Doberman Pinscher

All you need to know about the Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers were originally bred in Germany, and the first one actually served as a protector for a tax collector in the late 19th century! This gorgeous breed has continued its work as guard dogs all over the world, but they are also known as amazing and loyal pets.

Although there are people that claim these dogs are aggressive or ferocious, these traits have been minimized over the past years. While they were bred to be this way originally, breeders have worked hard to make them even-tempered and kind. They still will protect you when necessary, though!

Doberman Pinschers are often called Dobies, and they are active and intelligent dogs. Their versatility makes them great pets since they are capable of adapting to various family sizes and living environments.

Fast Facts

Group - Working

Weight - 70-88 Pounds (male) 68-80 Pounds (female)

Height - 26-28 Inches (male) 24-26 Inches (female)

Hair Length - Short

Shedding - Moderate

Lifespan - 8-12 Years

The Appearance of the Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher has a unique appearance that can’t be mistaken for any other breed. These dogs are athletic, muscular, and slender, and have a gorgeous, elegant silhouette.

Dobermans are large and stand over 2 feet tall. They are muscular dogs, but they look slender and are not heavy at all. 

Dobies have relaxed ears and tails that can grow up to 12 inches in length when they are born. Normally, breeders will dock the tail of a Doberman and crop its ears. They say this is because cropping the ears helps the dog hear better while docking the tail prevents it from getting hurt.

Still, there are many that argue that people do this purely for cosmetic reasons and that there are no actual health benefits. This can also be extremely painful for the dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against these practices, and they have been outlawed in several countries already.

Doberman Pinschers are solid dogs with a compact body. They have a broad chest, and their entire frame is lean. Their eyes are intelligent, and they won’t miss a thing going on in the general vicinity. They are energetic, watchful, loyal, and fearless.

Doberman has a short coat that lies close to the skin. Their necks are long and muscular, and you will always see them carry their head up proudly. They have long, muscular legs that allow them to run swiftly.

What colors does a Doberman Pinscher come in?

When it comes to the coat color, the breed standard states that the permitted show colors are:

• Black
• Red
• Blue
• Fawn

Rust markings are also desirable, especially when they are sharply defined. These markings should appear above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, and chest, on all the legs and feet, and below the tail. Some Dobermans might have a white patch on their chest, which is also permissible.

You will have to try hard to find a Doberman of a different color than these, as they are extremely rare. However, the rarest of them all is the white Doberman Pinscher, first bred in 1976. These dogs are of cream color with white markings and have blue eyes.

Breeders still aren’t sure what causes the mutation that results in a white Doberman, although some suggest that it is similar to albinism. Whatever the case may be, consider yourself lucky if you stumble upon one of these pups!

All about the Doberman Pinscher personality

Doberman Pinschers are intelligent, courageous, and deeply loyal pups. They come from a lineage of guard dogs, so they require an experienced, patient owner who can dedicate time to train them. Dobies love consistency in their lives and will need a lot of attention from their family. 

Doberman Pinschers develop extremely deep bonds with their family. Once they are used to you, they won’t leave your side. This is why many people jokingly refer to them as “Velcro dogs”. Naturally, this means that separation anxiety can become a problem.

You should always prepare and plan for any occasion when you need to leave the house for a longer period of time. Always make sure to help your pet Doberman become comfortable with spending some time home alone.

You have surely heard people talk about them as being aggressive, vicious, and prone to attack people. However, today they are bred to be more even-tempered, so there is nothing to worry about.

Doberman Pinscher puppies are extremely affectionate and loving. They grow into loyal and devoted pets and members of your family. Naturally, they make for amazing guard dogs that will keep your house safe for years. You can always expect your Dobie to protect you from harm.

Proper training is important, and it will create an amazing, obedient pet. Your Doberman needs to listen to you without fail, and that is something that can be taught.

Dobies are also intuitive, gentle, and patient dogs, which is something many don’t know about them. They have actually been used as therapy dogs, due to their ability to bond strongly with humans.

Misunderstood is definitely the word that describes these pups the best when it comes to their temperament. They can become amazing friends with your children as well. Just make sure to train them properly.

Is a Doberman Pinscher easy to train?

These dogs are highly intelligent, they will respond quickly and learn easily. This means that they are wonderful training partners. However, you need to start early!

Dobermans are strong dogs and can become destructive, pushy, and unmanageable if they aren’t raised properly early on. Obedience training is something that every single one of them should go through.

Puppy training classes are recommended as well. Positive reinforcement works wonders for these pups. These dogs love being busy, both physically and mentally.

Since they learn fast, they can get bored with the same old lessons and exercises. You should do your best to keep them interesting and fresh. 

If not, your Doberman Pinscher might have its own ideas about what to do! There is no need to worry, though; they aren’t very stubborn, especially if you provide them with kind leadership. 

If you follow all of these, your Doberman will grow up into a happy, well-mannered pet that you can bring anywhere.

Now you’ve learned the most important aspects of the Dobie personality. What about grooming? 

How much Grooming does a Doberman Pinscher need?

Dobermans don’t require much grooming when it comes to their coat. It is short and only requires minimal brushing. Do it once a week and bathe your pup when necessary and you should be fine.

Other than that, they will require basic teeth and nail care. This means that you should use doggy toothpaste and wash your Dobie’s teeth weekly at least. This will prevent multiple diseases and prevent bacteria from accumulating there.

Naturally, always make sure your dog’s nails aren’t clicking on the floor while it is walking. This is a sign that you need to clip its nails, and you should do so regularly. If left unattended and they grow too long, it can cause serious pain to your pup.

Since Doberman Pinschers have short coats, many of you must be thinking that they are hypoallergenic, right? Well, we have to disappoint you. These dogs shed quite a bit, and are known to cause allergic reactions in people. So no, they are not hypoallergenic!

When it comes to grooming of this particular breed, we should also mention ear cropping. Although not advised nowadays, some people do it still, and there are several Doberman ear cropping styles.

There is the shorter military crop, the longer standard crop, and of course, just leaving the ears in their natural, floppy state. Doing this is a huge commitment because it requires a lot of aftercare. You need to care for the ears after the cropping procedure to prevent infections.

The Living Environment of the Doberman Pinscher

The ideal setting for your Doberman Pinscher would be a house with a fenced backyard where it can play and exercise. Many can’t provide this, but that actually won’t be a huge issue with these dogs.

More than anything, Dobermans want to spend time with their families, which means that they easily get used to apartment life. However, you need to make sure that your dog gets enough daily exercise.

Dobies are not couch potatoes! They will absolutely need a good run combined with a game of fetch. Naturally, any other stimulating activity is welcome as well. Training classes and various competitions are also important for making these dogs happy.

Dobermans will get along well with other animals, as long as you socialize them properly while they are young. When it comes to kids, be careful. These are big dogs, and if your child is still small, they might knock it down or be startled by its crying.

The Health and Nutrition of the Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers will live from 10 to 12 years on average. They are mostly healthy, but there are some conditions you should keep an eye out for.

• Hip dysplasia is possibly the condition that most commonly assaults these pups. However, make sure to check their heart and thyroids regularly.
• Bloat can become an issue with Dobermans, and this gastrointestinal condition has a mortality rate of about 50 percent.You should consult your dog’s veterinarian and educate yourself about bloat, also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). Your vet will let you in on ways that will help prevent it.
• Von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder that can create blood clots is another condition that you should watch out for. It can become incredibly dangerous.

When it comes to food, always consult with your vet on the best quality dog food for your pooch. They will also help you determine the correct amount of food you should be giving your pet daily.

The amount should be spread into two meals. Dobermans are prone to overeating, so plenty of exercises and quality meals are essential. Otherwise, your pet might become overweight.

Where does the Doberman Pinscher come from?

The first Doberman Pinscher was bred in Thuringia, Germany, around the year 1890. Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was working as a tax collector in the city of Apolda, and he needed a dog to protect him while working on this dangerous job!

He was also the owner of a dog pound, which gave him access to many different dog breeds. This made the task of creating a dog that will protect him easier. His goal was to breed a dog that would be loyal, smart, and ferocious.

After him, work on the breed was continued by Otto Goeller and Philip Gruening, and they developed the modern Doberman Pinscher. Dobermans have a long history of working as military and police dogs. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. 

Doberman Pinscher Mixes you would like to know about*

Dog crossbreeds or mixes are sometimes called designer dogs. The name fits since you are “designing” a new dog by mating two purebred dogs. It has become popular in recent times, and more and more breeds have several noteworthy crosses we could write about.

The thing with mixed puppies is that it is hard to know which characteristics they will inherit from their parents. You should research as much info as possible on the parent breeds to understand what you can expect. This way, you will find a mix that has all of the characteristics you want and love.

Read on to see the most popular Doberman mixes:

• Dobsky - Doberman & Siberian Husky mix
• Doberdane - Doberman & Great Dane mix
• Doberman Collie - Doberman & Border Collie mix
• Doberdor - Doberman & Labrador Retriever mix
• Doberman Shepherd - Doberman & German Shepherd mix
• Doodleman - Doberman & Standard Poodle mix
• Rotterman - Doberman & Rottweiler mix

*Not all breed mixes are equal in quality! Pets4you.com neither condones nor endorses any example of unethical and unhealthy crossbreeding. We encourage everyone to research in detail before they choose to get a crossbreed.