Training: Doberman Pinschers can be easy to train with the right trainer and program. Many owners think they are one of the smartest and most “trainable” breeds you’ll find. Traditional working roles for the Doberman Pinscher meant breeders prized intelligence and obedience for their dogs.
Consistently across many studies over decades of research, the Doberman Pinscher scores very high on canine intelligence tests. Obedience, playfulness, and trainability come naturally with your Doberman Pinscher. It’s up to you to train them well and instill the proper respect and compliance required for a happy life around their human companions and their friends. Along with the Poodle, Collie, and Rottweiler, the Doberman Pinscher is one of the smartest dogs you’ll ever find.
Barking: Doberman Pinschers will sound the alarm, just like their ancestors did, when they want you to know that they see, hear, or smell something wrong. They are fearless but obedient, so if properly trained they likely will just bark and not chase. “Respect and Protect” is a common trait of the Doberman Pinscher. They love to please their owners and will do anything to make sure they are safe and secure at home. That said, they are usually sociable and very unlikely to be aggressive with members of the family.
Expose your Doberman Pinscher to a variety of people, places, and experiences to build confidence and help them learn to react appropriately. Always provide love, affection, and support to your pet – they will keep you safe without hurting (almost) anyone who comes to call. However: late-night burglars beware.
Personality: Doberman Pinschers are known as intelligent and aggressive guard dogs, but they can be lovable and affectionate given the right conditions. They have a low prey drive and will usually stay close to their owners. The Doberman Pinscher is a reliable companion and loyal almost to a fault.
Temperament & Behavior: Doberman Pinschers were bred as stalwart and ferocious guard dogs, but modern breeding helped to morph their personalities into something more suitable for human companionship. The breed has a reputation for being mean and aggressive, but this isn’t always the case. Use by police forces and military units around the world is largely due to the Doberman Pinscher’s powerful physique and trainability. Hollywood adopted the stereotype and the reputation stuck. Any breed can be trained to be aggressive or not with the proper instruction and encouragement. Doberman Pinschers today can be docile and well-suited to life in a family with early obedience training and socialization.
Behavior with Kids: Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs, but their size and weight can cause problems if you aren’t careful. They are protective and loving when it comes to their inner circle. Their size can pose problems around smaller dogs, children, and the elderly, but with proper socialization and supervision, Dobies make great family dogs.
Protection: Doberman Pinschers are very protective and alert when it comes to guarding their turf. They are constantly on the lookout for anything that deserves their attention. German royalty and junkyard owners can both appreciate the loyalty and aggressive protection that a Doberman Pinscher provides. These dogs are one of the classic guard breeds and preferred by many police and military K-9 units around the world.
