The Doberman Pinscher may have a reputation for being a sharp and even menacing dog, but that doesn't mean they don't have a soft spot for their human buddies. While it’s true that they are bred to be guard dogs as protectors, Dobermans can be a friendly, loyal, and stable companion and those who love them would certainly agree. These majestic dogs have a tough-looking exterior with a gentle spirit and a heart of gold.

From guardian, to work dog, to family friend, Doberman Pinschers are a very versatile breed. If you don’t know much about them, stay tuned because you’re bound to learn something! Here are our top 12 amazing facts about these lovable breed:

1. THEY’RE A NEW BREED.

Unlike some dogs that have been hanging around since old times, Dobermans are fairly fresh to the scene. The breed originated in the early 1880s and began to take form in Germany, making Dobermans less than 150 years old.





2. THEIR VERY FIRST BREEDER WAS A TAX COLLECTOR.

A German named Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann is attributed with developing the Doberman pinscher breed in the late 1800s. He was a man with many jobs: He was a tax collector, who would sometimes work as a police officer, night guard, and dog catcher. Because of his profession, Dobermann often found himself traveling with huge amounts of money through dangerous parts of town at late hours, and it would leave him feeling uneasy. So he wanted a fierce guard dog to accompany him on his rounds and make him safe. With his access to the local dog pound with many strays, breeding a canine guard to keep him—and his money—safe seemed like a natural decision. He wanted a medium sized dog that was refined but intimidating and the resulting dog is what we now know as Doberman Pinscher, a lean and muscular with dark fur and brown markings.





3. THEIR BREED IS ACTUALLY A MIX OF DIFFERENT DOGS.

Dobermann did not take a lot of notes on his breeding process, so no one knows for certain but he is thought to have crossed many breeds to get the Doberman pinscher. Some possible dog breeds believed to be in the mix include the Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Shepherd, Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier, Beauceron, Great Dane, Black and Tan Terrier, and Greyhound.





4. THERE’S A REASON BEHIND EAR AND TAIL DOCKING.

Since these dogs were bred to be personal bodyguards, they needed to be prepared and ready to engage in fights. Some owners would remove weak spots, which include the tail and ears which can be pulled or torn, to avoid potential dispute. Currently, most Dobermans are no longer used for fighting purposes, but there are some health issues to consider. Their tails are very thin and sensitive, and can be injured a lot easier than other dogs'. Additionally, ear infections result when their floppy ears prevent air from easily flowing into the ear canals. Some owners will opt to dock these appendages simply to avoid future injuries of their dogs. But many are against this process and see it as cruel and unnecessary, and some countries, including Australia and the U.K., have even banned the practice.





5. THEY ARE VERY GIFTED AND TALENTED.

Dobermans are extremely intelligent and athletic dogs, so no task is out of their league. And that includes the job of lap dog, even if you’re less enthused about it. They have been used for a variety of jobs and different sports including police work, scent tracking, diving, coursing, search and rescue, therapy, and even guiding the blind.





6. THEY STARRED IN A MOVIE.

The ‘70s had their share of hokey films, but 1972’s The Doberman Gang takes campy to the next level. The movie, as the trailer’s voice over explains, is about "six savage Dobies with a thirst for cold cash that leaves banks bone dry.” The dogs are all named after famous bank robbers: Dillinger, Bonnie, Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker. Using their persuasive barks and growls, these trained dogs manage to make off with heaps of money. If that concept seems silly to you, consider the fact that there were two sequels and talk of a remake as recently as 2010.





7. THEY ARE KNOWN TO BE WAR HEROES.

Kurt the Doberman was the first canine casualty in the 1944 Battle of Guam during WWII. He went ahead of the troops and warned them of the approaching Japanese soldiers. Although an enemy grenade killed the brave dog, many soldiers were saved from the same fate because of his bravery. Kurt became the first of 25 war dogs to be buried in what is now known as the United States Marine Corps War Dog Cemetery on Guam.

A memorial featuring a bronze statue of Kurt has been erected in the cemetery, with the names of the 24 other dogs inscribed on the side. Artist Susan Bahary was asked to create it.

“To me, this is more subject, more about love, even though it is a war monument,” she said. “I hope that people can take a piece of love back when they see that piece. That they’ll feel the love we had for the dogs and that the dogs had for us.”





8. THEY’RE INTELLIGENT.

Dobermans are easily trained and the fifth smartest breed. That intelligence comes at a price—to their human friends. Dobies are known for outsmarting their trainers and getting easily bored.





9. THERE HAVE BEEN DOBERMAN DRILL TEAMS.

The first of many Doberman Drill Teams, started by Tess Henseler, was performed at the Westminster KC dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1959. The groups performed at a variety of celebrations and sporting events and showcased the dogs’ superior agility and intelligence. Later, Rosalie Alvarez formed her own team that toured for over 30 years.





10. TODAY, THEY ARE MORE LOVING AND GENTLE THAN BEFORE.

Since Dobermans are transitioning from guard dogs to loving besties, breeders are moving them away from aggressive traits. Although they have a softer personality today, all dogs are different and a lot of their temperament will depend on proper training. These Dobies can be great with families and children, but only when correctly socialized and trained. As they move further away from their guard-dog roots, the Doberman Pinscher has been bred to be much more loving and gentle.





11. THEY EASILY GET COLD.

Because of their predisposition to retain very little body fat, Dobermans are sensitive to the cold. If you have a Doberman and live someplace where it gets cold, you may want to invest in some doggy sweaters to prevent them from getting chilly!

12. DOBERMANS COME IN FOUR DIFFERENT COLOR.

We are more familiar with the black Doberman with rust markings, but the breed comes in a bunch of different colors including blue (which is actually gray) with rust markings, various shades of red-brown with rust markings and a light tan color called “Isabella,” which also has rust markings.

It’s true that when you think of a Doberman, the image of a snarling security dog with bared teeth and dripping saliva may come to mind. However, these big, brave dogs are total and complete mushes with their families and tends to be a loyal type who will protect his family.