Breed Overview
Height:
24–28 inches
Weight:
60–80 pounds
Lifespan:
10–12 years
Colors:
Black, Blue, Brown, Fawn, Red
Suitable for:
Active families, those with larger living areas
Temperament:
Loyal & Loving, Easy to train, Territorial
There’s no doubt that the Doberman has a rich and full history. When you think of a Doberman you typically think of a black Doberman, but did you know that there are brown Dobermans too?
No matter what color Doberman you go with, there are tons of interesting facts and information out there. We highlight the earliest records of the Doberman, provide some fun and interesting facts, and give you a brief rundown of the history of the Doberman here.
Doberman Pinscher Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Brown Dobermans in History
While there are some breeds that we’re not quite sure of their history, that’s not the case with the Doberman. Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann bought and bred the first Doberman from a litter of dogs from a butcher that planned to skin them.
From there, Dobermann selectively bred the dogs for their temperament, focusing on dogs with the most courage, loyalty, and drive. The first Doberman to appear at a dog market was in 1863, and by 1897, the first Doberman entered a competition show ring.
After Dobermann died in 1894, more people started to focus on the appearance of the Doberman, and through the years, it developed into the more refined breed you see today.
How Brown Dobermans Gained Popularity
While some breeds took a while to gain popularity, that wasn’t the case with the Doberman. The first Doberman was featured at a dog market in 1863, and by 1897 it was already in formal competitions. Just a few years later in 1908, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Doberman Pinscher.
Ever since people first laid eyes on the Doberman, it’s been a popular dog, although it has developed a more refined appearance throughout the years compared to the original Doberman. But no matter how the Doberman looks, it’s been a popular dog since the beginning.
Formal Recognition of Brown Dobermans
While the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Doberman Pinscher in 1908, there are only a few formally recognized color patterns. Those color patterns include black and rust, blue and rust, red and rust, white, and fawn and rust.
An all-brown Doberman is a beautiful dog that can have many of the characteristic traits of a Doberman, but it’s not an AKC-recognized dog. If you want an AKC-recognized brown Doberman, the closest thing you can get is fawn and rust-colored.
Top 5 Unique Facts About Brown Dobermans
1. A Tax Collector Started the Doberman
Nobody likes tax collectors today, and nobody liked them in 1860 either. That’s why Dobermann bred a dog breed specifically for toughness and determination to help him with his job. But while you still might not like tax collectors, there’s no reason to hold that against modern Dobermans.
2. The Doberman Is the US Marines Corps’ Official War Dog
Nobody has ever questioned a Doberman’s loyalty, and back in World War II, the US military put this loyalty to the ultimate test. The Doberman passed with flying colors, so much so that American soldiers and marines have never forgotten what the Doberman did for them. To this day, the Doberman is still the US Marines’ official war dog.
3. Dobermann Bred the Doberman for Temperament
While some people bred dogs for their appearance, Dobermann couldn’t have cared less about what they looked like. He wanted an extremely loyal dog with an unmatched drive, and that’s what he looked for when breeding the Doberman. It wasn’t until after he died that the breeders started to care about what the Doberman looked like.
4. Dobermann Used Mutts to Breed the Doberman
Dobermann bought the original pups for the Dobermann from a butcher. The butcher planned to skin the dogs, and Dobermann saved them from certain death by purchasing them in Switzerland and bringing them back to Germany.
5. People Didn’t Start to Care About the Doberman’s Appearance Until After Dobermann Died
Dobermann didn’t breed the Doberman to sell them to other people, so other people really didn’t get a good look at them until after he died. Then people wanted both the personality traits and the look of a classic Doberman.
Does a Brown Doberman Make a Good Pet?
Yes! Since the signature trait of a Doberman is their loyal personality, they make an outstanding pet. However, while they’re eager to please their owner, Dobermans love to have a task to complete and have a very high energy level.
If you don’t provide them with the stimulation they need, they can resort to destructive boredom behaviors, which can be extremely frustrating for everyone. If you’re going to get a Doberman, ensure you have enough time to exercise them and to give them the mental stimulation they require.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you want a brown Doberman or a different color, one thing you can be sure about is their loyalty. Just be careful if you’re getting an all-brown Doberman without AKC registration paperwork, as there’s a good chance the Doberman is mixed with something else.
The Doberman is a great dog, though, and the brown Doberman is a beautiful dog you can love for years to come.
Featured Image Credit: Tanika, Pexels
