The Doberman Blueprint

Having Reuben and another dog the same age (9 YO) has made me a much better dog owner. It’s taught me that every dog is an individual with different strengths, personalities, and needs. Looking back, I realize how much I’ve learned because of him.

“Dobermans have actually gone backward in their breed because they are now just pets they are rarely used a protection dogs which was their original purpose their breed has been watered down now a herding breed can out preform Dobermans in the job Dobermans were bred for.“

Herding v.s Working- misconceptions

Imagine dog breeds as specialized athletes. The Working Group (which includes the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, and Boxer) and the Herding Group (like the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois) were built for completely different sports. Working dogs were originally created to be bodyguards, watchdogs, and heavy lifters. They have a natural instinct to protect a specific person or property, and they are wired to stand their ground against a threat. Herding dogs, on the other hand, were created to control livestock. Their brains are wired around a "chase instinct." Instead of guarding a fixed spot, they spent centuries running miles a day, using precise movements to herd sheep and cattle.

Today, many dog trainers argue that herding breeds have actually become better at protection work than Dobermans. There is a good reason for this. Because herding sheep requires endless energy, breeds like the Belgian Malinois have a relentless, high-speed work ethic. They are also incredibly easy to train because they spent generations listening to farmers from across large fields. On top of that, herding dogs are mentally tough; they were bred to work through freezing rain and harsh terrain. Meanwhile, over the last few decades, the Doberman has mostly been bred to be a handsome show dog or a gentle family pet, which has accidentally watered down their original protective instincts.