The Doberman Pinscher: A Loyal Breed

Out of all the large breed dogs that are feared and respected for their loyalty and ferocity, the most are the Rottweiler, the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher. Doberman Pinschers are not only a strong and protective breed, but they are also loving and devoted friends.

Named after their German developer Friedrich Louis Dobermann, these dogs were probably bred to serve as protection for their owner, who was a successful tax collector. he was also believed to have worked at the local animal shelter where he had access to many different breeds and was able to select from different specific characteristics when developing his breed.

I have the distinct memory of being chased by a black and tan Doberman when I was a child and the experience definitely made an impression on my life. I saw how fast, alert, and quick to respond my neighbor's dog was and from then on I wanted a Doberman Pinscher of my own. About four years ago I adopted "Gypsy" my red, or rust colored, Doberman from a local breeder. These dogs are so alert and ready to please their master that sometimes a paw given on the "shake" command can be dangerous. My dog tries to give me her paw so fast that if I am unprepared I get knocked off balance or scratched in the face, she reacts as soon as a command is given. This is a characteristic trait of the Doberman, these dogs were bred to be ready to meet any situation anytime with courage .

In World War I the German soldiers were each given a Dobie of their own and when they lay in their bunker to sleep at night their dog would be their only source of protection. The dog would watch it's soldier sleep at night and keep watch for any commandos sneaking up on them. Not only would the dog keep watch, but they would also engage in combat to protect their owner.

Doberman Pinschers are not only a strong and protective breed, but they are also loving and devoted friends. This is not a breed of dog for people busy or often consumed by their work; these dogs need plenty of time and attention from their owners. For your commitment and training you will receive a fearless friend who is ready to protect you or play with you any time of day or night. The amount of loyalty and love these monstrous dogs are capable of are amazing. I would have never thought that something that looks so scary can be as cuddly as a child's teddy bear. Having a Dobie is like much being in a human relationship, you have to put out what you want to get out of the friendship. An owner that only spends limited amounts of time with their pet due to a hectic work schedule will find that their pet is not as committed to them as they might hope. Instead the dog will seek companionship from another person in the house or even the other household pets.