The Breed History
This breed originated in Germany and was recognized in 1900.
In the USA, the parent club was formed in 1921. The Doberman
originates from a number of breeds including the Rottweiler,
German pinscher, and Black and Tan terrier. The name of the breed
originates with a German man, Louis Dobermann who was credited
for early breed development.
Breeding for Function
Bred for work as a personal protection guard dog, police dog, and
war dog, he is now very popular also as a companion. The Dobe
is also prized as a police scent-tracking dog. They are also used in
Schutzhund, and in search and rescue operations.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: female 24-26" (61-66 cm), male 26-28"
(66-71 cm)
Weight: females 66-75 lb (30- 34 kg), males 66-80 lb (30-36.5 kg).
Coat: Breed colors include black, red, fawn and blue with legs,
throat and face (muzzle and eye) marked with rusty pigmentation.
White spots on chest of less than a half-inch square are allowed.
Smooth short and dense hair coat lies close to the skin and is
glossy. Black is dominant over red, and non-dilution is dominant
over dilution. Albinos may be born, but it is a disqualification.
Longevity: 13 years.
Points of Conformation: Medium sized, powerful, agile, and
muscular athletic dog, the Dobermans' way of moving and
carriage is proud and springy. The head is long and wedged with
almond-shaped brown eyes. In coats other than black, iris pigment
may be lighter to match coat, but the darker spectrum of coloration
is preferred. The medium length and size ears are usually cropped
and carried in a pricked position in North America. They have a
slight stop, and flat cheeks taper to a black nose in black dogs and a
brown-tan-gray coloration is associated with the other coat colors
(red-fawn-blue respectively). A well arched neck that widens at the
base, a straight topline, deep-chested with well-sprung ribs, and
a tail usually docked short characterize this breed. They possess
straight limbs and feet well knuckled and compact. Dewclaws may
be removed.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
This is reported to be a very loyal dog and the Doberman is a
natural protector. High intelligence, fearlessness, high activity and
alertness, and stamina in service characterize this breed. Dobes are
easy to train using positive reinforcement, and starting at a very
early age, it is important to include proper socialization to people
and other pets. If not properly trained, aggression may develop.
This can also happen if Dobes are kenneled or left alone excessively.
They need lots of contact with people and frequent exercise and
stimulation. They are average shedders and generally need only
minimal grooming. This breed is over-represented in flank sucking
behavior, a compulsive disorder.
Normal Physiologic Variations
Dilute coat color (d locus) is due to the homozygous recessive
expression of a mutation in the melanophilin gene (MLPH). This can
predispose to color dilution alopecia. A genetic test is available.
Drug Sensitivities
Doberman pinschers may be predisposed to adverse reactions
to potentiated sulfonamides. Non-septic polyarthritis and fever
occurring after 8 to 21 days of therapy is the most common
sign. Some dogs may develop glomerulonephropathy, focal
retinitis, polymyositis, skin rash, fever, anemia, leukopenia, or
thrombocytopenia. This may be due to a limited capacity to detoxify
the hydroxylamine metabolites of sulphonamides. The reaction may
be a type-III hypersensitivity.
Inherited Diseases
von Willebrand's Disease Type 1 (vWD): Autosomal recessive
genetic disorder causing a mild bleeding syndrome. A genetic test is
available from VetGen that reports 25% affected, and 49% carrier in
the breed. Dorn reports a 806.44x odds ratio versus other breeds.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): An autosomal dominant with
incomplete penetrance form of heart disease characterized by
syncope, dilated cardiomyopathy, sudden death, ventricular
tachycardia, and heart failure. Ventricular arrhythmia precedes
heart dilation, and may be involved in the cause of DCM in the
breed. Diagnose with 24 hour holter ECG and echocardiogram
(ECHO). Pimobendan significantly improves the congestive heart
failure associated with DCM in Doberman Pinschers. A European
study found 50.7% of Dobermans over 8 years of age with an
ECHO or holter diagnosis of DCM. A study of cardiac troponin (cTnl)
levels showed that levels greater than 0.22 ng/ml could with high
sensitivity and specificity identify dogs that will eventually develop
DCM prior to any abnormal ECHO or holter changes. An autosomal
dominant mutation in a mitochondrial protein gene has been
identified. A genetic test for this gene is available.
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative
joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 6.2% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow
arthritis. OFA reports 1.0% affected.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar
ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint
disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few Doberman
Pinschers have been screened by OFA to determine an accurate
frequency.
Narcolepsy: Rare, autosomal recessive disorder causing sudden
collapse and a sleep-like state elicited by excitement. Clinical
episodes begin at four weeks of age, with maximal symptoms by
10-32 weeks of age. A genetic test is available.
Congenital Blindness: A rare autosomal recessive disorder occurs
in the breed, presenting with microphthalmia, corneal opacification,
absence of the anterior chamber, aphakia, retinal detachment,
and dysplasia, and partial depigmentation of the retinal pigment
epithelial cells.
Disease Predispositions
Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 8.4% positive
for thyroid auto-antibodies based on testing at Michigan State
University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%). May be associated with
a DLA class II allele. Dorn reports a 2.51x odds ratio versus other
breeds.
Cataracts: Capsular and posterior suture punctate cataracts
predominate in the breed. Identified in 4.46% of Doberman
Pinschers CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between
2000-2005. CERF does not recommend breeding any Doberman
Pinscher with a cataract.
Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler Syndrome): Presents
with UMN spasticity and ataxia. Imaging studies suggest that the
primary lesion is foramenal stenosis and intervertebral instability
at C6-7. MRI is superior to myelography in determining site,
severity, and nature of the spinal cord compression. Dorn reports
a 94.93x odds ratio versus other breeds. Undetermined mode of
inheritance.
Acral Lick Dermatitis (Lick Granuloma) and Flank Sucking:
Behavioral disorders causing skin lesions frequently seen in the
Doberman pinscher breed. These may have an obsessive-compulsive
component.
Prostatic Disease: Doberman pinschers are the most frequently
affected breed with prostatic disease. Intact males have the highest
risk for bacterial prostatitis, prostate cancer, benign prostatic
hyperplasia, and prostatic cysts. Mean age of onset is 8.9 years.
Short CAG-1 repeats in the AR-gene are associated with increased
risk for prostate cancer.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat, GDV): Polygenically inherited,
life-threatening twisting of the stomach within the abdomen.
Requires immediate veterinary attention. Doberman pinschers with
the deepest thorax relative to width have the greatest risk for GDV.
Demodicosis (Generalized): Doberman pinschers are shown
to have a hereditary predisposition for demodectic mange. This
disorder has an underlying immunodeficiency in its pathogenesis.
Dorn reports a 3.57x odds ratio versus other breeds.
Hormonal Urinary Incontinence: Studies show a breed prevalence
for urinary incontinence in spayed female Doberman pinschers.
Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis and Primary
Vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV): Congenital disorder presenting in the
breed with variable lesions from spots on the posterior lens to
posterior lenticonus, and posterior polar subcapsular cataracts.
Reported at a frequency of 6.7% in the Netherlands, and lower
frequencies in the US. CERF does not recommend breeding any
Doberman Pinscher with PHTVL/PHPV. Inheritance suspected to be
autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes: Strands of fetal remnant
connecting; iris to iris, cornea, lens, or involving sheets of tissue.
The later three forms can impair vision, and dogs affected with
these forms should not be bred. Identified in 3.05% of Doberman
pinschers CERF-examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between
2000-2005.
Chronic Active Hepatitis (Copper Toxicosis): The disease is
predominantly seen in female dogs, usually 4 - 7 years of age.
Clinical signs include polyuria/polydipsia, weight loss, anorexia,
icterus, and ascites. Affected dogs have increased liver enzymes,
bile acids, and hepatic copper concentrations. Pathology shows
micronodular cirrhosis, fibrosis, necrosis and lymphocyte and
plasma cell infiltration of the portal triads. The disease is strongly
linked to a homozygous DLA-MHC haplotype, indicating an immune
basis.
Retinal Dysplasia: Retinal folds are recognized in the breed. Can
lead to retinal detachment and blindness. Reported in 2.25% of
Doberman pinschers CERF-examined by veterinary ophthalmologists
between 2000-2005.
Distichiasis: Abnormally placed eyelashes that irritate the cornea
and conjunctiva. Can cause secondary corneal ulceration. Identified
in 1.44% of Doberman pinschers CERF-examined by veterinary
ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Follicular dysplasia: Condition causing hair loss in young adult
Doberman Pinschers. Most often seen as Color Dilution Alopecia
in some blue or fawn (dilute)-colored Doberman pinschers, but can
also be seen in non-dilute red or black and tan dogs. Starts as a
gradual onset of dry, dull and poor hair coat quality. Progresses to
poor hair regrowth, follicular papules and comedomes. Hair loss
and comedome formation are usually most severe on the trunk. A
genetic test is available for the dilute gene.
Dancing Doberman Disease (Peripheral Neuropathy): Slowly
progressive breed-related disorder that develops between six
months and seven years of age. Affected dogs have a tendency to
flex and straighten one and then both hind limbs while standing.
The gait remains normal while walking, but may eventually develop
weakness in the hind legs, and be reluctant to stand. Unknown
mode of inheritance.
Synovial Myxoma Tumors: Doberman pinschers are
overrepresented with synovial myxoma tumors, which offer a much better prognosis (without metastasis) than other synovial cell
tumors. The most common sites are stifle and digits.
Congenital Deafness and Vestibular Disease: Rare congenital
disorder reported in the Doberman pinscher. Affected dogs show
early signs of head tilt, lack of coordination, and circling, and
become deaf by 3 weeks of age. An autosomal recessive inheritance
is proposed.
Juvenile Renal Disease: The disease presents in young Doberman
pinschers as anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, polydipsia,
polyuria, and dehydration. Laboratory findings are azotemia,
hyperphosphatemia, lymphopenia, non-regenerative anemia,
hypercholesterolemia, and proteinuria.
Atherosclerosis: Doberman pinschers have a higher prevalence
versus other breeds. Most common clinical signs are lethargy,
anorexia, weakness, dyspnea, collapse, and vomiting. Hypercholesterolemia,
lipidemia, and hypothyroidism are common in affected
dogs. Myocardial fibrosis, infarction, and thickened arteries with
narrow lumens are found on necropsy.
Atrial septal defect, Brachygnathism, Bullous Pemphigoid,
Chromosomal Intersex, Ciliary Dyskenesis, Diabetes Mellitus,
Familial Benign Pemphigus, Fanconi Syndrome, Hemivertebra,
Histiocytosis, Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, Icthyosis,
Lupoid Onychopathy, Malignant Hyperthermia, Mucinosis,
Osteochondritis Dessicans-Stifle, Oligodontia, Panosteitis,
Pemphigus Foliaceous, Prognathism, Progressive Retinal
Atrophy, Renal Agenesis, Seasonal Flank Alopecia, Sebaceous
Adenitis, Supernumerary Teeth, Vitiligo, Wry Mouth, and Zinc
responsive dermatitis are reported.
Isolated Case Studies
Chronic Rhinitis and Pneumonia: Eight related Doberman
pinschers were identified with chronic rhinitis and pneumonia. A
defect in the bactericidal ability of neutrophils was identified.
Congenital Peripheral Vestibular Disease: Individual Doberman
pinschers from repeat breedings had unilateral or bilateral congenital
peripheral vestibular disease. Clinical pathology was normal. Marked
lymphocytic labyrinthitis was discovered microscopically. The
occurrence in separate litters suggests an inherited disorder.
Situs Inversus and Diaphragmatic Hernia: A 4 year old female
Doberman Pinscher developed dyspnea during sedation. A
diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed, and situs inversus of both
the thorasic and abdominal viscera was discovered during surgical
repair.
Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD): A 3 month old
Doberman Pinscher was identified with a unilateral dysgenesis of
the femoral head and neck.
Genetic Tests
Tests of Genotype: Direct test for vWD is available from VetGen.
Direct test for DCM is available from North Carolina State University
- Meurs Lab.
Direct test for narcolepsy is available from Optigen and HealthGene.
Direct tests for coat color (black/brown and dilute) are available
from HealthGene and VetGen.
Tests of Phenotype: CHIC Certification: Required testing includes
hip radiographs, CERF eye examination, thyroid profile including
autoantibodies, genetic test for vWD, cardiac evaluation (ECHO
and holter), and working dog evaluation (from DPCA). (See CHIC
website; caninehealthinfo.org).
Recommend elbow radiographs and patella evaluation.
Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Dobe, Doberman, Dobie, Dobermann,
Thuringer Pinscher, Plizeilich Soldatenhund.
- Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC, KCGB (Kennel Club of Great Britain),
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club)
- AKC rank (year 2008): 18 (10,547 dogs registered)
- Internet resources: Doberman Pinscher Club of America:
DPCA.org
Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada: dpcc.ca
The Doberman Club (UK): thedobermannclub.co.uk
United Doberman Club: uniteddobermanclub.com
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