German tax collector, Louis Dobermann, is credited with developing this breed in the late 1860s. He needed a dog that would both protect him and ‘encourage’ slow payers, and decided his dog should be a larger version of the Pinscher. He quickly fixed breed type, using the old-style German Shepherd and the Pinscher to obtain a mix of brain, soundness, toughness of character and quick terrier-like reaction. Other breeds, such as the Weimaraner, Rottweiler, Greyhound and Manchester Terrier, helped refine his scenting powers, strength, speed and coat.

This elegant, intelligent dog has since made his mark in the canine popularity polls throughout the world. Extremely alert, with a clean outline encompassing strength and agility, he is a skilful tracker and is often used for police work. His gleaming, short, hard coat is easily cared for. Usually black and tan, he can also be brown, blue or fawn with rust-red markings.

The Dobermann has a very adaptable outlook to life and fits into a family well, playing with and guarding children. He enjoys riding in a car, and will take over the most comfortable chair in the house without even a second thought. He makes an excellent obedience dog, and the breed is numerically strong in the show ring.