A quick history in the doberman shows the development of what I feel is the most versatile dog there is. But the famed pioneer breeder for which the dog takes his name was an unfinished task. Louis Dobermann who's dream was to create a dog some what similar to a giant terrier.German Terriers or (pinschers) as was then and now is a medium small dog with black and tan markings and looks remarkably like a Doberman. Louis Doberman's vision the Dogs were to be large , Muscular, athletic and physically imposing. Aggressive and fearless Intelligent and fast learners a dog whose mere presence commands respect.

 Doberman died before his dream was fully realized leaving early enthusiasts to Carry on his work. They softened the Doberman Pinscher's nature that was a rather ferocious dog at the earlier designs of the breed. The Doberman Pinscher gained the recognition as a police dog as well as a family companion. Even today the Doberman Pinscher has changed much from the earlier dogs. We owe alot to the efforts of the breeders who have developed the modern American Doberman but, that said  changes made due to the common impression of a viscous dog further depleted the dogs true nature. The American Doberman show breeders ever need of producing a refined mild mannered version many errors have come about. Breeding to duplicate and increase the best qualities also increase the undesirable genetics.Increasing instances of  health issues such as cardio myopathy, cancers,hip dysplasia,skin problems and benign fatty tissue growths and the list goes on. There is nothing more heart wrenching than to lose a great dog at 7-8 years old. The popularity of the "dog shows" and owning a dog with champion blood lines.  This has fueled a main stream dog show bred American Doberman. Its truly hard to find a American Doberman with its pedigree very far removed from the show dogs. Being this state of the "show dogs" many have looked abroad for infusion into their lines.

The German dogs have been bred with more attention to proper breeding techniques and have limited the problems to some degree. The German dogs are fine working dogs and are truer to the original concept of the doberman.  The German dogs are harder "biters" this is a term used more to state the dog has true grit than the literal sense. Where the American show breeder to their credit (yes these dogs have their place) have bred a more socially stable dog fitting for the suburbs. Theres always been an effort from German breeders to keep their lines separate from the American dogs. Theres one more group and thats the American working Doberman. Taken from earlier stocks introduced mostly after the First and second world wars by GI's who were impressed with the dogs while serving in Europe. Over the years these dogs seem to have benefited from the show breeders dogs by occasionally being added into the lines but, have been far enough removed to retain their genetic integrity.