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Dog Articles
Past and Present: Dobermann Pinscher
Perhaps
the finest terrier with black and tan coloring is the Dobermann
Pinscher, a sort of glorified Manchester Terrier, which has been
developed in Germany within the last 60 years.
He is
about the height and weight of an Airedale, but perhaps by reason of
his smooth coat and the fact that his tail is docked very short, he
appears taller and slimmer than the British dog. He has a splendid
carriage and an air of dignity and distinction. He is unusually
intelligent, and to this fact may be attributed his phenomenal
success as a police dog. His delightful personality is rapidly
bringing him into favor with Americans looking for a dog of good
size that doesn't get in one's way.
This big
German derivative of the Black and Tan, or Manchester Terrier, might
best be described as a large, strong Bull Terrier, with the strict
black and tan coat, although one sometimes sees him in solid black,
brown, or mole-color ‘blue’. White should never be present in a good
Dobermann, nor other parti-color than black or tan.
Like most
of the dogs popular with the Germans, this is best handled with a
firm and uncompromising domination. He is a willing and effective
fighter, and, true to his Terrier blood, is a relentless enemy to
all ground vermin, such as marmots, hares, and badgers.
Decidedly
a ‘one-man’ dog, he does not readily make friends nor welcome
advances of a friendly nature. He is faithful and loyal to the hand
that feeds him, however, and is justly popular with those who own
him. He is certainly one of the handsomest of the smooth dogs, being
glossy of coat, trim, and straight, and strong of leg and body, and
bright and keen of eye, lacking entirely the rather piggy look of
the Bull Terrier with which he has been compared. He is rather
larger than the Bull Terrier, however. He has never been
extensively bred in this country.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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