German Shepherd Doberman Mix is the offspring of the two popular pure breeds, German Shepherd and Doberman. Inheriting the best qualities from both parents, the German Shepherd Doberman Mix is a robust, courageous, fierce, intelligent, and loyal mixed breed that protects his family with his life.

Table of Contents
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Loyal | Aggressiveness |
Great Watch Dogs | Not suitable to cold regions |
Easily Trainable | Not suited for apartment living |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Basic Information
- Name: German Shepherd Doberman
- Height: 22 to 26 inches
- Weight: 90 to 110 pounds
- Color: Black, Dark Brown, Tan
- Coat: Short & Silky
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Energy: Medium to High
- Activities: Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, Companion Dogs
- Barking Level: Normal
- Shedding Level: Moderate
- Group: Mixed breed
- Litter Size: 5 Puppies
- Life Span: 10 to 13 Years
- Other Names: Doberman Shepherd
- Club Recognition: DRA also known as Dog Registry of America, Inc.
German Shepherd Vs Doberman: A Comparison
Features | German Shepherd | Doberman |
Image | ||
Origin | Germany | Germany |
Height | 22 to 26 inches | 24 to 28 inches |
Weight | 50 to 90 pounds | 60 to 80 Pounds |
Size | Large | Medium/Large |
Group | Herding | Working |
Children Compatibility | High | Medium |
Family Compatibility | High | High |
Pets Compatibility | Low | Low |
Barking Level | Frequent | Low |
Shedding Level | Normal | Medium to High |
Hypoallergenic | No | No |
Grooming Needs | Low | Medium to High |
Overall Health | Medium to High | Low |
Energy | Medium | Medium |
Exercise Needs | High | Medium |
Trainability | High | Medium |
Activities | Agility, Herding, Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Tracking | Conformation, Obedience, Search and Rescue, Therapy Dog, Tracking, Rally, Schutzhund |
Complication in breeding | No | No |
Litter Size | 6 to 8 puppies | 6 to 8 puppies |
Lifespan | 9 to 13 years | 10 to 13 years |
Other Names | Alsatian, Deutscher Schaeferhund | Doberman Pinscher |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Personality
The German Shepherd Doberman Mix is the most loyal and affectionate dog. Managing their natural temperament is vital for them to get along well with the family. Being excellent watchdogs, they observe and alert the family in danger. Their bone-breaking high bite force is an added quality in their guarding.
The size of a female German Shepherd Doberman Mix will be comparatively smaller than the male. When your puppy is three months old, the healthy weight is around 25 to 30 pounds. They start to mature around the 9th or 10th month, where the males will mature slowly. They will be a grown adult around 25 to 30 months. An average adult dog will weigh about 90 to 110 pounds and grow as tall as 22 to 26 inches.
The appearance of a German Shepherd Doberman Mix depends on the dominant gene. Most dogs resemble the looks of their Doberman parents. They get the Doberman’s muscular body giving them a commanding appearance. Doberman Shepherds will have black noses, long muzzles, and their eyes can be black or brown. The large cropped ears make them look intimidating. However, it is optional to crop their ears. Some dogs might have pointed ears, while some can have floppy ears.
The coat of Doberman Shepherds can be shiny and short if they inherit Doberman’s gene. On the other hand, it can be thick, wiry, or long if he inherits the German Shepherd’s gene. Also, the puppy is well suited in warmer places than cold regions because of his low body fat and short coat inherited from the Doberman parent.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level | Medium to High |
Family-Friendly | High |
Kid-Friendly | Medium |
Pet-Friendly | Low |
Strangers-Friendly | Medium to High |
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners | Low to Medium |
Good for Apartment Living | Medium |
Sensitivity Level | Medium to High |
Tolerates being alone | Low to Medium |
Cold Tolerance | Low to Medium |
Heat Tolerance | Medium |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Temperament
Doberman Shepherds are one of the strong-willed breeds. You should assert your dominance for them to accept you as their master. Due to their guarding nature, they will be suspicious of any stranger. This can result in aggressiveness without proper socialization in puppyhood. Leaving them alone for many days can lead to separation anxiety. Without appropriate training, they might not get along well with children. Their temperament depends primarily on their training and upbringing.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Exercise Needs
German Shepherd Doberman Mixes need adequate exercise to match their energy level. Their exercise sessions should be regular for 90 to 120 minutes twice a day. You can introduce your dog to military training, herding, and agility training, as this breed descends from working group parents. He will enjoy herding, jogging, and walking. You can play hide and seek, fetch with him. Games such as scent tracking, treasure hunt, and puzzles will keep him mentally stimulated.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level | Medium to High |
Exercise Needs | Medium to High |
Playfulness | High |
Intensity | Medium to High |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Training
German Shepherd Doberman Mix can be easy to train because of their intelligence. They will learn various commands quickly through positive reinforcement. They can bark a lot to alert you, so it is essential to train them to stop barking on command. Their guarding quality can cause harm to other pets and dogs. So, you can teach them correct behavior to avoid any aggressive habits.
Early socialization with other dogs, pets, and kids will restrict their protective instincts. Through proper socialization, German Shepherd Doberman Mix will learn to trust people. Start training your dog from the puppy stage to create a bond with him and establish yourself as the alpha. With proper training, your Doberman Shepherd puppy will grow into an obedient dog knowing how to control and direct his aggression and guard nature.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train | High |
Intelligence | High |
Prey Drive | Medium |
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite | Medium to High |
Tendency to Bark or Howl | Medium |
Wanderlust Ability | Low to Medium |
Attention/Social Needs | Medium to High |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Grooming
German Shepherd Doberman Mix has a short, silky coat with low grooming needs. They don’t shed much, so it is sufficient to brush their coat three to four times a week. You should make them get used to water and bathing at an early age. Other grooming needs include nail trimming, dental care, and cleaning their ears regularly.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding | Medium to High |
Tendency to Drool | Medium |
Tendency to Snore | Low |
Easy to Groom | High |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Health
Similar to other mixed breeds, the German Shepherd Doberman Mix also has low health risks. However, they can be prone to diseases that are common to both parent breeds. Proper exercises, regular vet visits, and a well-balanced diet can prevent most diseases.
Health Overview
Basic Health | Medium |
Weight Gain Possibilities | Low to Medium |
Size | Medium to Large |
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is caused when the bones of the rear legs don’t fit properly in the joints. It is a painful condition, and only some dogs show signs. Though it is hereditary, injuries, excessive weight gain, and wrong exercises can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment ranges from medication to replacement of the hip through surgeries. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening. Still, you can prevent it by avoiding the breeding of affected Doberman Shepherds.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: VWD is an inherited condition in which the ability for a blood clot is disturbed. Some symptoms are extreme bleeding after surgery or injury, nosebleed, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Currently, there is no cure but, a blood transfusion from a healthy dog can be done.
Cardiomyopathy: In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscles become weak and thin. It can be identified through widening of the heart chambers, an abnormally large heart, and heart failure. Treatments include fluid therapy, oxygen supply, and medication.
Wobbler Syndrome: Wobbler Syndrome is an inherent condition that causes spinal cord compression or malformation in the canal. Symptoms such as neck pain, paralysis of the legs can indicate this condition.
Megaesophagus: Megaesophagus is a congenital disease characterized by an enlarged esophagus in dogs. It affects the esophageal motility that carries the food from mouth to stomach. Symptoms include vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and bad breath.
Degenerative Myelopathy: Doberman Shepherd inherits degenerative myelopathy from his German Shepherd parent. The spinal cord degenerates and leads to lame rear legs and incontinence, gradually ending in paralysis.
Cataracts: It is a common cause of blindness in older Doberman Shepherds. The lens of the eyes becomes cloudy and opaque. Treatment might require surgery for good results.
Pannus: Pannus is an eye condition in which the inflammatory cells penetrate the eye’s cornea and darkens when exposed to ultraviolet rays leading to blindness.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer that’s common in large and giant dog breeds.
Allergies: Doberman Shepherds can be affected by various allergies, ranging from food to environmental factors. Identifying the allergen will help in avoiding allergies.
Obesity: Excess weight is a significant health condition that can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart diseases. It can be prevented through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Major Health Issues |
Hip Dysplasia |
Elbow Dysplasia |
Cardiomyopathy |
Wobblers Syndrome |
Minor Health Issues |
Gastric Torsion |
Cataracts |
Pannus |
Osteosarcoma |
Dermatitis |
Von Willebrand’s Disease |
Perianal Fistulas |
Progressive Posterior Paresis |
Recommended Health Tests |
DNA Test |
Cardiac |
Hip |
X-Rays |
Eye Examination |
Physical Examination |
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Diet and Nutrition
German Shepherd Doberman Mix requires a nutrition-dense diet. They are a large breed of dogs and consume a lot of food, resulting in obesity without adequate physical stimulation. They need a considerable amount of protein with medium-level carbs and fats for a well-balanced diet. If there is too much protein content, it can also lead to being overweight.
The quantity of food varies based on size, health condition, and physical activities. You can get help from a vet to plan a holistic diet for your German Shepherd Doberman Mix. Feeding them often should be avoided. It is ideal to feed them 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dog food or homemade food twice daily.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Living Condition
German Shepherd Doberman Mix is best suited for warm and tropical regions. They cannot adapt to cold climates because of their short coat. In addition, Doberman Shepherds might not be suitable for apartment living due to their insecurity towards strangers. As they are active outdoors, they will need a backyard to run around and play. If you have other small pets or dogs at home, Doberman Shepherds will need early socialization to be friendly with them. However, they don’t have preying instincts, and so with adequate socialization, they can live along with cats, dogs, and other pets.
Adding a German Shepherd Doberman Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Buying a German Shepherd Doberman Mix
You should always consider buying from reputable breeders to get healthy puppies. They will show health clearance certificates for the parents. Responsible breeders might run some background checks on you before selling the puppy.
Cost of a German Shepherd Doberman Mix Puppy
German Shepherd Doberman Mix puppies will cost around $200 to $500. Female Doberman Shepherds are more sought after. So, their price might be slightly high. The total expense can exceed $1500, including medicines and vaccines. You can also adopt a puppy from any rescue group. This would be a more budget-friendly option.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Images









German Shepherd Doberman Mix Videos
German Shepherd Doberman Mix at the trail
German Shepherd Doberman Mix – Mason
Petra – German Shepherd Doberman Mix Residential Dog Training
Other German Shepherd Mixes
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- Akita German Shepherd Mix
- Alaskan Shepherd
- American Shepherd
- American Bulldog Shepherd
- Basset Shepherd
- Beagle Shepherd
- Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix
- Bernese Shepherd
- Border Collie German Shepherd
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- Catashepherd
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- Chow Shepherd
- Corger Shepherd
- Corgi German Shepherd Mix
- Corman Shepherd
- Dachshund Shepherd
- Dane Shepherd
- Doberman Shepherd
- Dobgerpherd
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- Euro Mountain Sheparnese
- French Bullger Shepherd
- Gerberian Shepsky
- German Anatolian Shepherd
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- Germanees
- German Ridgeback
- German Shepherd Chow Mix
- German Shepherd Pitbull Mix
- German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
- German Shepherd Shih Tzu Mix
- German Shepherd Terrier Mix
- German Sheppit
- German Wolf
- Golden Shepherd
- Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix
- Husky Shepherd
- Malinois X
- Mastiff Shepherd
- Newfougerpherd
- New Shep
- Labrashepherd
- Pitbull German Shepherd Mix
- Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix
- Poodleherd
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- Saint Shepherd
- Sharpherd
- Sheltie Shepherd
- Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix
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- Sheprador
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Other Doberman Mixes
- Greyhound Doberman mix
- English Bulldog Doberman mix
- Boxer Doberman mix
- Pit Bull Terrier Doberman mix
- Standard Schnauzer Doberman mix
- Bloodhound Doberman mix
- Beagle Doberman mix
- Border Collie Doberman mix
- Springer Spaniel Doberman mix
- Bernese Mountain Dog Doberman mix
- Welsh Corgi Doberman mix
- Akita Inu Doberman mix
- Golden Retriever Doberman mix
- Great Dane Doberman mix
- Dogo Argentino Doberman mix
- Rottweiler Doberman mix
- Cane Corso Doberman mix
- Great Pyrenees Doberman mix
- Labrador Retriever Doberman mix
- Basset Hound Doberman mix
- Standard Poodle Doberman mix
- Newfoundland Doberman mix
- Australian Shepherd Doberman mix