How to Identify a Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is known as a popular and strong breed and is part of the working group. [1] Dobermans were originally bred in Germany by a taxman and were nicknamed the "Tax Collector's Dog" before gaining fame as a versatile and hardworking breed. [2] Nowadays, they are used for work such as the police force, military, therapy, search and rescue, and in the show ring, though they are also popular pets to the devoted family. [3] This wikiHow will help you know whether a dog is a Doberman Pinscher.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Considering the Structure

  1. Doberman Pinschers are medium to large sized dogs, with a height of 26–28 inches (66–71 cm) in males and 24–26 inches (61–66 cm) in females. Males can weigh anywhere from 75 to 100 pounds (34 to 45 kg), while females weigh 60–90 pounds (27–41 kg). [4]
  2. A Doberman's head is long and resembles a blunt wedge in shape, with a flat topskull. It seems to widen toward the ears in an unbroken line when viewed from the front. [5]
    Advertisement
  3. The ears of a Doberman Pinscher are typically cropped, making them stand erect. When the upper attachment of the ear is held erect, it appears level with the top of the head. [6] Other times, their ears are left natural or uncropped, being high-set but lying near the head's sides flatly in a manner that resembles triangles. [7]
  4. Dobermans have almond-shaped eyes with dark irises, ranging from medium to the darkest of brown in black dogs and a dark color that blends with the markings in red, blue, and fawn dogs. The eyes are moderately deep-set and give off an expression of energy and vigor. [8]
  5. A Doberman Pinscher's muzzle extends parallel to the top line of the dog's skull, with full and powerful jaws, close-lying lips, and flat but muscular cheeks. The nose's color is based on the color of the coat: black dogs have black noses, red dogs have dark brown noses, blue dogs have dark grey noses, and fawn dogs have dark tan noses. The strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. [9]
  6. Dobermans have cat feet, meaning their paws are well-rounded. They are compact, well-arched, and turn neither in nor out, Dewclaws may be removed on the front legs and are typically removed on the back legs. [10]
  7. The tail of a Doberman is often docked, usually to the second joint. It is lifted a small amount above the backline if the dog feels alert, and it appears to continue off of the dog's backbone. [11] It is also possible for one to have a natural or undocked tail, which curls a bit and appears high. [12]
  8. Doberman Pinschers are muscular, powerful, square, and compactly built for speed and endurance. A Doberman has a well-arched neck, sloping shoulders, a short back, a broad chest, well-sprung ribs, and straight and parallel legs. They walk with a vigorous, free, balanced gait with good reach in the front and good driving power in the back. [13]
    Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Viewing the Coat

  1. Dobermans have short, smooth coats that are thick, hard, and close-lying to the skin. They may have an invisible grey undercoat on the neck. [14]
  2. The coat of a Doberman Pinscher may be one of four base colors. These colors are black, red, blue, and fawn. One of these colors makes up the majority of a Doberman's coat, along with markings. [15]
  3. Doberman Pinschers have sharply defined rust-colored markings. These markings appear above the eyes and on the muzzle, throat, forechest, legs, feet, and below the tail. The dog may also have a small patch of white on the chest. [16]
    Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

  1. Some Dobermans may show signs of aggression or dominance toward other dogs or animals. It is important to socialize and train a Doberman to prevent this. [17]

    Note: Dobermans have a reputation as an aggressive or even "bad" breed. Know, however, that though some Dobermans may be more prone to aggression, others display none at all. Not every individual of a breed will display the exact same traits.

  2. As a working breed, Doberman Pinschers are highly active and require daily exercise as well as mental stimulation. Activities such as agility and advanced obedience classes work to fulfill these needs greatly. [18]
  3. Dobermans are known for being emotionally sensitive. They can react poorly to stressful environments and family issues, both emotionally and physically. [19]
  4. When treated with care, Dobermans can be highly trainable. Some may be more hardheaded than others, but all Dobermans require a confident owner willing to devote time to training. [20]
  5. Despite their reputation, Dobermans are actually vastly loyal dogs. Though they may be suspicious toward strangers, they are loyal to and protective of their families. [21]
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I get my Doberman pinscher to balance a golf ball on his nose?
    Linnie
    Top Answerer
    Doberman pinschers require training with consistency and confidence. Make sure to dedicate lots of time for training, and earn his trust by showing you care for him through ways such as demonstrating affection and spending time to play with him. They also respond well to positive reinforcement, so incorporate this into training by offering limited and occasional treats or time to play with a favorite toy. To teach the Doberman pinscher to balance the golf ball on his nose, first train him to "stay" so he doesn't move. Once he has mastered this, combine "staying" with balancing the golf ball. Place it on top of his nose and tell him to "stay" so he keeps it balanced. Use your positive reinforcement methods to encourage the behavior whenever he keeps it from falling. Check out How to Train a Doberman Pinscher for more tips.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Consider using a DNA test if you wish to identify the breed of your dog. DNA testing will confirm if your dog is a Doberman Pinscher.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Note that because of their stigma of being aggressive dogs, Dobermans may be banned in some areas. [22] Make sure to check for any dog breed bans in your area.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Teach a Horse to Bow Properly
      How to
      Stop Cat Bullying: Recognizing the Signs and Stopping the Behavior
      How to
      Make a Dog Stop Biting
      How to
      Use a Dog Whistle
      How to
      Identify a Dogo Argentino
      How to
      Help an Older Dog Grieve the Loss of Its Owner
      How to
      Set Up a Chicken Coop
      How to
      Prepare Home Cooked Food for Your Dog
      How to
      Take Care of Teacup Puppies
      How to
      Leash Train a Puppy
      How to
      Recognize Distemper Symptoms in Dogs
      How to
      Stop a Puppy from Barking
      How to
      Set up a Rabbit Cage
      How to
      Make a Guinea Pig Cage
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/doberman-pinscher/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/doberman-pinscher/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/doberman-pinscher/
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/doberman-pinscher/
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.ukcdogs.com/doberman-pinscher
      8. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      9. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      1. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      2. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.ukcdogs.com/doberman-pinscher
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      7. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html
      9. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html
      10. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html
      11. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html
      12. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html
      13. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/dobermanpinschers.html

      About this article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 5,618 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement