I have grown up with Dobermans since I was 8 years old. After owning four Dobermans, I am here to tell you that many popular ideas concerning Dobermans as a breed are entirely false. Here are the three I encounter most:
1. Dobermans have a short temper.
Fact: Dobermans as a breed do not show anymore signs of aggression than other breeds. When properly trained and cared for, they are gentle, protective and loyal. Dobermans are naturally protective of their owner. However, this does not imply that they are unpredictable towards other people. Even though every Doberman is different, the behavior of the dog still reflects the quality of care provided by the owner. There are no evil dogs, only evil owners. Just as a dog must learn to obey it's owner, it must also be taught to do harm. Social media's negative representation of them is largely to blame. One movie scene of them snapping their jaws behind a metal fence can definitely leave a bad impression for the viewer.
2. Dobermans are not good with children.
Dobermans not only develop a loyalty towards their owner, but also towards their family unit. Dobermans that are conditioned near small children are trustworthy just like any other breed, they do not have a switch in their brain that randomly turns them into killers. I remember vividly as an 8-year-old how I would run up the stairs every time my 120 pound Doberman Thor barked. He would wait patiently at the bottom of the stairs until I stepped down. He would always put his head in my lap and keep his ears down in submission towards me whenever I appeared afraid. By the time I was 10, I could walk Thor on a leash with ease, even though he weighed much more than me. Dobermans are not extra dangerous with children. As long as common sense is used, there should be no fear in raising children with Dobermans. Just like any other animal, you never leave a child unsupervised with them. I believe that once that trust is built, having dobermans in a household with children is a security, not a threat. Dobermasn want to protect the people they love, including children.
3. White Dobermans are rare and exotic.
There is no such thing as a white Doberman. Dobermans that appear to have white coats actually suffer from tyrosinase positive or partial albinism. They can be identified by their white or cream coats and blue or light yellow eyes. Albino Dobermans usually suffer from health and temperament issues. This can include skin cancer and lesions due to their lack of skin pigment, and extreme shyness or hyper-aggressiveness from severe inbreeding. The gene to cause albinism in Dobermans is not rare, yet they are often sold at outrageous prices for their "exotic" appeal. Responsible breeders do not condone the breeding of albinos.
