History of the Breed

The history of the breed is steeped in mystery. No definate records where kept by the man who brought about this fascinating breed. It is an intelligent assumption that several breeds where used in the evolution of the Dobermann. Herr Louis Dobermann lived in Apolda, in Germany. He was a tax collector and he also had to his advantage the job of dog pound warden, so had access to all the stray dogs that came into the pound.

He was obviously an avid dog lover who also liked an aggressive animal! Many dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes where brought into the pound, but he was after a short haired dog of medium size, full of stamina, intelligence and alertness to accompany him on his tax collecting rounds.

Herr Louis Dobermann (left) with his dog "Schnupps" (seated)

The German Pinscher, according to early photos, was a very none discript dog but with a reputation of being extremely aggressive and alert, and it was around this breed that Herr Louis Dobermann built his own dog, the Dobermann.

Almost as soon as the Dobermann was recognised in Germany in 1900 he became a popular show dog and during the first 10 yrs of this breed's popularity in Germany a number of illustrious Champions where bred, and today most Dobermanns throughout the world have some of their German ancestors way back in their pedigrees.