Dobermann

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
60+ min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Hannah Porter (HALRUSC)

hannahporter121@gmail.com
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Breeder - Ms Ella Pieton (Fireax)

fireax@fireaxdobes.com
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History

The Dobermann is comparatively modern and unusual in that one man is credited with its origin in the 1880s, Louis Dobermann. A nightwatchman and tax collector, he bred for a large terrier-type dog which would be utterly fearless, highly intelligent and a first class personal guard dog.

By the end of the 19th century, Otto Goeller took the rough breed and improved it enormously, retaining its alertness and exceptional qualities as a guard dog, while at the same time softening the breed so that it became a good house dog.

Appearance

The Dobermann is a muscular, medium-sized strong dog capable of great speed and agility. Elegant with a proud and noble carriage, the Dobermann is energetic determined, fearless, loyal and obedient. Males measure 69cm at the withers and weigh up to 40kg, whereas females are 65cm in height and weigh up to 35kg.

The Dobermann is bred in four colours, with the most common being black with rust red markings, followed by a good proportion of brown and rust markings. The blue and fawn Dobermann rarely occurs in Australia.

Temperament

Though the breed is physically strong, the Dobermann is not a bully and often lives in harmony with other breeds of dog, as well as cats. There is nothing mean about its character and the Dobermann’s devotion and natural protective instinct make it an ideal companion and trustworthy member of the family.

Intelligent and a quick learner, the breed excels at a variety of activities, including Obedience, Tracking, Agility, rescue and police work, as well as showing capabilities as guide or therapy dogs.

Health

The breed is generally sound and healthy, with a life expectancy of 10-12 years and many living longer. The Dobermann Club of NSW encourages breeder members to test their breeding stock; it is important to purchase your Dobermann from a breeder with a rigorous testing program. Hereditary problems in the breed are Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI), commonly called ‘Wobblers’, Cardiomyopathy, Hypothyroidism and von Willebrands Disease (vWD). The breed has a small incidence of Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and it can be prone to gastric bloat and cancer.

Maintenance

The Dobermann is easy to care for with its short, smooth coat only requiring the occasional bath and weekly attention to ears, nails and callouses. Regular grooming will keep its coat healthy and shining.

Suitability

The Dobermann is a highly energetic youngster and quite active adult. It thrives on interaction with its family and does not do well if left in the backyard for long periods of time. Like all dogs, its time spent with children should always be under adult supervision.

An intelligent breed, the Dobermann needs the stimulation of being challenged both mentally and physically to achieve its full potential. Being an active dog, daily walks are highly recommended. As an adult, the breed is often sensible and adaptable, making it an ideal canine companion.

Words: Maria Wheeler on behalf of the Dobermann Club of NSW

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Dobermann, you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Dobermann and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 May 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

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.

Physical Standards

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 a complete dentition and a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the 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. Long, flat deviating feet and /or weak pasterns highly undesirable.
Tail	Docked: Docked at first or second joint: appears to be a continuation of spine without material drop.Undocked: Appears to be a continuation of spine without material drop, kink or deformity. May be raised and carried freely when the dog is moving or standing.
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, an all legs and feet and below tail. White markings of any kind highly undesirable.
Size	Ideal height:Dogs 69 cms (27 ins) at withersBitches 65 cms (25.5 ins) at withersConsiderable 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.