Dobe Pages: Dobe Talk

Dobe Talk

Introduction | Spelling | Ear Cropping and Tail Docking | Temperament

Uses of the Dobermann | The Family Dog | Colours in the Dobermann

Introduction

This isn't to do with the Dobermann Welfare Association, but I thought that I would put additional information on the net (about Dobes of course!).

Everyone that knows anything about Dobes at all knows that the Dobie isn't a very old breed. I won't bore everyone with the details again, as plenty of sites already mention the breeding and making of the Dobe.

Instead, I will say just a little about it.

Spelling

It is interesting to note that in Britain the German spelling "Dobermann" is retained and Pinscher dropped, whereas in America the second 'n' has been dropped to "Doberman" and Pinscher retained. I have always understood that Pinscher meant 'Terrier', of which I think the Dobe has very little resemblance. After all, it is a large dog. I know that the Manchester Terrier was used in it's 'construction', so perhaps it stemmed from this.

Ear Cropping and Tail Docking

In America and parts of Europe ear cropping and tail docking are still standard practice. I realise that in these countries people don't have to do it, but if they want to show their Dobe it has to be done. In Britain however, ear cropping is illegal unless it is for medical reasons.

Temperament

Dobermanns were originally bred to be the perfect guard dog, and on the continent, it is largely found that these Dobes have a slightly sharper temperament than their British and American counterparts.

Even so, people still regard them as a force to be reckoned with. My Dobe bitch, Tara, was the softest thing, but an excellent guard (this didn't need instilling in her at all, she was naturally protective toward me). However, the number of people that actually crossed the road with an expression of abject fear really amazed me! On the street she was always on the lead, and running off the lead was for in the fields.

People's fear tends to be reinforced to a greater extent by the use of Dobes in American films where they are usually typecast as being fierce, aggressive guard dogs. In a way, I think it helps rather nasty people, like burglars, badger diggers, etc to be fearful of them, so it does some good in a way.

What you must not forget is that these Dobes are acting, just like all the other thespians on the set.

Uses of the Dobermann

The Dobermann is widely used in Police Forces throughout the world, and was used extensively by both the German and American armies in WW2. In fact, a statue has recently been erected at the War Dogs Cemetry in Guam, where 25 Dobes gave their lives for their G.I.'s. It is a beautiful statue, and anyone wanting to see it should go to the War Dog Memorial page on the United Doberman Club site.

I was told a story some years ago when Tara was a puppy about Dobes being too intelligent!

Apparently they had them on trial for the English Police Force, just to see what they really could do. They gave up on them, after a Dobe jumped the famous 10 foot fence, and then found it could go "round" instead. It then flatly refused to jump over it at all, and they then found that most Dobes were the same! My own Dobes always let me go to them, they never came to me if they could help it! Just an example of the thinking capacity of them.

Dobes have also been used for:

Herding sheep and cattle
Gundogs
Retrievers, as they have surprisingly soft mouths
Tracking deer which have been run over on the roads

The Family Dog

There are many Dobermanns that would think nothing of attacking an uninvited guest, even if the owners think it soft hearted.
The ideal position is for it to know when to invite someone in and welcome them, which they have an uncanny knack of knowing.

It will guard your house, your car and any members within the house, and when out walking. I know the latter from personal experience unfortunately. Where children are concerned, you need have no fear, as he will just see them as someone else to keep an eye on! But please train your children to respect, not just Dobe's, but any other dog, and restrain them from teasing them. If a dog bites a child, it has more often than not been hurt by the child, not because it is vicious.

Colours in the Dobermann

Don't let the breeders fool you. There are four very common colours that you may get from breeding a black sire with an Isabella (fawn) dam, or vice versa. These are: Black, Red, Blue and Fawn. If a breeder tries to tell you that any colour other than black is rare, he is trying to get more money out of you! Re: myself, I have always prefered black and then red, although blue is very attractive, you get 'people' saying "oh look, a Wiemer wotsit"!

Oliver & Co.

I bought the Disney film Oliver & Company the other day (yes it was for me), little realising that there are two nasty Dobes in it! This is just one example of a film portraying Dobes as villains of the piece. The actual Dobe bodies of Desoto and Roscoe were drawn well, but I wasn't keen on their heads, then again you haven't seen my drawings yet. You will do! It'll give everyone a good laugh I daresay.

Films in General

There was one film that had about seven Dobes in it and I saw this some years back. I can't remember what it was called, but basically the plot was about two guys training all these Dobes to rob a bank. Each Dobe had their own specific task to complete for the big day. In the end, the Dobes ran off with all the money never to be seen again. Now that's what I call intelligence! If anyone can remember the film and what it was called, please e-mail me and let me know.

There are several other films that I have seen Dobes in. I don't watch a lot of films, and only look up when I think something interesting is happening. It's normally someone saying 'Look Jehn, Dobes', and they seem to be chasing people away a lot of the time. I see this then go back to what I was doing originally. (Television, whats that then?)

That's all until next time. Next week I will put some information on first aid for dogs. In particular this will cover traffic accidents and how to deal with them.

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