Since its birth as a breed, at the end of the 19th century, the doberman pinscher has accumulated a large number of false myths: they are dangerous, they go crazy, their brains grow too much, they have murderous instincts… Unfortunately, these false beliefs are still present in society's imagination, causing many puppies and adults who are in shelters are not adopted.
But, is the Doberman really a dangerous dog? Why is it one of the dog breeds classified as "dangerous" by law? In this new article on our site we invite you to learn more about this noble breed, showing you what it really is like and dispelling some false myths. Shall we start?
The influence of origins on the character of the Doberman
If we review a little the history of the Dobermann, we find a breed that originates from various crosses between other breeds, including the Rottweiller, the Weimaraner and the Manchester terrier. Tax collector Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann set himself the challenge of creating a new breed with great aptitude for guarding and family protection.
And thus the Dobermann was born: a strong, powerful dog with an athletic physique, always alert, very obedient and with a great capacity for learning. In fact, it is among the 5 smartest dogs in the world, according to the famous ranking by Stanley Coren. When well stimulated, they show a remarkable ease in learning new skills, and an outstanding ability to memorize.
Contrary to what its popular "bad reputation" claims, it is a dog that is faithful to its owner, with a balanced and active character, and possessing great sensitivityAnyone who lives with a Doberman knows that they are capable of showing all their affection and how much they like to receive caresses from their loved ones.
They are especially friendly with familiar people and dogs, even with small children, whom they pamper and amuse. However, they can become somewhat suspicious with strangers. This is mainly due to its genetic and we must remember that this breed was created from the selection of individuals that showed certain qualities, including guarding and defending. For this reason, Doberman Pinschers need adequate socialization when they are puppies.
As they are very energetic dogs, they also require attention to their physical training and cognitive stimulation, so as not to develop behavior problems associated with stress or boredom.
Is it true that the Doberman goes crazy?
Probably, this The best-known false myth about the Doberman No dog, mixed or purebred, goes crazy, although there are neurological disorders and certain pathologies that can influence their behavior and cognitive capacity.
There are many myths and truths surrounding the Doberman, such as the following:
- In the old days, it was said that the Doberman's brain grew rapidly and without stopping throughout his life, while his skull stopped expanding when he reached adulthood. This "sloppy" brain growth would generate enormous pressure in the cranial cavity, causing the animal to go crazy.
- Another rumor stated that the skull bones of Doberman Pinschers underwent intense thickening in adulthood. As a consequence, his brain would suffer abnormal pressure, causing the dog to go crazy.
- And an even more "crazy" legend falsely affirmed that the Dobermann, from the age of 2, would lose his olfactory capacity, and would attack his own owners due to the inability to recognize them.
Fortunately, progress in ethology and veterinary medicine allows us to confirm that all these rumors are absolutely false.
So, is the Doberman a dangerous dog?
The behaviors that a Doberman shows in his adult stage will depend mainly on his education and the experiences, although to a lesser extent also your genetics will be influenced. This happens with any dog, however, in the case of the Doberman, an aggressiveness problem becomes something much more dangerous, mainly due to its physical characteristics
But, do the physical characteristics or a small percentage determine the character of the dog? Absolutely. The Doberman is a dog that, after receiving adequate socialization and education, will be able to positively relate with other dogs, people and children. The great impact that education has on the character and behavior of the dog, completely deny that the Doberman is an aggressive dog by nature.
Is the Doberman Pinscher considered a potentially dangerous dog?
According to the national law of dangerous dogs in Argentina (nº 14.107 of 2010) the Doberman is listed as a dog belonging to the potentially dangerous breeds. This requires that their owners meet a series of requirements to own one of these breeds, as well as adopt care and preventive measures when walking their dogs in public or open spaces, such as the use of a muzzle and a leash.
The law on potentially dangerous dogs in Spain is a bit more complex (Royal Decree 287/2002, which develops Law 50/1999). There the Doberman is not among the potentially dangerous dog breeds, in fact, each autonomous community can add certain nuances, therefore, the Doberman is not a PPP in Madrid, but it is in Andalusia. In some cases it will be necessary to use a muzzle, leash, license and insurance.
If after adopting a Doberman you want to travel abroad, don't forget to previously review the regulations of the country, the autonomous community and even the city council itself, in order to adapt properly to the regulations required each place.
What to do with an aggressive Doberman?
Merroneously, many owners neglect the socialization and training of their dogs because they believe that only large and muscular breeds can show aggressive behavior. We must be very clear that any dog, regardless of breed, sex, color, size or age, can develop aggressive behavior for different reasons, whether towards people or animals.
Aggressiveness in dogs is associated with various causes and requires a lot of attention from owners. In the event of any abnormal behavior, do not hesitate to consult a veterinary ethologist, who will rule out organic causes (aggressiveness due to pain, illness, due to hormonal disorders…) and will carry out a diagnosis to start working on behavior modification
If this figure does not exist in your country, go to a veterinarian for a complete check-up and then visit a canine psychology specialist, a trainer or educator with experience in behavior modification.
Remember that the education of a dog is a continuous process, from birth to old age, and that it requires commitment, patience and knowledge. In addition, it is essential to understand that physical and emotional abuse, as well as negative and violent environments, favor the appearance of aggressive behavior in all species. Therefore, when training your best friend, remember to use positive reinforcement to stimulate his ability and recognize her effort.
Tips
- Invest in the early socialization of your Dobermann (socialize him from puppyhood)
- Remember that your Dobermann needs to exercise daily to expend energy and maintain good he alth
- Just like any dog, the behavior of a Dobermann depends on the education that is provided
