottweiler type), which at the time were relatively purebred, also played an important role in creating the dobermann breed. Furthermore, it is believed that the French working and sheepdog breed, the beauceron, can be traced. The beauceron carries the genetic trait of the four colours (black, brown, blue and fawn), all of which may appear in the dobermann. Neither can one exclude the German pointer and the precursor of the Alsation/German Shepherd Dog at this early stage in the breed history of the dobermann. In 1895 the breed was officially recognised in Germany as the ‘dobermann pinscher’. Later, the last part of the name was deleted.   Mr Dobermann never experienced the recognition of the breed he had created. He died the year before. However, two other citizens of Apolda, Otto Göller (kennel ‘von Thüringen’) and Goswin Tischler (kennel ‘von Grönland’), continued his work with great skill and vision. In Germany in 1899, the first dobermann breed club was founded and Otto Göller was elected chairperson.   At the turn of the century, the English Manchester terrier was bred into the dobermann to improve its coat and the intensity and definitions of its markings. At the same time, it resulted in the closed, arched feet.   Thus far, the dobermann was a relatively small dog of approximately 56 cm tall and had a rather crude look. To increase height and elegance, the black greyhound was bred into the dobermann. However, since approximately 1910 no other breeds have been used in the breeding programme. For many years following the creation of the breed, the dobermann was naturally used as a guard and police dog. Today, after having aimed towards a somewhat more moderate temperament, the dobermann is considered to be a typical working dog as well as a pet.