Botrina Dobermans - Doberman Breeding Kennel in B.C. Canada

DEFINING CORRECT DOBERMAN TEMPERAMENT

The Breed Standard describes the desirable characteristics of an ideal temperament being Proud, Noble, Energetic, Watchful, Determined, Alert, Fearless, Loyal, and Obedient. These descriptive words give us all a pretty clear picture of how our Dobermans should look and behave at any given time.

Correct temperament determines how the Doberman will and is able to perform the function for which it was bred. In order to properly preserve and protect this breed in today’s modern world, it is important to fully understand and appreciate the purpose of that function. It is function that determines the purebred dog’s most important characteristic – breed type. No function, no type – no type, no breed.

Temperament is both the physical and mental reaction to any stimulus. It includes the attitude of the dog and what that attitude expresses. When we train and condition our dogs to stimulus, we are modifying its natural behavior. What you see is not the natural temperament of the dog but, a learned behavior. Temperament is both instinctive and learned behavior combined. Dobermans should be able to look you in the eye without nervousness or inhibition. To act as a companion, family guardian and personal protector, the characteristics displayed MUST be an image of boldness and firmness!

Dobermans are first and foremost ‘protection’ dogs. Having the courage and determination to protect does not mean to ‘attack’.

There are many elements of temperament not included in the standard. Stability, confidence, courage, sharpness, hardness, sociability, sensitivity and combativeness to name but a few. Please don’t confuse or interchange temperament with character as they are not the same. Character is the overall blueprint of behavior, the ‘total dog’ – it’s self-esteem which reflects the undeniable arrogance of a proud and noble Doberman, whereas temperament is part of the dog’s character.

To discuss temperament, we must also discuss ‘drives’ whether they are instinctive or acquired and developed through training. The most important drive is social drive because this is necessary for survival. The desire to be with the pack, both human and canine means isolation creates behavioral problems such as destructive or overly dependent actions. Prey drive – which is the desire to chase the cat or ball. The stronger the drive, the harder the chase. Defense drive is the dog’s desire to protect and defend him/herself. It is quick to react to a threat or a challenge. Dominance drive is the desire to control the action and be the leader of the pack. Poor imprinting can cause improper development of this drive and so it is very important in the young dog to establish the proper pack order. Territorial drive, fighting drive, protection drive, submission drive are all drives that are components of temperament. Temperament is a total concept requiring an understanding of the dog’s relationship to its environment and what it has learned through its experiences.

Dobermans with a good temperament have stable, confident attitudes. They are not by nature everyone’s best friend. The aloof Doberman with a degree of suspicion does not mean it has a faulty temperament. Good temperament is not an accident. It takes the dedication of a good breeder to research blood lines and ensure they breed for stable, solid and sound temperaments. It then requires fabulous owners who are willing to train the dog properly in the right environments with the capable leadership necessary to ensure they remain exemplary ambassadors of the breed.

Learned behavior is very very important in a well-adjusted Doberman. What you imprint during the first 8-20 weeks of the dogs life will have a lasting effect on the temperament.

Temperament is not black and white by any stretch of the imagination. In order to properly evaluate the dog requires knowledge, experience, and honesty. The dog that leans on its handler or owner may be insecure or it may be pushing for a dominant position to gain the upper hand in a given situation. The dog that jumps up on you may be giving you a happy excited greeting or it could be a dominant show of force. Just because the dog stands for examination and holds its ears up does not indicate correct temperament necessarily. Understanding the ‘whole dog’ or ‘total dog’ without taking any single element of its behavior out is imperative to evaluating the ‘total dog’. What is a dominant behavior in one dog may be submissive in another dog.

A Doberman is not a dog for everyone.