Doberman pinscher

American  

[doh-ber-muhn pin-sher] / ˈdoʊ bər mən ˈpɪn ʃər /

noun

1. one of a German breed of medium-sized, short-haired dogs having a black, brown, or blue coat with rusty brown markings.

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Doberman pinscher British  

/ ˈdəʊbəmən ˈpɪnʃə /

noun

1. Also spelt: Dobermann.  a fairly large slender but muscular breed of dog, originally from Germany, with a glossy black-and-tan coat, a short tail, and erect ears

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Etymology

Origin of Doberman pinscher

First recorded in 1915–20; named after Karl Friedrich Ludwig Dobermann (1834-94), German dog breeder + German Pinscher “terrier,” perhaps based on Pinzgau, a district in Austria noted for its breeding farms

Example Sentences

Earlier this week, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — one of the most prestigious events in the dog world — crowned its latest Best in Show winner, Penny, a Doberman pinscher.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

“Every day someone is going to be mad at you. The trick is to come to work in the morning and not be a poodle or a Doberman pinscher, but to strike a balance.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2022

And she is relishing spending time at home, hosting dinner parties or lounging by the pool, with company from her Doberman pinscher, Kali, who thrives in the big yard.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2021

In court, Anderson paraded her Doberman pinscher in front of a jury, claiming the dog sniffed blood inside the suspect’s home.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 13, 2021

If you blended together a kid, a Doberman pinscher, and a sea lion, you’d get something like what I was looking at.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan