If you’re looking for a devoted best friend who can double as a loyal protector, the Doberman Pinscher is probably on your radar.
Sleek, agile, and intensely loyal to their humans, Dobermans can thrive as both a working dog and a family pet. But they aren’t for everyone: Dobies need a human who can keep up with their drive and high energy levels. If you think you’re up for the task, read on to learn more about the Doberman Pinscher, including their origins, personality, training needs, and more.
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Germany
- Size:
- Weight: 60–100 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with kids: yes
- Shedding:
- Hair type: Short
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
- Drooling level:
Ancestry
Doberman Pinschers get their name from German breeder Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector and dog catcher born in 1834.
Shockingly, tax collectors weren’t exactly popular people. So, Dobermann wanted a powerful guard dog to protect him on the job. Thanks to his side gig as a dogcatcher, Dobermann had access to street dogs that he could cross-breed for his goal.
Dobermann originally presented his dogs—a type of Pinscher, a German breed—to the world at the 1863 Dog Market in the city of Alpolda, Germany. Over the years, the “Dobermann” lost the extra n and is now recognized in North America as the Doberman Pinscher. These wonderful dogs have charmed us ever since with their warm and loyal personalities ever since.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Doberman Pinschers are large and slender dogs with short, dark coats. They typically stand between 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 60 to 100 pounds.
According to breed standards from the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, a Dobie’s coat can come in red, blue, black, or fawn. Some may also have rust-colored markings on their faces, chests, tails, and paws.
Albino Dobermans
Some Dobermans may have white fur due to a genetic mutation called albinism. Reputable Doberman breeders won’t breed dogs that carry the albino gene, since albino Dobermans are more likely to develop serious health issues, like light sensitivity and skin cancer.
Personality and Temperament
Dobermans are loyal “velcro dogs” who want to stay close to their humans at all times. They’ll have your back for every bathroom break.
As natural protectors, Dobermans are vigilant and watchful and can thrive as police or military dogs. But don’t let their tough image fool you: Dobermans can be loving family companions that enjoy a good belly rub just as much as any other dog. They might also make good therapy dogs thanks to their sensitivity and perceptiveness.
Training
Without an outlet, Dobermans can fall into destructive behavior patterns. So, Dobermans need consistency and firm boundaries, and it’s important to begin obedience training early.
That said, Dobermans need time for their lessons to sink in. Instead of daily training sessions, some dogs may do better when they train every other day. Remember that positive reinforcement training methods are best for all dogs, not just Dobermans!
When a Doberman puppy is young, it’s also vital to socialize them and expose them to new people, environments, and experiences. This will help them learn how to maintain a steady temperament in different situations, and it’s a fantastic excuse to take your new puppy on outings around the town.
Grooming
With short and sleek coats, Dobermans are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They hardly shed and are a good breed for someone who doesn’t want to deal with a lot of hair, says Nancy Barrett, an AKC-registered breeder of merit, certified judge, and owner of Magis Dobermans.
Dobermans only require brushing a few times a week combined with occasional baths. Barrett also recommends trimming their nails and brushing their teeth weekly, as well as cleaning their ears regularly.
Doberman Ear & Tail Cropping
Doberman Pinschers naturally spot long tails and floppy ears. But many Dobermans breeders dock a dog’s tail and crop their ears during puppyhood, which gives the dogs a short, stubby tail and upright ears.
“These surgeries are falling out of practice, and a lot of the younger veterinarians are no longer performing them here in the U.S., even though they are still legal,” says Paige Adams, a veterinarian with Etowah Veterinary Hospital.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) includes cropped ears and a docked tail in the Doberman’s breed standards. But the American Veterinary Association doesn’t condone tail docking or ear cropping for cosmetic reasons, since both procedures can be painful for the dog and cause complications, like infections.
So, if you only want a family pet and don’t want a Doberman to compete in dog shows, neither procedure is medically necessary.
Healthcare for Dobermans
When well-cared for, Dobermans generally live between 10 to 12 years. While Dobermans are typically healthy dogs, they are prone to certain health conditions, including the following.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which impacts the heart’s ability to contract properly. Dobermans should get a screening for this condition when they’re between one and two years old.
- Hip Dysplasia, which means your dog’s hip socket is too small for the top of the joint to fit properly. It can cause pain and mobility issues.
- Hypothyroidism, which means a dog’s thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. This could cause symptoms like sluggishness or weight gain.
- Wobblers syndrome, which compresses a dog’s spinal cord and causes neck pain.
- von Willebrand disease (vWD,) which causes a dog to bleed excessively or for a longer period of time.
A reputable breeder should screen their Dobermans for genetic health issues before breeding them.
Ideal Environment
Dobermans should ideally have their own fenced-in yard to patrol. But while you may think of a Doberman as an ideal watchdog, they shouldn’t be outside all the time. Due to their short coats, Dobermans don’t tolerate extreme weather very well. So, they need access to a temperature-controlled indoor space during hot or cold weather.
Barrett suggests providing them with a puffy winter coat during cold winters and making sure they have access to air conditioning during the summer. “If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for the dog,” Barrett adds.
Ideal Human
Since Doberman Pinschers are such energetic dogs, they need a human willing to meet their activity levels. “If they’re not kept active, they’re going to get themselves into trouble,” Barrett explains. So, you should be able to give them at least an hour of vigorous exercise every day. Barrett also adds that Dobermans typically need more stimulating activities than daily walks. So, she suggests activities like agility and obedience sessions, or dog sports, like dock diving.
When it comes to other household members, Dobermans can get along with other pets, but they might be mouthy when they play. So, they’re generally best suited for families without young children and toddlers.
Cost of Buying or Adopting a Doberman
The cost you can expect to pay for a Doberman depends on whether you buy a puppy from a breeder or adopt a dog from a rescue.
A Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder typically starts at around $1500, depending on your region. The adoption fees from a rescue can also vary, with some rescue organizations charging between $250-$500 per dog.
To find a Doberman breeder, you can start by vetting approved breeders registered with the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DCPA.) A reputable breeder should:
- Screen both parents for possible health issues
- Avoid breeding Albino Dobermans
- Be members of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America and a local all-breed kennel.
- Provide registration papers for puppies
You can also find Doberman rescues in your area via the DCPA’s Rescue Directory.
Conclusion
Dobermans are a breed that requires work, but they’re also loving, smart, and obedient, Barrett says. So, if you’re up for the task and want a loyal and energetic companion, a Doberman Pinscher could become your protector for life.
If you’re not sure if a Doberman Pinscher is right for you, check out Rover’s Breed Overviews to learn more about other dogs!
References
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(2013.) Literature Review on the Welfare Implications of Ear Cropping-Dogs. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/dogs_ear_cropping_bgnd.pdf
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(N.D.) The Doberman: Health https://dpca.org/breed/health/
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(N.D.) Buying a Puppy. https://www.dpcd.org/buying-a-puppy.html
(N.D.) United Doberman Rescue. https://www.uniteddobermanrescue.org/info/adoption
Vandiver, N., and Vandiver, B. (N.D.) Tips On Buying A Puppy. https://dpca.org/breeded/tips-on-buying-a-puppy/#:~:text=The%20response%20you%20should%20expect,the%20betterment%20of%20the%20breed.
(N.D.) DPCA Rescue Directory by State. https://dpca.org/rescue/by-state.php