GROUP 6 - UTILITY

Brief History
The Dobermann is the only German breed which bears the name of its original breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann (02.01.1834 – 09.06.1894) in Apolda, Thuringia, Germany, who was a tax collector and ran the Apolda dog pound. With access to dogs of many breeds, he set out to breed a type of dog that would exhibit impressive stamina, strength, intelligence and protective instincts. Dobermanns are often used as guard dogs, police dogs, military dogs, rescue dogs and therapy dogs.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 13 years.

Temperament
Energetic, watchful, determined, intelligent, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. The disposition of the Dobermann is friendly and calm; very devoted to the family. Medium temperament and medium sharpness /alertness is desired, as is ability to cope with any emergency. The Dobermann possesses general dignity, which has been described as the "look of Eagles".

General Breed Description
Medium size, muscular and elegant, with well-set smooth body, proud carriage, compact and tough, capable of great speed. Easy to train, the Dobermann enjoys working, and should have a good working ability with courage and hardness. The particular values of self-confidence and intrepidness are required, and also adaptability and attention to fit the social environment. The colour is a definite black, brown, blue or fawn (Isabella), with rust red markings.

Coat and Care Requirements
Smooth short, hard, thick and close lying. Imperceptible undercoat on neck permissible. The Dobermann coat is easy to care for, requiring a weekly brush and an occasional bath. The Dobermann is an active dog who will require daily exercise and stimulation. He should be trained with consistency from an early age. 

Size
Height: Males: 69cms (27ins), Females 65cms (25.5ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Dobermann is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) limited genetic testing available, von Willebrand's Disease (bleeding disorder) genetic testing has been available since 2000), Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI/Wobblers), Hypothyroidism (testing available).

Suitability
The Dobermann is known as the "velcro" dog so be prepared to have a dog who wants to be with you 24/7, wants to learn and embraces being exercised daily, including plenty of different environment to stimulate his active mind. He is not a dog to be left alone in the back yard for long periods of time.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/178