History of the Doberman

The Doberman breed of dog is renowned for its commanding presence, unwavering loyalty, and faithful companionship. It also possesses a stoic beauty and high intelligence. As a choice for a family dog, its even temperament, heightened senses, and protection ability make it a good choice for those who seek both a loving added family member and an efficient protector.

The breed’s name was derived from Louis Dobermann, of Thuringia, whose experiments were thought to have led to the creation of the breed. After Dobermann’s death, the breed was known as the Dobermann-Pinscher. The word pinscher, which means terrier in German, was eventually released from the official name, and over time, the second ‘n’ in Dobermann’s surname was dropped as well.

There are no surviving records documenting which breeds were used to create the Doberman. What is known that two English breeds, the black English Greyhound and the Black and Tan Manchester Terrier, were crossed and the subsequent offspring were used in the creation of the Doberman. Two German breeds are believed to have contributed to the Doberman as well. Those breeds are the Old German Shepherd, which is now extinct, and the German Pinscher, which is also an ancestor of today’s Weimaraner and Rottweiler.

Many breeds of dog evolved over long periods of time, sometimes naturally and sometimes with human assistance. The Doberman is the direct result of human focus and need, leading to the development of a breed. The Doberman was officially recognized as a breed in 1899.