Doberman Pinschers Dog Breed
Doberman Pinschers: The iconic ears standing to attention, listening for every minute detail of sound, the confident stance and powerful physique, the Doberman Pinscher is an impressive breed that have many traits and historical facts that may surprise you.
Unfortunately, there are certain dogs that are held to strong-believed stereotypes, such as "known aggressive breeds," such as the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Akita, and the Doberman Pinscher.
But are these dogs truly as vicious as the media portrays? When dog bite statistics are compared alongside other breeds and dog sizes, are the ratios of breed-to-bite stereotypes as accurate as we think? Or do these dogs have the ability to be warm and welcoming, compassionate and loyal?
When it comes down to reality, the breed of the dog does not matter. Every animal has the potential to react differently than expected, especially in situations that are unknown, challenging or intimidating.
This page will cover the following:
Can Doberman Pinschers Be Family Companions, or Are They Only Capable of Being Attack Dogs?
Dobermans have forever been portrayed as the blood-thirsty beasts, obeying their owner's commands, standing at attention at all times. But while Dobermans are capable of this "never resting" stereotype, they can be surprisingly domesticated and gentle around children, elderly and the sick and disabled.
This intelligent breed of dog has been a family favorite for decades; protecting children, defending the elderly, socializing during family events and get togethers, Doberman Pinschers are very sociable dogs, especially when their upbringing was infused with consistent interaction and mingling with strangers and friends.
Although Dobermans have the friendly and patient side, this does not mean that if a Doberman Pinscher is acting domesticated, gentle and non-aggressive, this doesn't mean that they can't suddenly bite or attack out of fright, excitement, danger or nervousness.
Even dogs that have no history of prior aggressive behavior, can bite as a defense mechanism. But the overall temperament of the Doberman Pinscher can widely vary depending on the type of upbringing they experienced.
If you have been attacked or experienced a dog bite from a Doberman Pinscher or other dog breed, you are always urged to seek medical attention immediately and to contact a team of skilled and highly experienced Dog Bite Lawyers.
Call us for a Free consultation at 800-561-4887.
History of Doberman Pinschers
Originating in the city of Apolda, Germany, in the state of Thurungia around 1890. After the Franco-Prussian War, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was a local tax collector and was in charge of the dog pound. He experimented with breeding different types of dogs until he came up with the perfect defender he could bring along during his tax collecting; Karl Dobermann collected his taxes in locations that ran high with bandits and robbers.
Also known as the "Tax Collector's Dog," the Doberman breed wasn't officially recognized until 1900. The first registered Doberman was registered in 1898, and the first Doberman registered with the American Kennel Club was registered in 1908.
The Doberman Pinscher breed found their way into the military and law enforcement and make a tremendous aid to the brave men and women who fight for our country and our freedom every single day.
These brave and loyal dogs have carried out tasks with pride, even when on the battlefield; with guns firing, bombs exploding, shrapnel and debris flying all over the place, these heros established a valid name for themselves.
Dobermans also fulfill their duty on law enforcement teams, sniffing for drugs, explosives and other dangerous tasks that help our men and women in uniform stay safe, so they can return home to their families.
Even though Doberman Pinschers make great family companions, they are still animals with natural instincts and defense mechanics. Even if a dog has never expressed hostile behavior before, does not mean they can't show aggressive behavior in the future, suddenly, and without warning.
- Dobermans are responsible for: (September 1982- December 2014)
- 23 severe attacks
- 12 child attacks
- 9 adult attacks
- 8 deaths
- 12 maimings
- *According to Petolog.com*
- Dobermans are highly unlikely to turn on their owners/handlers
- Dobermans have been on record for breaking a mans forearm with only one bite of their powerful jaws
- A healthy Doberman bite can measure in at a biting pressure of 200-400 pounds
For more information about Doberman Pinscher dog bite statistics and information, you can also visit PetHelpful.com
Why Are Doberman Pinschers Notorious for being Security Dogs?
You've seen them in the movies, chasing the burglars, being held in the back of police K9-Units and even with bomb squads, swat team and the military, and there is a reason; their loyalty, their determination, focus and agility makes them a prime candidate for security.
Their powerful body, muscular legs, disabling bite and sheer speed make them a machine for destruction, taking down anything in their path if necessary.
Their deep black, mystical blue and red coats give them an appearance that can't be confused with any other breed. Other breeder actually breed Doberman Pinschers with other breeds to give them the benefits of a Pinscher.
Rottweilers are also an unmistakable presence, with their brown and black markings, powerful physique, confident stance, these breeds carry themselves with pride and loyalty to their handlers.
To have any sort of comparison of why Dobermans are the epitome of security and enforcement would be pointless. What would stop a burglar in their tracks? A Poodle, Jack Russel Terrier, maybe a Corgi?
Other known breeds that are used in law enforcement are: 2885
- German Shepards
- Rottweilers
- Labrador Retrievers
- Pit Bulls
- Chow Chows
- Mastiffs
- Doberman Pinschers
Although any form of law enforcement and the military is dangerous, these dogs are specifically trained for many different types of situations. From hand to hand combat, to solo-dog missions, letting their handlers know of oncoming dangers, there are a plethora of ways a military dog can serve their country.
In 1944, the Japanese invaded American soldiers on the island of Guam. The Doberman Pinscher military dog could sense the Japanese invasion coming and alerted Marine Capt. William W. Putney, who led the patrol.
Although Cappy was killed, he saved his men from a catastrophic situation. Today, there is a monument with the names of 28 other military dogs that passed away while serving their country. There is a symbolic statue of a Doberman Pinscher on top.
What Is a Doberman Pinscher's temperament?
Society and the media have created a frenzy with certain dog breeds and identify them as "killers from birth." This is inferring that these dog breeds have no control over their thoughts, actions or temperament, and suggest that it's strictly DNA, in the genes, and that the nurturing and upbringing of the animal is not a factor.
All living things that learn and grow as they get older, experience different environments and situations that ultimately transform them into who they become and how they act.
With exceptions for dogs that have mental issues, over-aggressive tendencies and even diseases from an early age, a Doberman Pinscher, like all other breeds have the capability to act all types of ways.
A Doberman that is raised in an uncomfortable environment, neglected, given little or no attention may grow up to be timid, overly-self-defensive, a biter, barker and extremely unpredictable.
A Doberman that is raised with constant training, fighting, aggressive roughhousing and even physical and mental abuse, are usually the stories of how dog fighters are raised. Dog fighting is the illegal and extremely abusive act of training dogs to be as vicious as possible, to go up against other dogs in a fight to the death, while the owners/handlers and spectators observe and bet on the winner and or loser.
A Doberman that is raised in a loving environment, with people and even other pets that share and give affection, attention, playtime and learn gentleness and playfulness, is usually how a family companion is raised. Being trained what is right and wrong from an early age with appropriate training techniques, discipline and strategies is important.
The breed characteristics chart above was provided by DogTime.com.
Owning a Doberman
Doberman Pinschers are extremely intelligent and loyal, hardworking dogs. Their ability to learn, accept training and overcome complex tasks take them to the top of the ranks, ranking #5.
According to Petrix.com, rank 1-10 of the world's brightest dogs will:
- Understand new commands in less than 5 repetitions
- Obey first command 95% of the time or better
Having a Doberman companion at home can also change your overall lifestyle. With breeds like Doberman Pinschers, more energy-relief, exercise, attention, training, bonding and so on, is needed with these breeds. Also, others might be more timid around these animals, especially at first.
If your Doberman likes to bark at noises, strangers or anything period, noise complaints, reports and other frustrating issues can be an unpleasant experience for Doberman owners. Taking your Doberman for frequent walks, runs, playtime and opportunities for them to explore, discover, play and make other dog friends, helping with their cognitive abilities, training, maturity and coping with all types of experiences.
Not allowing your Doberman to socialize with other dogs, animals, and people will only make your Doberman more aggressive, stand-offish, and hard to handle.
There are many dogs we encounter that are barking, growling, tugging on their chain, looking like they want to bite you. Although size does seem to matter when it comes to the type of dog attacking, are some breeds more aggressive than others that have a reputation for being a hostile breed by nature?
Although Doberman Pinschers seem to have more size, weight and power than say, a Pug or Chihuahua, their temperaments may not be all that different. Smaller dogs often indicate a desire for aggressive behavior. Barking, snipping, growling and gremlin-like actions.
While these smaller dogs are showing signs of aggression and often biting at ankles, wrists, hands, toes, fingers and other easy-to-bite areas of the body, the injury or wound inflicted by these bites/attacks may not be all that damaging, compared to a larger dog, such as a Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler or Pit Bull.
This is where disagreements come into play regarding breed temperaments compared to others. Many dog breeders, owners and handlers are frustrated at the fact their breeds of dog are being focused on more than others because of the injury severity.
Many people feel that overall breed temperament and average aggression should be categorized by specific groupings, and not identifying one breed "more aggressive" than another, based on injury severity.
Example: If Chihuahuas have more statistics showing aggression, hostility and violent behavior overall, than compared to the overall statistics found for Doberman Pinschers, Chihuahuas should be listed as more aggressive than Dobermans.
If Dobermans are shown to have an average of more severe injuries inflicted by bites than compared to Chihuahua bite injuries, that should be an entirely separate category than judging it strictly by bites/attacks, and not taking the severity of the injuries into consideration for the overall rating.
Even dogs that have never shown an ounce of aggression throughout their lifetime can suddenly, and without warning, go off and bite, attack or show paralyzing aggression.
Even if an actual physical confrontation or personal injury does not happen, the overall experience of a large and majestic dog, like the Doberman Pinscher, can leave a confident individual trembling.
Victims of bites and near attacks can suffer from PTSD for weeks, months, years and in serious cases for the rest of their lives.
Here are 5 steps that can help prevent or stop an attack or dog bite from continuing or happening in the first place:
- Don't let the situation happen: Self-awareness and paying attention to your surroundings is very important in all situations and environments. Often times, people distracted by their cell phones are unaware of the world around them. Coming face to face with a dog that is ready to attack can be very scary and dangerous.
- Keep your distance: If possible, stay as far away from stray dogs, on or off their leash. If a dog is running around, keep clear of any possible way you can come into contact with it. If the dog suddenly sees you and shows an alertness and even begins to come after you, jump on top of a car, fence, wall, tree or high place that can put distance between you and the dog.
- Defending yourself: If you weren't able to avoid or put distance between you and the attacking dog and are now in a physical altercation, it is important to defend your neck and face; these are the areas the dog will attack first, next to hands, arms and legs. Being loud, holding something above your head to appear larger and taller can possibly deter the dog from attacking you.
- A stronger line of defense: Fighting back at some point may be your only option. At some point, the dog may have a solid grip on you which increases their confidence in taking down their prey - you. This is where it can become very dangerous and potentially deadly. Pepper spray, weapons of any sort, hard items you can hit the dog with - aim for the head and legs/joints to throw the dog off balance and hopefully injure it temporarily to offer you a chance for escape.
- Doing whatever it takes to survive: If you are injured and the dog is showing no signs of stopping, if playing dead does not work, it's time to do anything you can to stop the dog.
Remember: Never stare into a dogs eyes, turn your back, run away or antagonize a dog or any animal, especially one you are unfamiliar with.
Medical Attention After a Doberman Dog Bite
Experiencing a dog bite can be dangerous, painful and leave you with high medical expenses, pain and suffering, and even permanent disabilities which can change your life, alter your abilities to make a living, and care for your family.
The smartest thing to do immediately after a dog bite or dog attack is to seek medical attention. Dog bites can be very severe, needing stitched, staples, skin graphs, surgery and more. Not to mention that all animals have the ability to be carrying diseases, like rabies.
Rabies is a disease that must be treated frequently over a long period of time. You can get rabies from any animal or person that carries the virus, but animals that are at a high-risk for carrying the virus are:
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Dogs
- Cats
- Squirrels
- Rats
- Possums
- Coyotes
- Rabbits
According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rabies is usually transmitted through getting bitten by an animal that carries the rabies virus. It is a preventable viral disease, showing the importance of seeking medical attention immediately.
Dog bites must always be sterilized and cared for properly, otherwise the patient may have a high risk of infection, loss of limbs or body parts, and even death.
Documenting Your Doberman Pinscher Dog Bite Injuries
Medical attention is important to receive immediately following a dog attack or dog bite for health and safety reasons, but did you know it is also a great way to have your dog bite injuries associated with the incident itself?
Doing so documents your injuries in direct correlation with the dog bite incident, providing legal documentation for your dog bite case, proving that the injuries you received were in fact a result of the dog attack situation.
Not having your injuries documented can create a major dilemma for your case and can often result in a lack of necessary evidence to pursue a claim against the dog owner and their home insurance.
Don't make a mistake that can cost you in the long run. Take the time to properly identify your injuries from the incident, and document those injuries.
What Your Case Needs to Win a Dog Bite Case
Dog bites can be traumatic and an overall horrible experience. Many people have on-going issues and experience PTSD and other mental problems after a severe attack. You don't have to be a victim. With the right preparation and tools, compensation can be yours to help pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other inconveniences. The best dog bite case will check off the items on the following list:
- Medical attention/injuries documented
- Police report
- Photos/video (where the incident took place, injuries, those involved, etc.)
- Evidence
- Eye-witnesses, their contact information and written statement
- Be organized and prepared: have a statement identifying the date, time, location, those involved, summary of what happened and any other information your lawyer identifies is an important piece of information for your case
If you have experienced an attack by a dog or specifically a Doberman Pinscher, seek medical attention promptly and follow up with a skilled and highly experienced Dog Bite Lawyer, like our team who has won more than $500 Million, here at Bisnar Chase.
Our Dog Bite Attorneys have established a 96% success rate and have helped all types of dog bite victims get their life back and receive maximum compensation.
Bisnar Chase has over 40 years of experience and offers the best legal representation you can find. We will make sure your financial obligations are taken care of and that you receive a winning settlement with maximum compensation, or you do not pay.
To speak with a lawyer and receive your Free consultation and case evaluation, call 800-561-4887.