Doberman Pinscher: Your Complete Guide
Doberman pinschers cut an imposing figure with their cropped ears and muscular bodies. However, you may be surprised to find out that this intimidating breed is often an over-sized lap dog! That said, Dobermans require a lot of attention and have some tendencies that require careful training, so they aren’t the right dog for everyone.
We’ll help you figure out if they are the right dog for you. In this article, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about the Doberman pinscher. You’ll learn about this breed’s history, temperament, energy levels, intelligence, trainability, grooming needs, health risks, and more.
Quick Look at the Doberman Pinscher
This chart provides a quick overview of the Doberman pinscher.
| Weight/Height | 60-100lbs, 24-28in |
| Coat Type | Short, smooth, straight |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Affectionate, loyal, protective, intelligent |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
What Is the History of Doberman Pinschers?
The Doberman pinscher dates back to 19th-century Germany. A man named Louis Dobermann worked as a tax collector, a job that was more dangerous than one might expect. Since tax collecting situations could become hostile, Louis decided to create the perfect protection dog, which is today known as the Doberman pinscher.
Breeds such as Rottweilers, black and tan terriers, smooth-coated herding dogs, and German pinschers are believed to have been used to create the Doberman pinscher. Though Louis Dobermann created the breed for protection, it excelled as a working breed.
Dobermans have been police dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and military dogs. They even served in WWII. Today’s Dobermans are still used for similar purposes, but they’ve also found a place as a beloved companion animal.
What Do Doberman Pinschers Look Like?
When you imagine a Doberman pinscher, you probably think of a black and tan dog. However, this breed comes in a surprising variety of colors.
These include the classic black and rust, blue and rust, fawn and rust, and red and rust. As you can see, Dobermans are never one solid color and always have the signature rust markings on the snout, eyebrows, chest, and feet.
Dobermans can also be white, but this color is not standard, and for good reason. White Doberman pinschers are actually albino. Albino dogs are at higher risk of eye and skin conditions such as sunburn and tumors.
Doberman pinschers have a very characteristic and somewhat intimidating look, largely because their ears and tails are usually cropped. When the ears aren’t cropped, they are hanging, triangle-shaped ears.
What Size Is a Doberman Pinscher?
Doberman pinschers are large breed dogs. Females typically weigh between 60 and 90 pounds and are 24 to 26 inches tall. Males are often larger, weighing 75 to 100 pounds and standing between 26 to 28 inches tall.
What Is a Doberman Pinscher’s Coat Type and Length?
Doberman pinschers have a smooth coat that consists of short, straight hairs. Their coats are made up of only a single layer, so they are not double-coated.
What Is a Doberman Pinscher’s Temperament?
Doberman pinschers are loyal, energetic dogs that are very affectionate with their families. They love cuddling and being lap dogs. Though they are good with kids, they may knock them over due to their large size. This breed has the tendency to be protective and is often reserved when meeting new people.
Are Doberman Pinschers Good With Kids?
Dobermans tend to get along with any children in the household, but we would still recommend this breed for older children only. The reason is that Dobermans are quite a handful and require a lot of exercise and care. Pair this with young children who also need a lot of care, and it can be too overwhelming for many parents.
Not only that, but Dobermans are quite large. Oftentimes, they don’t realize just how big they are and will knock children over on accident. Though Dobermans usually get along swimmingly with children in their household, sometimes they can be overprotective and won’t immediately warm up to other children, which can be scary for those kids.
Dobermans should never be left alone with children. It’s important that a parent is always around to supervise interactions. Not only that, but children need to be taught how to respect the dog’s boundaries. As long as everyone is responsible, this breed can make a great family pet.
Are Doberman Pinschers Good With Other Animals?
Even though Dobermans weren’t bred to be hunting dogs, they can have a surprisingly strong prey drive. As such, you have to be careful about bringing this breed into a home with other small pets, such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, ferrets, etc. With proper socialization and training, it is possible for a Doberman to live peacefully with other animals, but it may also depend on the individual dog.
Make sure to always supervise interactions between your dog and any other pets, and ensure that other pets have a safe space away from the Doberman. Even if your Doberman ends up being great around your other pets, you may still find that they like to chase animals like squirrels in the yard.
When it comes to getting along with other dogs, Doberman pinchers can be a mixed bag; some will like other dogs, some will be indifferent, and others may be aggressive. This breed is known for having same-sex aggression, especially among males. Even the Doberman Pinscher Club of America does not recommend getting a male Doberman if you already have a male dog in your home.
Are Doberman Pinschers Aggressive?
Doberman pinschers have somewhat of a bad reputation and are often thought of as dangerous dogs. While it is true that Dobermans may be slightly more likely to display aggression toward other dogs (especially same-sex aggression), there is less evidence that Dobermans are aggressive toward people.
According to DogsBite.org, between 2005 and 2017, there were six fatalities attributed to Doberman pinschers. In comparison, Labrador retrievers, a breed no one would ever think of as aggressive, were responsible for nine deaths in the same time period.
It’s also important to remember that Dobermans were bred to be guard dogs, so they can be protective. While they may not attack just anyone, they will step in to protect you if they deem it necessary. Some Dobermans can be overprotective, which can be a bad trait in certain situations.
Beyond that, Dobermans may have territorial tendencies, and they may display resource guarding behaviors. Though it may sound like Dobermans are unruly dogs, the truth is more so that they require a dedicated, responsible owner who will work on training every single day.
Through socialization and training, one can raise a well-behaved Doberman who is not a threat to other dogs or the community. With dogs that already have problem behaviors, management and prevention are important steps in keeping others safe.
Do Doberman Pinschers Bark?
Dobermans are moderate barkers. While they won’t bark at every little thing, they will absolutely alert you to the presence of people or cars on your property. They may also bark at people on the road. Dobermans who become territorial may bark quite a bit more.
Territorial behavior can be resolved with training, and preventing the dog from being able to look out windows helps. When Doberman pinschers bark, it can be quite loud. Therefore, even when a Doberman does not become territorial, they aren’t always a good fit for apartments with noise restrictions.
Are Doberman Pinschers Affectionate?
Doberman pinschers are very affectionate with their families. They are known for being cuddly. Some will simply rest their head on your lap, whereas others will be your little spoon. Despite their large size, some Dobermans are convinced they are lap dogs and will do whatever it takes to sit in your chair with you.
Though this breed is very lovey-dovey with their family members, they can be somewhat aloof with strangers, and it may take them some time to warm up when meeting new people.
Are Doberman Pinschers Intelligent?
Doberman pinschers are known for having high intelligence. Because of this, they’ve excelled at police, military, and service work. They’re quite curious as puppies, but as adults, they’re surprisingly perceptive. Many believe they can accurately tell the difference between friend and foe.
Are Doberman Pinschers Energetic?
Doberman pinschers are high-energy dogs that need a few hours of exercise every day. They’ll enjoy long walks, hikes, and playing fetch, but they should also be given the opportunity to run. Just visit your vet first to make sure your dog is in good health for any type of intense exercise.
Even if you provide your Doberman with plenty of physical exercise, you may still notice unwanted behaviors. Oftentimes, this is a sign that your dog is bored because their mental needs have not been met, which is important for a breed as smart as the Doberman. Use training sessions, puzzle toys, Kongs, and games like hide and seek to challenge your Doberman’s mind and give them the mental stimulation they crave.
Are Doberman Pinschers Easy to Train?
Dobermans are quick learners who are often eager to please. While this means they are capable of learning complex skills, they aren’t as easy to train as you would think. Because this breed is predisposed to being protective and sometimes displays same-sex aggression, they require a responsible, dedicated, experienced trainer.
You will need to spend a lot of time on socialization and obedience training. This is not a breed that can be trained half-heartedly. Their skills should never be left at “good enough.” It is so important that this breed is trained to be tolerant of other people and dogs and completely obedient to their owners. Therefore, we would not recommend this breed to first-time dog owners.
If you’re willing to put in the work, the Doberman pinscher can be an amazing partner if you’re interested in dog sports. They’ll excel at scent work, agility, flyball, and obedience.
Are Doberman Pinschers Good Watchdogs?
Bred for protection, the Doberman pinscher is an exceptional watchdog and guard dog. With a booming bark, this breed will let you know when someone is on your property who shouldn’t be. Dobermans tend to be protective and are brave enough to come to your defense should they ever feel you or another family member are in danger.
Are Doberman Pinschers Good Service Dogs?
Dobermans are part of the working group, and many excel at service work. Of course, this will be up to each individual dog. Some Dobermans struggle with prey drive and protectiveness, which can be counterproductive to service work.
Overall, though, this breed has the drive to work and the intelligence to learn complex tasks. They can do many kinds of service work and can even become psychiatric service dogs.
Doberman pinschers are very loving; some people even find them clingy. If you’re looking for an emotional support animal that will stay by your side and cuddle with you, then the Doberman pinscher is a breed worth considering.
When it comes to therapy work, some Dobermans will be a great fit, whereas others won’t. These dogs are quick learners, but some have the tendency to be overprotective. Beyond that, Dobermans can be rather reserved and even standoffish toward strangers.
In that sense, they may not be the best for therapy work. However, if you raise your dog carefully and find that they have a friendly demeanor, then the Doberman could absolutely become a therapy dog.
How to Care for a Doberman Pinscher?
Doberman pinschers are easy to care for. They require only weekly brushing, and baths can be had as needed. Otherwise, their teeth should be brushed daily, their nails trimmed regularly, and their ears checked for infection.
Do You Need to Groom a Doberman?
Dobermans have a short coat that is easy to take care of. Many owners prefer using rubber grooming mitts as they get the job done well, and your Doberman will probably think you’re just petting them. Brushing is only needed about once per week.
Dobermans also need to have their teeth brushed daily and their nails trimmed regularly. They can be bathed about once a month. Their ears should be checked regularly for build-up and infection and cleaned about once a month. For Dobermans prone to ear wax buildup, clean the ears more often.
Do Dobermans Shed?
Doberman pinschers are moderate shedders who shed year round. Though they don’t need to be groomed often, grooming can help reduce the amount of hair found around the home.
This breed is not hypoallergenic, but neither is any other breed. Hypoallergenic dogs are a myth: they do not exist. The truth is that no correlation has been found between a dog’s breed and how many allergens the dog releases.
One study even found that a frequent shedder, the Labrador, shed fewer f1 allergens than a low shedding breed, the poodle. If you have allergies and you want to adopt a dog, don’t buy into the hypoallergenic myth. Instead, talk to your doctor about how you can best manage your symptoms.
What Health Problems Do Doberman Pinschers Have?
Doberman pinschers are at risk for certain genetic conditions, which include hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, von Willebrand’s disease, progressive retinal atrophy, albinism, and hypothyroidism.
Another serious issue that can affect the Doberman is gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also called bloat. Bloat is when the stomach fills with gas and then twists upon itself, causing both the entrance and exit of the stomach to be blocked. This condition is a life-threatening emergency, so it is important that Doberman owners know the signs of bloat so that they might save their pet should this ever occur.
Symptoms may include a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, inability to vomit or belch, dry heaving, pale gums, restlessness, shortness of breath, weakness, and collapse.
If a dog collapses, they may be in critical condition, so it is important to get them to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. You can reduce the risk of bloat by using a slow feed bowl, avoiding raised feeding bowls, feeding more than one meal per day, and adding canned food to the diet.
Though bloat and other health issues are very scary, there are some things you can do to ensure your dog’s health. If you’re purchasing from a breeder, make sure that the breeder runs health tests for genetic conditions before breeding their dogs.
A reputable breeder will be happy to share health tests with you. Ask the breeder if they know of any cases of bloat anywhere in the bloodline. Dogs who have relatives who have had bloat may have a higher risk of it themselves.
How Long Do Doberman Pinschers Live?
Doberman pinschers have a lifespan of about 10 to 13 years. You can encourage a long and happy life in your dog by providing them with proper care and routine veterinary care as needed.
What Should a Doberman Pinscher Eat?
A Doberman pinscher should eat the highest quality food you can afford. The best dog foods meet AAFCO guidelines, are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, and undergo feeding trials. Your dog’s food should also be appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Consider feeding your Doberman a dog food specifically formulated for large breeds.
As for how much to feed your dog, you can follow the instructions on the back of your chosen food. Another option would be to calculate your dog’s caloric needs yourself or use an online calculator. Monitor your Doberman’s weight and adjust their serving size as needed.
Is a Doberman Pinscher the Right Dog for Me?
Doberman pinschers are excessively energetic, intelligent dogs. This combination means they require an owner who has a lot of time to dedicate to training and exercise. Someone who lives an active lifestyle and is looking for a dog to join them for hiking, biking, and running might like a Doberman pinscher.
Dobermans can also help you feel safe while doing these activities, as they are fiercely loyal and often protective. They make fantastic watchdogs and guard dogs.
The downside to this is that without proper training, they may become aggressive toward other dogs or, in the worst-case scenario, other people. Therefore, the Doberman pinscher requires an experienced dog owner who knows their stuff when it comes to dog training.
Doberman pinschers can be great partners for dog sports, and they are very loving and cuddly at home. Their affectionate personalities make them amazing emotional support animals. Though this breed isn’t for everyone, in the right home, they can be well-behaved dogs who thrive on their family’s love and care.