🐾 Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A dog breed that belongs to the same family as wolves, foxes, and every other kind of dog.
• How to spot it: A tall, sleek dog with a shiny short coat, usually black and tan, with a proud upright head and alert eyes.

Its body & abilities

• Size: About 61 to 72 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually 32 to 45 kg (70 to 100 lb).
• Body & adaptations: It has long strong legs and a deep chest built for running fast, and a smooth coat that is easy to keep clean.
• Top speed: A fast runner that can sprint up to about 50 km/h (30 mph).
• Strength: Strong and athletic, it can run, jump, and work all day, which is why people love it as a guard and helper.
• Senses: Sharp hearing and a very good nose, so it notices sounds and smells long before people do.
• Growing up: Puppies are born tiny and helpless, open their eyes in about two weeks, and grow up in around one to two years.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Lives in homes with people, happiest with a yard to run in and a family to be near.
• Where in the world: Kept as pets worldwide, first bred in Germany.
• Territory: It watches over its home and family and likes to know its own yard and neighborhood.

What it eats

• Diet: A meat-loving eater fed on balanced dog food, with fresh water always nearby.
• Favorite foods: Good-quality dog food made with meat and grains, plus healthy treats used for training.
• How it hunts: It was first bred to guard people and property, walking beside its owner and keeping a careful watch.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Trots gracefully and gallops with long smooth strides, one of the most elegant dogs when it runs.
• When it is active: Active by day, it loves games, long walks, and jobs to do, and rests with its family at night.
• Family life: Very loyal and loving with its family; a group of dogs is called a pack.
• How it talks: Talks with barks, whines, and happy tail wags, and reads its owner's voice and face closely.
• Babies: After about a two-month pregnancy the mother dog gives birth to a litter of around six to eight puppies she nurses and cleans.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A helper and companion to people, working as a guard dog, a police dog, and a loving family friend.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, not a wild animal, so it is cared for by people and not counted as endangered.
• Dangers: Like all dogs it can face illness and old age, so regular visits to the veterinarian keep it healthy.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 10 to 13 years with good care.
• In our culture: Famous as a smart, brave guard dog and often seen helping police and rescue teams.
• Where to see it: In homes, dog parks, and dog shows, and working alongside police and security teams.
• Fun fact: The Doberman was created about 130 years ago by a German tax collector named Karl Dobermann who wanted a loyal guard dog.