| European Dobermann Pinschers Focus on Workability | | | | America are for the production of pet or companion |
| The Doberman Pinscher was originally produced in | | | | dogs, and show dogs. |
| Germany as a personal protector for individuals and | | | | One of the reasons the Doberman is so popular in |
| families, and for police and military work. Throughout | | | | the US is that it is such a loving, gentle, and devoted |
| Europe, this is still the case. Here the Doberman, or | | | | companion dog who fits exceptionally well into the |
| Dobermann as it is spelled, is viewed as a dog | | | | busy American family. Quality breeders focused on |
| primarily for protection work and is breed with the | | | | producing the Doberman as a companion are most |
| intention of maintaining the traits needed in a | | | | concerned with health and temperament. However, |
| protection dog, usually termed 'workability'. | | | | the temperament most companion Doberman |
| In fact, before a Doberman's offspring can be | | | | breeders look for is a general sure and friendly |
| registered in Europe, one of its parents must hold a | | | | temperament. |
| Schutzhund title. Schutzhund is German for 'protection | | | | In the US there are no temperament tests required |
| dog' and refers to a system for testing dogs of | | | | for registering a Doberman litter; certainly not |
| working breeds for workability. It has also grown into | | | | anything approaching the intensity or required human |
| a popular sport in Europe and somewhat throughout | | | | dedication as with Schutzhund trials. This lack of |
| the United Stated, although the American Kennel Club | | | | temperamental standardization has allowed |
| (AKC) does not allow its affiliates to sanction | | | | irresponsible breeders to register their ill planned |
| Schutzhund trials. | | | | litters, which has contributed to the degradation of |
| Under the common European and German philosophy, | | | | the Doberman breed. Irresponsible breeders have |
| the Doberman is a compact dog untouchable by | | | | further degraded the Doberman breed by placing |
| anyone but its owner, handler, or family. He must be | | | | their puppies with who ever offers money. This has |
| strictly obedient under all circumstance and is | | | | placed the Doberman in the hands of irresponsible |
| expected to meet threats with all-out aggression. | | | | owners who have neglected the Doberman's needs, |
| It is understood and accepted that the Doberman | | | | such as training and socialization, creating troubled and |
| Pinscher is a real physical danger to anyone | | | | dangerous Dobermans. |
| approaching the Doberman's home or family in a | | | | This irresponsible branch of Doberman production in |
| threatening way. Understand, the European | | | | the US is certainly the main cause of the misguided |
| Doberman, like all healthy and properly socialized | | | | American attitude toward the Doberman. Also |
| Dobermans, is not vicious. A mindless attack dog is | | | | contributing are the many movies and video games |
| not the goal of Schutzhund- the opposite in fact. A | | | | depicting the Doberman as vicious. |
| mindless attacker is useless in protection work. | | | | Regardless of temperament standards, quality |
| The ideal protection Doberman is clam and friendly- | | | | breeders in the US maintain exceptional standards on |
| until a threat is revealed. Then he will emit loud | | | | their own for the temperament of their breeding |
| warning barks and keep himself between his handler | | | | Dobermans. Quality breeders are highly discriminative |
| and the threat, not pulling or leaving his handler. Only | | | | when placing their puppies; they will only place them |
| when the threat attacks, or when he is commanded, | | | | in homes that have shown their willingness and ability |
| will the ideal protection Doberman attack. This is the | | | | to properly care for a Doberman. |
| goal of preserving the working traits and a priority in | | | | This dedicated type of Doberman breeder, often |
| European and German Doberman Pinscher breeding. | | | | called master breeder, is the guardian of the |
| American Doberman Pinschers Focus on Pets and the | | | | Doberman breed. Their breeding is well planned with |
| Show Ring | | | | goals of contributing to and improving the Doberman |
| The main difference between American and | | | | breed. |
| European Doberman breeding is human social attitude. | | | | These dedicated master breeders have produced |
| In the United States, where litigation involving dog | | | | some of the healthiest and beautiful Dobermans in |
| bites is as rampant as irresponsible dog owners, the | | | | the world and have grown a strong branch of quality |
| common consensus seems to be that only 'vicious' | | | | Doberman lines in the US, often including German |
| dogs bite. | | | | imports. Dobermans from this branch, in comparison |
| This was no more evident than when the United | | | | to their European counterparts are gorgeous, the |
| Doberman Club was formed in the US after the AKC | | | | super-models of the Doberman world. They are |
| decision to disallow Schutzhund due to the protection | | | | longer lived, and possess the same distinctive |
| phase which involves bite work. The United | | | | Doberman temperament but slightly sweeter and |
| Doberman Club currently holds Schutzhund trials under | | | | friendlier; a soft temperament by European |
| the auspices of the American Working Dog | | | | standards. |
| Federation. | | | | This awesome branch of American Dobermans has |
| Also making this misguided social view starkly evident | | | | taken over the US show ring, no longer referred to |
| are the Breed Specific laws that have been | | | | as guard or protection dogs but as family |
| proposed, and many passed, in an effort to reduce | | | | companions. |
| dog bites. Advocates of Breed Specific legislation | | | | Also producing quality American Dobermans, but |
| ignore the real cause of dog bite, irresponsible people, | | | | contributing less to the Doberman breed, are |
| and place the blame not only on the dog, but on | | | | breeders focused on show dogs. The problem with |
| specific breeds of dog. This is unfair but more | | | | these breeders is just that, they are focused on |
| importantly, it is ineffective. Breed Specific laws will | | | | show confirmation- not health and temperament. |
| not and do not fix the problem. | | | | The differences between the European and |
| Regardless of popular attitude, many Doberman | | | | American Doberman Pinscher has caused some |
| owners and breeders in the United States still work | | | | people to suggest that the breed be split. However, |
| to maintain the working traits in the Doberman and | | | | any guardian of the Doberman breed will fight such a |
| participate in Schutzhund. | | | | foolish idea. Doing so would drastically reduce the |
| Partially due to the popular attitude and partially due | | | | already small quality gene pool and would likely |
| simply to Americas love of different aspects of the | | | | further reduce the American Doberman's working |
| dog, the goals of most Doberman breeders in | | | | traits further. |