Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada Inc.

The Doberman is a medium size, working breed that possesses an extreme degree of intelligence and trainability. He is a beautiful, intelligent and loyal family member. He is known for his keen alertness and watchfulness and devotion to his family. He has gone through a long transformation over the last one hundred plus years to emerge as one of the truly versatile working breeds.

He is a dog that stands approximately 26 to 28 inches at the "wither" (highest point on the topline) for males, and he weighs approximately 75 to 90 pounds.   The females are smaller, standing about 24 to 26 inches at the wither, and weighing about 55 to 70 pounds. The "ideal" height for males is 27 1/2 in. and for the females it is 25 1/2 in.. The over all appearance is a "medium sized, square bodied dog---that is compactly built, muscular and powerful---for great endurance and speed---elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, and reflecting great nobility and temperament.   Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. "   These quotes are directly from the Official Doberman Standard approved by the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada and the Canadian Kennel Club.   The "Official Standard" is the total description of the breed---from the tip of the Doberman's nose to the carriage of his tail.   It describes how the "perfect" Doberman should look and act. It is this Standard that the Doberman is judged on when it is entered in a Dog Show in a Conformation Class. This judging that takes place at the Dog Shows, determines which Dobermans come the closest to being " the perfect or ideal" specimens.   The Doberman Standard can be found on the DPCC website in it's entirety.

The Doberman comes in four recognized colours that are acceptable within the Standard.   These are 1) Black and Rust 2) Red and Rust 3) Blue and Rust and 4) Fawn (Isabella) and Rust.   All four of these colours are acceptable in the CKC Standard and can be shown in the Conformation Ring, which judges the future breeding stock for Championship points and the Championship Title.

The "Albino" Doberman is NOT a colour, but an Albinoid form that is NOT eligible to be shown for Championship points or a Champion Title. No Albino can ever achieve this degree of "perfection" as he Albino is considered a "Deleterious Genetic Mutation" and should not be bred under any circumstances. The Albino trait carries many undesirable afflictions that seriously affect the physical and mental health of the Doberman. It is the DPCC's position that the Albino should not be bred or promoted and should be given "Limited Registration" status, which would prevent the breeding and registration of all Albinos.

The Doberman lives approximately 9.6 years on average, with the females usually living a bit longer than the males.   Unfortunately, a 10 year old Doberman, for the most part, is considered fairly old. The larger and giant breeds have even shorter life spans, so we are fortunate that we have the Doberman for nearly ten years on average.   The Doberman does have some health concerns that are prevalent in the reed.   There is incidence of Hypothyroidism, Cardiomyopathy, Cancer, CVI (Cervical Vertebral Instability), vWD (Von Wildebrand's Disease), CAH (Canine Active Hepatitis) and other lesser conditions.   This is not to say that every Doberman will be afflicted by these.   It is to say that these are the prevailing conditions that cause disease in the Doberman.   Many are manageable and others are not. Each Breed has health and medical conditions that make each susceptible to certain diseases. Our intention is to make you aware of the most common. You will find these explained further, in another article on this site.

The Doberman temperament has taken a transformation, also. In the very early days of the breed, the temperament was very sharp and on the verge of being vicious. This apparently was something that Louis Doberman desired in his guard dog.   Times were different and the robbers and thieves were common, and a "tough, sharp dog" helped deter that thought of victimizing by criminals. Through the years, and into modern times, the temperament has been tempered and mellowed, so that today we have a Doberman that is not so "quick on the trigger" as in yester year.   They remain alert, watchful and ready to protect, but gone are the days of the Doberman going through the "window" after a passer-by, or the Doberman being unapproachable by friends and acquaintances. The "Reputable, Concerned and Careful" breeders of today pay very close attention to making sure these desirable traits are of top priority in careful breeding programs.

The Doberman is a very versatile Breed.   Dobermans are wonderful family members, but must be socialized, disciplined properly and kindly, trained to be good citizens, obedience trained, and properly cared for to ensure good health and a long life.   Dobermans are fun and energetic dogs that can play catch, Frisbee or go jogging with you.   You can do Obedience competition, Agility competition, and other sport venues that require an active breed. Dobermans can do Search and Rescue, and other activities that require a good "sense of smell". Dobermans can be found doing just about any activity that any other medium size breed does.

Dobermans are a short coated breed which means that there is NO CHOICE as to where he will stay.   The Doberman is a HOUSE dog and cannot survive being in the cold or heat.   Because his ears are erect and very thin, it is important to make sure he is not outside for long periods of time where he could get "frost bite" on the tips, or worse.   If you live in a very cold climate part of the year, this is something to consider and be prepared for. Also, the heat is a problem, as he has very short and thin coat around the ears and muzzle, which can sunburn and blister.   These are important considerations to remember.

The Doberman is a very active, lively and energetic breed.   They are on the go and love to be where the "action" is at all times. They need to be around their family constantly. If your lifestyle is such that you cannot spend long periods of time with this breed, or you work long hours on end, this will not work with a Doberman.   They are highly intelligent and require things to do and a family to interact with---being loose in a house all day, or locked in a dog kennel all day will only lead to bad habits and destructive tendencies. Exercise and a FENCED yard large enough for the Doberman to move about and run is a necessity---for the safety of the dog, to prevent injury from cars and also to allow for free exercise---not only on a leash.

You will find more specific information about many of the topics we have touched on throughout this website.   Please read everything you can about the Doberman before you decide if this is the breed for you and your family.   The Doberman is a big responsibility---more so than many other breeds, because they are a dog bred for guard and personal protection. This means they are innately possessing all of the traits of a guard dog---big, strong & powerful; large jaws and teeth; guarding instinct; alert and ready to react and evoke fear in most people. They are considered dangerous by many Insurance Companies and many cities and towns will not allow ownership of a Doberman because of their reputation as biters and attack dogs. Please look into all of these possibilities, as the purchase of a Doberman puppy brings with it many responsibilities.

submitted by
Theresa Mullen
DPCA Public Education Committee

I’d like to buy a Doberman puppy—do you have any “King” Dobermans?
There is no such thing as a “King” Doberman. Or a “Superior” or “Excelsior” Doberman either. These terms refer to nothing more than an oversized Doberman. Dobermans are medium-sized, agile dogs; they must be to perform the job they were bred to do. If you want a 32-inch tall dog, perhaps a larger breed would be more suitable.

I’m looking for a puppy—do you have any miniature Dobermans?
Again, there is no such thing as a miniature Doberman. Most people inquiring about miniatures are looking for a miniature pinscher (Min Pin), a native German breed that has been known in that country for over 300 years. The miniature pinscher is 10-12½" at the shoulder and was originally used as a barnyard ratter. They are in no way similar to a Doberman.

How old are they when their brain gets too large for their skull and they attack their owner?
You can’t imagine how often breeders are asked this question. Of course it is physically impossible for the brain to outgrow the skull, but this myth persists and is believed as gospel by many otherwise-intelligent people.

How old are they when they turn on their owner?
This question may be related to the previous question. In any case, a healthy, well-bred Doberman, properly socialized and trained, doesn't turn on his owner. Period.

I’ve heard that Dobermans are hard to train.
In fact, the opposite is true. Dobermans are very intelligent dogs and learn quickly. Because they are intelligent, they can be a challenge for an inexperienced trainer—if you’re not careful, before you know it your Doberman will have trained you! Training should begin with the breeder and must continue as soon as your puppy comes home. A good, puppy class is a must once the puppy has had two vaccinations, and ongoing obedience classes with a talented trainer would be advised. Dobermans do not respond well to outdated force training.

My last Doberman was really hyper—do you have any calm ones?
A well-bred Doberman should not be hyper, but you must remember that Dobermans are working dogs; they need mental and physical exercise. Many behavioural problems can surface due to boredom and/or lack of exercise. If you don’t give them something to do (i.e. training, games) they will find something to do. But that shouldn’t mean they won't park themselves on the couch with you when you want to watch television. Most Dobes want to be with their owners, no matter what the activity.

Also, dogs are like people in that some are more active than others. Part of a breeders responsibility is to match a busy puppy with a busy owner and a quieter puppy with a less active owner. No one knows the puppies better than the breeder who has spent countless hours with them.

I’ve heard that if I breed my female it will help settle her down.
Absolutely not. Apart from the fact that we already have far too many backyard breeders who know nothing about the breed and have no concern for health or temperament, consider why she needs to be settled down. What behaviours are causing the concern? Having a litter is no substitute for training your dog to be a well-mannered member of your family.

I’ve heard that Dobermans don’t shed.
If only it were true! They do lose hair—sometimes a lot—but they don’t shed undercoat that produces the fluff balls most people associate with shedding.

I’ve heard that cropping makes them mean.
No, this too is incorrect. Ear cropping is a major operation done under anaesthetic. It takes a couple of days for the puppies to be back to normal; in two weeks the stitches are removed and the ears are completely healed.

My dog has Borong The Warlock in his pedigree which is why he is such a large dog:

Every field has its legends. In the entertainment world Elvis Presley has become a legend. Although he has been dead for a number of years, his popularity amongst many people has increased. Each year people spend more money on visiting his home Graceland in Memphis than Elvis usually earned in a year. There are many who still make a living impersonating him. There are stories constantly popping up in the supermarket newspapers stating that he is still alive. He has become a legend although many considered him just a better than average singer, actor, and entertainer.

In the Dobe world, there is also a legend. His name is Borong the Warlock. It is not unusual for someone to call a Dobe club Breed Referral number and say, "I have this Warlock male. He is a fawn and one hundred and ten pounds. I want to breed him to a bitch that is strong and exceptional, preferably a Warlock bitch." Or for another caller to state, "My bitch is a Warlock but she is getting old, I would like to get another Warlock bitch." Members of many Dobe clubs report that they get calls very similar to the ones just described.

In 1973, there was a person who lived in Pasadena, Texas who told people that her Dobes were Warlocks. She did a lot of breeding and sold her puppies to people who really did not know much about Dobes. The Dobes she bred were not exceptional and in some instances were rather poor specimens of the breed. That was more than twenty years ago! Was there a Warlock? If there was, why do people still use his name? Frank Grover in The Doberman Scribe, No. 7, in an article entitled "American Doberman Pinscher Legends" wrote about Borong the Warlock. Frank stated, "The Doberman who began the legend was born in Florida in the middle 1950's. His breeders were Theodosia and Henry Frampton. They named this pup Borong the Warlock." A warlock is a male witch, sorcerer, wizard or demon. Grover points out that the name did not describe Borong because he was a direct, rather quiet mannered dog, well trained, and never aggressive toward anyone nor other dogs. Borong was not picked as best in his litter. The pup adhered himself to Henry Frampton. Many thought that it was the pup that picked Henry rather than Henry picking the pup. When the pup grew up, Henry began to show Borong and he began winning. This was the beginning of what would go on for years.

Borong came along at the right time. In the early 1950's, the Dobe world was dominated by Rancho Dobe's Storm, a back to back Best in Show winner at Westminster in 1952 and 1953. Storm was never beaten in the breed ring and he dominated Dobe publicity all over the nation. When Storm retired, exhibitors and judges foundered for a while. There were also many who resented Storm's successes and his popularity and were looking for a different kind of Dobe. Borong fit the bill. He was clearly a different kind of Doberman. Grover states that breeder judges welcomed him. Forty years later, Storm's wins are history; Warlock's name is legend. Henry Frampton's business required that he travel a great deal around the country. He took Borong with him and showed him at shows that were near where his business appointments were. Borong was shown all over the country and became well known. Henry was sociable and friendly. He talked to people and he told them of Borong's achievements. When Borong did not win Best in Breed at a show, Henry would tell the judge what Borong had accomplished and what he had won. He would do this politely and when he showed under the same judge again Borong would usually win.

In 1957, Borong won Best in Breed at the DPCA National. Henry continued to show Borong. When jet travel began in 1959, Henry told people he could buy two first class seats, one for him and one for Borong. Henry also trained Borong in obedience and Ch. Borong the Warlock, CD, was the only male that went Best of Breed at the National with an obedience title. He went Best in Breed at three Nationals. Breeders eventually sought him out because they wanted winning pups. One of his daughters won the National. In his old age he won his first all breed Best in Show. Many of the pups he sired in his later years established him as one of the fine sires of his time. Before Borong retired Henry Frampton took him to Germany where he competed against the top German Dobes. It was at a time when the German members of the breed were aggressive towards other dogs and judges. Borong was a quiet, well mannered Dobe without an enemy in the world. He came in second and Henry complained about this for a long time stating that the judging was done using temperament rather than the conformation of Borong.

Borong's career ended when Henry Frampton died of a heart attack. It was not long after that Borong died. The many who knew how close Borong was to Henry thought the great Dobe died of grief over losing his human companion. The legends grew from his fame. His interesting name helped the growth of the legends. It is reported that the legends started in Texas where some of Borong's excellent descendants lived. People began to believe there were signs that identified a Dobe as a Warlock. The sign could be a lock of hair, a great size, small but powerful, a look in the eye, or something else. The name "Warlock" had an air of mystery about it and people began to see all sorts of signs that a Dobe was a Warlock descendant.

In the 1970's, Doberman Pinschers began to experience a phenomenal increase in popularity. It was a period when people living in the suburbs began to discover that they were not safe from crime. The Doberman, according to the CKC, became the "watch dog of the moment". The "moment" lasted for years. The breed that traditionally ranked around 20th in annual CKC registrations moved up to 2nd in registrations by the early 1980s. Grover states, "When Dobermans were being bred by everyone and sold as ways to get rich quick, hundreds were sold in the underground as Warlocks, each with a secret sign of distinction and value known only to a few." The legend has been used by some to take money from people under false pretences. It has been used by others to see what they would like to see. When all of that is stripped away, Borong the Warlock was a wonderful dog, an outstanding member of the breed, and an ambassador for all Dobermans with an unusual name. Most of all Borong was a great companion to his owner, Henry Frampton.

Over the years Warlock has been associated with oversized Dobes. Dobe fanciers in Texas thought this was just a local phenomenon, but there have been reports that there are Warlocks" in many other states. Because of their size, the "Warlocks" are not shown and have no connection to the original Borong the Warlock.

There probably always will be breeders telling people their puppies are "Warlocks" so the name will live on. Regardless of their size and their pedigree or lack of pedigree, the Warlocks have one thing in common with the best of the Dobes in the show ring and that is they are loved by the people who own them. When one of them dies the owner will continue looking for another Warlock.

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