Doberman Sports
Dobermans are breed to work and work is what they love. It is the responsibility of Doberman owners to keep their Doberman active and mentally stimulated. A fun way to do this is by participation in dog sports that demand the athletic and mental abilities Dobermans so greatly need to exert.
Some examples of Doberman sports are: Schutzhund, Flyball, Obedience, Tracking, and Agility.
Schutzhund
Test of Character
The Dobermans was originally bred as a Personal Protector and for police and soldier work. These stressful and difficult tasks require a dog with a sure temperament and possessing a high level of bravery and drive. When Schutzhund began development in Germany in the early 1900’s, its purpose was to test for these characteristics in a dog.
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Flyball
Fun Fast Teamwork
Flyball is essentially a relay race. Two dog teams race each other by running down a 51-foot long course over four hurdles to a special box. The box is spring loaded with a tennis ball. On the front of the box is a trigger plate the dog uses to trigger the device to fire the tennis ball up in the air. Trained dogs usually catch this ball immediately on its way up as they turn to run back down the course, once again over the four hurdles, and back to the finish line where upon the next dog bursts off to do the same.
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Obedience
Training a Well Mannered Doberman
Obedience training is an essential part of dog ownership, especially Doberman ownership. Dobermans are powerful and intelligent creatures. If their owner is not training them, chances are they are training their owner.
For dog owners who enjoy training obedience, there are obedience
competitions. The work Dobermans are breed for requires strict
obedience as a foundation. This, combined with the Doberman's
intelligence, aggression, and ambitious need to please his handler,
makes the Doberman a formidable breed in the obedience ring who
often become crowd favorites.
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Agility
Displaying the Doberman's Athletic Prowess
Agility is an ideal sport for Doberman Pinschers. An agility dog needs to be athletic, obedient, and sharp-witted; just what the Doberman was bred to be.
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Scent Tracking
A Uniquely Important Doberman Sport
Scent tracking is one of the oldest and most invaluable canine traits to mankind. Throughout the Doberman’s history of police and military work, his nose has been a valuable asset. Today we still benefit from their amazing ability. Not only is scent tracking an enjoyable spot, it also maintains a tradition of well trained scent tracking dog and handler teams. These teams are responsible for locating illegal drugs, explosives, and other contraband; more importantly, they also find lost, wounded, and missing people in situations where no other means of location is possible.
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Getting Started in Doberman Scent Tracking
One does not train a dog to follow a scent; dogs do this naturally from their first breath of life. Training involves motivating the dog to follow the scent to its source and to do so on command. Preparing a dog for scent tracking can start early. Puppies can start with a short track on the floor to find their food or treats.
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