Herr Dobermann was born of February 2, 1823, and while a young man, worked as an official of te court of alderman. He was later given the position of dogcatcher and administrator of the Chamber of Accounts at Niederrossla, Apolda. He was employed as the night police officer and selected likly specimen from the dog pound to accompany him on his rounds, not only as a guard but to scent out an intruder.

Herr Dobermann was interested in breeding dogs that were not only good guard dogs themselves, but would also produce progeny with the same qualities.