If you’ve considered buying a Doberman Pinscher, you may have done some research and come across people selling “Warlock” Dobermans. They are sometimes known as King Dobermans or Goliath Dobermans. The idea behind using the Warlock name is to imply a bigger and better Doberman. The Warlock Doberman became popular in the 1970s, at the height of the breed’s popularity. Hobbyist breeders used the Warlock name as a selling point.
People believed that bigger was better, so they wanted the biggest, proudest-looking Doberman Pinscher they could buy. Breeders who were interested in making money, rather than improving the breed, crossed their dogs with Great Danes to get the largest dog. Some Dobermans were crossed with Rottweilers to obtain a more robust and powerful dog. They passed these dogs off as purebred Doberman Pinschers and charged more money for the special name.
Breeders in the for-profit business either did not know or forgot about the true purpose of the Doberman. The breed was developed to a standard that fit the job for which it was intended. To be an effective protection dog, the Doberman needs speed, strength, and agility. The larger and heavier the dog, the more it loses these traits. It’s also not healthy for a Doberman to be too big. It puts more stress on the joints and the heart. A proper Doberman Pinscher should be no more than 28 inches at the shoulder for a male and 26 inches for a female.
Dobermans shouldn’t be big, mean, ferocious guard dogs. They are actually gentle, loving, loyal and intelligent. In the 1970s, when Doberman Pinschers became popular, they were seen and depicted as vicious dogs that would rip people apart. For some reason, many people liked this image and wanted this type of dog. It has taken many years of careful breeding to bring the Doberman Pinscher back to its true nature and size.
So where does this name “Warlock” come from? In 1950s Florida, Theodosia and Henry Frampton raised a litter of Dobermans, and one of the puppies became especially fond of Henry. Henry named the pup Borong the Warlock. He was a standard sized male Doberman with a gentle and stable temperament. He liked people and had no problems with other dogs. Henry began showing Borong around and training him in obedience. He got his title of Champion. When Borong was older, he became a popular stallion and sired many litters. His offspring established him as one of the best stallions of his time. Borong the Warlock died shortly after Henry Frampton’s death.
The name of Borong, the warlock, and his reputation as a popular champion helped establish his legend. Some of his descendants were said to be in Texas and the legend is believed to have started there. Regardless of how it began, the legend has grown, and to this day the Warlock name is used to sell oversized, poorly bred Doberman Pinschers. Dobermans bred over the years and given the “distinction” of being Warlock Dobermans, have no connection to the true Champion Borong the Warlock.
