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

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Sautter, Diana

Repository record source_url

https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/1797/

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de:1797