Befragung zur Haltung und zum Verhalten der Rasse Dobermann in Deutschland

Survey about the keeping and behaviour of the breed dobermann –
pinscher in germany This presented study should examine in which
way the dobermann - pinscher in germany is raised, kept, trained
and led. A profile of the character of this breed of dog in germany
should be worked out and investigated. In addition it should be
examined to what extend an increased aggression problem within this
breed exists. Further the attitude and the behaviour of the dog -
owners were examined. For that purpose 400 addresses from
association members were randomly chosen from the address cart
index of the German Dobermann – Pinscher Association, to whom a
questionnaire was sent. The data from the returned questionnaires
were evaluated by use of an excel – table. The relative frequencies
were ascertained and the differences checked by use of an Chi –
Square – Test, wherein they differenced between the conspicuously
aggressive dobermann – pinschers, which had already bitten someone,
and the basic number. The information of the dog - owner
particularly refered to the personal as well as the domestic
environment, whereby sex, age, education and income had no
influence on the behaviour of the dog. On the other hand you can
see a clear connection between raising and keeping of the dog and
aggressive behaviour towards other dogs of the same kind. The main
criteria when buying a dobermann – pinscher was 90% the appearance,
whereby over 80 % of the owners wanted a dog with clipped ears and
tails 75 % of the owners chose the dobermann – pinscher
deliberately by bread, whereby the major part of the information
about this bread was taken from literature. The overproportional
frequent keeping of not castrated male dogs showed the owners
strong phänotypical interest in keeping a male dog. Dogs from the
conspicuously aggressive group came overproportionally frequently
from private breeding, whereby these dogs were specially raised and
currently kept in kennels or kennel – flat combinations. 8 Summary
_ 221 Additionally you can see, that dogs from this group were
clearly left alone longer during the day. Aggressive behaviour
towards other dogs of the same kind was displayed more frequently
in the conspicuously aggressive group, whereby they had clearly
less contact with strange dogs of this kind in their youth ( 4 – 12
months of age) and even today when compared to the basic number.
Also the contact to strange persons in their youth as well as today
was more reduced in comparison to the remaining dobermann –
pinschers. Over 80 % of the dobermann – pinschers from the
conspicuously aggressive group showed aggressive behaviour towards
dobermann – pinschers of the same sex in contrast to 60 % of the
basic number; also bitings with dogs of the same kind lied higher
with almost 30 % in contrast to other comparable studies. The
described injuries were, however, never life threatening or deadly.
On the average 95 % of the german dobermann – pinschers could be
shown as well trained, whereby 50 % of this dogs visited a puppy
school as well as 60 % visited a canine training school.
Approximately 27 % of the dogs received protective dog training,
whereby dogs of the conspicuously aggressive group were more
frequently trained. Dogs of the conspicuously aggressive group
clearly more often passed combinations of companion - dog –
examination, watchdog – examination and track – examination. 12 %
of the basic number and 37 % of the conspicuously aggressive group
showed aggressive behaviour towards family members in form of
growling and snapping. That also lies higher than in other
comparable studies. The group of the conspicuously aggressive
dobermann – pinschers also showed a clearly more submissive and
more insecure behaviour in situations of manipulation within the
family in comparison to the basic number, whereby the kinds of
punishment of both owner - groups were similar. In general a
comparison with other studies showed a clearly more frequent
aggressive behaviour towards strangers (24,8 %) inside and outside
of the territory, whereby partly a conscious as well as an
unconscious support of this behaviour was given by the owner. 8
Summary _ 222 Besides overproportionally often you can see fear-
aggressive behaviour of the conspicuously aggressive group towards
strange persons. 8,7 % of the owners (16 from 185 dogs) confirmed
biting examples towards people (bitings with stronger bruises or
wounds). They bit up to 6,5 % strangers and up to 2,2 % family
members, which lies clearly above comparable studies. Bitten were
above all the group of the 40 year old male persons and 1,6 % of
the children between 9 and 10 years of age. Not castrated male dogs
bit overproproportionally often. The main motive was in declining
order: Protective aggression > aggression concerning the
hierarchy > territory aggression > frightening > fear -
aggression and maternal aggression > food aggression as well as
inadequate socialisation with people. Owners of the conspicuously
aggressive group overproportionally often did not like certain
other people. 30 % of the owners had trust in their dogs readiness
to defence in serious situations, whereby clearly more owners of
conspicuously aggressive dobermann – pinschers rejected a selection
of protection examined parent animals. The results of this project
show, that a dog should neither be left alone more than 4 hours a
day, nor should a dog mainly or exclusively live in a kennel. The
young dog as well as the adult dog should be permitted sufficient
direct contact to the family group, whereby excessive times of
cuddle or care can not replace a continuing family contact.
Additionally a regular contact to strange dogs of the same kind
without a lead seems to be absolutely appropriate even outside the
canine training school. The same applies to obedience practices,
which should not only be trained in visible contained areas, but
also under everyday conditions and in bigger crowds. You should be
familiar with the knowledge of establishing a firm hierarchy within
the family as well as you should be familiar with the fact, that
children up to the age of 8 Summary _ 223 about 12 lie in the
hierarchy below the dogs. And they are not allowed to question this
hierarchy by provoking. There the education of the parents is
demanded. Finally it should be mentioned, that because of this
study the dobermann – pinscher is not especially a family dog, and
also no dog for beginners. Right from the start you have to think
carefully about how to keep the dog, and the owner has to ask
himself critically whether he has enough knowledge about behaviour,
keeping and training of a dog at his disposal, and he further has
to consider whether he wants to take the initiative for continued
education if necessary