The History of the Doberman Pinscher Yesterday to Today

by Ruth McCourt

Phylogeny

Since the Doberman is a dog, in order to have a proper understanding of him, one
must to some extent present his phylogeny or race history. The rootstock of dogs and
bears was a small flesh eating animal the size of a polecat, with short legs and long
tail, which lived forty million years ago and classed by phylogenists under the Miacis
group. This group divided into two, one of which was Cynodictus from which dogs
descended and which again divided providing the Cynodemus Classification of ten
million years ago. At one million years, "Canis" was classified and at ten thousand
years the specie "Lupus"; dogs appearing as a separate domestic species in the
middle Stone Age.

Now scientists had four choices on the descent of the dog – the wolf, the jackal or both
or the dingo, the pariah group. Most authorities convinced themselves that the descent
was from the wolf – through the study of teeth and skull.

Early man found himself surrounded by the wolf which ranged everywhere there was
life which seemed to have originated in the Middle East and spread as the ice receded.
Now the natural characteristics of the wolf drew him into a relationship with man – no
fear, instinct to run in packs and have a leader, scavenging for food around camps or
caves and his high intelligence. So the companionship of man and wolf increased and
no doubt many young ones were captured and tamed.

In "Animals that Changed the World" an interesting comment was made that the dog,
the cat, the ferret and the mongoose were very instrumental but the one causing the
greatest change was the goat. It seems that there was a period of great rainfall
preceding the shrinking of the ice cap so there were great forests. As man advanced,
he cut the trees and his goats ate all the new growth - hence deserts came into being.
You can believe this or not, as you choose but it is a thought.

The earliest remains of dogs were found in Iran in 8500 B.C., in Denmark in 7500 B.C.,
Jerico 6700 B.C. and in Iraq in 4900 B.C. By 5000 B.C. archaeologists had identified
three breeds - the saluki, the greyhound and the pariah dog of Asia. They were found
in Turkestan, Indus Valley and South America. As man moved and spread through
Asia and Europe, their dogs went with them and the smaller southern dogs mixing with
the larger breeds of the north are supposed to have given us the larger breeds by the
Bronze Age - primitive sheepdogs, then hounds and, polar dogs. A dog called the
turbary is supposed to have survived in terriers and Pomeranians. All of this
evolutionary process was based on the necessity of survival and the occasional
use of mutations.

Over the centuries, dogs developed through natural selection for survival in their
environment – cold, heat, great plains or rugged mountains - then man began

selecting and breeding for certain physical abilities and temperaments to help
him survive, to secure food, protect his family and attack his. enemies. Through
this selection of certain traits of mind and body to meet a need and the use of
genetic "sports", our numerous breeds evolved - from the Chihuahua to the Irish
Wolfhound. All breeds inherit their natural social behavior and certain physical
traits for specialized work. These character patterns hold to this day - terriers,
aggressive; cocker spaniels, sociable; basenjis, aloof; Shetland sheepdogs
needing security and approval; the beagle, sociable and independent.

Some of the uses made of the dog are very interesting. One Mongol Emperor
had twelve thousand dogs and two hundred men in charge of them, as part of his
army to be used as flankersor attack dogs as directed. Even the small spaniels
and lap dogs seen so often in the 17th and 18th centuries had a use - they
attracted the fleas that otherwise would have been on the people - at least they
cut down the population. This is not to say that they were not companions to
their masters for if it had not been for their pack instinct they would not have
been domesticated in the first place. As the matter of just "living" became easier
for man, the dog became more of a pet and companion.

Certain changes took place physically in the dog after he was domesticated -a
certain failure to mature as before - since he did not now have to rely so
completely on his own abilities. The muzzle tended to shorten; the bone ridges of
the skull to be less prominent since such heavy muscles were no longer needed;
the legs to be shorter, less straight; the parts of the brain which control sight,
hearing and scent, to shrink; a number of varied colors appeared instead of the usual
wild dog tawny brown; and above all, a great variation in size.

Origin and Ancestry

This breed's history starts in 1891, after the Franco-Prussian War of 1860. With the
growth of population, the wolves were disappearing, droving was declining, fences
were being built and also railroads. In Apolda, Theuringen, Germany, from 1834 to
1894, there lived a man named Louis Dobermann, who was night watchman, dog
catcher, tax collector and among other things a "dog fancier." He needed a guard
and watchdog to accompany him on his rounds. To get the dog he wanted, he
bred and crossbred local dogs toward this end. Peter Umlauff says that there
was a butcher named Christian Dillsch, near Apolda, who owned some dogs that
were very popular because of their loyalty and utility - he may have used these or
he may have bred them.

In another small town near Apolda lived Otto Goeller, who is credited with the
real establishment of our breed. A friend of his, named Vorwek, who was a
poultry breeder, suggested to Goeller that he establish a new breed and that he
start with a local dog called "dobermann" that was very adaptable, extremely
intelligent, possessing exceptional qualities of guard and watchdog. Bear in mind
that Goeller would know personally each dog that he used, how well he worked,

what his especial abilities were and his temperament.

I was amused by Gruenig's statement that "For good and sufficient reasons we
refrain from writing his genesis and history." However Phillip Gruenig, Otto
Goeller, William Sidney Schmidt all go on to suggest possible breeds used.
There is no doubt that the Rottweiler, a dog some two thousand years old, had
been left in Southern Germany by the Romans, who used them as drovers since
they carried their meat with them on the hoof. According to Gruenig, the
Doberman of around 1890-1900 showed a decided resemblance to the
Rottweiler. This dog was heavy, shortlegged, coarse in head but he had steady
disposition, dignity and great self reliance.

The old German Pinscher, smooth haired, black and tan, was of the energetic
terrier type. Terrier heads of those days were much shorter and sturdier. Now
extinct.

Then there was the Old German Shepherd, of which there were many kinds but
he was black and tan and he herded. He is credited with the thick grey undercoat
present in the Doberman in the early days and is now also extinct as a type.

Some of the Sporting Dogs are supposed to have been used to lengthen heads
for one thing and were bred up from Spaniels. The oldest gun dog is the English
Setter, who is attentive, affectionate and holds what he learns. The Irish Setter is
more a one man dog than the others and is jealous of property rights. The
Gordon is a good, all purpose black and tan but slow.

The Weimaraner is thought to have contributed very heavily to the making of the
Doberman. Originating about one hundred fifty years ago, now he is back of most
German hunting dogs – points, retrieves, trails with a good nose, aloof and
watchful with strangers. He may have something to do with the blue Doberman.
Back of him is the Spanish Pointer.

Then the blue Dane – descendant of the Mollossian dogs of Greco-Roman times,
even perhaps back to Egypt in 2200 B.C. – is believed by some to be back of the
blue Doberman. He was ferocious, used for boar hunting and was said to be from
thirty to thirty-two inches in 1848.

There is a suggestion that the Dachshund was also used as he is considered to
be of ancient origin and used on badger and all game. He was, of course, larger,
coarser and more "houndy" in those days.

Now we come to the only authenticated crosses. About 1890, the Manchester .
Terrier, descended from the old extinct Black and Tan, was used in hopes of
improving head type, markings, eye color and coat. Evidently the breeders
thought they were on the right track because about six years later this cross was
used again with great improvement to the breeds

Between 1900 and 1908, a black English Greyhound with white chest markings
was used. This turned out to be questionable as while sight, speed and
refinement were improved, it was detrimental to temperament.

Out of all this mixture came the germ cell of our breed today. The old breeders
were themselves surprised at the results achieved in such a short time and could
only say that by the grace of God the best features of all were retained and
passed on through dogs potent in hereditary traits. So appeared in 1910 the
modern Doberman head in Bodo and Bob v. Elfenfeld, sons of Moritz v. Burgwall.

Recorded History in Germany

When a dog known as the "dobermannpinscher" became popular as a guard and
companion, he was medium to small in size, coarse, cheeky, french fronted, with
straw-colored markings, light eyes, longish hair and had a wooly undercoat. After
the crosses with the Manchester and the Greyhound, the coat became short and
smooth, the eye and markings darker. Lady v. Ilm-Athen and Lady v. Calenburg,
carrying Manchester blood, established a prototype of which Prinz v. Ilm-Athen in
1899 and Fedor v. Aprath in 1906 were excellent examples. In 1904, Hellegraf v.
Thuerengen, a brown dog, appeared – Gruenig says, "He was one of the
mightiest stud dogs of any age or breed. Through him the entire breed took on
new face and stature. He is the tail male ancestor of every Doberman finished in
the United States for many years.

Later size was increased and effort made to enhance nobility. The breeders did
such an excellent job that by 1910 the dogs were very good and by 1922, the
entries at the Sieger Show showed astounding improvement. The earliest
entries in the German Stud Book were in 1893 and 1894 so it is obvious that the
German breeders had made great progress in the short span of roughly twenty
years.

Note: This purposefully very condensed as all names of dogs and kennels can be
found recorded in Gruenig's The Doberman Pinscher (available on order) and in
William Sidney Schmidt's books The Doberman Pinscher in America issued in
1926, 29, 35 and 40 (now out of print) and The Complete Doberman Pinscher,
Howell Book House, 1969 record of American lines.

Recorded History in U.S.

The first kennel name ever granted in the United States was "Doberman" to
Theodore F. Jager of New York State in 1908. In 1909 this kennel was
registered to T.F. Jager and W. Doberman (said to be a relative of Louis
Dobermann of Apolda.) Ch. Doberman Dix, descended from this line, was the
first American bred Doberman to complete the title.

This same kennel imported a bitch registered as Hertha Doberman (German

name, Hertha Hohenstein) and bred her to an imported male, Bertel v.
Hohenstein. Bertel can be traced in almost one fourth of the pedigrees of all
American champions from 1946 to 1950. This was the dominant line in the
prewar stock (World War I) . After 1921 outstanding German winners were
imported for the first time. They were used extensively and the breed underwent
tremendous changes.

From 1921 to about 1927 the imported dogs were winning. In 1928, however, the
American bred "Big Boy of White Gate", bred by Howard K. Mohr of Philadelphia
took Best in Show at the Rhode Island Kennel Club. It is interesting that in this
span of years, 1924, the blue bitch Burga v. Kumpmuehl by Artus v. Siegstor won
her championship - the first blue to do so and no other accomplished this until
Ch. Lucky Silver of Jerry Run in 1949.

By 1926 American champions were increasing - the breed was spreading from
the East Coast to Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit and Pasadena in the
West had a four point entry headed by Ch. Astor v. Thumshoehe. A number of
kennel names were becoming known - White Gate, Westphalia, Pontchartrain ,
Dawn, Rhinegold. Later the names Schroth, Milde, Glenwood, Oxbo , Rogermidt,
Randhof, Plantation Grove and Silvergate were added; and still later, Glenhugel,
Coldod, Millsdad, Damasyn, Elblac , Jerry Run. By 1928 the heavy importations
had ceased – the American breds were on their way.

World War II of course stopped all importations again and breeders had the
cream of the past twenty years to work with and American dogs of the finest
bloodlines were available. The dedicated breeders of the day proved their skill in
combining these bloodlines so that Peggy Adamson writing of "Illena and the
Seven Sires" called 1941 "the golden year of the American Doberman". The
"Seven Sires" were champions Westphalia's Rameses, Favoriet v. Franzhof,
Westphalia's Uranus, Emperor of Marienland, Domossi of Marienland, Alcor v.
Millsdod, and Dictator v. Glenhugel. The bitch was Dow's Illena of Marienland. All
were the descendents of the best German imports and all closely related in
bloodlines. Most of these dogs lived into the 1950's so for anyone wishing to
follow these lines down to the present day may do so through pedigrees, books
or the many individuals still active in their chosen breed.

Clubs and Standards

The first entries in the German Stud Book were in 1893 and 1894. In 1899,
through the efforts of Otto Goeller, the Commission of Delegates, Germany's
highest authority, recognized the National Doberman Pinscher Club. Black
Dobermans were recognized in 1900; red and tan and blue and tan in 1901. To
this day they do not recognize fawns of Isabellas.

Interest was intense in this dog because of his proven abilities. The first Stud
Book was issued in 1906, the second in 1909, the third in 1912. In 1919 all the

Doberman Clubs consolidated and in 1924 had three thousand four hundred and
ninety-five members. From April of 1924 to October of 1925, there were eleven
thousand registrations in the Stud Book. The first German Standard was
compiled in 1899, revised in 1920 and again in 1925. The first German Standard
is given in the 1935 edition of Schmidt's The Doberman Pinscher in America.

Turning to the United States, the American Kennel Club Stud Book of 1910 notes
that "The Pinscher Club of America" sponsored classes at Charlotte, New York.
From 1913 through 1919 Club Specialty Secretaries were listed under the name
of The Doberman Pinscher Club of America. However, 1921 seems to be the
year the DPCA was organized for American Kennel Club registration.

In 1921 a group of people met at Westminster Show in New York and organized
the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, under American Kennel Club rules. In
1932 they adopted the 1925 German Standard under which they operated until
January of 1935, when the first official American Standard was adopted. This
Standard asked for a square dog, raised the height to 24" to 27" for males and
23" to 25" for bitches; called for nobility and elegance; defined all desired
features and listed faults major and minor. Also it defined head type, eye
placement, called for an arched neck instead of straight and a body structure
essential to a working dog, with emphasis on the shape of the head as
determining type.

The Standard was revised in 1948, again raising the height: 26" to 28" for males,
27" ideal; 24" to 26" for bitches, 25" ideal. Disqualifications for shyness,
viciousness, over shot or undershot and a scale of points were added. Most
people interested in Dobermans know this Standard - so no further details. In
1969, another revision was made with which I am sure that you are all familiar, the
major changes being the acceptance of the fawn as an allowed color and four or
more missing teeth being a disqualification. Shyness and viciousness (attempts
to bite people) became only a reason for dismissal from the ring on that day.

In the meantime, in 1944 the DPCA had begun to set up chapters around the
country - the first one being in Cleveland. Among the active members were Frank
Grant, Oscar Barlow and Clyde Henderson. These men along with Forest Hall of
Hallwyre in Dallas, Richard Webster of Marienland in Baltimore and Carl Spits of
Hollywood were instrumental in having the Marine Corps name the Doberman as
its official war dog. The Doberman fanciers can be given major credit for
establishing Working Dog, War Dog and Obedience Standards in the United States.

Reason For and Use of a Standard

The dog had use for man to provide food, companionship and direction and man
had use for the dog to hunt, to guard, to trail and to be a companion - to do a
number of different things in different ways to assist him. So man by breeding
fixed the mental traits and physical structure of dogs to meet his need. The dog

must work or he must be discarded. Over many years each breed developed
certain features which established type - and by these we know him.

The Breed Standard delineates the type and working structure of each breed for
a definite purpose. And there is no such thing as an "all purpose" breed, in that
each has its own realm of maximum efficiency. Our Doberman has become what
he is in the short span of about eighty years because the breeders had an ideal
and put it into words for all to follow. Many people say "but the dog doesn't have
to do those things anymore" -but all growth starts with an idea. An architect
builds a house and he starts with the idea of that house but he must know the
laws of construction or that house will not stand. So each breeder contributes his
ideas but the Standard, based on static and dynamic laws in his law of
construction. This does not mean that no changes take place in breed style.
Breed style must conform to the spirit of the times and each individual breeder
adds or detracts from that spirit with every litter he breeds. There is plenty of
room within any existing standard for variations - or we would not have dog
shows. When a changing trend becomes strong enough a standard is changed to
again point the way ahead. Breed is a progressive concept.

Dr. Rodeni Gorney of the University of California at Los Angeles recently made
the statement that "in the human or animal agenda, there are no facts, let alone
truths, that are complete, final and unassailable." Let us bear this in mind as we
view our dogs present and future. Another statement to carry with us is Phillip
Gruenig's definition of "Adel", which he says is mostly misused. "It was originally
designed to describe "utilitarianism" as a term of confidence felt in the dog's
ability to transmit both quality and character-suitability for breeding. It was not to
be used to screen a dog's physical defects because the neck might have a noble
sweep. No Doberman can possess true "Adel" if its physical structure departs
from the utilitarian, for within the limits of "Adel" must be found the Doberman
trinity: Proportion, harmony and utilitarian character."

(Text of a speech given for the Southwestern DPCA
Conference, March 20, 1971)

Bibliography

Whitney, Leon F., DVM. Dog Psychology, Charles Thomas, 1964.

Pfaffenberger, Clarence. The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior, Howell Book

Rouse,1963.

Davis, Henry P. TheNew Dog Encyclopedia, Stackpole Books, 1970.

Frennes, Richard & Alice. The Natural History of Dogs, Garden City for American
Museum of History, 1968-70.

Lauber, Patricia. The Story of Dogs, Random House, 1966

Jones, Arthur F. The Treasury of Dogs, Golden Press, 1964
Versey, Brian S. The Book of the Dog, Frizgerald, Nicholson-Watson, London,

Rangkavel, Bernhard. The Dogs and Savages, Smithsonian Institute, 1898.

Channes, Patrick D. Animals That Changed the World, 1968.

Schmidt, William Sidney. The Doberman Pinscher, Judy Publishing Company,
1926,1929, 1935.

Schmidt, William Sidney. The Doberman Pinscher in America, Comet Publishing
Company, 1940.

Gruenig, Phillip. The Doberman Pinscher, Orange Judd Publishing Company, 1939 –
1947. The Complete Doberman Pinscher, Howell Book House, 1969. Chapters by
Milo Denlinger, Gerda Umlauff, C.W. Sloan, John T. Brueggeman, KentonE. Smith,
Mrs. Bob Adamson and Anne F. Paramoure.