Warlocks, Kings, and Gladiators, Part I

Warlocks? Kings? Gladiators? No, it’s not a jump-start on Halloween, like the candy and costumes already burdening store shelves in September. These names are what some people call inordinately large Dobermans. These big boys, most commonly called “Warlocks,” can be as big as 110 pounds!

In classic American philosophy of bigger is better, many of these dogs are produced by crossbreeding great Danes with Dobermans to increase the offspring’s size. Simply breeding two larger Dobermans accounts for other super-sized Dobie puppies.

When looking for a Doberman puppy, you should be wary of so-called “Warlock Dobermans” for several reasons.

No official kennel club, including the AKC, recognizes Warlocks as an acceptable variation within the breed. The official weight and size standards vary slightly between different nations' kennel clubs. But they are relatively close to the AKC standards. The Doberman’s ideal height of 27.5 inches at the withers (where the neck meets the back) is much smaller than a Doberman/great Dane crossbreed.

Speaking of crossbreeds, that’s exactly what a Warlock is. It is NOT a purebred dog and breeders should not charge you for a purebred dog. A Warlock is not really a Doberman at all, but a mixed breed dog.

There’s nothing wrong with owning a mixed breed dog; however, you should not pay purebred prices for a mutt. Warlocks may make good companions, but they are not a variation of Dobermans.

The Warlocks produced by breeding over-large Dobermans are simply out of standard. Don’t even call breeders that brag on their “giant puppies” or “large bitch and sire.”

Someday, perhaps the AKC and other kennel clubs will recognize Warlocks. Until then, don’t be duped into believing that these dogs are simply another kind of Doberman.

It’s not aristocratic snobbery that excludes Warlocks from being included as Dobermans. Like other breeds, Dobermans can have hip displaysia and other joint and bone-related diseases, which could be exacerbated by the dog’s unnecessarily large size. The different kennel clubs are cautious about accepting new breed variations because they want to ensure the animal’s health.

Always make sure that the breeder has health guarantees for the bitch and sire, and the puppy as well. See each parent to make sure they aren’t unusually big, and ask the breeder about his or her ideas about size.

The potential for painful, expensive health problems is only one kennel club issue. Dobermans were developed to be protective guard dogs. Danes were part of the Doberman’s development; however, adding great Danes to the mix at this point dilutes the breed temperament. Although the easy-going Dane temperament may be fine for a family pet, it deviates from Louis Dobermann’s ideal for his terrier (pinscher).

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