Doberman Pinscher

Life Expectancy: 10 – 13 years
Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
Weight: 60 – 80 lbs.
Height: 24 – 26 inches

Where Does the Doberman Pinscher Rank?

See where this beloved breed ranks in comparison to other breeds in 7 key categories.

Trainability

The Dobie is an intelligent, easy-to-train dog breed.

Shedding Friendliness

Even though Doberman Pinschers have a short, sleek coat, they are a moderate shedder and need to be brushed weekly to minimize the amount of fur found around the home.

Ease of Grooming

The Dobie has a short, sleek coat which requires minimal grooming. They are an extremely clean dog and rarely have any sort of odor.

Health

As many medium-to-large breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, hip dysplasia is a common issue. Dobermans also have a propensity for diseases like Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD), hypothyroidism, Wobbler’s Syndrome, narcolepsy, and albinism.

Exercise Needs

The Dobie requires a significant amount of exercise to remain mentally and physically healthy.

Good with Children

The Doberman Pinscher is very good with older children and quickly becomes part of the family.

Barking Restraint

Barking is generally not a large problem with this dog.

What You Need to Know About Doberman Pinscher Dogs

Behavior

The Dobie is extremely intelligent, alert and loyal. He is an excellent family companion as well as an excellent protector of his family. He has quite a fierce reputation which results in people who do not know or understand him, fearing him. He is quite the protector; however, he is extremely loving to those who know him. He is only aggressive if he has to be; if he perceives a threat to his family, he will fight to the death. If there is no threat, he will gladly allow you to spend time with him. The Dobie enjoys being a part of the family and prefers to be close to his family at all times. He is very good with children.

The Doberman is not the choice for all due to his large size and demanding need for activity. He easily becomes bored and requires mental and physical challenges throughout the day to prevent behavioral problems. He is not meant for a sedentary or laid back type family, he needs a family who is constantly active and ready to involve him their daily activities.

Training

The Doberman Pinscher requires early socialization and training. If he is not properly socialized, he may become timid as an adult. Early socialization of your Dobie will also ensure he is a well-rounded adult.

Grooming

The Dobie has a short, sleek coat which requires minimal grooming. They are an extremely clean dog and rarely have any sort of odor. Even though the Dobie has a short, sleek coat, they are a moderate shedder and need to be brushed weekly to minimize the amount of fur found around the home.

Health Problems

Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint and is often seen in medium to large breed dogs.

Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) –  vWD is a health condition which involves the inability to the blood to clot properly. Signs of vWD include excessive bleeding post-surgery, bleeding gums and nosebleeds.

Bloat – Bloat is often caused by drinking or eating too much and is common in deep-chested breeds.

Hypothyroidism – This health condition is caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms include obesity, infertility and lack of energy.

Wobbler’s Syndrome – Wobbler’s Syndrome is thought to be an inherited condition in the Doberman which results in spinal cord compression. Symptoms include neck pain and paralysis of the hind legs.

Albinoism – Albinoism has been found to affect the Doberman. Albino dogs are sensitive to sunlight and at high risk for cancer and eye problems.

Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder which may result in your dog suddenly falling asleep at random times.

Top 10 Most Common Health Issues for Doberman Pinschers

1. Colitis – inflammatory reaction in the colon
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Allergies
4. Foreign body ingestion
5. Gastroenteritis – intestinal infection marked by diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever
6. Congestive heart failure
7. Lipoma – fatty lump between the skin and underlying muscle layer
8. Otitis – ear infection
9. UTI – urinary tract infection
10. Dermatitis