Temperament

Proper Doberman temperament is a subjective view, many breeders have very different ideas for the ideal Doberman temperament. The Doberman is often referred to as a velcro dog, he was developed as a personal protection dog. Not an estate guardian to protect property like an English Mastiff, not a herding dog like a German Shepherd, not a carting dog or a drover dog like a Rottweiler, not as a “sport” dog needing very high prey drive like a Belgian Malinois and he certainly was not developed for the sole purpose of prancing around the show ring.

I do not breed to produce a dog that loves everyone instantly, my adult Dobermans do not drag me over to all strangers with a waggy tail and slobbery puppy dog kisses. I do not expect them to play nice at the doggie park. They do not welcome a stranger unescorted into the yard by bounding about playfully with playbows and wagging tail.

I do not breed to produce a high prey drive dog for “sport” or a hard, aggressive dog. I want a Doberman I can live with in my home and take out in public with pride. I want an active, playful Doberman that is confident and aware of strangers, but when properly introduced to friends and family is gracious and accepting. There is a profound difference in an elderly person stopping you on the street then reaching out to pet your Doberman and a suspicious acting stranger approaching, loud and aggressively out of a dark alley.

I want a Doberman with a stable temperament, a Doberman that can pass an evaluation involving exercises like accepting a friendly stranger, reaction to distractions, reaction to another dog, walking through a crowd as is asked of them in the AKC-CGC test. Our foundation female Doberman has earned her AKC-CGC and our current breeding male Doberman has his AKC-CGC.

While not all dogs are suitable for therapy dog work, our male passed his temperament test for Therapy dog work.  He passed his CGC test and his Therapy dog Evaluation on his first attempt with only socialization, obedience training and handling by myself and my wife, no other trainer or obedience classes were needed.  I feel this is a good indication we know what to look for in a stable, sound temperament.

Our Dobermans were chosen using our male’s temperament as a guideline. He is a bold, confident dog with a strong work ethic.