Doberman Pinscher - The facts every owner of this dog breed should know

The Doberman Pinscher is a relatively 'young' breed of dog. This mixed breed dog (Doberman Pinscher have Rottweilers, Thuringian Shepherds, Greyhound, Great Dane, Weimaraner and German Shorthaired Pointer in them) was created by German tax collector Louis Dobermann in the 1860s after his many travels to crime-infested towns. He wanted to breed a watchdog that could easily handle any situation that might arise. The resulting breeding produced a dog that has strength, stamina and boundless energy.

Average Doberman Pinscher males will stand 26 to 28 inches tall and females 24 to 26 inches. Their weight will average 66 to 68 pounds and Doberman Pinschers will live about 13 years. Most Doberman Pinscher coats are black with rust and markings of red. Some Doberman Pinschers are born all white (albino). There is some disagreement if this indicates future medical problems. The hair is short and smooth, needing minimal grooming other than the occasional brushing and bath.

Doberman Pinschers shed less than other breeds, thanks to this coat. Doberman Pinschers are intelligent and like to please their masters. They develop close relationships with their family, but can be stubborn. Firm and consistent training and correction is a must with this breed, and not just from the master.

All people who come in contact with a Doberman Pinscher regularly must not be afraid to assert their position as the alpha. Doberman Pinschers make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs, and are often times used in law enforcement. Their desire to please their master and loyalty makes them a good family pet. However, they are not always the best choice with children. While Doberman Pinschers enjoy playing with and protecting children, some of the boisterous yelling and sudden movements children make can be interpreted as a threat by a Doberman Pinscher and it may attempt to defend itself.

Doberman Pinschers have a lot of energy and need to exercise at least once a day, but not in the cold, as they cannot tolerate it well. If given sufficient time to exercise, they may do all right in an apartment setting. Doberman Pinschers do have medical concerns. Some Doberman Pinschers can develop cervical spondylitis (wobbler syndrome) due to fusion of neck vertebrae and compression of spinal cord, Von Willebrands disease (an inherited blood disorder), obesity in middle age, bloat, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and congenital heart disorders.

There is a website that has great information on Doberman Pinschers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

Copyright © 2006 By Robert W. Benjamin

About the author:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's. RB59 Software