Doberman Breed Guide

Dog Breed:

Doberman

Breed Group:

Working Group

Characteristics:

Loyal, vigilant, fearless, intelligent, and athletic.

Height:

24-28 inches

Weight:

60-100 pounds

Life Span:

10-12 years

Coat Colors:

Black, red, blue, and fawn

Area of Origin:

Germany

Best For:

Active families/Training enthusiasts/Keen walkers

Adult Food:

Best Dog Food for Dobermans

Puppy Food:

Best Puppy Food for Dobermans

Mixed Breeds:

Doberdoodle

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

The Doberman combines a sleek athletic physique and keen intelligence. They are fearless and ever-watchful, making them one of the world’s most exceptional protection dogs.

The Doberman has changed over the years and is now slimmer than they were. Their temperament has also mellowed a little from their early days, but they do still have strong guarding tendencies. They are the ultimate multitasking breed. From loyal family members to police and military protection dogs, therapy dog, through to sports dog, they really can turn their paw to pretty much anything.

So, as you can see, this is not a dog for the faint-hearted; they are an enthusiast dog who will spend all their spare time training, exercising, and ensuring that their Doberman is a full-blown member of the family. 

Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was a 19th-century tax collector from Apoloda in Germany. He was well aware that he was rarely a visitor that anyone looked forward to receiving. The cold and hostile welcome he regularly received encouraged him to breed a dog who would become his imposing yet dependable protector as he collected the dues.

It’s thought that Dobermann included crosses of the Rottweiler, the Black and Tan Terrier and the German Pinscher to develop what was at that time a much larger form of the Doberman we know now. 

The breed became known as the ‘Tax Collector’s Dog’ and quickly gained a reputation for their working ability. They have since served in the military alongside the Marine Corps during World War II, as police dogs and as search and rescue dogs. 

The Doberman Pinscher was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 and has become of the most popular working dogs in America. The ‘Pinscher’ part of the name, translating to ‘terrier,’ was dropped in the mid-1900s as no longer being relevant to the breed.

In North America, it’s usual for breeders to dock tails and crop ears of their puppies, though it’s not mandatory. You should be aware that both of these procedures are illegal in some countries.

Males should measure between 26-28 inches, with females being slightly smaller are 24-26 inches. Males are also heavier at 75-100 pounds, with females weighing 60-90 pounds.

The American Kennel Club describes the Doberman as being a medium-sized dog who should be both muscular and elegant. This is a breed that is built for both endurance and power.

This is a breed with a reputation for being fierce, but this is generally only believed by those who have leaped onto a stereotype encouraged by Hollywood. Now they are a loyal guardian, and they’ll defend their family and home when needed, but generally, they’re a gentle and loving dog. 

This isn’t a breed who goes looking for trouble, but if it knocks at their door, then they are ready to face it full on. The Doberman is a family dog who is at their happiest when part of home life and able to be close to those they love. They are considered to be trustworthy around children and guests to the house but should, as with any breed, be treated with respect.

The Doberman is highly intelligent, and while this is a gift for those who enjoy training, if they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, then they’re going to get themselves into trouble. They also require a lot of exercise, so a potential owner has to be wholly committed to them to ensure that their needs are met. 

It’s unlikely that a Doberman is going to be suitable for apartment living, they need space inside and a fenced yard or garden outside. They can adapt to being left for part of the day, but training for this should commence when they are pups so that they learn to settle when alone.

They are sensitive to cold weather and will need adequate shelter to keep them warm if they are left outside at any point. 

Dobermans are a pretty healthy breed, but there are some genetic conditions that they can be prone to. These include genetic health conditions such as those listed below. A responsible breeder will have their dogs tested for these before breeding from them. 

• Cardiac Exam to check for Cardiomyopathy a condition where the heart muscles degenerate and wear thin
• Hip Evaluation to check for abnormalities in the hip joints
• Thyroid Evaluation to assess for low thyroid levels and the potential for hypothyroidism
• Von Willebrand’s Disease DNA Test. This is a condition which causes a clotting abnormality, similar to hemophilia in humans
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation – Eye diseases are relatively rare in Dobermans, and optic evaluations help to keep it this way.

The Doberman is a quick and easy do to groom. A weekly brush will collect dead hair and any dirt and that’s about all that’s required. They do tend to shed all year round rather than having a shedding season, but it’s easy to keep on top of this with the daily groom. 

The Doberman likes to be kept busy. They tend to learn quickly, and so training is easy as long as you’re consistent and use reward-based techniques.

Many owners mention that their Dobermans have been slow to mature. They tend to stay puppyish until their three or four years old. This means that training needs to take this into account and to go for a slow and steady path, rather than becoming too serious too quickly.

Many Dobermans have a high prey drive, they love to chase with focus and intensity. Care does then need to be taken when exercising off-leash. The breed doesn’t have a reputation for being noisy, so if they are barking, it may well be that they have seen or heard something which needs investigation. 

This is a highly active dog who needs exercise every day and not just a walk on a leash. They need the opportunity to run and burn off some energy. It’s likely that you’ll need to dedicate two hours a day for exercising your Doberman

Combining exercise with training is a great route to take. Dobermans excel in a whole range of dog sports, including tracking, agility, scent work, flyball, and working dog sports. When you exercise mind and body, you’re much more likely to come home with a dog who is ready to relax. 

If playfulness is one of your criteria, then you’ve hit the jackpot with the Doberman! These guys will play for as long as you can keep up!

If you’re considering offering a new home to a Doberman in need, we recommend chatting to breed rescue for help and advice. There are many organizations across the US including –

United Doberman Rescue – https://www.uniteddobermanrescue.org/

Doberman Rescue League, Florida – http://doberescue.net/

Doberman Dog Rescue of New England – https://www.dru.org/

For additional information on the breed, take a look at the website of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America – http://dpca.org/.