The Doberman is extremely intelligent and athletic. It is built for hard work and that is what it loves. There are many uses the Doberman has served mankind and I'm certain it will keep finding more. I hope to give a thorough overview of the more common uses and provide links to additionally thorough resources.
Sporting Events
A great way for a Doberman owner to train, socialize, and bond with their dog is to imitate the hard work their dog was built for by participation in sporting events. There are many different sporting events popular with Dobermans at many different levels of involvement. In this article, I plan to deal with the ones that I know to be the most popular including: obedience trials, scent tracking, agility, Schutzhund, and fly ball.
Obedience Trials
Obedience is a wonderful place to start becoming involved in canine sports. It serves as a firm foundation for any activity and is necessary for every dog to at least be trained in the basics. Obedience itself is also a great activity as obedience trials. Obedience trials are competitions where handler and dog perform certain tasks together, are graded, and then awarded titles. Obedience trials are often a very pleasant and rewarding experience for both handler and dog. Unlike other events that are based on head to head competition, obedience trials are about how well handler and dog do according to standards. The atmosphere is filled more with encouragement than competition. However, for the more experienced handler and dog, there is the High in Trial awards and placings in upper level obedience trials, which count toward an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCh). Additionally, their are breed and national top 10s and top 20s, including the top 20 Dobermans, which holds its finales at the Doberman Pinscher Club of America National Specialty every October.
AKC obedience trials are split into two groups, A and B. A is for dogs with no titles and B is for dogs with one or more titles. There are three levels of competition for which titles are received: Novice, Open, and Utility. To receive a title, the dog must earn three "legs", each at a different trial from a different judge. A leg is earned at a trial when the dog receives more than half of the possible points in each exercise and receives 170 points out of the possible 200. Once a title is received, the dog may go on to the next level.
In the Novice trial, the Novice title of Companion Dog (CD) is pursued. The trial consists of walking in different directions, at different speeds, with the dog at the heal position, both on and off leash. The dog must stand for inspection and let a stranger feel it all over. The dog must also do a recall from the other side of the ring and finish in the heal position. The final exercise is the one minute sit-stay and three minute down-stay that all the novice dogs do as a group, with their handlers at the other side of the ring.
The Open trials are very similar to the Novice trials. The difficulty is increased by working only off leash and for longer periods. There are also broad and high jumps, and retrieval exercises. The Utility trials consist of all of these exercises but at a higher level of precision, with hand signals only, and a scent discrimination exercise where the dog must pick an object, scented by the handler, out of ten identical objects.
The best way to get started in dog obedience is to enroll in a dog obedience training class. It is important to find a reputable training class with knowledgeable instructors who can guide you with proper training and advise. These classes can also be a great way to make new friends and helpful contacts in the dog world. Also, you can see the upcoming obedience trials on the AKC events calendar. I have also found that when starting anything new it can be a great help to read a couple books on the subject.
Scent Tracking
In the sport of scent tracking, the dog is trained to keep it's nose close to the ground and follow a per-laid scent trail, as if following a long piece of string, to find an object. A harness and very long lead, between 20 and 40 feet, is usually implemented to keep the dog free to move about less restricted. The skills learned while training for these tracking test are the same skills used in canine search and rescue. Dogs with this training are the dogs used to finding lost children, escaped criminals, people trapped under rubble, or any other job where scent is the only clue. Not only does the dog possess a sense of smell much more powerful than a human's, but it also perceives that sense much more accurately. A dog is capable of identifying a particular scent among thousands of other scents. Instead of smelling someone eating lunch, for example, the dog can tell exactly what is being eaten. A good human nose might be able to identify where it came from, such as Taco Bell or Wendy's; a dog's nose, however, can identify a hamburger with tomato, lettuce, cheese, and catsup, with some fries and a Sprit. Through AKC tracking trials, there are three titles available.
Tracking Dog (TD)
A dog earns a TD by following a track 440 to 500 yards long with three to five changes of direction. The track is laid by a tracklayer and is "aged" 30 minutes to two hours before the dog begins scenting. The goal is to use the scented track to locate an article left at the end of the trail by the tracklayer. The owner follows the dog on a long leash and can encourage the dog during the tracking test.
Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)
The TDX is earned by following an "older" track (three to five hours) that is also longer (800 to 1,000 yard) and has five to seven directional changes with the additional challenge of human cross tracks.
Variable Surface Tracking (VST)
In the real world, dogs track through urban settings, as well as through wilderness. A VST dog has demonstrated this ability by following a three- to five-hour-old track that may take him down a street, through a building and other areas devoid of vegetation.
Champion Tracker (CT)
A dog that has successfully completed all three tracking titles (TD, TDX and VST) earns the prestigious title of Champion Tracker.
Agility
The first AKC Agility trial was held in 1994 and is currently the fastest growing AKC dog sport. It is also a very exciting and popular spectator sport. In agility the dog shows it's amazing athleticism by following cues from its handler through a timed obstacle course.
The AKC offers two types of agility classes. The first is the Standard Class, which includes obstacles such as the dog walk, the A-frame, and seesaw. The second is Jumpers with Weaves. This class only has jumps, tunnels, and weave poles. Both classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. After completing both an Excellent Standard title and Excellent Jumpers title, a dog and handler team can compete for the Master Agility Champion title (MACH).
Schutzhund
Schutzhund is the German word for "protection dog". In 1901 the Schutzhund test was developed in Germany to regulate the breeding of German Shepherds. The sport of Schutzhund grew out of the activities of the German Shepherd Dog Club also in Germany. It consists of three parts: obedience, tracking, and protection. The titles offered are simply Schutzhund I, II, and III. Schutzhund has become very important in maintaining the working ability of many working breeds including the Doberman Pinscher. In Germany and much of Europe before a Doberman is allowed to compete in the confirmation ring it must earn a title in Schutzhund. Additionally, a title is also required before a Doberman's offspring may be registered.
Obedience
The obedience phase includes a series of heeling exercises, some of which are performed closely in and around a group of people. During the heeling, there is a gun shot test to assure that the dog does not openly react to such sharp noises. There is also a series of field exercises in which the dog is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog's temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to serve its owner.
Tracking
The tracking phase includes a temperament test by the overseeing judge to assure the dog's mental soundness. When approached closely on a loose leash, the dog should not act shyly or aggressively. The track is laid earlier by a person walking normally on a natural surface such as dirt or grass. The track includes a number of turns and a number of small, man made objects left by this person on the track itself. At the end of a 33 foot leash, the handler follows the dog, which is expected to scent the track and indicate the location of the objects, usually by lying down with it between its front paws. The tracking phase is intended to test the dog's trainability and ability to scent, as well as its mental and physical endurance.
Protection
The protection phase tests the dog's courage, physical strength, and agility. In this phase, the handler's control of the dog is absolutely essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (the 'decoy'), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to pursue the decoy when it attempts and escape and to hold the grip firmly (bite and hold the arm, wearing a bite guard). The decoy is searched and transported to the judge with the handler and dog walking behind, and later at the decoy's right side. When the decoy attempts to attack the handler, the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip with no hesitation. The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place near the dog's handler, from the opposite end of the trial field, using a stick to threaten the dog while rushing aggressively toward the handler. The dog is expected to intercept the decoy and grip him firmly. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and release on command or when the decoy discontinues the fight. The protection tests are intended to assure that the dog possesses the proper temperament for breeding.
Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability. The sport has become popular in the United States and many Dobermans and their owners participate. The overall popularity in the United States however, is not so great in comparison to Europe. Much of this has to do with the litigious attitude in the US and misconceptions of the working breeds, causing the AKC to disallow its member clubs from sponsoring events that include bit work. This decision then caused the breakaway national Doberman club, the United Doberman Club, which conducts Schutzhund trials under the auspices of the American Working Dog Federation.
Flyball
Flyball is a wonderful sport that, like agility, is becoming very popular, is good exercise, and really fun to watch. It started in the 1970s when someone built a device that enabled a dog to trigger a tennis ball to be shot into the air. These early devices ended up shooting the ball ten feet into the air and the dog would fly up after it, hence the name. Since then, the device has become precise enough that the dog is able to trigger it and catch it on its way up.
Flyball competitions consist of two teams. Each team has four dogs. The four dogs run a relay race down a 51-foot course with four hurdles, with the height set at 4 inches below the shortest dog's shoulder. At the end of this course is the ball-shooting device. The dog hits this device with its paws triggering the ball to shoot. The dog immediately catches the ball in its mouth and runs back down to the starting point.
The North American Flyball Association (NAFA) offers a points system. Dogs who earn 20,000 flyball points are awarded the Onyx award. Onyx was the first dog to reach 20,000 and happens to have been a Doberman. People interested in having their dog's points counted, only need to sign up with the NAFA by purchasing a
CRN number for $15. The
NAFA web site makes available a database available with seeding and rankings of all the dogs participating in flyball.
There is also a wealth of flyball information at
flyballdogs.com.
Service Dogs
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service dogs, or service animal, as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. These dogs are allowed by law to go anywhere people are allowed to go, as long as they are with their disabled handler or a person transporting the dog to their handler. These amazing animals are trained to compensate for many different types of disabilities. The following is a description of some of the types of service dogs currently being trained.
Guide Dogs
Probably the most familiar type of service dog is the guide dog, trained to help blind or visually impaired people. These dogs serve as the eyes for their owner, navigating them through traffic, stairs, and sidewalks, while avoiding all obstacles that could cause injury.
Hearing Dogs
Similar to guide dogs, "hearing" or "signal" dogs are specially trained to assist deaf people. They alert their owner to sounds, usually by approaching their owner and then by going back to the source of the sound. They signal such noises as doorbells, phones, smoke alarms, crying babies, microwave bells and even teakettles whistling.
Mobility Assist Dog
Mobility Assist Dogs are specially trained to pull a person's wheelchair, carry things in a backpack, pick up things the person drops, opens/close doors, and help the handler get dressed or undressed.
Walker Dog
Walker Dogs helps the handler walk by balancing or acting as a counter balance. It also does many of the tasks that the Mobility Assist Dog does.
Seizure Alert/Response Dog
Seizure Alert/Response Dogs are trained to respond to a person's seizures by either stay with the person, or go for help. Some dogs are trained to hit a button on a console to automatically dial 911. When the dog hears the voice over the speaker, it barking. The disabled person would have arranged for the system to be dog activated. Also, these dogs can often predict a seizure and are trained to alert the person in time so they may move to a safe or more comfortable place, before onset of the seizure.
Psychiatric Service Dog
A person with a mental disability may need a Psychiatric Service Dog to be able to go out in public, such as an agoraphobic. Other people, such autistic persons, may need a dog trained to keep them focused. These dogs are trained NEVER to leave their handler's side. For more information on tasks that Psychiatric Service Dog's are being trained for, visit the web site of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP).
Ssig Dog
Ssig Dogs are trained to assist people with autism. The dog alerts the partner to distracting repetitive movements common among those with autism, allowing the parent to stop the movement. A person with autism may have problems with sensory input and need the same support services from a dog that a dog might give to a person who is blind or deaf.
Combo Dog
Some programs, Paws With A Cause, for example, have started training dogs for people with multiple disabilities, like a guide/mobility assist dog.
Military
The original intention of the Doberman was to serve as a personal protector. It's qualities soon became apparent to both the German police and military who, in WWII were estimated to have trained more than 200,000 war dogs. The United States Marine Corp., during WWII, also became interested in the Doberman Pinscher. Seven Doberman War Dog Platoons were trained at Camp LeJeune. The 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th platoons were sent to the European theater where they served mostly as centuries. The others were sent to the Pacific where 1st Platoon saw incredible action on Bougainville, Guam, and Okinawa, and 2nd and third saw comparably hellish action on Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Guam. These Dobermans served many roles including duties as a century, messenger, patrol point, tracking, and many others. These Dobermans were credited for saving many American lives and are the official Marine Corp. War Dog. Most of the soldiers had never seen a Doberman before and were so impressed with it's sleek beauty and performance that they began to refer to them as the Devil Dogs. Later, on July 21, 1994, some of these soldiers dedicated the Always Faithful Doberman War Dog Memorial to the twenty-five Dobermans that died liberating Guam in 1944.
Book: Always Faithful, William W. Putney
Police
Along with Military Dogs, Police Dogs are some of the most highly and rigorously trained animals in the world. They are trained to operate unflinchingly under very stressful conditions that could easily culminate in the death of the dog, officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders. The dog must be able to quickly become violent to the highest extreme and then, even more quickly return to a calm gentle watcher.
For their lack of an undercoat, the Doberman is limited to warm climates or work that does not involve extended periods of exposure to the cold. In my own experience as a Doberman breeder, speaking with Police Dog Handlers, I have been advised that the attitude and extreme obedient nature of the Doberman is favored. The example given to me is that, in this officer's experience, after catching up with the dog after it has run down and subdued the suspect, the Doberman is much quicker to release. There are three different basic types of Police Dog: the Detection Dog, the Patrol Dog, and the Tracking Dog. Also, many Police dogs are a combination of the two (dual-purpose dog).
Detection Dog
Detection Dogs are the ones called in to find things that otherwise would be impossible or otherwise difficult or excessively time consuming or dangerous to do any other way. The main duty of these dogs is to find illegal drugs and explosives in many different circumstances. Dobermans are good for this job not only for their powerful nose but also for their intimidation factor. Suspects holding illegal drugs or explosives are less likely to resist when faced with the mighty Doberman Pinscher.
Patrol Dog
Patrol Dogs serve much as a partner to their handler. Their main jobs are to protect the handler and to run down and subdue fleeing suspects and usually have some detection training as well. These dogs are trained and retrained consistently to maintain their skills. They must maintain very sturdy temperaments and be instantly obedient to their handler.
Tracking Dogs
Tracking Dogs are used to follow a person's path from a known point. They have tracked criminals from the scene of the crime and children or otherwise missing persons from their last sighted location. Dobermans are not regularly used as Police Tracking Dogs as the trails are often very minute and require a dog with an even more sensitive nose such as a bloodhound.
Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue Dogs, and their handlers, are almost always volunteers who work with the police and search and rescue agencies. They train, equip, and maintain themselves and must be certified by organizations such as the North American Search Dog Network (NASDN). The NASDN also coordinates the contact of its members when they are needed. These dog and handler teams, more accurately referred to as units, are called to action at a moments notice. They often must travel immediately upon their notice to get to the scene in time. Many of these units were summoned after the Pentagon and World Trade Centers were attached to search the ruble for survivors, and then for the dead. These units search around the clock with only short breaks. To keep up the spirit of the dogs, the handlers would often have a rescuer hide and be joyfully found by the exasperated dog to end its shift on a happy note.
Search and rescue dogs come in two general types. There is the type that works off leash and tracks the air born scent. This type is best for open and rugged terrain. There is also the tracking type that keeps its nose to the ground and senses the trail left behind. Beyond these two types, there are dogs that specialize in wilderness
or urban environments. Some specialize in cadaver search or victim search.
Canine Search and Rescue Tribute
