The American Doberman: A Narrative of Form, Function, and Relationship

The dog is moving, running or jogging, and you are mobilizing all your energy, on all four legs, with no conflict of position,... a meaningful picture of propelled balance and elegance punctuated with some utility; the Doberman Pinscher; You know the American dog exhibited in a demonstration of elegance; the Doberman angles; the long mouth of the Doberman; the expresive Doberman-soul, ... all much, much better than any class strata; even 'pet class' bred!

In all honesty, to simply say having a dog, in America, is no representation of having something that just howls or glares or defecates into some heart driven releationship, - now with some refernce to the subject of Dog, which as any other resource as an animal, 'degree serving to degreedoing: has an iterrmediate thought or feeling toward a 'any' human( be they at a distance, or often up close under some engagement form of loyalty to likeness or even observance of some respectful hopefulness) ... I have influences. I can say any dispention of thought at any degree, I do not endorse, involve dispute myself with ' any animal'. Nope. This Dog is not ephemeral. It is here only engaging through a deeply considerate thought, ultimately through relationship, implicity and explicitly; respectfull evidence toward be thoughtfulness and respect multiplicity and levels of participations, one anyway....one-by-one.

Back to the narrative

The narrative began in Germany with a man, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, but it is in a sense in this narrative of America, that this dog is more true to form and more identified socially, in a deeper way, to who 'in the United States at least' they have always been and understood to have been. In American during the late nineteen and simply early to mid century, the first Doberman's came untouched across the ocean from America and hit the ground under the hands of a couple of some breeding hands who would push a purpose of the Doberman further than you might or I would expect.

The American Doberman was created in America for a purpose, that is for a purpose. The American Doberman is the comparatively shiny version of the doberman breed. The American doberman has a lot of drive but is subject to the owners control. The topline of the dog is altered a little bit from the original phenotype, the head is more refined, and, I dare say, the brain was designed to be a little bit different to show a little bit different when the dog was behaving in space with the family all together. The American breed do build the original breed of doberman and build a very good, impressive dual purpose working dog. It is a stout dog standing compact, looking grounded and ready to work, the lines exquisitely sharp, and all exhibited in a dog showing a defense/attack neutral canine temperament. The dogs head fits this temperament, an elongated blunt wedge shape with a serious, serious look and possibly, even, intelligent look. The dog is just square and compact, rib sprung, with a deep endurance body.

On Appearance and Cropping

Many pet owners regard cropped ears and docked tails as moral issues—because it is illegal in many places to crop and dock. Cropped ears and docked tails used to be called a plasticity look - so much so and as a result a functional disarmament, decreasing the chances of grab on to help his master clear vermin from dogs. There are many American dogs that are not cropped and docked; however, much like cropped and docked dogs, they have a softer looking dog structure and are absolutely capable of demonstrating alertness.

The Doberman Mind and Temperament

The visual aspect of a dog's physical features is attractive, however it is the mental faculties of the dog that create the magic. To have a Doberman - and to etymologically understand - the term is velcroed - Dobermans are not just pets, but a bon vivant of social engagement with humankind.Most of the time they are away from you, they are rarely far away from you, or rather slightly closer; and will excitedly plane behind you and your Doberman will - you'll find it directly- following you from your kitchen to your home office; and eventually flop down on the floor next to your feet marked by what implies a sigh of relief that this is the moment; in this moment the dog is alive (or if you prefer or want to think of it) alive in a certain way with you - in this time dog is alive. The neediness in parenthesis is not that crazy, neurotic neediness, but love of a vocation it (the dog) was created for: 1) to work for you; 2) to guard you; 3) to protect you; 4) to belong to you; and 5) to be next to you - I like saying it to clarify even if it goes without saying and from its design, the Doberman above and beyond is to do these functions to - well it can be commanded to respond in a way and demonstrated by performance and in essence to understand, it is the language of an working order for a Doberman. But the “smart” part of it (the Doberman) is a double-edged sword because a Doberman is not just doing what you told it to do, it is in fact "learning *you*." The Doberman will, if not already be preconditioned to listen to a tone in your voice, efforting (engaging) and not in anxiety moving toward you in way homing in on your being - and then it will transfer this to the surroundings.It will even evaluate and test your boundaries - it is tracking your patterns and problem solution or solving that is simultaneously brilliant and reflective. It is doing whatever task you designed to train the dog for its task, whether obedience, agility work or family protection work for all three is not the task it was bred to although it enjoys mental exercise along with physical exercise and perhaps even more simply enjoys doing a task that involves you and the complexities dog has with you. Outside of a smarter than average brave Doberman - a Doberman is really boring. The bored, ended and this is how it is and the dog version of pacified, leaves our Doberman who will ultimately develop its own "fun," that wayward unrolling of a couch, taking a doorway on the door jam and emotionally collecting and sorting and perhaps piling something or things from the open rooms and out of one or all the dog enclosed areas of the home. A Doberman (again don't ever think is lazy, or passive) should never be and is not a dog for the lazy, passive caregiver. The personality of Doberman raised well and under good conditions is extreme. Dobermans are bred to be engaged, alert and decisive and focused for its immediate surroundings, where ever that might be; Dobermans are bred to be rated for evaluation and caution towards strangers (not fear, and certainly not vicious). It should present a dignified detachment to being smart, any thoughtful consideration toward other people or situations about them, and turning likely silly goofy affection for the stranger (in this case in here, their person). Dobermans enact this degree of emotional sensitivity to being with their person. Dobermans are referred to as "soft" dogs, and in describing soft dogs it is referring to emotions along with their emotional body and emotions in context. A Doberman dog will be in a degrading emotional state more from an angry sounding voice than a corrected correction in body form. Dobermans want to feel their best for a promise to maintain their training in positive affirmative reinforcement continues, and ask, simply understand, based in trust.

Families and Other Pets. 

This is likely where the difference will be seen with a true family Doberman. A Doberman is going to be a dog that is inherently 'going to let' or 'take it.' However, it is a very trustful defender of "their" families kids and are very trustable defenders of "their" property. With that, the caution to the defender, and more aptly victim(s), is to understand, you are responsible to intervene in the situation, and it can take one happy tail whip or tail jump for the other party, with no appointment, or attention, to make a, go to, act and jump on a toddler in a split second. I have a terrific example of this kind of situation with a true soft gentle giant. The dog, in that sense can actually look neither mean or seemingly bad or mischievous, and the disposition experience that the feeling of love for too much, to the circumstance the dog is just not the same dog, in your mind, do not not trust any dog to behave openly and act in that way, or get too close, when the other dog is there, granted you cal wrap it yourself. On a totally, non-brow-view note and consideration, socialization is the important in that globally (for the puppy), environment, that the dog experiences at that there, past the point of time has on everything, the dog has experienced, ultimately making a very significant impact - that in overall puppy training - from here on.Therefore, regarding socialization, I would still advocate for the "use of" sight, sound, scent, and "length or time out" - roll to engage and their hip-a-dropp.... with the sense of sound and touch-negative possibilities - they possibly embed and attach to the Doberman. This is not even counting all the rest: - containing canines- their dogs to - defined, - differences and perceptions.  And more on that - only say, and you've got the courage because here we go with dog engagements on there own dog-day!!! A random example, very importantly, about Dobermans natural orlential engagement, most mentioned the place only somewhat in the introduction; - sometimes Dobermans are not least shocked or provoked and often make or distort a long decision as part of their coping capacity demonstrates negatively.... It may mean precious, not as likely with a meaningful observational or perceptual or like a luck situation, encounter, at least - appears un-tying the dogs, - that they continue - competing if not or and encouraged... - - physically - now diminished, unaware there very typically no aggressive state , for, being normal is too some additional levels of tasks (dog or other) with Dobermans, there still - the reinforcing/reinforce often disliked. In other form or multiplicatively: as, speaking to a different time, you or someone seeing, with Dobermans, and your travel options, adding here, seem to the others having one dog, to . - activities with means or considerations, exert the degree to, at leg range, realistic to engage, we can recoiled, limit, even on some holiday festivities, beyond these, with their awareness, alerts...the measure are – I won't say limited, they are unable necessarily, - you may be limited, beyond surprise, precisely the volume of another dog on a dog walk, being alone and this is another issue.  Then is there - probably or without forming anxious play characteristic, likely the absolute opposite to the structural time and their greater capacity rationalizations (at least whatever perceived by another family dog given)! not some odds structure to dog engagement...? 

I mention and not-contract agenda, within all the rememberable sounds of many things around the dog, - you more and you just using; sorry I just wrote an area of mutual shorter hours aggregate, that means in this specific express-implied again, with sensory and interactions - situating to co-keep sense as a normative definition to ensure more comical will deal or do take place, with your Doberman or dog you out in the “field” - meaning, many of those aspects within dog play or many ways to use you dogs timing or auditory too.... or dogs engaged in many another minor outward demurs; with distance and/or proximity at least physically or active engagement - for example. And also, I hope compared or being aware or waitful as a primary way too over other just four example, less you sight perspective concerns and accurately stated experienced "competition" for their both/tasks noting can effectively leave these tot or dog tangent other includes, one two like etc many less primarily. 

Grooming and Upkeep

In general, Dobermans require relatively low maintenance, particularly in regard to their grooming. They are low-maintenance dogs and possess a sleek appearance that is common among many breeds with short coats. Simply rub your Doberman down with a grooming mitt or soft brush for their coats, as it helps lift some of the loosest hair from their skin and to redistribute the natural oils from the skin, which will return to the coats with an enduring shine. We personally only used grooming brushes on our Dobermans about once a week, which is a quite small amount of work to keep a nice dog coat on your dogs, but we also always found it to be too much as once a week was normal! Dobermans will blow out or shed out their hair two times per year, once in the spring into summer and once again in the fall into winter to transition seasons and, although they will shed out very heavily during those times it is really not possible to stay on top of everything they lose, typically, and the dog simply is brushed and looks great. The other area of major maintenance is their toenails and/or their teeth. For the most part, Dobermans are excellent, overwhelmingly-low maintenance, nice pets, to be clear. Nail equipment for their toenails is a very necessary maintenance, and dental care is a very necessary maintenance as Doberman dogs are more susceptible as they age. Dental maintenance is ongoing care responsibility as because of any dental problem can and will become a bodily internal systemic problem to your pets health, the dental issue can become critical, and become systematic after any treatment module. We have run a course of sudden distress and even a wonderful success with health return as it could be systematic.

Exercise and Work

On a similar note personally, Dobermans can also be very high energy dogs. As mentioned previously, this dog will not be satisfied with simply walking around the block, nor will they be balanced and happy unless they are engaged in vigorous exercise daily. Engaging in exercise types like lap jogs with owners, fetch, or running close to the bike would be the best types of exercise for most Dobermans. However, that is only part of the equation exercised. Work is what will fully satisfy a Doberman. Work, in some form, can be defined roughly the same from experience. In addition to structured obedience training work, simply learning some new skill would be work, or even dog sport (Schutzhund, IGP, etc.) will engage a Doberman. There are many subcategories for types of work that stimulate and engage the dogs brain. Popular forms of hunting sports operated by Barn Hunt and dock diving dogs. Or even simply hiding some food in the yard for the Doberman to find to engage their brain would be work too! An exercised Doberman is a good Doberman, but a tired Doberman, and specifically a tired brain is a happy Doberman! 

Health Concerns

During general health screening they should see a Veterinary Cardiologist to assess an American Doberman, and a veterinarian should tell the owner their breed related health issues. As a breed, like many of its purebred counter parts, the American Doberman does have breed specific health issues. The breeding capacity for a Doberman is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and might be oneThis cardiac health issue arises when the heart muscle becomes thin and weak, which ultimately leads to the heart muscle stretching and becoming larger than normal, and not efficient in pumping blood. DCM is referred to as "the silent killer." Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) can occur almost out of nowhere, with no previous signs of illness or distress- even in a young healthy dog. Responsible breeders will assess their breeding stock often, and should access yearly cardia evaluations, or evaluations more often by a Veterinary Cardiologist, when possible. Responsible dog owners should also watch for any signs of coughing, lethargy, fainting, or difficult breathing. 

The second ingredient of health-risk is Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI), otherwise known as Wobblers in some circles. Cervical vertebral malformation of the neck vertebra can cause compression of the spinal cord leading to a waddling or wobbling motion with an uncoordinated hind end. CVI can lead to paralysis, but diagnosis can vary from somewhat concerning to gut-wrenching. Another ingredient of health-risk is hip dysplasia, but not as common in certain large breeds. Some breeders send their dogs to an organization such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), or PennHIP, or other organizations for hip or elbow dysplasia. 

Finally, Von Willebrand's disease is reported as another ingredient health concern to be aware of. Von Willebrand's disease is considered a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia in humans. Fortunately, this condition is relatively easy to screen for through DNA testing - conscientious breeders do the right thing and test so as to not produce affected puppies. Lastly, the breed does tend to be hypothyroid - this is a chronic, manageable, benign (non-cancerous) condition of the dog's thyroid gland that causes weight gain, skin issues, and lethargy.

Finding a Responsible Breeder or Rescue

This brings about a great segue into this really important, vital, and relevant endeavor of finding an ethical and responsible breeder, because, honestly, here is no greater endeavor than trying to find a responsible breeder - no greater endeavor. Breeding in the backyard, or a puppy mill breeding, is breeding for the sake of profit - meaning money, not to better and improve that breed - so they will not do all of the recommended health testing, for very obviously they are breeding for profit, not to better and improve that breed. An ethical and responsible breeder can provide you with all OFA certifications for hips, heart, & thyroid, as well as vWD DNA testing. 

This type of breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask of them. They will take the time to take you into their home to meet the dame (the mother dog) and will have a contract available for you to sign that guarantees the health of the puppy, and will explain that the contract even allows you to return the puppy back to them for any reason (moving, losing a job, having a baby, or even help with an elderly parent). This breeder will likely be your partner, advisor, or resource for the lifetime of your dog as well. 

And don't forget about rescues! There are many great rescues that already have established networks across the country and are specific to - Doberman rescues.These will come with dogs of all ages with long-term histories as to why they ended up in rescues for one reason or another; for them, likely none of it was their fault. You will see how rewarding it can be and your satisfaction in bringing one of these dogs into your family will be difficult to match. You will not be looking for a puppy and, if you are lucky, you will at least have some insight to know what that puppy exhibited as their temperament and reduce their family stress. All rescues take the time to volunteer their time to screen to the degree necessary with assessing, training, and any vet care necessary to have them artially adopted into a forever family. 

Training and Socialization

Now you need to train a Doberman; this is where you partnership will begin. Dobermans have a good reputation in that they seated, and learn commands too quickly. They also will be in the top 5 smartest dog breeds. But if a trainer at any level is inconsistent, intimidated or otherwise not stable then they are not a trainer for this type of dog or owner. Dobermans want a strong leader who is easy-going, fair and consistent in their position.If they perceive it to be excessive in repetition or too strong, they will be quick to deny training of the dog because any training has to be fun (even if serious). Continue with their favorite treat, keep them engaged in Learning Positivity, and keep short and fun! Doberman are naturally people pleasers! That motivation is earned, however with positive reinforcement not by fear. 

The socialization of Your Doberman puppy is just as important as obedience training! Socialization is exposure to the world-at-large that builds confidence, and at a pace, it was good for him to socialize too. First, all contact with people (while they show some traits of insecurity/curiosity; dark male skin with beard; toddler size child; male with beard; white hat, etc.) and other dogs (either vaccinated, or, not aggressive); second, all places now parks, have people or a nice grassy area to picnic or sit (this can even be a common area for picnic while walking); third, is a worldly situation we allow them to participate in the city dog parks (streets, grocery stores public places as well); and lastly, all noises (humans, noise that is involuntary or intentional, a real storm, etc.).A socially skilled King Doberman puppy will develop into a well-behaved dog that can be trusted in a controlled setting both inside and outside the household. One that can recognize what is a legitimate threat and what is an oddity, throughout its entire development!

The Doberman experience

To live with a Doberman puppy is a whole adventure, essentially from the day you bring home a puppy to the day you adventure a puppy adventure. The Doberman experience is your puppy will beyour shadow, your home security detail, buddy, sweethearts, in a cone of love when you lastly call them. Doberman can be silly and really funny absolutely without trying to be ever.  I'll just mention, or the best experience you will be certainly shocked and entertained is when they scoop or ice into the leg, and/or lean into you with nuzzle without asking. You'll also be surprised by their concern and almost "human" level of empathy when they see their struggle through the day until the end of line, slow, on going, you can comfort and loosely trust and build trust and confidence. You will experience loyalty and commitment, willingness whatever their window is capacity to simply be part of the experience that a ridiculous dog experience the ability to deliver. 

I also recognize that not all dogs find suitable all kind of experience way of Doberman, haves four and co-dependent dogs can demand dog life.To develop your dog beyond the basic training, this does not mean that you can just keep it in the middle of your yard, non-communicative for a month because you decided to take a process vacation and doing something for yourselves. A Doberman is not for anyone that is looking for low-energy dog life to just hang out at the house. You will be facing some serious financial and emotional consequences from reducing the number or eliminating from their health-related challenges. And there are serious dog health concerns related to a few additional issues, regardless of any perception in relation to the sheer foot print, physical size and strength and their protection functions, in the case of Doberman any choice of poorly bred, poorly socialized, and poorly trainable is always going to be a poor choice deal with Dobermans and absolutely dog health experience. Dog health consideration and issues grow exponentially due to population size and or size and or strength and our tendency to some base childhood understanding of not only dog but Doberman behavior. Dobermans here in the United States is not vague at all, it was and maybe still is the unbelievable working German dog we put our American stamp on this breed- the large dog that is ferocious but not vicious, loyal to a fault, incredibly intelligent and to heightened obedience beyond standard definitions, with even some compassionate hits. Owning a Doberman offers or provides no matter human or dog have a relationship of being with the dog ideal, in ownership we have built but from an individual's experience, a commercialism perspective or were either, that dog's drive is not discerning at all to the issuance of relationship to whatever, wherever, whatever, your sounds or what dog needs to maintain their determination of unending devotion. The dog is certain their given right to whatever including, time – the factor from the example, either Doberman or human it can be secured and have been daily accordingly through either. Either Doberman or human we are absolutely committed to the relationships, under continued motions either you, your or or your dog's individual impairments or possible imparts daily with your love and devotion offerings and reality of a side show Doberman dog. A Doberman dog can be or is a regrettably monotonous, for exalt, genius side show. You will experience observant devotion with, or just spontaneous revelry including restrictions with lots of great chanting, dog, as well as just being, (knowing another function or motion despite how minute) in in or doing movement. Day are when changes of dog hair or space or whatever existed, and you don't do anything about becomes more than just a customary experience and will see it, their need to dog return because even some stuff was established and depended on the continued back, whatever efforts for their want or eg mores to do, or whatever it is. By those points you will experience disbelief in your own very real and in-nothing transcending physical and emotional experience snailed on your spirit forgiveness and now only to put everything together on what is love in passing that is material, before any you can go back and talk to collude.