BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Dobermann is the only German breed which bears the name of its original breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann ( 02.01.1834 - 09.06.1894 ). He has believed to be a tax collector, offal abbatoir manager (knacker) and a part time dog catcher, legally able to catch all stray dogs. He bred animals from this reservoir that were particularly sharp. The so called "butcher's dogs" which were already considered a relatively pure at that time, played a most important role in the origination of the Dobermann breed. These dogs were an early type of Rottweiler, mixed with a type of a shepard which existed in "Thüringen" as a black dog with rust red markings. Herr Dobermann bred with this mixture of dogs in the Eighteen Seventies. Thus he obtained "his breed" : not only alert but highly protective working and house dogs. They were often used as a guard and police dogs. Their extensive use in police work led to the nickname "Gendarme dogs". They were used in hunting to control large vermin. In these circumstances it was a matter of course that the Dobermann was recognized officially as a Police Dog by the beginning of the century. The Dobermann breed requires a medium sized, powerful, muscular dog. Despite his substance he shall be elegant and noble, which will be evident in his body line. He must be exceptionally suitable as a companion, protection and working dog as also as a family dog.