Doberman Pinscher is one of the world’s most loyal, fearless, protective purebred dogs. These dogs originated in Germany during the late 19th century and were bred as working dogs. Still, it is believed that they can be a mix of various other dog breeds, such as the Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, and German Pinscher.
Doberman Pinschers are sleek, powerful with keen intelligence, and known as dogkind’s noblemen. They are highly energetic with their athletic body. They excel in performing in police and military work and canine sport and make great guardians and companions to their families. Happily welcome these Dobbies into your family!
Table of Contents
Doberman Pinscher Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Intelligent and loyal | Health problems |
| Protective and fearless | Separation anxiety |
| Low maintenance | Not suitable for first-time owners |
| Affectionate with family and children | Same-sex aggression |
Doberman Pinscher Basic Information
- Name: Doberman Pinscher
- Origin: Germany
- Group: Working Group
- Size: Large
- Height: Male: 26-28 inches; Female:24-26 inches
- Weight: Male: 75-100 pounds; Female: 60-90 pounds
- Coat: Short, shiny
- Color: Black and rust, red and rust, blue and rust, fawn(Isabella) and rust
- Energy: High
- Activities: Agility, obedience, tracking
- Barking Level: Low
- Shedding Level: High
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Litter Size: 6-8 puppies
- Other Names: Dobie, Doberman
- Original Passtime: Working dogs
- Life Span: 10-13 years
History of Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are one of the world’s finest dog breeds known for their fearless and protective nature. They originated in Germany during the 19th century and were named after a tax collector Louis Doberman. He was also a dog catcher and was always accompanied by a dog to protect him from thieves and bandits. As a result, he began breeding dogs with traits of loyalty and protectiveness which resulted in a Doberman Pinscher.
Also called Dobie, they were first shown in 1876 and instantly liked. Yet, the breeds used to create Doberman Pinscher are still unknown. Louis Doberman died in 1894, and their history is mysterious. However, it is believed that the mix of Rottweiler, German Pinscher, and Black and tan Terrier might have led to Doberman Pinscher.
By the end of the 19th century, the Germans started breeding these dogs to create a super dog. The smartest, bravest, and quickest were bred, which was quite a success. In 1900, the German Kennel Club recognized the breed. In 1908, Dobies were brought to America by a breeder Otto Goeller and was an instant success in dog shows. In the same year, AKC recognized the breed, and in 1921 Doberman Pinscher Club of America was formed. Around the mid-1900s, the name Pinscher was dropped by Germans and eventually by America and Europe.
Doberman Pinscher Highlights
- Doberman Pinschers are highly energetic and require a lot of activities.
- They are protective and are natural guardians to their families.
- They will try to be the alpha in the family if the owner is not a strong leader.
- Dobermans are sensitive to cold weather and need adequate warmth and shelter.
- They are family dogs and prone to separation anxiety when left alone at home.
- Dobermans are misjudged as aggressive but are sweet-natured, loyal, and friendly.
Doberman Pinscher Personality
Doberman Pinschers are powerful dogs that grow up to 24-28 inches and weigh about 60-80 pounds. They are medium-sized dogs with square bodies. However, they are compact, muscular, and have great endurance and speed. In black Dobies, the iris ranges from medium to darkest brown. In red, blue, and fawn Dobermans, the iris color blends with the markings, preferably of the darkest shade. The ears are cropped and erect, and the tail is docked at the second joint.
Doberman Pinschers have smooth-haired, short, hard, thick coats prone to shedding; hence, they are not hypoallergenic. They have an invisible gray undercoat on their neck. The coat colors include black and tan and red and tan. They have an elegant appearance that reflects a proud carriage, nobility, and invariability.
Friendliness Overview
| Affection level | High |
| Family-friendly | High |
| Kid-friendly | High to medium |
| Dog-friendly | Low |
| Stranger-friendly | Medium |
Adaptability Overview
| Good for apartment living | Medium |
| Good for new owners | Low |
| Sensitivity level | High |
| Tolerates being alone | Low |
| Cold tolerance | low |
| Heat tolerance | High |
Doberman Pinscher Physical Features
Head: The head is upright, long, and dry. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark brown, and medium-sized, with an energetic expression; Their ears are medium-shaped, erect, and cropped; The skull is flat with a proportionate strong muzzle. The cheeks are flat and muscular. The nose is solid black, and the teeth are white and well-developed.
Neck: The neck is well-muscled, dry, and well-arched. The length is proportionate to the head and the body.
Topline: The chest is broad with a well-defined forechest.
Body: The body is compactly built with a well-developed chest. The loins are well-muscled. Hips are well-defined and proportionate to the body.
Tail: The tail is docked.
Forequarters: The shoulders are moderately sloping forward. The forelegs are strong and muscled. The feet are well-arched, compact, and cat-like.
Hindquarters: The rear legs are broad and heavily muscled. Dewclaws on the hind legs are undesirable and can be removed.
Coat: The coat is smooth-haired, short, hard, thick, and prone to shedding. They are not hypoallergenic and have an invisible gray undercoat on the neck.
Color: The coat colors include black, blue, red, and fawn (Isabella), with dashing rust markings above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, forechest, legs, feet, and below the tail. White patches, not more than ½ square inch, can be found on the chest.
Gait: Gait is steady and agile. Well-balanced with good reach and strong drive.
Disqualifications (AKC Standards)
- Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch.
- Undershot more than ⅛ of an inch.
- Four or more missing teeth.
- Coat colors other than those mentioned earlier.
Doberman Pinscher Temperament
Doberman Pinscher is one of the most loyal, intelligent, affectionate, and protective dog breeds. They are powerful and fearless and protect their families with all their might. They are misjudged as aggressive but are gentle, friendly, and affectionate to those who know them. Dobermans are gentle and caring and create a strong bond with their owners. Their souls lay in their families. They are gentle with kids and protect them as their own.
Dobermans make excellent watchdogs, and are natural guardians. They are fearless and defend their families in case of any danger. They are loyal, trustworthy, and kind and enjoy being around their families. They are highly active and athletic and excel in dog shows. Their overall temperament includes:
- Powerful
- Loyal
- Protective
- Fearless
- Affectionate
- Friendly
- Athletic
- Loyal
- Alert
Doberman Pinscher Training
Doberman Pinschers learn and respond quickly, thus making training more accessible. Like any other dog, they need early socialization and puppy training classes. The activity requires patience and consistency during the period. They are sensitive to any adverse reactions and need positive reinforcement while training. They love being around people, and treats and cuddling do wonders while training.
Doberman Pinschers are active and look forward to the training sessions, playing fetch, frisbee, and tug-of-war which helps in training regarding behavioral corrections. They do not respond to harsh commands, and lots of praise, cuddles, and treats work wonders during training. In addition, obedience training and socialization help with behavioral correction and bring out the best in any dog.
Doberman Pinscher becomes bored quickly; hence, keeping the training exciting and busy is necessary. Their activity can include the following:
- Early Socialization
- Crate Training
- Positive Reinforcement
- Teach bite inhibition
- Walk with a harness
- Leash Training
- Agility
- Obedience training
- Potty training
A few products to keep your Dobie engaged:
Trainability Overview
| Easy to train | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Prey drive | Low |
| Mouthiness tendencies | High |
| Barking and Howling tendencies | Low |
| Wanderlust tendencies | Medium |
Doberman Pinscher Exercise Needs
Doberman Pinschers are highly active and energetic that need ample exercise. A daily exercise routine of two hours is ideal for keeping the dog’s mental and physical stimulation intact. In addition, walking 2-3 times daily with running and play keeps the dog happy and healthy.
Doberman Pinschers are good at activities like agility and other canine games. In addition, they enjoy running, walking, hiking, and playing in the pool and indoor games. A proper exercise routine helps the dog with the following benefits:
- Social interaction
- Weight Control
- Stress Relief
- Behavioral corrections like excessive chewing, persistent barking
- Brain stimulation
- Strengthening Muscles
- Routine Toileting
- Mental health and happiness
Exercise Needs Overview
| Energy level | High |
| Exercise needs | high |
| Intensity | High to medium |
| Playfulness | High |
Doberman Pinscher Grooming
Doberman Pinschers are medium-sized dogs with short-haired, shiny coats. They shed a lot and need frequent grooming. However, they are easy to groom, and you must brush the coat 2-3 times per week. In addition, they may need extra brushing during their shedding season. Brushing helps remove matted hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding.
One of the essential parts of grooming is bathing which keeps the dog clean. However, frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches. Instead, bathe your dog using pH-balanced shampoos. Pet wipes keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. You can wash them once a week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots and tangles.
Dobermans are prone to collect ear wax quickly. Hence, ears should be cleaned and regularly checked as they are prone to ear problems. Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems. Never brush their teeth with a stiff brush, as it will harm the gums and teeth. Also, make sure to use dog-friendly toothpaste.
Also, clean your pet’s eyes and trim his nails as a part of everyday grooming needs. Check his toenails weekly, as long nails may harm and injure the dog. You can cut the toenails with a commercial dog nail trimmer or with the help of a vet or professional groomer.
Grooming Overview
| Easy to groom | High |
| Drooling tendencies | High |
| Amount of shedding | High |
Doberman Pinscher Health
Doberman Pinscher is a healthy and active dog. Yet, it’s always wise to be aware of their health conditions.
Health Overview
| General health | Low |
| Weight gain tendencies | Medium |
| Size | Medium |
Von Willebrand’s Disease: This genetic blood disorder impairs the blood’s ability to clot. The primary symptom is excessive bleeding after surgery. Nosebleeds, bleeding jaws, and intestinal or bowel bleeding are some of the signs and consequences. There is still no cure; the only option is a transfusion from healthy canines. New treatments, including medicine, are being investigated. Most dogs with Von Willebrand’s syndrome can lead everyday lives. You must take your dog to the vet for diagnosis.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not.
Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes, such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training, can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
- Injuries
- Excessive weight gain
- Wrong exercises
- This condition causes defects or damage to the hip bones and joints and worsens without treatment.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include:
- Reduced activity and movements
- Reluctance to rise, jump, run, or climb
- Lameness in the hind limbs
- Reducing thigh muscle mass
- Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait
- Grating in the joint during movement
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a degenerative eye disease that affects the retinal cells. Due to the degradation of the retinal cell, the afflicted dog will eventually go blind.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which a dog’s metabolism is slowed due to the lack of thyroid hormone production. Among the signs and symptoms are:
- Lethargy
- Gaining weight
- Reluctance to work out
- Hair Loss
Wobblers Syndrome: An inherited condition that affects dogs through a malformed spinal canal or cervical vertebral flux. Surgical treatment is hotly debated because, in some cases, this condition can happen even after treatment.
Symptoms
- Spinal cord compression
- Paralysis of the legs
- Neck pain
Cardiomyopathy: The muscles in the heart become weak and thin. Symptoms include, widening of the heart chambers, an abnormally large heart, and heart failure. This condition can be treated by fluid therapy, supply of oxygen, and medications.
Albinism is a genetic condition that affects most Dobermans. Dogs with albinism become sensitive to sunlight and lack melanin pigment. The common signs of this condition are extreme scratching, loss of hair, and dry patches. You can control this by not exposing your Doberman to the sun’s rays for a longer time. You can also make them wear bodysuits, shirts, hats, etc. when you take them out for a walk. Symptoms include white with pink skin and nose and blue or light eyes. In extreme cases, it can cause cancer. Therefore, it is recommended and advisable not to breed Albino dogs.
Narcolepsy: This neurological disorder affects the brain’s regulation of wake-sleep patterns. A dog with narcolepsy may suddenly feel sleepy and fall asleep. Research is underway to find a suitable treatment.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat, a life-threatening disease that affects large, deep-chested dogs like Dobermans, especially if fed one large meal a day, eat fast, drink large volumes of water after dinner, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is swollen due to pressure with gas or air and then twists. The dog cannot vomit to get rid of the excessive air in their stomach, and the average remit of blood to the heart is impeded. As a result, their blood pressure falls, and the dog goes into shock. Without prompt medical attention, the dog can expire.
Suspect bloat if your dog has a swollen abdomen, is drooling excessively, and is retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, lethargic, depressed, and weak with a rapid heart rate. Getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible is crucial.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It is done to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Recommended Tests for Doberman Pinscher
- X-Rays
- CT Scan
- Eye Examination
- Physical Examination
- Blood Work
- Thyroid test
- Cardiac evaluation
- Hip evaluation
- Von Willebrand’s Disease DNA Test
- Vet-certified proof of genetic testing
Doberman Pinscher Diet and Nutrition
Doberman Pinschers need a large quantity of high-quality food, and they should eat 2.5 to 3.5 cups of meals every day. Each puppy is distinctive, and the correct amount and quality of food depend on age, weight, activity level, health, and more. You can split their meals into two 2 cups daily. They are prone to obesity, and hence overfeeding must be avoided. Doberman pups can be given dry food, wet food, or both. Ensure their diet contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, chondroitin, and glucosamine.
You can also feed them with fruits and vegetables that give carbohydrate energy. Never hesitate to consult a vet to meet your pup’s dietary requirements to keep them happy and healthy.
Doberman Pinscher Living Condition
Doberman Pinschers are friendly, affectionate, and love being around humans. However, they are not apartment-friendly and need sufficient space or homes with bigger yards. They love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, hunting, and visiting dog parks. When allowed in a backyard, the place should be adequately fenced.
Dobermans are kind and protective of kids, yet should never be left alone with children without supervision. They love the attention of their owners and develop strong bonds. They have a high prey drive but will get along with smaller animals and cats with early socialization and training. They are susceptible to anxiety when left alone for a long time. They cannot tolerate cold weather conditions and are okay with hot temperatures. They thrive on companionship, playtime, training, praise, and cuddles.
Doberman Pinscher Club Recognition
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- German Kennel Club (GKC)
- Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA)
Did You Know?
- Doberman Pinschers were found for the first time around the 1890s in Apolda, a central town in Thuringia, Germany.
- The war dog cemetery at the US naval base in Orote Point, Guam, has a permanent monument dedicated to Dobermans, “Always Faithful,” which is a life-size Doberman in bronze.
- Besides serving as guard dogs, Dobermans are used as police, military, rescue, and therapy dogs.
- Due to their affinity towards families, Dobermans are also called “Velcro dogs.”
- Dobermans aided the U.S. marines during the Second World War.
Adding Doberman Pinscher to Your Family
Things to remember before adding Doberman Pinscher to your family
Getting a Doberman Pinscher from a reputable breeder is best to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. It is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure his health and happiness. Always remember the following red flags to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills.
- Puppies are available around the year.
- We recommend you visit the puppy and his parents and get health clearance and vaccination certificates, to avoid purchasing a weaker puppy.
Cost of a Doberman Pinscher Puppy
A Doberman’s price ranges from $1500 to $2500
Rescue Groups
- Dobies and Little Paws Rescue
- Doberman Rescue Unlimited, Inc.
- Doberman Rescue of Atlanta
- Doberman Rescue Minnesota (DRM)
Doberman Pinscher Videos
6 Ways Dobermans Are Different From Other Dogs
Doberman Pinscher: The Pros & Cons of Owning One
Doberman Pinscher – Top 10 Facts
WHAT’S IT LIKE OWNING A DOBERMAN PINSCHER
8 Things Only Doberman Pinscher Dog Owners Understand
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