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 DOBERMANN PINSCHER.
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.The Doberman Pinscher's natural tail is fairly long; the short tail is the result of docking, a procedure in which the majority of the tail is surgically removed within days of the dog's birth and (in the case of dogs which will be sold as puppies) prior to purchase. Today, docking is illegal in many countries, but not in North America, France, Russia, Japan and a number of other countries with large Doberman populations. One argument for docking the Doberman's tail is that while the dog itself is large and strong, its long, delicate tail is easily injured; many working breeds thus have traditionally had the tail docked off in puppyhood as a preventative measure. It is also thought that docking completes the sleek look that Louis Dobermann had originally envisioned for his dog.
In the battle of Guam, a Doberman named Kurt saved the lives of 250 Marines when he warned them of Japanese troops ahead. Kurt is honored by a life-sized bronze and granite memorial on Guam. Carved into the stone are names of 25 other Dobermans who gave their lives there.Michael Lemish, author of War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism (Batsford Brassey), says canines can work as scouts, trackers, messengers, and detectors of mines and booby traps. With their sense of smell, they can detect enemy soldiers at 1,000 yards, hear the whine of a gentle breeze blowing over the tripwire of a booby trap, and smell the breath of underwater saboteurs breathing through a reed. In Vietnam, they were invaluable for locating snipers and checking tunnels and huts.
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