Doberman Breed Information

Doberman Breed Information

The Doberman is a medium-large dog breed that is affectionate and popular because of its intelligence, loyalty, and strength.

Dobermans, also known as Doberman Pinschers or Dobies, are a majestic and muscular breed for families as a companion and guard dogs.

For this reason, you will find most Dobermans as part of police or military work. They are also great pets and companions for homes with children.

Dobermans are versatile dogs and love nothing more than being close to their owners.

Are you curious about Dobermans and what they are like in terms of personality and daily requirements? If you want to know more about these beautiful pups, read on!

Size

Large

Grooming

Large

Space Needed

Large Garden

Life Span

Large Garden

Exercise Required

1 - 2 hours per day

Shedding

1 - 2 hours per day

History

The history of Dobermans dates back to the 1800s in Germany. Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman developed this breed in Apolda, Germany. Karl was a man of many trades. He was a tax collector, dog watcher, and the keeper of a dog pound-which exposed him to various dog breeds at the time.

With how dangerous tax collecting was, Karl needed protection while working in unsafe areas. Being a keeper of a dog pound meant he had access to different breeds of dogs, so he created an ideal dog to protect him while collecting taxes in areas full of bandits.

Why Were Dobermans Initially Bred?

The initial reason for breeding Dobermans was the need for protection. At this time, Dobermans had to be large, fearless, and threatening. They had to defend their owners from strangers and other guard dogs physically.

The Doberman in the 1800s was a fierce dog and not as loving and affectionate as the Dobermans today. Today, the popularity of Dobermans keeps growing worldwide. Aside from being protective, there are many reasons why people get Dobermans for their homes. They are excellent rescue dogs to help people in searches, therapy dogs, and other service dogs like helping blind owners.

Size and Weight of Dobermans

Dobermans are majestic-looking dogs, from how they walk to look. They have a long head with a sleek and muscular body. One of their unique features, their ears are often cropped to stand erect with a short tail.

Dobermans have a short-length coat which will either be in the colours black, red, blue or fan with tank markings. Due to their short coat, Dobermans are average shedders and do not require a lot of grooming.

A male Doberman weighs between 75-100lbs, while a female Doberman weighs between 60-90 pounds. Although it all comes down to individual dog owners, Dobermans are considered large dogs.

Dobermans require plenty of exercises to remain healthy and prevent obesity considering their muscular body and weight.

When it comes to height, male Dobermans are taller at 26-28 inches while female Dobermans are shorter, with the average height being between 24-26 inches. Like most dog breeds, a Doberman has a life expectancy between 10-12 years.

With proper grooming, exercise, and training, a Doberman can be healthy and enjoy these years with its owner.

Temperament & Personality

Dobermans have multiple excellent qualities for families looking for house pets with their loyalty and intelligence. They also bond well with kids, especially if they undergo proper training while young.

Dobermans are fun dogs to have around at home. They love playing games and are energetic, fitting most families and lifestyles. Dobies are also an excellent source of unconditional love and companionship. Here are some traits of Dobermans you should know:

  • Affectionate and loving family dogs
  • Obedient
  • Easily trainable
  • Protective and great as a guard dog
  • Athletic and muscular

Can Dobermans be Left Alone?

One of the most important questions for anyone who wants to get a Doberman is where they can be left alone. The answer is yes! Dobermans can be left alone, but not for extended periods.

At least six hours or less is all the time a Doberman can handle being away from their owner. Dobermans are a loving and protective breed of dogs who require constant attention.

Unfortunately, because we live in the real world, owners cannot spend every hour of their day with their Doberman. If the Doberman has separation anxiety, it can be harder to leave them alone for long.

Tips for leaving Dobermans with Separation Anxiety

When leaving a Doberman home alone, you should ensure they are well-trained and socialised for the best results. Whether you can leave your Doberman alone also depends on other factors like their age, health, and personality traits.

If you think your Doberman is suffering from separation anxiety, here are some tips you can try when at work:

Doggy Day Care: It might be a good idea to take your Doberman to doggy daycare if they become destructive when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety are likely to create problems like barking when away. With proper socialising with other dogs, Dobermans can have fun spending their time playing at the doggy daycare.

Hire a pet sitter: If you want your Doberman to stay in a familiar environment, hiring a pet sitter can be the best option for you. Depending on their routine, pet sitters can take your Doberman for walks or to the park while you are away.

Get help from friends and family: If you trust your friends and family members with your Doberman, they can take care of your dog while you are at work.

Keep them busy: Keeping your Doberman busy while you are away can keep their mind off you not being there. You can do this using puzzle and treat-dispensing toys. You can also play with them so that they are worn out and tired by the time you leave.

Can Dobermans be aggressive?

Breeding Dobermans was mainly for protection due to their intimidating and fierce nature. Although they can be slightly aggressive to other canines, they are not aggressive to their owners. They are, however, not friendly to strangers.

Are Dobermans good with children?

A well-bred Doberman is an excellent family dog. With proper training, Dobermans can be protective over the children in their families. Training kids on how to behave around Dobermans will help improve their relationships. They should also be under supervision when around the dog.

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Doberman Breed Info

Training

Dobermans are easily trainable and love to please their owners when training. They are responsive to training commands, making it fun to teach new tricks. It is critical to start socialisation and training when Dobermans are young.

Puppy training classes are available for obedience training, but every owner ensures their Dobie gets the best upbringing.

Commands useful with Dobermans

To prevent boredom, Dobermans need plenty of activity. Training is an excellent way to mentally stimulate Dobermans by playing challenges and games. You can incorporate specific commands to teach your Doberman as part of these games, like ‘sit’ and ‘fetch’.

Some of the basic obedience commands owners or trainers can use with Dobermans include ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’, and ‘down’. You can also teach your Doberman commands like ‘leave it, which is important because they like to eat objects like rocks that might be harmful to them.

For the best results, you should use treats and rewards to keep your Doberman busy all day. Also, make sure to be in a good mood when training your Doberman.

Exercise

Dobermans are active and playful dogs. They need plenty of exercise for their mental and physical stimulation. Being a large dog breed with tons of energy, Dobermans require atleast two hours of training daily.

Exercise can entail taking walks and running to give them enough physical activity daily. Other forms of exercise for Dobermans include playing fetch, tug of war, hide and seek, hiking, and agility training.

While all Dobermans require daily exercise to remain healthy, some factors can help you figure out how much exercise they need. These factors include:

Age: A dog’s age will significantly determine the amount of exercise they need. A Doberman puppy has different requirements than mature and senior Doberman Pinschers. Between three to six months old, Puppies require 15-30 minutes of exercise.

Senior dogs do not have as much energy as younger pups. They also have more health conditions and will be less active. Exercise for 45 to 90 minutes is moderate physical activity for older Dobermans to remain happy and healthy.

Health and Physical conditions: Another essential factor to consider is the Dobermans health. Dobies with medical conditions like obesity will require more exercise to remain healthy. Dobermans suffering from bone or joint problems may need different amounts of activity than Dobies their age.

Energy levels: How much energy does your Doberman have? Their strength and ability determine how much exercise they need. The more energy the Doberman has, the more activity they need to be content. They are a high energy breed, but some dogs are still hyper than others.

Dobermans are intelligent dogs and require both mental and physical stimulation. Enough physical activity will ensure your Doberman isn’t bored and reduce any chances of destructive behaviours.

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Food & Nutrition

Dobermans require high-quality foods that are easy to digest with nutrients like proteins and fat. Adult Dobies need between two to five cups of food daily. This amount also depends on their personality, metabolism and daily activity.

What do Dobermans eat?

Dobermans are a large breed of dogs and require more food than other dogs. With both male and female Dobermans weighing over 60 pounds, they need proteins and fats in their diet to keep them healthy.

Wondering what to feed your Doberman? Here are some foods that Dobermans love to eat:

Proteins: Dobermans need food with a lot of protein because they are energetic and active. Dobies are prone to kidney diseases with their large size, so they should not overeat protein. Overeating proteins can worsen other health conditions. Adult Dobermans require 15-30% of protein, while puppies need between 22%-32% of the protein in their food.

Fats: Like other canines, Dobermans also require fats in their diet. Enough fats in their diet will prevent their coat from drying out and keep it shiny. Some good fats for Dobermans include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Carbs and Fiber: For a healthy Doberman, their food needs to contain healthy carbs like whole grains and vegetables. They are even more essential for Doberman puppies to help strengthen their muscles.

Foods Dobermans should avoid

As much as you might want to give a Doberman human food, it is not the best thing to do. Some foods that might seem harmless can cause pet poisoning and even lead to death.

Scared you might feed your Doberman the wrong food? Here are harmful foods that Dobermans shouldn’t eat:

Alcohol: Alcohol is one of the most harmful drinks to dogs, including Dobermans. Even small amounts of alcohol can be fatal to this breed.

Avocado: As much as humans love avocados in everything, they are unsuitable for dogs. The persin in the avocado’s leaves, seeds, and bark can be toxic to dogs, especially in large amounts.

Caffeine products: Drinks with caffeine like coffee and tea can be harmful to dogs. Cocoa also has caffeine, so you should avoid your Doberman from getting anywhere close to these products.

Sugar: Too much sugar consumption can lead to obesity and dental problems for Dobermans. Too much sugar for Dobermans can lead to diabetes if you don’t watch their diet.

Learning which foods are safe for Dobermans helps prevent unnecessary trips to the vet. Ample portions of drinking water with their meals can help Dobermans retain a healthy weight and diet.

Health & Care

Although Dobermans are hyper and healthy dogs, they are still prone to certain health conditions that owners should know. Some of the health concerns to look out for in Dobermans include:

Joint and Bone problems: Sadly, Dobermans are highly prone to developing arthritis as they grow older. Some Dobermans develop arthritis over six years old, but it can also arise from injuries. A good diet and regular exercise are excellent ways to help reduce joint and bone problems in Dobies.

Eye problems: Doberman pinschers are more likely to develop various eye conditions in their life. Some of these may cause blindness if not treated early and reduce the Dobermans quality of life.

Obesity: Obesity is a significant health risk for Dobermans. It is essential to watch a Dobermans diet to ensure they get the necessary proteins and do not overeat. It can also worsen other health conditions like joint problems and heart disease.

Skin problems: Unfortunately, your Dobie is susceptible to multiple skin problems throughout their lives. A common skin disease includes seborrhea that causes flaky and dry skin for Dobermans.

Infections: Viral and bacterial infections are common among Doberman Pinschers. Dobermans can be vaccinated depending on their age and other common diseases in that area to reduce infections.

To better take care of your Doberman, the recommended health tests include Hip evaluation, cardiac exam, thyroid evaluation, and ophthalmologist Evaluation.

To give a Doberman the best home care, you need to watch their diet, provide them with plenty of exercises, and regularly brush their coat and teeth. Calling the vet when anything seems unusual with your Dobie can help with the early detection of certain conditions.

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Grooming

Grooming is essential for all pets, including dogs like Dobermans. Dobies need regular grooming to stay clean and keep their coat healthy. Although it is unclear how much grooming any dog needs, Dobermans require minimal grooming.

For this breed, grooming includes various activities like bathing, brushing their coats. Depending on their energy levels and lifestyle, you can bathe Dobermas once weekly. Luckily, Dobermans do not need a lot of grooming. They enjoy good brushing and regular bathing, which you can do in the comfort of your home.

Using a short-bristle brush can help promote the production of their skin’s natural oils to keep their coats shiny.

Do Dobermans Shed? How often?

Dobermans are moderate shedders, making them easier to groom than other dog breeds. With minimal shedding, you might have to clean up after your pup weekly.

If your Doberman is shedding more than usual, as an owner, here are some reasons that could be contributing to it:

Stress: There can be many causes of stress to Dobermans. It can be due to a routine change, diet, or being in a new environment that can increase shedding. If reducing stress doesn’t work, vets can recommend the use of drugs or supplements.

Nutrition: One of the primary reasons for excess shedding in dogs is an unbalanced diet. The right food should have enough proteins and nutrients for your Doberman. A change in their diet can be the solution to reduce their shedding.

Shampoos: Using the wrong kind of shampoo can cause excess shedding in Dobermans. The shampoo you use is too harsh for Dobermans skin and coat. Proper and thorough rinsing also helps keep your Dobies coat clean and free of leftover soap.

Other reasons that can cause excessive shedding to include skin conditions, skin parasites like fleas and hormonal imbalances. The good thing about the Dobermans fur is it is short and won’t stick on your furniture or clothes after being in contact with your pup.
You can visit the vet if you think it could result from an underlying disease or severe condition.

Are Dobermans considered hypoallergenic?

No, Dobermans are not a hypoallergenic dog breed. Their thin hair can leave allergens around your home or clothes, which is not great for people with pet allergies. Although they shed very little, these dogs might not be the best for people suffering from allergies.

Learn More About Dobermans