The Dobermann.....
The UK Dobermann Breed Standard The Dobermann Health Issues 
The UK Dobermann Breed Standard
General Appearance
Medium size, muscular and elegant, with well set body. Of proud carriage, compact and tough. Capable of great speed.
Characteristics
Intelligent and firm of character, loyal and obedient.
Temperament
Bold and alert. Shyness or viciousness very highly undesirable.
Head and Skull
In proportion to body. Long, well filled out under eyes and clean cut, with good depth of muzzle. Seen from above and side, resembles an elongated blunt wedge. Upper part of head flat and free from wrinkle. Top of skull flat, slight stop; muzzle line extending parallel to top line of skull. Cheeks flat, lips tight. Nose solid black in black dogs, solid dark brown in brown dogs, solid dark grey in blue dogs and light brown in fawn dogs. Head out of balance in proportion to body, dish-faced, snipy or cheeky very highly undesirable.
Eyes
Almond-shaped, not round, moderately deep set, not prominent, with lively, alert expression. Iris of uniform colour, ranging from medium to darkest brown in black dogs, the darker shade being more desirable. In browns, blues, or fawns, colour of iris blends with that of markings, but not of lighter hue than markings; light eyes in black dogs highly undesirable.
Ears
Small, neat, set high on head. Normally dropped, but may be erect.
Mouth
Well developed, solid and strong with complete dentition and a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Evenly placed teeth. Undershot, overshot or badly arranged teeth highly undesirable.
Neck
Fairly long and lean, carried with considerable nobility; slightly convex and in proportion to shape of dog. Region of nape very muscular. Dewlap and loose skin undesirable.
Forequarters
Shoulder blade and upper arm meet at an angle of 90 degrees. Shoulder blade and upper arm approximately equal in length. Short upper arm relative to shoulder blade highly undesirable. Legs seen from front and side, perfectly straight and parallel to each other from elbow to pastern; muscled and sinewy, with round bone in proportion to body structure. Standing or gaiting, elbow lies close to brisket.
Body
Square, height measured vertically from ground to highest point at withers equal to length from forechest to rear projection of upper thigh. Forechest well developed. Back short and firm, with strong, straight topline sloping slightly from withers to croup; bitches may be slightly longer to loin. Ribs deep and well sprung, reaching to elbow. Belly fairly well tucked up. Long, weak, or roach backs highly undesirable.
Hindquarters
Legs parallel to each other and moderately wide apart. Pelvis falling away from spinal column at an angle of about 30 degrees. Croup well filled out. Hindquarters well developed and muscular; long, well bent stifle; hocks turning neither in nor out. When standing, hock to heel perpendicular to the ground.
Feet
Well arched, compact, and cat-like, turning neither in nor out. All dewclaws removed. Long, flat deviating feet and/or weak pasterns highly undesirable.
Tail
Customarily docked. Of spine without material drop. Undocked: Appears to be a continuation of spine without material drop, or slightly raised when the dog is moving. Docked: Docked at 1st or 2nd joint. Appears to be a continuation.
Gait/Movement
Elastic, free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in forequarters and driving power in hindquarters. When trotting, should have strong rear drive, with apparent rotary motion of hindquarters. Rear and front legs thrown neither in nor out. Back remains strong and firm.
Coat
Smooth, short, hard, thick and close-lying. Imperceptible undercoat on neck permissible. Hair forming a ridge on back of neck and/or along spine highly undesirable.
Colour
Definite black, brown, blue or fawn (Isabella) only, with rust red markings. Markings to be sharply defined, appearing above each eye, on muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and feet and below tail. White markings of any kind highly undesirable.
Size
Ideal height at withers: dogs: 69 cms (27 ins); bitches: 65 cms (25 1/2 ins). Considerable deviation from this ideal undesirable.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
July 2001
The Dobermann
This is a breed of relatively recent origin and is often referred to as “a man-made dog”. Many very reliable authors some of who have spent a lifetime with this one breed, have documented the history of the Dobermann; we have not found one that ‘totally’ answer all the questions? (Although you may try getting your hands on a book called “The Dobermann Pinscher” - “History & Development of the Dobermann Breed” by Philip Grünig)
The Dobermann Pinscher originated in Germany around 1890 in Apolda, a province of Thüringen in East Germany and was breed by Karl Fredrich Louis Dobermann who was born on 2nd January 1834. Herr Dobermann was reputed to be Apolda’s local tax collector, night-patrolman (Policeman) and their dogcatcher.
Through conducting his duties he became aware for the need for a alert, sharp, fearless and loyal companion to accompany him on his rounds as he frequently travelled through many bandit-infested areas and was often carrying money and needed a protection dog to guard him in any situation that might arise.
His exploits as the local dogcatcher seemed to have provided him with a continuous supply of breeding stock to help with his ambition to breed and create his “protector” a new type of dog that in his opinion would be the perfect combination of strength, loyalty, intelligence and ferocity.
There are no reliable or official record's of which breeds were used in the early stages of breeding, however, the breed is believed to have been created from several different breeds that had the characteristics that Herr Dobermann was looking for, this is thought to contain the German Pinscher, German Shepherd, Weimaraner, Beauceron, Great Dane, Old German Shepherd (not the present day version) Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer, Manchester Terrier and latterly the English (Black) Greyhound was introduced into the mix.
The exact ratios of mixing and even the exact breeds that were used, remains uncertain to this day, although many experts believe that the Dobermann is a combination of at least four of these breeds. The single exception is the documented cross with the Greyhound. It is also widely believed that the German Shepherd gene pool was the single largest contributor to the Dobermann breed.
The breed was officially named the “Dobermann Pinscher” after its creator and in recognition of his work, this was kept that way until 1949. Half century later the ‘Pinscher’ was dropped on the grounds that this German word for terrier and was no longer appropriate.
Bred for over a century now to be an outstanding guard dog, todays Dobermann is determined, fearless and energetic with tremendous strength, stamina and are highly intelligent which makes them easy to train. Although the Dobermann has the reputation of being an aggressive breed, thanks to all the various TV shows and films (no wonder the reputation precedes it where ever it goes) simply put......this is just not the case. Make no mistake though; only an extremely iniotic individual will consider jumping a fence sporting the sign, “A Dobermann lives here”.
The Dobermann is noble, loyal, intense, affectionate, trustworthy and a very obedient companion and guardian for the entire family and will remain true untill their last last dying breath.
A Dobie needs to be physically close to the family (just ask any one who has one) and it is very devoted and watchful; this is a very people oriented breed, in fact, if not occasionally reminded, that it is in fact a “dog” they will consider themselves as a little “hairy” member of the family. This becomes particularly evident when they are allowed on the settee or bed, which they become very good at sneaking on to when you are not looking.
Dobermann’s must be consistently, trained and socialised and will be happiest under the direction of the owner who is willing and able to show fair authority and consisitent discipline through positive reinforcement, without ever resulting to beating the dog.
All family members should learn to handle the dog properly (especially children, as they will not tolerate teasing.....would you?) Dobie’s like many other breeds can be ‘pushy’ and ‘opinionated’ if allowed to have their own way too much.
Mental stimulation is so important for a truly well adjusted and happy Dobie; they must not be abandoned in the garden or left all day in the house on their own, if this is how you see owning a Dobie should be and you can not put in the time, then you should forget it, buy yourself a cat instead (but not a Maine Coon as they are a feline version of a Dobie, we know we have one) remember the Dobermann was breed to be with man and they need that interaction, owning a Dobie is not to be taken lightly, it’s a full time commitment.....but it return you will be shown loyalty and devotion unequalled by anything.
Herr Dobermann 1852 (left) Otto Göller 1852 - 1922
Gerhilde & Graf Belling v Groenland
Gerhi
Health Issues.....
Wobbler’s syndrome is caused by a narrowing or malformation of the spinal cervical (neck) vertebrae, which causes pressure on the spinal cord by the lower cervical (neck) vertebrae due to either a malformation of the vertebra or a malocclusion (when the vertebrae do not come together properly). This causes anywhere from a mild, to a severe affect in the dogs gait.. Other conditions can mimic the symptoms. The only definitive diagnosis of Wobblers Syndrome or Spondololithesis, is a mylogram where dye is injected into the spinal column and then the neck is flexed and x-rayed.
Breeds affected: - Dobermann’s and Great Danes primarily - young Danes more commonly affected. Dobermann’s - young and old, can grow through the problem as youngsters, more commonly seen in middle aged to older Dobermans (3 to 9 years of age) Other breeds who have a similar if not identical syndrome described include the Boxer, Basset, Bull Mastiff, St. Bernard, Weimeraner, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Dalmatian, Samoyed, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, and the Borzoi. Males are affected more often, in a ratio of 2:1
The cause of Wobblers Syndrome is unknown, although a link to fast growth and genetics is suspected. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, "The cause is unknown, although rapid growth rates and nutrition, mechanical factors, and genetics may be implicated." Some breeders say that there has been a marked decrease in the incidence of not only Wobblers Syndrome, but other diseases that occur during the early, fast growth stages of Great Danes, when weight is kept down and growth rate has been slowed nutritionally.
Symptoms usually appear first in the rear legs as a mild un-coordination in gait (ataxia) and can escalate to involvement of the forelegs as well. The severely affected dog moves like a drunk and the un-coordination shows up most when the dog is walked and then moved sharply into a turn. An unsuspecting owner might simply conclude that his older puppy was just clumsy. Overly clumsy young Great Danes should be Wobbler suspects. In Dobermann’s it usually doesn't appear until the dog is 4 or 5 years old.
A veterinarian will do a neurological work up on the dog and this often includes not only cervical spine x-rays, but a mylogram x-ray. A mylogram is not only dangerous to the dog, but is expensive. The owner should thoroughly investigate the advisability of this procedure, especially since if it is Wobblers Syndrome, surgery may not be the best option.
Treatment of Wobblers Syndrome can include the use of corticosteroids, a neck brace and surgery. The surgery fuses the 2 unstable vertebrae, which relieves the pressure on the spinal cord. Unfortunately this also puts further stress on adjoining vertebrae, which can cause instability to recur in them. Many Wobblers can live a long and pain free life with little or no treatment, others deteriorate quickly and euthanasia then becomes the only kind choice.