01/03/2026
Happy birthday to the founder of our wonderful breed
A Brief History of the Dobermann
The Dobermann is the only dog breed originating in Germany that is named after its creator, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who lived in the town of Apolda, Germany.
Dobermann is believed to have worked as a tax collector and, alongside this, as a dogcatcher. In that role he was authorised to capture stray dogs, and it is thought that these dogs formed the foundation of his breeding programme. His aim was to create a dog with strong instinctive intelligence, courage, loyalty, and fast response.
Early influences are believed to include the so-called butcher dogs (early Rottweilers), which were relatively pure at the time, along with various Pinschers. The French shepherd Beauceron is also thought to have contributed, as the four recognised colours — black, brown (red), blue, and Isabella — are common to both breeds. The German Shepherd likely played a role in the early stages as well.
In 1895, the breed was officially recognised in Germany under the name “Doberman Pinscher” (later shortened to Dobermann). Sadly, Karl Dobermann never lived to see this recognition, having passed away one year earlier.
His work was continued by two fellow Apolda citizens:
• Otto Göller (Kennel von Thüringen)
• Göswin Tischler (Kennel von Grönland)
In 1899, the first Dobermann breed club was established, with Otto Göller serving as chairman.
Around the turn of the century, the English Manchester Terrier was introduced to refine the coat and create darker, more clearly defined markings. This breed also contributed the compact, almost cat-like paws seen in Dobermanns today.
At that time, the Dobermann was a relatively small dog, standing around 56 cm, with a less refined appearance. To add height, elegance, and athleticism, black Greyhound blood was introduced. Since around 1910, no other breeds have been added to the Dobermann’s development.
For many years, Dobermanns were widely used as guard dogs and police K9s. As breeding priorities evolved, aiming for a more balanced and stable temperament, the Dobermann became known not only as a working dog but also as a deeply loyal family companion.
