Dobermann Info

The History of the Dobermann

Dobermanns were first bred in Apolda, Germany around 1890 by a tax collector, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann . He required an intelligent, strong, fearless and loyal dog to guard him and be a companion while he was on his tax collecting rounds. Dobermann fortunately worked as the local dog catcher, giving him easy access to a large number of canines that he could use to create his ideal breed.

Although the breeds Louis Dobermann used were never documented, it is believed that the modern day Doberman originated from several different breeds of dogs, which could have included the Pinscher, Rottweiler, Beauceron, Weimerainer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Great Dane, old German Shepherd dog, Manchester Terrier and the Greyhound.

Louis Dobermann died in 1894 and his protégé, Otto Goeller, continued in the further development of the breed. Several years later, Goeller adopted the kennel name Thuringen and in 1899 went on to establish the first “Dobermann Pinscher Club” in Germany. Members of the newly formed club wrote the very first Dobermann breed standard. Goeller became involved in breeding Dobermanns and formed the kennel name Groenland. Most modern day Dobermans can be traced to this prominent line of dogs.

The properly bred and trained Doberman has proved itself as friend and guardian. As is developed, its qualities of intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training brought it into demand as a police and war dog. "Always Faithful", a life-size Doberman in bronze, is located in Guam at the war dog cemetery at the U.S. naval base in Orote Point as a permanent monument.

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