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Breed Overview
Characteristics
Recognition
Facts
Strictly speaking, full albino and white Dobermans are not the same, although white Dobermans are tyrosinase-positive albinoids or on the albino spectrum. They lack color pigments in their skin and coat, which means that they appear white or cream. And they have pink lips and eyelids, but they also have blue eyes, which means that they cannot be full albinos.
Breed Overview
Height:
24 – 28 inches
Weight:
60 – 80 pounds
Lifespan:
10 – 12 years
Colors:
Black, Blue, Brown, Fawn, Red
Suitable for:
Active families, Those with larger living areas
Temperament:
Loyal & Loving, Easy to train, Territorial
There is some controversy surrounding white Dobermans because many groups, including the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, exclude this coloration from their registry on the grounds that they believe it unethical to breed albinism because of inherited, genetic health conditions. Here are our writer’s guidelines on Notion if you need them again:
Doberman Characteristics
Energy + High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa. Trainability + Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Health + Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. Lifespan + Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require. Sociability + Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
The Earliest Records of Albino and White Dobermans in History
The Doberman breed was first introduced by a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann in the late 19th Century. He needed a guard dog that would protect him while out on his tax collecting rounds. Although there are no records of exactly which dogs Dobermann used, it is believed that the breed originated from Rottweiler, German Pinscher, Great Dane, and German Shepherd breeds. The resulting dog made an effective guard dog that looked aggressive and was loyal and intelligent, so it could easily be trained.
Very few records of white and albino Dobermans exist, especially since the color was excluded from breed registration in the 1980s. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America states that white Dobermans are prone to the same medical conditions as any albino dog and that it is unethical to breed them.
How Albino and White Dobermans Gained Popularity
The Doberman was initially bred as a guard dog, and it was effective in its role. It looks aggressive, has a guard dog bark, and it is loyal to its handler or owner. The breed’s intelligence also means that it can be trained for a variety of different roles. As well as still being used as a guard dog, the breed has been utilized by the police, armed forces, and in a host of other roles.
White albinos are extremely rare and have never really gained popularity, although some underground breeding did continue in the 1980s even after the white color was effectively prohibited from kennel club registration. Today, there are DNA tests that can test for the albinism gene, therefore effectively preventing white Dobermans from being bred.
Formal Recognition of Albino and White Dobermans
Although some may have been born and unrecorded, the first recognized instance of a naturally occurring white or albino Dobermann was born in 1976. Padula’s Queen Sheba was initially accepted by the American Kennel Club, but following an investigation by them and the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the dog was classified as albino. From 1982, white Dobermans were excluded from the breed registry because they were not of an accepted color.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Albino and White Dobermans
1. Albino Dobermans Have Blue Eyes
Typically, albinism in any animal means a total lack of pigmentation. The resulting albino animal has a white coat with pink skin on the nose, lips, and eyelids. The white Doberman’s eyes are usually blue, indicating that they are not full albinos. Despite this, they have been shown to suffer many of the same genetic problems and inherited illnesses as albino dogs.
2. They Are Highly Intelligent Dogs
One of the reasons for the Doberman’s popularity as a police dog, guard dog, and even a search and rescue dog is that it is highly trainable. This trainable nature stems from the fact that the breed is loyal to its handler, enjoys having a job to do, and is also intelligent. According to experts, the Doberman is the fifth most intelligent dog bred after the Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever, respectively.
3. Dobermans Were Used in Both World Wars
The breed’s reputation for being intelligent, loyal, and hardworking has seen it undertake a lot of different roles and jobs. They were deployed and used in World War I and World War II. Along with German Shepherds, they have been one of the most popular breeds with the Marine Corps, in particular.
Do Albino and White Dobermans Make Good Pets?
In general, Dobermans make very good pets. They are attentive and intelligent, and despite having a reputation for being aggressive, they are loving and gentle dogs, although they will protect and defend their family if called upon.
They do require plenty of exercise, need mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored, and are strong, so, like all breeds, they are not the ideal choice for all families and owners.
Specifically, albino and white Dobermans are believed to suffer from several conditions and illnesses that arise as a result of their albinism. They are believed to be sensitive to the sun and there are reports that their hearing is also affected. They may also have some problems with depth perception in their vision. These health problems mean that white Dobermans require more care and may be more likely to require veterinary treatment as a result.
Final Thoughts
Albino and white Dobermans are affected by albinism, although they are not necessarily full albino. They have white coats and pink skin, as well as some of the hearing and sight problems commonly associated with albino animals. Their white color also means that they are not generally accepted by kennel clubs as being of the breed standard, but Dobermans, generally, are very intelligent and can make great family pets.
Featured Image Credit: Two albino doberman on leashes (maxually, Flickr CC-BY-NC 2.0)
