Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher, breed of working dog that originated in Apolda, Germany, where it was first bred about 1890 from the German shepherd dog, the Rottweiler, the black and tan terrier, and the German pinscher. The Doberman pinscher is named after its first breeder, Louis Dobermann, a watchman who developed the dog to help him with his guard duties. It was employed at first as a watchdog and later was trained to act as a police dog and a war dog. Characteristics of the breed are a powerful musculature; a wedge-shaped head; dark eyes ranging from brown to black in color and having an alert, courageous expression; a well-muscled neck; and a smooth, hard, close-lying coat that is black, red, fawn, or blue in color. The male dog is about 66 to 71 cm (about 26 to 28 in) high at the shoulders and weighs from 29 to 34 kg (65 to 75 lb). Females are slightly smaller. It is obedient, loyal, and especially fond of children. The breed became popular in the United States about 1921.