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DOBERMAN PINSCHER |
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Herr Louis
Doberman was a tax collector cum dog-pound keeper who had to travel
through dangerous areas. He needed assistants tough enough to protect
him from bandits and to con-vince
reluctant tax payers to cough up. He performed his duties with "a
grave digger and a be-llringer"—and a few basic established breeds.
In the late 1860s, he determined to create his own personal guardian,
a dog that would look much like a large Miniature Pinscher.
Breed type
was fixed in an amazingly short period of time. Dobermann utilized
the old German Shepherd type for hardiness, intelligence and soundness,
with German Pinscher blood for quick reaction and terrier fire. The
Weimar Pointer donated hunting abilities and fine nose, as well as
the dilute colors. Added to the strength, guarding instinct and courage
of the Rottweiler, the breed needed only the English Greyhound for
speed and the Manchester Terrier to give it a short, sleek coat. Dilution
fac-tors which produce
the reds, blues, and fawns, despite their uncommon appearance, have
been present in the general mastiff gene pool since the beginning.
In the
early years of the breed, they were extremely sharp, willing to
attack "even the devil himself." An early owner, Gottfried
Liechti, recorded ". . . it required a good deal of courage
to own one." In fact the breed's reputation preceded it to
America. One early import won three Best in Shows before any judge
had the courage to examine his mouth—only to find several missing
teeth, a serious fault in the breed!
Some longhaired
and natural bobtail pups were born in the early years. The bobtails
were much admired, resulting in the current docking fashion. Earcropping
in the long, stylish Ameri-can
show cut or the wider, shorter pet cut aided the ears to stand.
Dewclaws were removed, completing the racy appearance.
After
Dobermann's death, Otto Goeller continued promotion of the breed
and is credited with improvement. Goeller's kennels produced the
first notable stud dog, Hellegraf von Thueringen.
The
breed began infiltrating American coastlines around the time of
WWI. Many Dober-mans left in Germany were drafted; others were
euthanized, due to the scarcity of food. After the war, the breed's
population once again began to rise in its homeland.
The
Bulldog may be the official mascot of the US Marine Corps, but
the Doberman has the distinction of being named the Marine War
Dog. The breed is loyal to its master and will do almost anything
requested of it, from exciting drill team performances to schutzhund
training. Dobermans have representatives in search-and-rescue,
patrol or police dogs and as dog guides for the blind.
One
of the breeds that strikes fear in the heart of many, the Dobe's
reputation is generally unearned. It is a natural, loyal guard,
but the breed has been mellowed to allow the approach of strangers.
Socialization and authoritative discipline are recommended,
along with a heritage of sound temperament. The Doberman of
today is a handsome, light-footed aristocrat which prefers being
with its owners to all other things.
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