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German resident Herr Louis Dobermann has been attributed to creating the intelligent and faithful companion known as the Doberman Pinscher. His employment of a tax collector and given he was responsible for stray dogs at a local dog pound, gave him a reason and a means to create a breed of dog that would be his protection from would-be robbers. His goal was to have a dog that was intelligent, intimidating but easy to maintain. This "man-made" dog became the Doberman Pinscher that is loved around the world.

The Doberman has a smooth and thick coat that lies close to the body. They are one of the easier breeds of dog to care for when grooming. The Doberman Pinscher needs bathed only when dirty or only once a month which will depend upon its lifestyle. Owners of the Doberman will tell you that a healthy Doberman rarely has a "doggy" odor if kept clean.

The coat should be brushed on a regular basis to remove excess hairs which will help control any shedding and should also be done before bathing. During a bathing session, avoid the dog's eyes and ears. Cotton balls can be placed in the ears to help keep water out. After wetting the dog thoroughly, wash with a dog shampoo using either a sponge, bath mitt or your hand. Work from the rear to the head giving special attention to areas that tend to get extra dirty such as the bottom of the feet. Completely rinse any shampoo from the Doberman and dry with a heavy towel. A hand blow-dryer can be used to fully dry the Doberman. Brush the Doberman again after bathing.

The other areas that will need attending during a grooming session are the ears, eyes, teeth and toenails. The eyes and ears can be cleaned using a cotton ball or tissue that has been lightly dampened with water. There are ear cleaning products available but always place these solutions on the cotton ball and never pour into the ear. Q-tips are not recommended and the ear canal should always be avoided. Proper and frequent ear cleanings will help prevent infections and ear odors. The teeth should be cleaned regularly to prevent plaque and tarter build-up.

The Doberman will need its nails trimmed on a regular basis. If attempting this process yourself, be aware that the toenail has a "quick" and can hurt the dog or even bleed if cut into. If your dog has light colored nails, the quick is visible through the nail and easier to trim. Cut the toenail within 2 millimeters of the quick. Most Dobermans have dark nails which prevents the quick from being visible. Trim the nails in small cuts to minimize the chance of cutting into the quick. New equipment for dog nail trimming are available including nail grinders which file down the nails slowly rather than cutting. These new items may work better for the novice groomer.

The coat of the Doberman Pinscher is easy to care for and requires very little maintenance besides daily grooming to remove dead hairs. A damp cloth can be used for in-between bathing to clean dirty areas including the bottom of the feet. A well-maintained coat will exhibit a healthy shine, will be smooth and close fitting to the body and is one of the Dobermans most beautiful attributes.

Learn more about this author, Angela Pollock.
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