Why do doberman pinschers get such a bad rep?

Question

I hear like all the bad things about dobermans, that they are over-agressive and stuff like that. I think they would be a sweet dog to own, so i want to understand if they are like really agressive or not.

Answer 1

Wow, amazing answers you are getting here.. Obviously written mainly by people who have never actually met a Doberman in real life. This lack of knowledge is exactly why the Doberman has a bad reputation. Yeah they were overbred and badly bred thru the 70's, used by the tough guy to intimidate and guard.. But they aren't like that today at all.. People who tell you that Dobermans are evil, bred to be aggressive, are only 1 person dogs, are predisposed to attack.. Never met a real Doberman in their entire life..

Doberman Standard says

Temperament
Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Doberman.

Does that sound like a breed of dog that is supposed to be ' really aggressive ' ??? No.. If I had a $1 for everytime someone said to me ' Dobermans are very sweet big babies ' ! I would be very very rich... They are a loyal, watchful, alert, smart dog.. Learns quickly, has a great sense of humour, loves to have fun, and they are very very sweet and loving.

They can be determined and headstrong, when they get an idea into their heads, it can be hard to change their mind about things. They are just like every other breed of dog out there.. You want them to like other dogs, people, kids, etc.. That's what you introduce them to. A Doberman does not suddenly turn on you, does not attack for no reason, none of the garbage that you have read in many of these answers here..

People fear them because they are black and their ears stand erect.. They fear them because they see them on tv, in roles where they are guarding junk yards, or they are protecting something.

If you want the truth about a Doberman, go and find yourself a well bred Doberman and you will see that you have heard a bunch of garbage from people today. People who fear black dogs, and have never in their life met one, or given them the chance to prove them wrong.

Answer 2

Vicious Doberman Pinscher

Answer 3

I often laugh my pasty white ass off when I hear people talk about Dobermans, because they make it painfully obvious that they don't even know what they are, let alone ever met one.
First off, the brain outgrowing the skull nonsense is just that - NONSENSE! It isn't even physically possible!!!
Secondly, I have been around Dobermans all my life. I have had them for years and rescued them for over 10 years. Not once have I run into a naturally aggressive Dobie. They are sweet and friendly with their families and anyone their masters are comfortable with. They are protective, but they are also very good at figuring out when people are okay and when their protection is needed. In all my years of working with Dobies, I have never seen one be aggressive with anyone at all. They are a wonderful breed and capable of being loving and gentle with even the brattiest kids!
People who say they are vicious couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a flashlight. The answer Mortis gave just proves it.

Answer 4

The primary reason that Dobermans get a bad reputation is due to being owned by either ignorant people or by those that intentionally do things to make the dog mean to enhance the person's ego by having a "Macho" dog. These latter people generally have very low self-esteem. The first, ignorant, group include those that choose dogs as fashion statements, or get a breed because it's popular or because of the way it looks without doing any research into the breed, it's temperament, and so on.

There are also bad breeders, such as puppy mills and backyard breeders who will breed anything to anything without regard for the breed standard or the temperament of the dogs involved. These folk are another reason that Dobies, as well as other breeds, have gotten negative reputations.

"#

TEMPERAMENT
# Energetic, watchful, determined alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Doberman.
# Shyness: A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and unusual noises to a marked degree.
# Viciousness: A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either the judge or its handier, is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed viciousness." From the AKC Breed Standard.

My first Collie played with two intact male Dobermans (along with an Old English Sheepdog and an Afghan Hound, both also intact males) and all the dogs got along because they were well-trained and had owners that were their Alphas. This is important with any dog but especially dominant breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, that tend to challenge for pack leadership. These breeds need a "I call, you haul" type of leader/owner.

Answer 5

It is much like the pitbull problem of today. Dobermans were a popular breed and irresponsible people looking to make a quick buck began breeding them. These dogs weren't being bred for temperment and as a result they got some bad dogs and a bad rap. Bad owners who didn't know how to control their dogs also contributed to this negative image. Consider rescuing one, I'm sure there are hundreds of Dobbies looking for a home.

Answer 6

I have heard things on TV about Doberman Pinschers being aggressive, but I have never actually met an aggressive Dobie before. So I just assumed it was a myth they used on TV or something. Then while I was with my friend I asked someone if I could pet their Dobie, and my friend looked at me like I was out of my mind. She was so terrified of this dog. But the dog was incredibly sweet. She wouldn't come within 10 feet of this dog, even after I was petting him, and he was being extremely friendly and loving. I was very surprised by her reaction. I personally have never met an aggressive Dobie. They are just like any other dog, when raised in the right environment by the right owners they make wonderful family companions.

Answer 7

They get a bad rap just like some other dogs on the “dangerous dog list” the fact is if you socialize your dog, set boundaries for them, and are a good pack leader. In most cases you wouldn’t have a problem no matter what the breed is. In most dog attacks it was the owners fault that the dog got to this state of mind. People need to educate themselves on dog psychology and being a good pack leader. I looked at a list the other day of 10 most dangerous dogs can you believe that the Dalmatian was listed as number 10. First 3 were Pit, Rott and German Shepard. On this list the Doberman was 6.

No dog is evil, people are eviler then any “bad” dog.

I will say this that most dogs on the “dangerous” list should not be owned by a newbiew dog owner, they need experienced owners who know about their breed and are going to be willing to work with them and be their pack leader 24/7. That will give them affection at the right times.

Read Cesar’s Way very informative book.

Answer 8

I have seen some well behaved Dobies before. In Petsmart, a guy has the most beautiful and obedient dog I've ever seen. His Dobie stayed in step with him the whole time, heeling at every turn and sitting whenever he stopped. Don't believe the hype people will tell you about aggression. I own a APBT and I hear it everyday.

Answer 9

Dobermans are a very loyal and intelligent breed. They normally aren't aggressive unless thry are treated badly or if they sense danger to their master. You should find an old movie called "the doberman gang" I have loved them ever since. They can be trained to do some amazing things.

Answer 10

If most Dobermans are evil...I'm Gary Coleman! BTW, I'm over 6' tall... and pasty!
And for anyone that believes that a Dobe's brain grows beyond what their skull can hold... one word: gullible!