The Doberman Pinscher is one of the noblemen of the dog kind, being sleek and muscular with a superb physique and great intelligence. Among the best guard dogs in the world, this breed distinguishes itself for its unmatched bravery and alertness. Dobermans are robust, muscular, and compact dogs that stand between 24 and 28 inches tall at the shoulder. The body is streamlined but substantial, and it is coated in a shiny coat that is either black, blue, red, or fawn with rust patterns. Dobermans have a reputation as canine royalty due to their exquisite features, which include a noble wedge-shaped head and a smooth, athletic gait. All but the most naive intruder will be deterred by a well-behaved Doberman on patrol.
Doberman Pinscher
alert / loyal / fearless
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
26-28 inches (male)
24-26 inches (female)
Weight
75-100 pounds (male)
60-90 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Doberman Pinscher
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Although Dobermans are typically in good health, the breed is prone to a few diseases. One of these is bloat, a digestive disorder that can be fatal. Owners should get familiar with its symptoms and know what to do in its event. Hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), von Willebrand's disease (clotting problem), progressive retinal atrophy, albinism, and hypothyroidism are a few genetic health concerns that might afflict the breed. Responsible breeders use medical tests to check their breeding stock for these health issues. Never buy a dog or puppy from a breeder that has not genetically screened the parents of their breeding stock for these diseases.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Von Willebrand's Disease DNA Test
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The Doberman is primarily a "wash and wear" breed, although regular grooming will keep him in top shape. His coat will stay lustrous and healthy with a daily brief brushing with a short-bristled brush or grooming mitt. He doesn't require frequent baths. He should frequently brush his teeth and have his nails cut at least once a month. Every few days, the ears should be thoroughly cleaned; a little baby oil and a paper towel are helpful for this. To prevent harm and stay on top of any problems, your veterinarian can demonstrate how to clean your dog's ears.
Exercise
The Doberman is an active athlete who requires a lot of playtime and exercise. A big gated area where he may run is essential for the physical and mental health of a Doberman, who will appreciate taking his owner on lengthy daily walks or treks. Canine sports including obedience, tracking, and agility give mental and physical activity as well as enjoyable experiences for both dog and owner.
Training
Dobermans are very intelligent, learn easily, respond quickly, and make loving and fun companions. However, they are very strong dogs and can become pushy, destructive, and unmanageable if not raised properly. Socialization starting in puppyhood is imperative, as is obedience training. Puppy training classes are highly recommended as well. It is every Doberman owner's responsibility to ensure that the dog is raised to be a happy, well-mannered companion and canine citizen. The Doberman should always live inside the home with his people, rather than outdoors.
Nutrition
Feeding excellent-quality dog food throughout his lifetime is critical for the Doberman. The Doberman puppy should be fed an age-appropriate diet approved by the dog's breeder or veterinarian. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Ample amounts of clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
History
Since the creation of money, one thing has always been true everywhere and at all times: The tax collector is never an invited guest. In some parts of Germany in the 19th century, the reception was outright hostile. Louis Dobermann, a tax collector and dog breeder from the municipality of Apolda, was well aware of this. He planned to create a powerful, dependable guardian to follow him about.
The pinscher that carries Dobermann’s name today (without the extra “n” that was omitted somewhere along the way) was a larger, less polished version of the dog. The German Pinscher, Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier (the predecessor of the Manchester Terrier), and smooth-coated herding dogs are mentioned as being parts of Dobermann’s new breed.
The “Tax Collector’s Dog” immediately became known around the world as the best working canine. Dobermans have proven themselves to be excellent search-and-rescue dogs, police and military K-9s, therapy dogs, service dogs for the disabled, and athletes in dog sports. The U.S. participated in World War II. The Pacific Marine Corps Dobermans brought the breed considerable prominence. During the fight for Guam, 25 of these devoted “Devil Dogs” lost their lives.
Doberman Pinschers are dependable victors in the ring thanks to their proud gait and powerful excellent features. In 1952 and 1953, a dog by the name of Storm won Westminster’s Best in Show twice.
