Have you ever wondered if your Doberman really loves you? Dobermans are one of those breeds that are so in tune with human emotions that it can be scary at times. In fact, they’re also capable of experiencing similar emotions to humans including love. So, after reaching out to thousands of Doberman owners, I’ve compiled this list of the most common ways that Dobermans show their love for their owners.

How do you tell if your Doberman loves you? Dobermans will usually express tight bonds and even love for their owners by sleeping on or near them, making eye contact, leaning into them, and using them for a sense of security when in a new environment. 

That’s the very short answer, but there are certainly many other ways Dobermans show love. After talking to other Doberman owners, I have compiled a list of very specific actions that Doberman Pinschers use to show that they love their owners. Your dog may not do all of these, but if you’ve experienced a majority of them then you can rest assured that your Doberman loves you.

What Dobermans do to show love…

1. Look Into Your Eyes with Nose Forward and Ears Back

Eye contact can be a dominance thing with Dobermans, but more often, if the ears are back slightly and they’re extending their neck to get their nose close to you, it’s a sign of love. Think of them trying to point at you with their nose while maintaining all-too-awkward eye contact. The more awkward this gets, the more love there is. 

2. Run Behind Your Legs When Scared

If your Doberman uses you for a sense of security when something frightening is happening then he’s definitely bonded tightly with you. This happens with a Dobie more often when they’re younger since their naturally fearless nature tends to take over a bit as an adult.

But, as a younger dog, if your Dobie gets really frightened and runs through, or behind, your legs for safety then it means that they not only trust you but more than likely they love you too. That’s because trust at that level goes hand and hand with love for Dobermans. As an example, my boy did this one night when he was a puppy and two dogs came sprinting up to him in the dark.

3. Let You Annoy Them

Ok, I obviously don’t encourage annoying or pestering your dog. But, when a Dobie lets you do somewhat annoying things to him and remains relaxed—that’s love.

This would be like if you’re sitting and watching television with him and he’s letting you play with his paws, tug his ears, or play with his nose or lips. Only a Dobie who fully trusts you and holds a level of affection for you would let you do some of these things to him while remaining relaxed.

4. Try to Be Close to (Or on Top Of) You While You’re Sleeping

This is probably the most common way that they show love for their owners. If your Doberman loves to be right next to you while you (or he) is sleeping, then he has definitely bonded with you. Yes, sometimes this looks like him sleeping on top of you too.

Ever have your dog fall asleep next to you while you’re watching television on the couch, and get up to move to another seat? Does he get up soon after, come over next to you, and go back to sleep? That’s true Dobie-love right there! Some people even say that their sleeping position says a lot about them.

5. Sleep in Your Room Watching the Door

If your Dobermans sleeps with you in your room and seems to always want to be facing the door to your room, then he’s got a tight bond with you. This means that he is in a protective mode of you and Dobermans only do this to those they have that close bond with.

This will be especially noticeable if you take your dog to a new house, or another new environment (camping for example), and you have him sleep with you. If his love is going to show for you in this way, that’s when it’ll happen. However, some Dobermans will feel too secure in their own homes and won’t do this.

Did you know that your Doberman goes through cycles of deep sleep and restful alertness about every 15 minutes or so? This is another instinct to help keep you safe. Learn more about Doberman sleeping habits here.

6. Randomly Lean Into Your Legs

This will happen at the worst of times—like then you’re in the kitchen running around and cooking dinner. But if he sits down right behind your legs and presses into them, that’s a sign that he loves you. Resist the urge to kick him away or send his off running right away. After all, he’s just telling you how much he cares for you. Just don’t trip!

7. Body Slam You While You’re Sleeping

It’s 2 a.m. and you’re sound asleep on your bed with your Doberman. He’s already crowded you to the edge of your kind sized mattress giving you mere inches to sleep. But then, when you are totally asleep and comfortable, he gets up, does a turn or two, and quickly drops all his weight straight down onto your side. It feels like you got body-slammed by a wrestler.

Well actually, your dog got up and realized he wanted to be even close to you, so this was the result. As painful and startling as it can be, it really is just love. This was my Dobie’s favorite move. I was somewhat relieved when other Doberman owners said that their dog did this to them also.

8. Wake You Up by Poking You in the Face with Their Nose

You’re asleep in the middle of the night, or maybe early morning (say, around 5 a.m.) and your Doberman is tired of being alone and away from the one they love. So that’s when you get a cold wet nose jammed in your cheek. 

It’s frustrating when you’re trying to sleep in, but trust me, if your dog didn’t love you he’d go off in a corner somewhere and not want anything to do with you, and certainly wouldn’t care to wake you—almost sounds better sometimes doesn’t it?

9. Cry When There’s Any Distance Between You in a New Environment

This is such a tell-tale sign of love and the existence of a tight bond. If you are in a new environment with your Doberman and he seemingly freaks out much more than normal when you walk away, that means not only does he likely love you, but he’s being protective of you too.

Dobermans were bred to be personal protection dogs that have tight bonds with their owners. There’s no time where this is more apparent than in a new and strange environment when the owner walks away. When I would go on hiking trips with my Doberman Cooper and walk away from him for a minute or two, he would start crying, pacing, and trying to get to me. He didn’t do anything like that at home, only when out in a strange new place. That’s love right there!

10. Try Climbing Into Your Lap at the Worst Times

When you’re skyping with your boss, having a serious conversation with your neighbor in your living room, taking a selfie, or trying to look sexy on that skype call with your boyfriend—your Doberman jumps up into your lap. All 90 pounds of him, making you grunt like a trucker.

Yeah, Dobies love being in the laps of the ones they love and if they see you sitting down with an easy means of climbing up onto you, regardless of what you’re doing, they’ll do it. The good news is they only do this with those they love—lucky you!

11. Randomly Lick Your Face

You know those random kisses when you’re watching television and not expecting them? That’s love. You don’t always need to ask for them, but if you’re Doberman sees an opportunity and goes in for one, that’s a good sign. Yeah, it may be right on the lips, or eyes, or nose, but love knows no bounds.

12. Won’t Leave Your Side—Even in the Bathroom

I’ve heard it said before that if there are many breeds of dogs out there considered “velcro” dogs simply because they stick to your side, then Dobermans must be “superglue” dogs. They always want to be at the side of the ones they love, like all-the-time.

So that means you don’t get any time alone, even in the bathroom. If your Dobie loves you, get ready for a head poking into the bathroom door when you’re on the toilet. The old saying is “Get a Doberman and never go to the bathroom alone again!”

13. Breathe Deeply While Their Nose is Pressed Against You

For dogs, scent is everything. When your Dobie is head-over-heels for you he might just want to jam his nose into your neck, cheek, or any other place and start breathing as deeply as possible. Doberman owners often say this is another treat that happens in the middle of the night. A little creepy? Sure it is, but hey, it’s love.

Unfortunately, they also like to do this right after they just had a big drink of water from their water bowl and their mouth is dripping with water. If that’s the only time yours does it, maybe he is actually just trying to annoy you! Nah, it’s probably just love.

Did You Know?

Dobermans are amazing family dogs who are great with kids. To learn more about what behaivor changes you’re likely to see when they start living with kids in the house, see my article Are Dobermans Good with Kids? What You Need to Know.

14. Nuzzle Their Head Under Your Arm

If your Doberman jams his head under your arm while you’re writing an article about Doberman affection for your website, then he probably loves you. Ok, there are other times he might do this, but this is what I usually experience.

This is also often just a bid for attention, but Dobies will only seek that attention from those in the family they’ve bonded with. So consider yourself lucky! I know I do.

15. Yawn When You Yawn

A Doberman only cares to become highly intuned with the actions and emotions of an owner who they feel love and affection for. So if your Dobie is so in tune with you that he yawns around the time you yawn, then he probably loves you.

But it doesn’t stop just at yawning. If he gets up and stretches when you do, takes in a deep breath when you do, or does other mimicking actions then you have a dog who is truly in tune with you. That means they’ve bonded tightly with you as their owner and certainly have some level of love for you.

16. Put Their Slobbery-Wet Toy Right on Your Lap

In the dog world, giving up your favorite toy or bone isn’t just done for anyone. In fact, their natural instincts are to be possessive of those things. But if you’re lucky enough to have your dog come over and give you their favorite toy by setting it in your lap, then you are on part of that dog’s circle of trust!

This is especially true if they just finished reaping the benefits from something you’ve provided for them like a filling meal or cold water on a hot day. That’s why you’re lucky enough to get a slobbery wet toy in your lap after he just finished drinking a bunch of water. Oh, love is great isn’t it?

17. Frequently Check-in While in New Environments

In a new environment, your Doberman will look to you for reassurance and as part of his protective instincts. So if you notice that your dog continually stops what they are doing and makes eye contact with you for a few seconds before going back to it, that’s an expression of the bond they feel with you. This can be very apparent in a dog park setting, for example.

18. Use Your Shoulder or Neck as a Headrest

This is sort of a combination of some of the other signs of love listed here. Many Dobermans owners feel their dogs rest their heads on their shoulders or neck for a few reasons. One is to smell your scent, and the other is to be as close as possible to you. Either reason would mean that it’s an expression of love from your dog.

19. Steal Your Socks When You’re Gone

This goes along with the scent thing for Dobermans. If they’re stealing your socks, underwear, or other small items that have your scent all over them then don’t get mad—it’s just love! Remember that scent is everything in the dog world and if they can’t be near you right now, having something nearby with your scent on it is the next best thing.

20. Sad While You’re Getting Ready to Leave

When you start to get ready to leave the house for the day by grabbing your keys or packing up a bag, a Doberman who loves you will start to feel an increase in anxiety. They might start pacing, crying, or whimpering. They may also start sticking closer to your side than normal (if that’s possible).

However, it can also be a sign of separation anxiety, which is very likely in a Dobie that feels an extra tight bond with you. So if your dog is destroying things, barking non-stop, or trying to escape while you’re gone, make sure you look into ways to help curb separation anxiety. You don’t want your dog suffering all day while you’re away.

21. Over-the-Top Excited When You Return

Almost all Doberman owners report experiencing this, but there’s a difference between your dog being excited because someone who might play with them is home and excited because the one they love is home. You might have to see how your dog acts with others, but a Doberman who loves their owner will get noticeably more excited when their owner gets home.

They’ll be jumping in circles, getting their favorite toy, whining, and you’ll see that little stub on their rear end going a million miles an hour. Ask others who come to your house when you aren’t around to describe, in detail, how your Doberman acts. I’ll bet they’re happy to see them, but not like they are when you get home. 

22. Roll Onto Their Back With Legs Up in the Air with You

This position isn’t natural for a dog. You might think it is, but that’s just because you have a Dobie who’s crazy in love with you. Trust me, dogs would never do this in the wild. A dog who gets onto their back with their feet up in the air and stays there is staying in a submissive position. It’s also a dangerous position if they were in the wild, so that’s why it’s so unnatural for them.

But if your dog is comfortable enough to do that for you, it means his love for you is overriding those instincts. He also fully trusts you and has bonded with you to the point that he can stay, fully relaxed, in a submissive position with you. Nice job—your Doberman loves you!

23. Always Make Eye Contact with You

Dobermans are known for making lots of eye contact. Yes, they may also do this for dominance reasons or when they’re suspicious of someone and on alert. But they also do it when they love someone. It’s difficult to describe here but it’s a different look when they make eye contact out of love.

First off, readily making eye contact with you all the time is a sign they have a desire to be connected to you and are trying to understand you. But more than that, the way they look at you makes a difference. Doberman owners will describe the “love look” as looking deep into their eyes to the point that it’s almost awkward. Often with their ears back and sometimes going in to lick their face soon after. Awkward? Maybe. True love? Yes!

24. Act Eager to Listen When You Talk

If your Doberman loves you, he’ll be highly focused on you and seemingly always “trying to figure you out.” That means that you’ll have no problem keeping their attention while you’re talking to them. Every time you talk to your dog you’re building your emotional connection. If your Doberman loves you, he’ll be eager for that connection and love focusing on you while you talk.

25. Randomly Entice You to Rough House

Puppies always love to do this, and yes, they’ll do this to strangers also. But you will see that you’re your dog’s number one play partner. Dogs in the wild, especially littermates, will play wrestle and play fight quite often as a way of building tighter bonds.

If your Doberman is focused on you as their main playmate and loves enticing you to rough house with him at a moment’s notice then that loving family-type bond is strong and they’re wanting to make it stronger.

Final Thoughts

The humane-canine bond has been around for somewhere between 15,000 to 30,000 years (source) and it certainly seems to be especially strong in Dobies. With a little effort, you can build that bond with your Doberman even deeper and stronger. Check out my advice on building a deep bond with your Doberman here.

After reaching out to many Doberman owners while researching this article, these were the twenty-five most common ways they reported that Dobermans show their love. But, of course, there are many other ways and if you know your dog well, you’ll be able to sense exactly when they’re saying “I love you”.

If you feel your Doberman is overly needy, which can happen, take a look at my article How to Handle a Needy Doberman: A Simple Guide for help.

Dobermans are a truly amazing breed. They’re so incredibly intuned with human emotions that sometimes it seems like they can almost feel what you’re feeling. If you stumbled on this page looking for signs of love from your Doberman, then I’m confident you know exactly what I’m talking about. Now go give your pup some love!

The post Does Your Doberman Love You? 25 Ways They Show Affection appeared first on Doberman Planet.

The Doberman is very often used in film and television. After all, they’re impressive, easily trainable, and imposing dogs. Unfortunately, they’re often portrayed as vicious animals and commonly take up a “guard dog” role despite the modern-day Doberman possessing a very friendly disposition.

Contrary to what you see in the movies, today’s Doberman is a loving, loyal, and gentle family dog who also retains many of its protective instincts. I wrote all about how dangerous these dogs really are here, to help answer some common questions about the reality of Doberman aggression.

Below is an ever-growing list of movies and television productions that feature Dobermans along with a brief summary of each feature and whether the dog’s role was a major role, such as the main character, or more of a minor role.

Watch some of the best movie scenes featuring Dobermans with me!

Movies Featuring Dobermans

Alex and the Doberman Gang (1980)

Year: 1980

Type: Made for TV movie

Starring: Jack Stauffer, Taurean Blacque and Cindy Acker

Role: Major

An incompetent private investigator inherits five Doberman Pinschers. Initially the dogs wreck havoc on his life but eventually they become trusted companions and help Alex to solve a multitude of cases.

The Amazing Dobermans (1976)

Starring: Barbara Eden and James Franciscus

Role: Major

An ex-con man has five trained Dobermans who he uses to help a Treasury Department agent bring a racketeer and his gang to justice. This is the third movie in a three-movie series. The first two are The Doberman Gang (1972) and The Daring Dobermans (1973), which are also on this list.

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

Starring:  John Cusack, Julia Roberts, and Billy Crystal

Role: Minor

In this romantic comedy, a publicist attempts to control an escalating situation where two famous movie stars are going through a nasty public divorce. In one hilarious scene, a Doberman attacks the window washer and drags him off. Later, the Doberman returns to stare down Lee Phillips (played by Billy Crystal). There is at least one more comedic scene involving the Doberman in this hilarious comedy.

Beethoven (1992)

Starring: Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, and Dean Jones

Role: Minor

The Newton family finds new love with their St. Bernard puppy, Beethoven. This classic comedy is also filled with drama as the town’s veterinarian kidnaps dogs to use for experiments. In one scene, henchmen Vernon and Harvey think they’ve outrun a gang of dogs exacting their revenge on them when their joy suddenly turns to fear once they find themselves cornered by four angry Dobermans in a local junkyard.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)

Starring: Drew Barrymore and George Lopez

Role: Major

A pampered Chihuahua (Chloe) who is used to the good life in Beverly Hills, but gets lost in Mexico while trying to get home and finds herself tossed into a dogfighting ring. There she meets and befriends Delgado, a former police K-9. Chloe also runs into Delgado’s arch enemy, Diablo the Doberman (Edward James Olmos) and is put into the dog fighting ring with Diablo before Delgado saves the day. Dogs can talk in this adventure comedy.

The Boss (2016)

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, Steve Mallory, and Peter Dinklage

Role: Minor

A wealthy businesswoman named Michelle Darnell (played by Melissa McCarthy) who has risen to the top falls back to the bottom when she is arrested for insider trading. This comedy follows her attempts at returning to the top. Her rival in the business world is a man by the name of Renault (played by Peter Dinklage), who Michelle also used to date. Renault is obsessed with Japanese culture and samurais. He also has two menacing-looking guard dogs which are both Doberman Pinschers. These dogs are seen with him while he’s plotting against Michelle and later in the movie the two Dobermans chase Michelle and her friends when they break into his home.

The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Gregory Peck, and James Mason

Role: Minor

In this classic drama, Barry Kohler is a Nazi hunter who tracks down a group of former SS officers. Determined to thwart a plat to bring the Nazi party back into power, Barry is taken to many different locations in both Europe and the U.S. In one particularly bloody scene, our hero seems done-for when a pack of Doberman’s surrounds the villain, Dr. Josef Mengele (played by Gregory Peck) disarming him. Eventually the dogs maul Dr. Mengele to death.

Chinese Zodiac (2012)

Starring:  Jackie Chan

Role: Minor

A team of mercenaries is assembled to recover lost artifacts from the Old Summer Palace, which was looted in the 1800s. The leader of the team is Asian Hawk (played by Jackie Chan). In one scene, Asian is chased through a maze by a pack of vicious Dobermans.

The Daring Dobermans (1973)

Starring: Charles Robinson, Joan Caulfield, and Tim Considine

Role: Major

Three men and a young Native American boy train a pack of Dobermans to steal money from the campaign of a famous politician. This is the second movie in a three-movie series. The first movie in this serious is The Doberman Gang (1972) and the third is The Amazing Dobermans (1976), which are also on this list

The Doberman Gang (1972)

Starring: Byron Mabe, Hal Reed, and Julie Parrish

Role: Major

An ex-con and former waitress train a pack of six Dobermans to rob a bank for them after a previous failed attempt at robbing a bank. The Dobermans are all named after famous bank robbers: Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker, Dillinger, Bonnie, and Clyde. This is the first movie in a three-movie series. The other two are The Daring Dobermans (1973) and The Amazing Dobermans (1976), which are also on this list.

Embryo (1976)

Starring: Rock Hudson, Barbara Carrera, and Diane Ladd

Role: Minor

A troubled geneticist named Dr. Paul Holliston (played by Rock Hudson) loses his wife in a car crash. One night, Dr. Holliston accidentally hits a pregnant Doberman Pinscher with his car. The dog eventually dies but Dr. Holliston is able to save one of her puppies by gestating it into an artificial uterus. Due to limitations in his approach, Dr. Holliston is forced to find a way to dramatically shorten the gestation period of the fetus. He eventually does develop a method to do this and the dog grows to be an adult dog in just a few days. Eventually, the dog becomes well trained but slowly develops a very aggressive streak. Eventually, Dr. Holliston uses his technique on a human fetus that grows to be an adult, 22-year-old woman in a very short amount of time. Dr. Holliston names her “Victoria” but unfortunately, she also becomes somewhat violent.

Eyes of an Angel (1991)

Starring: John Travolta, Tito Larriva, and Ellie Raab

Role: Major

Bobby is a single dad trying to raise his 10 year old daughter on his own. He gets tangled up with some mobsters in this Drama while his daughter finds a severely wounded Doberman who was tossed off a bridge after losing a dog fight, nursing it back to health. This dog won’t leave the girls side despite Bobby’s attempts of leaving the dog behind throughout the movie. The Doberman always finds its way back to the little girl who saved his life. This is supposedly based on a true story.

Father of the Bride (1991)

Starring: Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short

Role: Minor

George Banks (Steve Martin) is having trouble accepting that his little girl is now about to be married to fiance Bryan MacKenzie, who she’s only known a short time. This classic comedy features “The MacKenzie Dogs” which live at the home of Bryan’s parents. These dogs include two Doberman Pinschers which certainly add to a few comedic situations at the household. This is the first movie in a two part series. The second movie is “Father of the Bride Part II” (1995) which is also on this list.

Father of the Bride Part II (1995)

Starring: Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short

Role: Minor

George Banks (Steve Martin) is having trouble accepting that his little girl is now pregnant and about to have a baby of her own. At the same time, George’s wife Nina Banks becomes pregnant. The “The MacKenzie Dogs” (two Doberman Pinschers) have a bit larger roll in this movie than they did in part one. These dogs are portrayed as exceptionally loving to their owner but a bit hostile towards George. Many classic scenes involve the two Dobermans including the scene where they are snoozing on a bed with George’s wife Nina and won’t allow him near the bed. After briefly challenging the dogs, George decides it would be better to sleep on the floor. This is the second movie in a two part series. The first movie is “Father of the Bride” (1991) which is also on this list.

Fletch (1985)

Role: Minor

Starring: Chevy Chase and Joe Don Baker

Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Chevy Chase) has a job as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles, but gets into some sticky situations after being offered $50,000 to kill a millionaire. In one scene, Fletch is attempting to break into a home during his investigation into the case when he is confronted by an especially intelligent Doberman guard dog who works door knobs with his mouth to chase Fletch through, and eventually out of, the home.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris

Role: Minor

After Michael Myers awakes from a year-long coma, he becomes obsessed with getting back to Haddonfield to kill his niece Jamie who is now in a mental institution. Psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis teams up with Sheriff Meeker to stop Michael from carrying out his murderous plan. Jamie’s dog Max (a Doberman) is being cared for by Tina Williams while Jamie is institutionalized. In one scene while walking home with Tina and her friend Rachel, Max noticed the villain (Michael Myers) lurking and watching the two girls when no one else had. The girls didn’t take notice of Max’s barking. Max had a special connection with his owner Jamie even though they weren’t able to be together and at one point Jamie sensed that something was wrong with her Doberman Max and asked for help finding him to make sure he was ok. Unfortunately, Max is killed later in the movie by the villain, Michael Myers.

Hugo (2011)

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Christopher Lee, and Chloë Grace Moretz

Role: Major

This movie takes place in Paris in 1931 where a young boy named Hugo Cabret (played by Asa Butterfield) lives in the walls of a train station. He spends his days maintaining the clocks of the station using his impressive mechanical skills taught to him by his deceased father. He is on a quest to unlock the secrets of a mechanical device that he believes holds a message from his father. The station’s inspector (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) has a very intelligent Doberman sidekick who has multiple important parts in this adventure drama.

In the Mouth of Madness (1995)

Starring: Sam Neill, Jürgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, and Charlton Heston

Role: Minor

P.I. John Trent (played by Sam Neill) is hired by book publisher Jackson Harglow (Charlton Heston) to find the whereabouts of on of Jackson’s horror writers, Sutter Cane (Jürgen Prochnow) after he disappeared just before the long-anticipated release of his latest horror novel. In one scene, John Trent and his assistant Linda come upon an intense confrontation in a small town in New Hampshire at a local church as they’re searching for Sutter Cane. They see a group of shotgun-wielding townsfolk confronting Mr. Cane at the nearby church demanding the return of one of the townsfolk’s children who had gone missing. The townsfolk are eventually sent running after a pack of about 6 attack dogs (Dobermans) are released on them. The dogs send the entire group scrambling to get to their cars and they maul a few people in the process.

The Invisible Man (2020)

Starring:  Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Elisabeth Moss, and Harriet Dyer

Role: Minor

Cecilia Kass (played by Elisabeth Moss) is an aspiring architect who’s wealthy, abusive, and controlling husband, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) has her captive in a high-tech mansion along the coast. In one of the early scenes in the movie, Cecilia escapes from the mansion where she’s being held by her husband. During her escape while her husband is asleep, she interacts with their dog, a Doberman named Zeus. She removes a shock collar from Zeus on her way out and appears to want to take the dog with her. But as she’s leaving, Zeus accidentally bumps a car in their garage setting off it’s alarm, threatening to wake Cecilia’s husband. She is forced to leave in a hurry, leaving Zeus behind and apologizing to him on the way out. The movie is just getting started at this point but the dog doesn’t make an appearance again.

It Shouldn’t Happen To A Dog (1946)

Starring: Carole Landis, Margo Woode, and Allyn Joslyn

Role: Major

A journalist investigating various crimes ends up working together with a woman named Julia of the local police department and her Doberman, Rodney to take down the Valentine gang. The Doberman proves to be an integral part of bringing justice to those breaking the law. This movie came out around the end of World War 2 when GI’s were returning home, often with their Doberman war dogs.

K-911 (1999)

Starring: Jim Belushi, James Handy, and Christine Tucci

Role: Major

Detective Mike Dooley (played by Jim Belushi) and his German Shepherd partner, Jerry Lee, usually are busting criminals. But now Detective Dooley is being pursued by a crazed stalker. When it becomes clear that Detective Dooley’s K-9 is a bit too old for this work, they’re partnered up with a younger K-9 team which includes Detective Welles and her dog Zeus, a young, strong Doberman Pinscher.

Moonraker (1979)

Starring: Roger Moore, Michael Lonsdale and Lois Chiles

Role: Minor

James Bond is investigating the theft of a space shuttle when he uncovers a plot to commit mass murder. This plot involves Drax Industries, and the man behind the company, Huge Drax.  In one scene, the secretary to Hugo Drax, Corinne Dufour (played by Corinne Cléry), gets terminated from her job by Hugo after he suspects she helped Mr. Bond. Unfortunately, Hugo is serious about how he fires his employees and two dogs are sent after Corinne and she is presumed killed. Many believe that these two dogs in the film are Dobermans and at glance, they do look very similar. But on close inspection, they appear more likely to be Beaucerons. The structure of their tails and their unique coat give credence to this theory. I have included this film on this list however since many people mistake the dogs in this film for Dobermans and they look so similar that it’s possible that even the film’s director may have been going for the “Doberman look” with the dogs he chose. These dogs make a few other appearances throughout this film, including at the Drax estate.

The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, OJ Simpson, and George Kennedy

Role: Minor

Detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is attempting to save a kidnapped scientist in this classic comedy. During one scene, Frank is trying to break into a waterside warehouse where conspirators to this plot are meeting. While attempting to gain entry, he runs into vicious Doberman guard dogs. Frank decides to climb onto the roof using a grappling hook and unbeknownst to him, his hook grabs the collar of a Doberman guard dog on the other side of the building. As Frank climbs up the rope, he is also pulling the Doberman up to the roof where the two meet, and the chase is on!

Nobody’s Fool (1994)

Starring: Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, and Jessica Tandy

Role: Minor

This heartwarming comedy is about a man coming to retirement age who is forced to reflect on his own life and the choices he’s made. In a scene early on in the film, the main character Sully (played by Paul Newman) goes to Tip Top Construction Company to get money that is owed to him and ask for work. When entering the yard, he is confronted by a large Doberman guard dog. In a later scene, Sully returns to the yard and feeds the guard dog hamburger meat filled with painkillers. The dog becomes drugged and is no longer a threat. A few additional scenes later on in the film feature the Doberman, who is now afraid of Sully and wants nothing to do with him.

The Pick-Up Artist (1987)

Starring: Molly Ringwald, Robert Downey Jr., and Dennis Hopper

Role: Minor

In this comedy, Jack Jericho (Robert Downey Jr) is a bit of a womanizer who spends his time practicing his pickup lines in the mirror and chasing women he sees out in public, all in a quest to get a new phone number to add to his list. In one scene, Jack attempts to pick up a woman he sees walking down the street with her Doberman Pinscher named Caligula. When Jack asks the woman if the dog is friendly, she responds “It depends” and continues walking. Caligula certainly isn’t happy at Jack’s presence and helps to keep Jack’s pick up attempt brief.

Raising Arizona (1987)

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and Trey Wilson

Role: Minor

In this classic comedy, an ex-con named H.I. McDunnough (played by Nicolas Cage) and an ex-cop Edwina (played by Holly Hunter) marry and soon find out that they’re unable to have a child of their own. So they hatch a plan to kidnap one of Nathan Arizona’s quintuplets. In one scene, H.I. McDunnough goes for a “diaper run” and quickly finds himself being pursued by the authorities. While running from the police, he jumps a fence and finds himself confronted by a vicious Doberman Pinscher. The chase is on from there and more laughs ensue as the dog doesn’t easily give up.

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

Starring: Fred Ward and Joel Grey

Role: Minor

The death of an NYPD cop, Remo Williams (Fred Ward) is faked and he is recruited into a secret society dedicated to preserving the constitution of the United States. One of Remo’s investigations takes him to a warehouse where he is confronted by three, exceptionally intelligent Dobermans. After thinking he’s gotten away from the three Dobermans, he finds out that they won’t easily stop pursuing him and they work together in some ingenious ways to pursue Remo.

Resident Evil (2002)

Starring: Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez

Role: Minor

Alice (played by Milla Jovovich) is stuck in an underground research facility called “The Hive”, which is owned and operated by the Umbrella Corporation. Alice and a small group of survivors are pursued by zombies infected by the T-Virus. In one famous scene, Alice is cornered by multiple vicious “Cerberus” Dobermans (dogs who were infected with the T-Virus during experimentation). Alice makes quick work of these imposing dogs.

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, and Wentworth Miller

Role: Minor

Alice is attempting to bring down the evil Umbrella Corporation again. In this sequel, “Cerberus” the zombie Dobermans, are back. But this time the T-Virus has caused heavy mutations in the dogs. They’re just as vicious as ever and attempt to thwart the hero, Alice (played by Milla Jovovich) during a confrontation with one of the Umbrella Corporation’s highest-ranking members, who is also infected with the T-Virus.

Ruthless People (1986)

Starring:  Bette Midler and Danny DeVito

Role: Minor

Sam Stone (played by Danny DeVito) marries Barbara (played by Bette Midler) who is from a wealthy family. Sam is hoping that when Barbara’s father dies, they’ll inherit a significant sum of money. However, Barabar’s father refuses to die and eventually Sam decides to kill his wife to collect her life insurance money. Kidnappers take Barabara before he is able to carry out his plan. This comedy has a bunch of twists and turns, but during one famous scene, Sam brings home a new friend for his wife’s toy poodle (who he’s not very fond of). The new friend is “Adolph” the Doberman, who he hopes will take care of the poodle.

Street Hunter (1990)

Starring: Steve James, Reb Brown, and John Leguizamo

Role: Major

An ex-cop and vietnam war veteran, Logan Blade (played by Steve James) now works as a bounty hunter in New York City bringing criminals to justice to collect reward money. Logan lives in a van and is known for his slick trench coat, cowboy hat, and his sidekick Doberman “Munch”. Col. Walsh, a member of the Los Diablos Gang, kills a police officer who is also a close friend of Logan’s. This spurs Logan and Munch the Doberman to go on a quest to bring  Col. Walsh to justice for his many crimes.

Suburbia (1983)

Starring: Bill Coyne, Chris Pedersen and Jennifer Clay

Role: Minor

This thriller is about a group of runaways that band together and rely on each other like family even in the face of tragedy. The opening scene involves a hitchhiker, a mother, and a young child getting stranded along the road after a tire blow out. While making a call at a phone booth the toddler is attacked by a stray Doberman. Later in the film, Dobermans are seen again as being part of the vicious pack of stray dogs inhabiting the area. Jim Tripplett (played by Lee Frederick) and Bob Skokes (played by Jeff Prettyman) drive the area shooting at these stray dogs in retaliation for the killing of the toddler in the opening scene.

Tenbrae (1982)

Starring: Anthony Franciosa, Giuliano Gemma

Role: Minor

This movie is also titled “Unsane” depending on the specific release. A writer arrives in Rome and soon discovers that his novels are being used as inspiration for carrying out horrific murders in this thriller. The murder is bent on killing all people associated with the writer’s latest book. In one scene, an incredibly talented Doberman is used to pursue Maria Alboretto (played by Lara Wendel). The dog performs some pretty impressive physical stunts during the shooting of this scene.

They Only Kill Their Masters (1972)

Starring:  James Garner and Katharine Ross

Role: Major

In this classic mystery film, a woman has been murdered and the crime is being investigated by the local Sheriff. The woman’s own dog (a Doberman Pinscher) is suspected of committing the crime but evidence leads authorities to many possible suspects. Did the loyal dog actually turn on it’s owner, or is someone else to blame?

Trapped (1973)

Year: 1973

Type: Made for TV movie

Starring: James Brolin, Susan Clark, and Earl Holliman

Role: Major

Chuck Brenner (played by James Brolin) is mugged in a downtown department store just before closing. Unfortunately, the encounter left Chuck unconscious for a short time. When he wakes up, the store is closed and locked up for the night. Six vicious Doberman guard dogs are let loose in the store and confront him. He is in for the fight for his life while being trapped inside this store.

True Lies (1994)

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tom Arnold

Role: Minor

A secret agent named Harry Tasker (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels the world fighting terrorists while also leading a double life as a family man. In one of the opening scenes, two Doberman guard dogs are released to subdue the hero of the movie. Arnold, of course, makes quick work of the two dogs by banging their heads together as they simultaneously jump at him.

Television Shows Featuring Dobermans

Columbo – “How to Dial a Murder” (Season 7, Episode 4)

Year: 1971 – 2003

Type: Television series

Starring: Peter Falk, John Finnegan, Bruce Kirby, and Mike Lally

Role: Minor

A behavioral psychologist named Dr. Eric Mason (played by Nicol Williamson) is under investigation by Columbo (Peter Frank) after his wife dies under what appears to be suspicious circumstances. This episode features vicious Dobermans that have been trained by Dr. Mason to kill on command using a telephone.

Magnum P.I. – (Multiple Episodes)

Year: 1980 – 1988

Type: Television series

Starring: Tom Selleck, John Hillerman and Roger E. Mosley

Role: Minor

Dobermans Zeus and Apollo (aka “The Lads”) are guard dogs of the estate owned by Robin Masters and the character Jonathan Quayle Higgins III aka “Higgins” (played by John Hillerman) was the manager of the estate. These vicious Doberman guard dogs appear in multiple episodes in this series.

Peaky Blinders – (Season 3, Episode 2)

Year: 2016

Type: Television series

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Ralph Ineson and Paddy Considine

Role: Minor

In this episode, Father Hughes who is an agent for a group desperate to stop a communist revolution in their country, uses a Doberman during an attempt at intimidating Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy).

Sons of Anarchy – “Patch Over” (Season 1, Episode 4)

Year: 2008

Type: Television series

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Mark Boone Junior

Role: Minor

During this episode of Sons of Anarchy, Tig and Juice attempt to steal a truck to use for transporting weapons. The truck they are looking to steal is inside a fenced yard with a Doberman guard dog. Juice attempts to drug the guard dog by feeding it meat laced with two grams of methamphetamine. After things go sideways and the dog gives the two characters a run for their money, it becomes clear to Tig that Juice gave the dog Methamphetamine, and not any kind of tranquilizer. Tig says a classic line during this episode to Juice, “You fed crystal to a killer Doberman, man?! Are you retarded?!”

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