The Doberman or Doberman Pinscher is a relatively new breed of dog, first bred less than 150 years ago by a German tax collector and night watcher, Friedrich Louis Doberman.
It’s a medium-large, compactly built dog, standing at around 66 – 71cm (26-28 inches) for males and 60 - 66cm (24-26 inches) for females at the shoulder. They typically weigh in at about 34-45 kilograms for males and 27-41 kilograms for females.
They don’t do so well in cold weather. Once it gets below 13 C (55 F), you should bring them in. Their sleek coats with short hair, along with thin skin and low body fat make them rather poor cold-weather outdoor dogs. If your skin feels cold, chances are your Dobie feels cold as well.
As for heat, anything over 30 C and you should bring the dog into your cool house and out of the sun.
Its strong body is covered in a short, glistening coat that comes in a variety of beautiful colours including black, fawn, red, blue, and white in different combinations.
If you already own or are thinking of adopting a Doberman, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got a comprehensive list of the basic information about this dog.
These dogs are highly intelligent; they are regarded as the fifth most intelligent dog in the world.
Additionally, they are very alert and energetic – all the makings of a smart sporting dog. Their fierce loyalty combines with all that to make them a top choice for guard dogs as well.
The Dobie is driven, strong, majestic, and sometimes stubborn. Perhaps this is why they are often stereotyped as being aggressive.
It all depends on their personality. This varies a lot between each dog but when properly cared for and trained, they can be a fun-loving, caring, and loyal companion.
As a result of the high intelligence and level of athleticism of this dog, they are better suited for homes with a large, fenced yard that has enough space where they can roam, play, and exercise.
Doberman Pinschers are active dogs that do best with active owners who have plenty of time to spend with them every day.
They might not be the best choice for first-time dog owners, as the owners need to have well-developed leadership and training skills. Plus, if you’re not highly active yourself, being thrust into a situation where you need to be active might not be sustainable in the long run.
With proper training, they'll do well in a family home. Well-trained Dobies are great with kids. Still, as with any dog, supervision is recommended around small children.
As for strangers, well, expect a little territorial behaviour from your Dobie towards them. Not even small animals are spared of this aggression.
On a scale of 1 – 5, these dogs are a 3 for kid-friendly and stranger-friendly. For other dogs, they’re only a 1 but for their human family, they score a perfect 5.
Fortunately, early and extensive socialization will make a positive impact on their behaviour.
Doberman Pinschers don’t require much grooming. These dogs do shed however, so people with allergies should take precautions when handling them.
Because of this shedding, regular brushing is required to maintain their short beautiful and glossy coat. You’re better off using a rubber brush, as this will reduce shedding, manage loose hairs, and keep their coat healthy to retain its natural sheen.
Any owner or groomer of a Doberman should make it a habit to look after their dog’s ears by cleaning them regularly to reduce the amount of wax and moisture retained inside.
The Doberman’s lifespan is usually between 10 and 13 years on average.
Unfortunately, within their short life, they’re often subject to health problems such as gastric dilatation, dilated cardiomyopathy, Von Willebrand disease, and hypothyroidism.
Larger dogs often suffer from a condition known as Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and Wobbler syndrome, conditions that result in swaying/bunny hopping or a wobbly gait in their hind limbs.
Doberman Pinschers are also prone to certain skin infections such as demodicosis, a disease caused by mites which causes itchiness and hair loss.
Without adequate Doberman pet insurance, veterinary costs can pile up for you while caring for your dog. Getting the right pet insurance for your Doberman could save you a lot of money and worry in the long run.
To keep your Doberman alive and well for as long as possible, the importance of a good diet, proper hygiene, and regular exercise cannot be overemphasized.
Pro-tips:
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the market for Doberman Pinschers. The information we have given you here should help you make a choice.
If you’d like a brainy, athletic, good dog, this breed might just be for you. If you’re not ready for all the energy and athleticism, you might have to stay away from them for now.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited blood disorder that hinders the bloods ability to clot.
The main symptom is excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery. You will find that a wound just simply won’t stop bleeding like it would on a normal dog or human.
Other less severe symptoms are bleeding gums, nose bleeds and bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Sadly, there’s currently no cure and a blood transfusion from unaffected dogs is the only treatment.
Generally, a dog with this condition can live a normal life, but you will need to pay closer attention and take precautions to limit the likelihood of injury.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland which is believed to be a cause of issues including epilepsy, hair loss, obesity, lethargy and skin conditions.
This is a disorder that can be quite easily treated through a dog’s diet and medication.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina.
Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind, with the loss of sight during the day occurring as the disease progresses.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment, but it is known that the condition doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort and most dogs will adapt well to their limited or lost vision, so long as their surroundings and environment stay the same.
Demodectic Mange is caused by demodex mites which live in hair follicles. All dogs carry these mites, and those with weakened immune systems can develop this condition which is also called demodicosis.
Demodicosis comes in two forms – Localised and generalised.
The localised form causes patches of red, scaly skin and hair loss on the head, neck and forelegs. It is usually thought of as a puppy disease and will often clear up on its own.
The generalised form usually only appears on older puppies and adults. Affected dogs will develop patchy skin, bald spots and skin infections all over the body.
Fortunately, the mite cannot be passed to humans or other pets.