The Doberman is a large, sleek dog and a member of the working group of breeds. He has a long muzzle, triangular ears, a long tail that was once traditionally docked but is now left long.

The breed was developed through crossing the Rotweiller, Greyhound and Manchester Terrier. He is believed to have originated in the 19th century by Lois Dobermann, a dog pound owner and tax collector, who needed a dog that would protect him and be imposing enough to make sure reluctant tax payers parted with their money. As you might imagine the Doberman is therefore an extremely effective guard dog with both the bark and the bite needed to keep intruders at bay.

The Doberman is an intelligent breed and should not be allowed in to bedrooms or on furniture due to his guarding tendencies. He is a happy and lively character who loves to play and needs plenty of exercise, up to an hour or more a day. His exuberance can be intimidating to other dogs but he means them no harm. He can also live with cats but this should be decided on an individual basis as he is very capable of setting chase on anything small and furry.

Standing up to 71cm high and weighing up to 40kg he is a big but very elegant dog. His coat is short and needs the minimal amount of care. Coat colour variations are either black and tan or chocolate and tan. The Doberman can live up to 13 years and can be prone to back problems and bloat. The Doberman is a unique breed with a devoted fan base. He is a loyal, intelligent and kind dog that can do very well in a family setting providing he is given the correct care and attention.