The origin of the Doberman Pinscheris unique in that it is the result of purposeful selected breedings to produce anticipated characteristics in a protection dog. The purpose for this dog was determined before the breed existed. The Doberman Pinscher is the only breed known to be developed for this purpose. Because of this, we know exactly where, when, how, and why the Doberman Pinscher came to be.
Herr Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was born on February 2, 1823 in Thuringia, Germany. Herr Dobermann worked as a dog catcher and tax collector by day and a police officer at night. He wanted a companion dog for security and protection that was large, agile, intelligent, loyal, and fearless. He wanted what in his mind did not exist in Germany at that time.
In 1880, Herr Dobermann began his breeding program with Thuringian Shepherds, early Rottweilers and German Shepherds. He visited many dog shows and breeding kennels to find the particular characteristics he wanted for his foundation stock. German Pinschers, Black and Tan Terriers, Weimaraners, Greyhounds, and the German Shorthair Pointers all contributed to his early breed stock.
Years of trial and error passed before the refined breed capable of reproducing itself now known as the Dobermann Pinscher was produced. Because of his lifelong love of dogs and his dedication to this breed, upon his death on June 9th, 1884, Herr Dobermann’s friends and colleagues perpetuated his name as a tribute to him in the breed he developed, THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER.
Even though the founder of the Doberman Pinscher breeds last name is spelled Dobermann, the name of the breed today is spelled without the second "n". A common mistake made by internet users searching for the Doberman Pinscher is to incorrectly spell pinscher by entering search criteria such as Doberman pincher, doberman pincher pups, doberman pincher puppies, doberman pincher breeder, doberman pincher breed, doberman pincher puppy, doberman pincher for sale, doberman pincher puppy for sale. This paragraph exists to help internet users find information on the Doberman Pinscher breed. The Doberman has also earned the nickname Dobie or Dobies.
Doberman Pinscher Standard
The appearance is that of a dog of medium size, with a body that is square. Compactly built, muscular and powerful, for great endurance and speed. Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. Height at the withers: Dogs 26 to 28 inches, ideal about 27 1/2 inches; Bitches 24 to 26 inches, ideal about 25 1/2 inches. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, equaling the length measured horizontally from the forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh. Length of head, neck and legs in proportion to length and depth of body.
*WHITE DOBERMANS:With all due respect for the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) I am well aware of their position regarding "white"/"albino" 'z' factored Dobermans, and as a responsible breeder and 'dog-lover' I have decided to own and breed the white, I offer both white factored and non-white factored, Myself and fellow 'white' breeders have found them to be the 5th color of Doberman not 'albino' every bit the loving "Doberman" as the other colors (black, red, fawn & blue). We have not encountered the issues presented by the Club members. I believe the buyer should decide for their self. As does the DPCA have a right to their opinons, to a potential buyer with questions regarding white dobermans, please review the opinons of the DPCA or feel free to ask me about my experiences. [Please do not use my website to "debate" this issue.]
It was suggested that "albino" (white) Dobermans may have a mutation in tyrosinase,since that is the cause of many types of albinism in humans and mice. However,in a recenlty completed study, the entire coding sequence of TYR was normal insuch Dobermans (GenBank AY336053) and also in blue and Isabella (fawn) Doberman Pinschers. These results suggest that the P gene may be the cause of this albinism. We did find that these same Isabella and red Dobermans were both homozygous for the TYRP1 proline deletion mutation indicating both are actually brown in base color. (As published in the PinscherPatter, Dec. 2004)
Von Willebrand’s isn’t so much a disease as a condition. Of all the
inherited bleeding disorders in animals (and humans) it is the most
common. The defect isn’t autosomal (sex linked) so both males and
females can suffer from the “disease.” It must be remembered that just
because a dog doesn’t show symptoms of von Willebrand’s, it doesn’t
mean it can’t be a carrier.
Von Willebrand’s was discovered in humans and called a “disease” in the 1920s by a Finnish doctor
coincidentally named, von Willebrand. After further research, he was
able to figure out the illness was actually linked to a missing factor
in the blood’s clotting ability.
Modern research has found von Willebrand’s
doesn’t lower the number of platelets (the factor in the blood that
causes clotting) but changes the platelet’s actual make up. Researchers
have discovered there are twelve “factors” that go into the platelet’s
make up and allows them to work properly. They have set up a “Cascading
Clotting tree” to mark and show the different factors. Von Willebrand’s affects Factor 8 on this tree.
There is a large, multimeric glycoprotein that is labeled as
vWF. This glycoprotein circulates in the plasma and is required for
platelet adhesion. When there is a defect in the VWF gene, there is an
insufficient synthesis of the VWF glycoprotein. This insufficiency
causes the platelets to fail in their adhesion or “sticking together.”
Like water coming through a damn with a hole in it, the platelet
“leaks” and bleeding continues.
Von Willebrand’s seldom happens in cats but it is very common in
various breeds of dogs. In all, some sixty different purebred breeds
have been commonly linked to von Willebrand’s with the Doberman
Pinscher having the highest incidence. Clinical trials conducted on
15,000 Dobermans showed seventy percent of them were carriers of the
disease. Of these 15,000 Dobermans, the majority of them didn’t show
clinical signs. Another study estimated 68%-73% of Dobermans had the
disease
Although Dobermans are the most commonly affected by von
Willebrand’s Disease, they usually have the milder forms. It is also
one reason Dobermans have such a lower survival rate of diseases such
as Parvovirus, which attacks the gastro-intestinal tract and causes
bleeding.
Other breeds that have a high incidence of von Willebrand’s
disease are Shetland sheepdogs, Scottish terriers, Airedale terriers,
Bassett hounds, Dachshunds, German shepherds, Keeshonds, Corgies,
Rottweilers, Poodles, Schnauzers and Golden retrievers.
Often von Willebrand’s will show no clinical signs until the dog
begins bleeding for some reason. This reason could be something as
simple as a nail
trim, spay or neuter or a heat cycle in females or even teething in a
puppy. While some dogs never show clinical signs of the disease, others
may have nosebleeds or vaginal or penile bleeding. Bleeding from the
urinary tract, gums or other mucous membranes and hemorrhaging under
the skin are all common symptoms of von Willebrand’s Disease. Females
with von Willebrand’s may experience excessive bleeding after whelping
(giving birth).
There are three classifications of von Willebrand’s disease:
Type I – low VWF concentration. This is the most common of types and is typical of Dobermans, Airdales and at least one-third of Shelties. The clinical symptoms may vary in severity.
Type II –Uncommon form of von Willebrand’s that is attributed to German Shorthaired Pointers.
Type III – The most severe of types. It has the highest
deficiency of VWF and is a typical defect in Scotties, Chesapeake Bay
retrievers and the remaining two-thirds of affected Shelties.
