You may be amazed at how fast your Doberman puppy is growing into an adult, especially if this is your first Doberman. It’s very common for owners to want to know when their “monster of a dog” will reach its full size. Understanding when your Doberman will be fully grown will help you gain a better idea of the overall physical status of your dog which can help with everything from training decisions to simple things like which bed or crate to buy.

When is a Doberman full grown? A Doberman is full-grown at two years of age. While Dobermans are considered adults at 12 months old and will have reached their maximum height by that time, they won’t reach their full adult weight until they’re about 24 months old.

These are general statements that seem to hold fairly true for the Doberman breed, but there is certainly a bit more to it than that when we dig a little deeper. The bulk of the clients I work with own Doberman puppies in their first year of life. Their feedback, along with the current research on this breed available, sheds a very interesting light on what to expect from a new puppy in their first year.

The Two Major Growth Phases for a Doberman

As large dogs, Dobermans require more time to grow than many smaller dogs. Reaching expected height and weight is part of the growth process, and a lot of that increase in weight comes with the development of muscle mass.

It’s worth noting that the second phase of physical development, when a lot of the muscle mass is developed, seems to be most noticeable in the European variety of Doberman. American Dobermans will certainly still develop muscle and “fill out” during this time but it’s less noticeable.

There are many differences between American and European Dobermans, far beyond simply just the development of muscle mass. If you’d like to see more of their differences, take a look at my article all about the differences between American and European Dobermans here.

Doberman Lifetime Growth Stages

Dobies will go through several growth stages throughout their life. Each phase of the Doberman’s life cycle will offer unique challenges and opportunities. The timeline below will give you an idea of what to look for throughout each stage.

Birth

• Weighs between 10-20 oz.
• Born with eyes shut; ears tightly creased.
• Nurse constantly.
• “Imprinting”/handling is important.

3 Days – 6 Weeks

• Continue to nurse.
• Continue to handle.
• Tails docked; dewclaws removed (3-5 days).
• Introduced to solid food (4 weeks).
• Fully weaned; weigh 8-12lbs (6 weeks).

6 Weeks – 7 Months

• First vaccinations given (6-7 weeks)
• Ears cropped (7-12 weeks)
• Ready for new home (8-12 weeks)
• Teething (12 weeks)
• All permanent teeth (6 months)
• Spaying/Neutering
• Vaccinations complete
• Start obedience classes or training
• Looks like an adult, only smaller

7 Months to 1 Year Old

• Continued growth and maturing.
• Most upward growth is finished.
• Males and Females will continue to fill out.
• Females may experience first heat cycle.
• Considered an adult at 12 months.

1 Year Old to 7 Years Old

• Adult phase of life.
• Female considered at her prime (2-3 years).
• Male considered at his prime (3+ years).
• Most active; at peak performance during this time of life .

7 Years and Older

• Considered a senior or a veteran.
• Beginning to slow down .
• May need different diet.
• Willing, but body may be unable.
• Teeth can create problems.
• Pay close attention to skin, joints, teeth, and activity level.
• Weight gain can become an issue.
• May be showing signs of arthritis or muscular aches and pains.
• Heart problems and cancer are major concerns.
• Lifespan considered 9.6 years on average.

TIP: If you’d like more information on exactly how fast a Doberman puppy grows, see my article Doberman Weight: Growth Curve and Average Weights which focuses on how fast you can expect your Doberman to grow.

Puppy-Hood Growth Chart

During their first year of life, a Doberman grows incredibly fast. The general rule of thumb is that a Doberman puppy will gain approximately 10 pounds of weight for every month old that they are.

This rule is fairly accurate up until about 6 months of age. After that point, the growth rate seems to fall slightly behind the 10 pounds per month mark. Below you’ll see a Doberman growth chart to use as a reference showing the different growth rates of male and female Doberman puppies with time.

American Doberman Growth

American and European Dobermans do differ a bit in terms of size and have slightly different physiques. Although it’s pretty easy to see the difference when the two dogs stand side-by-side, many are not aware that such a distinction exists. These differences between the American and European varieties play a significant role in the adult size you can expect.

As most American Dobies have been bred as family pets, they have a somewhat more compact, sleek, and toned look as compared to their European counterparts. They embody the best family pet traits of the breed while being a size that is very suitable for family life. Their appearance could be accurately described as tone and agile, making them perfect outdoor exercise companions.

• An adult male height of 26 to 28 inches and a weight of 75 to 100 pounds is typical of American Doberman lines.
• An adult female height of 24 to 26 inches and weight of 60 to 80 pounds is typical of American Doberman lines.

Some American dogs may exceed these sizes, but it is not as common as it is for dogs from European lines. These weights and heights are also what’s indicated in the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard for the Doberman (available here). It’s a good broad range that does seem to reflect accurately to real life with these dogs.

It’s also worth noting that the American Dobermans also seem to reach their adult weight a bit sooner than the European variety.

“A European Doberman will grow to be about 5 to 10 lbs heavier and 1 inch taller than an American Doberman.”

– John Walter (DobermanPlanet.com)

European Doberman Growth

European Dobermans have a size and build that is very consistent with the breed’s history as a guard dog. These dogs have a very muscular build that indicates their natural strength and of course, means additional weight.

The European Doberman is bread to a standard that keeps the dog true to its original purpose as a working dog. That’s why European Dobermans often look thicker, larger, and broader in their overall frame.

• An adult male height of 27 to 28 inches and a weight of 80 to 105 pounds is typical of European Doberman lines.
• An adult female height of 25 to 27 inches and weight of 65 to 85 pounds is typical of European Doberman lines.

Although it’s worth noting that the breed standard for the European Doberman (available here) indicates a different “standard” height and weight for the European Doberman. The European Doberman breed standard states that males should be between 88 to 99 pounds and females between 71 and 77 pounds. In terms of height, it states that males should be between 27 and 28 inches and females between 25 and 27 inches.

The breed standard for the European Dobermans doesn’t indicate a stark difference in size to the Amerian Doberman breed standard, but in the real world, they are certainly larger dogs. The difference is simply that the American breed standard seems to allow for a broader range of heights and weights in their dogs while the European standard is more precise.

These dogs generally take longer than American Dobermans to achieve their adult levels of muscle mass. Physical strength is very evident in the appearance of these dogs.

Male Doberman Growth

Males stop growing in height at about the same time females do, or at around 1 year of age. However, from about 1 to 2 years of age, the males will put on more muscle mass than females will. It’ll also generally take them longer to stop growing than the females.

This additional muscle mass is likely what accounts for some of the weight differences between these two sexes. Males likely grow larger and stronger than their female counterparts due to the additional testosterone hormones. This is one reason neutering a male Doberman early on affects their rate of growth.

Female Doberman Growth

Females will stop growing in terms of their height at about the same time as males do, or at about 1 year of age. From 1 to 2 years of age, females will put on additional weight in terms of muscle but it won’t be as much as male Doberman will.

Female Dobermans have less muscle mass and are smoother, and more elegant, in appearance as compared to their male counterparts. You can read more about their differences in my article all about the differences between male and female Dobermans here. That article will give you a breakdown of the physical, mental, and behavioral differences between the sexes.

Behavioral and Physical Maturity

Starting when your puppy is about 12 to 16 weeks of age, they’ll likely start to go through what I call the “juvenile delinquent” stage where unruly behavior becomes normal as the dog tests his or her limits. This can progress up to as late as 1 year of age.

Unfortunately, the juvenile delinquent stage is not just a phase of testing the limits, it’s also a phase of explosive growth for your Doberman. That means the dog is quickly gaining size and weight.

Owners often decide to have their dogs spayed or neutered at this age to combat some of the more difficult behavior. A Doberman this age is big enough to be challenging to handle without proper training, making a good Doberman-specific training strategy all the more critical.

Even though there is a small variation between males and females in size, Dobermans have a fairly uniform size and build. The breed is naturally energetic, but working on training while they’re still growing will make them far easier to manage. These dogs will enter their prime years for physical activity shortly after reaching their full size.

Behavior Changes

A Doberman’s behavior will change a lot with age. As young puppies under six or seven weeks old, Dobies will still have a lot of dependence on their mothers. This article from Prima Dobermans can give you a good idea of what your Doberman experiences while still in the breeder’s care. But after about 8 weeks of age, most Doberman pups will be ready to leave their mother and go home with their new owners.

Some of the most obvious changes in behavior and temperament that you are most likely to notices are listed below:

• 12-Weeks of Age – Around the time a Doberman puppy is twelve weeks old, he or she will start teething. This is a time when a lot of supervision is necessary for your puppy’s safety and your sanity. Puppies also like to get to know their environment, relieve stress, and soothe their sore gums by chewing. This can be the start of the dreaded puppy nipping or biting stages.
• 6-Months of Age – Your puppy should be nearing the end of their teething and puppy nipping or biting stages. This is also a good age to get a bit more serious about obedience training as aren’t as easily distracted as when they were puppies, but they still will have trouble controlling all their energy which can make some training difficult. Young Dobermans at this age have reached three-quarters of their adult size. Understanding “the house rules” before they’ve reached adult size and strength is crucial for a well-adjusted dog.
• 1-Year of Age – A Doberman between a year and a year and a half old has hopefully left puppyhood behind. Their ability to focus on training should be even higher now and you can begin doing more difficult training like bite work, agility training, or training for other AKC events. They’ll still have plenty of energy, but should have be better at controlling it and have a deeper bond with their owners that will make trianing easier.
• 2-Years of Age – This is when your Doberman will not only be fully grown in terms of height and weight, but should also have reached that more “stoic” phase that the Doberman breed is most known for. Their trainability, physical abilities, and desire to please should be at, or close to, a perfect balance. This is when your Doberman really grows into their own.

This should give you a general idea of the progression of the Doberman as they grow and mature. Keep in mind that females will generally hit these stages a touch sooner as compared to male Dobermans. Additional information regarding all the various growth and development stages a puppy goes through from birth onward can be found in this DPCA article.

IMPORTANT

The “Critical Socialization Window” for dogs is between 4 and 16 weeks of age. During this time, fear is overridden by curiosity. This means it’s incredibly important to expose your Doberman to as many new experiences as possible during this window (source).

Final Thoughts

Although Dobermans might vary somewhat in their expected adult size, owners can usually predict when they will have a fully-grown dog. At one year of age, you can consider a Doberman to be at about their maximum height. At 2 years of age, you can consider a Doberman to be at about their maximum weight. This rule is fairly accurate across the sexes and various types of Doberman.

Creating a consistent training and excercise routine will help make sure that your dog, although large, is a calm, relaxed, and obedient family-friendly dog.

Related Questions

How big is a 6-month-old Doberman? Most Dobermans will weigh 50 to 60 pounds at six months of age, with some variation depending on whether it’s an American or European. Dobermans of this age will have reached 3/4 of their expected adult height and strongly resemble adults.

When do Dobermans calm down? Doberman puppies tend to noticeably calm down at about 1 year of age with proper exercise and mental stimulation. They’ll reach full behavioral maturity at about 2 years of age when they become noticeably more stoic in their demeanor.

At what age do Dobermans reach their full height? Dobermans reach their full adult height at around a year old, with continued growth in overall muscle mass until their second year. Some larger Dobermans from European lines might continue growing in height until they’re closer to two years of age, with increasing muscle growth.

The post When is a Doberman Full Grown? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

The Doberman Pinscher and the Miniature Pinscher sure look very similar. They’re often both black with similar tan markings, they both frequently have cropped ears and docked tails, and both have a similar toned muscular body. Obviously the Miniature Pinscher (or Min Pin) is very small compared to the Doberman, but other than size, what’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a Doberman and a Miniature Pinscher? The Doberman is 50 to 90 pounds heavier and 12 to 18 inches taller than the Miniature Pinscher. Also, the Doberman is a working dog related to the Rottweiler, German shepherd, and Greyhound. The Miniature Pinscher is a companion dog related to the Dachshund, Italian Greyhound, and German Pinscher.

The Doberman is very different from the Miniature Pinscher genetically, despite their similar appearance. These dogs are not considered by experts to be related. However, it is believed that they may share one ancestor in common⁠—the German pinscher. However, there are a whole lot of differences between these two dogs other than size.

They behave differently, belong to different canine classes, and were bred for different purposes. After speaking to tons of owners who have both Min Pins and Dobermans, I wrote this article to cover the various differences between the two and I’ll also answer whether they can get along and live together in the same home.

Doberman Pinscher

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Overview

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Type: Working Dog

Height: 26 – 28 inches (males), 24 – 26 inches (females)

Weight: 75 – 100 lbs (males), 60 – 80 lbs (females)

Price: $1500 – $2500

Lifespan: 10 – 13 Years

Colors: Black, red, blue or fawn (Isabella)

Markings: Light (tan) or dark rust colored—often with a small white patch on the chest.

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Physical Traits

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Overall Build: Large, tall, compact, and muscular. Toned body with a very smooth, short coat.

Head: Tapering, narrow head with a larger muzzle as compared to head size.

Body: Large, muscular, more wedge-shaped.

Ears: Naturally floppy or cropped (especially in the U.S. & Canada).

Eyes: Light to dark brown. More almond-shaped.

Neck: Longer, rises sharply, and slightly arched.

Chest: Larger, broad chest structure.

Tail: Docked or long, thin, and partially curled.

Legs: Muscular and proportionate.

Feet: Larger cat-like foot structure.

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Health Concerns

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• Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler Syndrome)
• Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH)
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome (GDV or Bloat)
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD)

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Temperament

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• Alert, loyal, loving, and protective.
• Less headstrong, dominant, and assertive.
• Even more intelligent.
• Less independent.
• Affectionate and protective of family.
• Loves to cuddle.
• Friendly, but more stoic, disposition.
• Easily bored.
• Prone to separation anxiety.
• Slightly less prey drive.
• Somewhat territorial.
• Not as possessive of toys or food.
• Tolerates small children very well.
• Easy to housebreak.
• Needs routine and exercise.
• Less dog aggressive.
• Curious but pack-oriented—not likely to wander off and explore.

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AKC Breed Overview: Doberman Pinscher

Complete Breed Standard: AKC Breed Standard

Miniature Pinscher

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Overview

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Type: Companion (Toy) Dog

Height: 10 – 12.5 inches (males), 10 – 11 inches (females)

Weight: 8 – 10 lbs (males), 8 – 9 lbs (females)

Price: $1300 – $6000

Lifespan: 10 – 16 Years

Colors: Black, red, stag red, or chocolate

Markings: Light (tan) or dark rust colored—often with a small white patch on the chest.

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Physical Traits

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Overall Build: Small, short, and overall sturdy frame. Toned body with a very smooth, short coat.

Head: Tapering, narrow head with a smaller muzzle as compared to head size.

Body: Compact, muscular, less wedge-shaped.

Ears: Partially floppy, naturally erect, or cropped.

Eyes: Light to dark brown. Overall more round in shape.

Neck: Shorter, rises sharply, and slightly arched.

Chest: Smaller, tighter chest structure.

Tail: Docked or long, thin, and partially curled.

Legs: Muscular and proportionate.

Feet: Smaller cat-like foot structure.

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Health Concerns

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• Hernias
• Hypothyroidism
• Legg-Perthes Disease
• Lysosomal Storage Disease
• Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS)
• Patellar Luxation (Loose Knees)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

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Temperament

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• Alert, fearless, and fun-loving.
• More headstrong, dominant, and assertive.
• Very intelligent.
• More independent.
• Affectionate and protective of family.
• Loves to cuddle.
• Friendly disposition.
• Easily bored.
• Prone to separation anxiety.
• Strong prey drive.
• Somewhat territorial.
• Possessive of toys or food.
• Doesn’t tolerate small children as well.
• Difficult to housebreak.
• Needs routine and exercise.
• More dog aggressive.
• Curious and adventurous—likely to wander off and explore.

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AKC Breed Overview: Miniature Pinscher

Complete Breed Standard: AKC Breed Standard

Did You Know?
There are seven different colors and two main types of Doberman. To learn more, see my article All the Colors and Types of the Doberman Pinscher.

Physical Traits

Similarities

The Doberman and Miniature Pinscher (Min Pin) do have a surprising number of physical similarities, despite their very different genetic origins. They both have toned, compact, muscular bodies and stand with what some call a “proud” posture.

They have a similar short, single layer, smooth coats and as a result, neither dog does well in cold climates. They both have very low grooming requirements and are considered generally clean dogs overall. Neither dog is known to be a big drooler. 

Their colors are often similar as well, with similar tan or dark rust-colored markings. They can even both have a small white patch in the center of their chests. However, that’s about where the physical similarities end.

Doberman Pinscher Differences

The Doberman Pinscher is a much larger dog, or 50 to 90 pounds heavier and 12 to 18 inches taller, than the Miniature Pinscher. They do have a similar coat in many ways, but they Dobermans tend to shed a bit more than the Miniature Pinschers do.

They have a longer neck to body length ratio, a more wedge-shaped frame, and eyes that are slightly more rounded (depending on the individual dog). They also tend to have a larger muzzle size as compared to their head size than the Miniature Pinscher does. They also have a longer leg to body size ratio.

Miniature Pinscher Differences

The Miniature Pinscher is a much smaller dog (50 to 90 pounds lighter and 12 to 18 inches shorter). Their coats generally shed less making them require slightly less grooming overall, although both breeds are considered to have low grooming requirements.

The Miniature Pinscher is a sturdy and compact dog, with a very unique high-stepping walk (called a “hackney gait”). Their walk is like no other breed and they appear to naturally “prance” as they walk.

They have a shorter neck to body length ratio, slightly less wedge-shaped frame, and eyes that are usually more round than the Dobermans. They have a smaller muzzle size as compared to their head size and a shorter leg to body ratio.

Temperament

Similarities

Although these two dogs are much more different in their temperament than they are in their looks, they do still have a number of similarities. Both dogs are highly intelligent, proud, and alert dogs that have a reputation for being fearless.

Both the Doberman and Miniature Pinscher are considered very protective of their families and both are extremely affections dogs who are likely to spend their evenings cuddling you on the couch. However, there are many temperamental differences between these two breeds.

Doberman Pinscher Differences

The Doberman Pinscher is part of the working dog class which means they were bred to serve a purpose. In their case, they were bred to be personal protection dogs. They are more in-tune with their owners and have a natural desire to please. They’re also a very tolerant dog that can often take a bit of abuse from over-excited children without reacting harshly. To find out exactly what behavior changes you might see in a Doberman living in a house with kids, see my article Are Dobermans Good with Kids? What You Need to Know.

Dobermans need a bit more exercise than the Miniature Pinscher in order to stay happy and since they are a much larger dog, they require more room to get that exercise. Dobermans are also far easier to train to walk on a leash, and even off of a leash, than a Miniature Pinscher is.

A Doberman will readily listen to their owner’s commands, are more stoic in nature, and love to stick by their owner’s side⁠—especially in new environments.

Miniature Pinscher Differences

The Miniature Pinscher is part of the “toy” class of dogs, which means they are considered companion dogs. Min Pins don’t do very well with young children and if they get too rough, a Min Pin is more likely to nip or bite at the kids. This is due (at least in part) to being smaller and more fragile in size than the Doberman and needing to protect themselves more readily.

Like the Doberman, Miniature Pinschers are energetic dogs who need frequent exercise. However, they’re much smaller so their exercise requirements can be easily fulfilled inside the home. For this reason, many owners who own both breeds feel that their Min Pin is easier to keep happy in terms of their exercise requirements.

Miniature Pinschers tend to be a bit more independent than Dobermans, and love to explore. They may also come across as more headstrong since they won’t always listen to their owner’s attempts to call them back. For this reason, they make poor off-leash dogs and can be difficult to train to walk on a leash as well.

They’re also often called “the king of toys,” referring both to their breed class, and the fact that they love, and are very possessive of, their toys. They can also be a bit more vocal than Dobermans and more frequently have barking issues. They tend to be a bit more dominant with other dogs than Dobermans are.

Health Concerns

Similarities

Being both pure-bred dogs, they each have certain health issues that their breed is known to be prone to. However, the Miniature Pinscher is generally considered to have fewer health issues that are of lesser seriousness than Dobermans.

They really don’t have many health issues in common, except for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and hypothyroidism⁠—which is common in both breeds. Progressive retinal atrophy causes degeneration of the eye’s retina which leads to progressive vision loss and ultimately it can cause complete blindness. 

Hypothyroidism is when there is a problem with how the thyroid gland produces hormones. This can cause weight gain, mental issues, lethargy, and hair loss. A full lifespan is possible with medications though. Other than those two issues in these breeds, the other health problems they’re prone to are very different.

Doberman Pinscher Differences
Dobermans are known to have a few, very serious, health issues. Luckily, many of them can be tested for with genetic testing and this is often done by reputable breeders. Below are some of the health issues common in the Doberman breed.

• Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler Syndrome) – Wobbler syndrome is a genetic disorder that leads to deformations in the spinal cord and neck. Few treatments exist with varying degrees of success. 
• Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) – Chronic Active Hepatitis is when the liver becomes inflamed and causes scar tissue to form making the liver less effective at filtering the blood. It can be deadly or well managed with medications.
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – Dilated cardiomyopathy is when the heart’s chambers become enlarged and weakened. This causes intolerance to exercise, coughing, lethargy, and ultimately death. This is probably the most significant problem in the Doberman breed, to learn more (including how many Dobermans are affected) see my article Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Simplified.
• Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome (GDV or Bloat) – This condition can occur when the dog eats or drinks too fast or participates in vigorous activities around mealtime. This is when the dog’s stomach twists on itself and cuts off circulation. It can be deadly if not corrected. 
• Hip Dysplasia – This is a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t form correctly. Dogs with this condition have pain in the hips and lameness issues. This can be well managed with treatment but quality of life will suffer.
• Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) – This is a type of cancerous tumor in the bone. It can start slow but then spread quickly throughout the body. This will lead to death in an affected dog.
• von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) – This issue affects the blood’s ability to clot leading to excessive bleeding. It’s rarely fatal.

Only a few of the above conditions have treatments that will allow a full life span afterward. That is one reason why the Doberman is generally considered to have more significant health issues than the Miniature Pinscher.

Miniature Pinscher Differences

There are certainly a few health issues that affect the Miniature Pinscher, but they tend to be not quite as serious as the Doberman’s issues. Below are some of the common health concerns with the Miniature Pinscher breed.

• Heart Defects – This breed is prone to various heart defects with a wide range of treatment possibilities. Sometimes it’s well managed and other times it’s terminal.
• Hernias – A hernia occurs when the walls of the intestine muscle in the abdomen open and allow contents inside to bulge or pass through. It can cause pain, vomiting, infection, lack of appetite, frequent urination, and blood in the urine. Surgery can correct the issue and a full lifespan can be achieved. 
• Legg-Perthes Disease – Also known as “Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease”, this disease has symptoms similar to hip dysplasia. Dogs with this disorder will have difficulty walking, and soreness in the legs and hips. This issue occurs when a blood supply problem causes the head of the femur to stop developing and it doesn’t fit into the hip’s socket as it should. Many treatment options exist but quality of life will be impacted.
• Lysosomal Storage Disease – This usually occurs in puppies and it’s when the body doesn’t produce enzymes which leads to tissue damage and organ failure. It causes development issues, coordination problems, lack of balance, seizures and other problems. This is a fatal disease.
• Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) – This is a skeletal development disorder where the body is unable to make certain enzymes that assist in the development of bone. It can result in small size, flat faces, and other skeletal abnormalities. Treatments can prolong the life of an affected dog for several years, although the quality of life during that time is poor.
• Patellar Luxation (Loose Knees) – This disorder causes the dog’s knees to dislocate. It causes discomfort and problems walking. Treatments exist and a full lifespan is achievable although quality of life will suffer.

Though Miniature Pinschers do have their fair share of medical concerns, most professionals believe that they’re somewhat less serious on average, than the Doberman’s are (and with more treatment options).

Genetic Origins

The one thing that both the Doberman and Miniature Pinscher have in common, is that their genetic makeup is not entirely clear. The creator of the Doberman (Louis Dobermann) didn’t keep records as to which breeds he used in the creation of the dog (source). 

The Miniature Pinscher, on the other hand, is a much older breed than the Doberman and goes back over 200 years, which is before documentation was kept on breed origins. However, experts of both breeds believe that they have a good idea about which dogs were most likely used in the creation of both breeds.

The only dog both the Doberman Pinscher and Miniature Pinscher likely have in common in their genetic history is the German Pinscher.

Doberman Pinscher Differences

The Doberman Pinscher was originally bred to be a personal guard dog. Although no official documents were kept as to what dogs were used to produce the Doberman, experts believe that the primary breeds used in its creation were likely:

• German pinscher
• Rottweiler
• German shepherd
• Blue great dane
• Greyhound
• Weimaraner
• English greyhound
• Beauceron
• Manchester Terrier
• Shorthaired shepherd
• Black and tan terrier (now extinct)

Miniature Pinscher Differences

The Miniature Pinscher was originally bred to hunt vermin (usually rats) in homes and horse stables. This dog also has somewhat mysterious origins since it outdates this kind of record-keeping (source). However, experts believe that the following dogs were used in its creation:

• German Pinscher
• Dachshund
• Italian Greyhound

Can a Miniature Pinscher and Doberman Live Together?

After speaking to multiple owners of Dobermans who also have Miniature Pinschers living in their home, I started to see some common threads. Most owners I spoke to said that their Miniature Pinscher was much more dominant towards the Doberman and that the Min Pin was actually “in charge”, or the alpha dog of the house.

Problems can come up when you have two unneutered males in the house, but it is definitely possible for these two dogs to get along. If at all possible, introduce these two dogs when one of them is a puppy. For tips and techniques for making sure they get along, take a look at my article Dobermans Living with Small Dogs: 12 Tips for Success.

Most owners said that they need to be extra cautious to keep the two dogs separated when food is involved (such as at mealtimes). The only other issue that was reported by a few owners was that they need to be cautious that their Doberman doesn’t get overly excited, and rough, during playtime with their Miniature Pinscher. This is due to the size difference and the potential for accidental injuries⁠—not aggression-related injuries.

However, most report very few other issues between these two breeds and say that they are great play-time partners. These two breeds are considered compatible to be living in the same house.

Are Miniature Pinschers Related to Dobermans?

Miniature Pinschers are not considered to be related to Doberman Pinschers. However, it’s believed that they might share one distant relative in common⁠—the German Pinscher. No other genetic relations exist between the two breeds and although they may look similar, other than their size difference, they are actually very different breeds of dog.

Final Thoughts

Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Miniature Pinscher are great dogs that each have their place in a family setting. They can also do great living together in the same household. It’s important to know what you’re getting into if you decide to own one of each of these dogs due to these differences.

Even though these two are very different breeds, your Doberman might just be itching to have a playmate that appears to be his little “mini-me”.

Related Questions

Do Miniature Pinschers make good pets? Miniature Pinschers make great family pets. They are companion dogs who love attention, are fun-loving, and protective of their owners.

What is a mini Doberman? The Miniature Pinscher is often considered to be a miniature version of a Doberman. This is because the Miniature Pinscher is much smaller than the Doberman, but similar in appearance. However, the Miniature Pinscher and Doberman Pinscher are two completely different breeds.

The post Doberman vs. Miniature Pinscher: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

Dobermans are incredibly loyal, strong, and smart dogs who have an undeserved reputation for being aggressive. This may be why people often believe that Dobermans always need muzzles, but in reality that’s rarely the case. Here’s when and why a Doberman may need a muzzle and more importantly—when they don’t.

Do Dobermans need a muzzle? A Doberman normally doesn’t need to wear a muzzle. However, if you have an overly aggressive Doberman, or are unsure of how he may react in a new situation, temporarily using a muzzle may be necessary.

I can say with confidence that Dobermans almost never need to wear a muzzle. However, I still get asked this question a lot, are there are some exceptions to this, so let’s talk about when they might need a muzzle. It really all depends on your Doberman’s history, individual temperament, the situation, and your level of trust of the dog. 

Why Dobermans Generally Don’t Need Muzzles

A Doberman Pinscher is considered one of the world’s smartest dogs. Intelligence goes hand and hand with threat assessment. Generally, the more intelligent a dog is, the better they are at proper threat assessment. 

In addition, Dobermans are people dogs and love pleasing their owners. A smart dog like a Doberman figures out pretty quickly that aggressive behavior almost always gets a negative response (from most owners). This is why Dobermans are low on the list of dog breeds that may need to use one.

Dobermans are amazing family dogs overall. If you don’t believe me take a look at my article Are Dobermans Good Family Dogs? The Surprising Truth. There you’ll see how they act in family units including with other dogs, cats, and children.

But in general, a muzzle should only be used as a last resort—to be used in extreme cases. However, a Doberman almost never gets to that point due to this intelligence and natural desire to please his owner. 

When You Might Need a Muzzle

There are however a few instances where even the most responsible Doberman owners do find themselves using a muzzle on their dog. So, when should you use a muzzle on your Doberman? These situations may include:

• Emergency Situations: If your dog is injured and at risk of biting because of pain or fear, you may need to use a muzzle so that he can get his injury addressed. Most owners believe their dog would never bite them but a dog who becomes severely injured will often bite anyone or anything just due to their altered mental state. It’s a good idea to carry a muzzle in your dog’s first aid kit for this reason.
• Going to See a Veterinarian: Many Doberman owners muzzle their dogs when they bring them to the vet. Sometimes trips to the vet can involve poking, prodding, and other uncomfortable touching that your dog isn’t used to. It’s not a bad thing to have them muzzled for this, just make sure it’s the last thing to go on before the appointment and first thing to come off.
• Being Groomed: If your dog is averse to his grooming sessions, it might be a good idea to use a muzzle. Mostly to make the groomer feel more at ease if nothing else. Some groomers actually require muzzles on every dog they work on. If a muzzle is used during grooming time, just make sure it goes on right before and comes off immediately after the end of the grooming session. The less time the better.
• Legal Reasons: Depending on your location, it may be the law to muzzle your dog if he is considered a “dangerous breed”. Unfortunately, many uninformed people still consider dogs like Dobermans dangerous just because of their breed. So some dog parks, public transportation services, outdoor areas, or municipalities might have rules (or in some cases, laws) requiring you to muzzle your dog.
• Risk of Biting: If your dog is being aggressive, has bitten others before, or is a new dog to you with an unknown past, you may need to use a muzzle in the short term. This is, of course, until you find a vet, trainer, or animal behaviorist that can help address the underlying issue.
• Ingestion of Unsafe Objects (Pica): Unfortunately, Dobermans are known to ingest things that are not edible, a condition that’s also commonly known as pica. The dog can have anything between a mild and a severe case. In the worse cases, a muzzle may be used to help prevent the ingestion of dangerous materials that could lead to expensive surgical treatment or even death of the dog if not prevented.

However, if you think your dog may bite because he feels threatened or fearful in any other specific situation, the use of a muzzle temporarily may provide a workable solution.

There may be other situations, but these are the most common. Owning and occasionally using a muzzle is completely acceptable if it’s done appropriately. Just remember that the less time your dog spends in a muzzle, the better. 

For more information about how aggressive Dobermans are, including how many dog bite fatalities they account for in the United States, see my article Are Dobermans Mean, Dangerous, or Overly Aggressive?

When Not to Use a Muzzle

There are certainly many circumstances where it isn’t appropriate to muzzle your dog and can lead to behavioral problems, risks to your dog’s health, and other serious issues. Below are some of these situations.

• For Punishment: Punishing your Dobie by making him wear a muzzle will make him hate wearing it and will increase the fear they have next time you need to put one on. If you need to use it for a valid reason (like when the dog gets hurt), his anxiety will increase drastically and he’ll likely reject it. It’ll also make him more likely to lash out by biting.
• As Any Long-Term Solution: A muzzle should never be used to stop barking or destructive behavior. Those things are a symptom of a bigger problem. In Dobermans, it’s often separation anxiety. A muzzle will only increase this anxiety.
• When Exercising or Playing: A muzzle can restrict the dog’s ability to pant and drink water. Both of these things are very important for your Doberman while engaged in rigorous exercise or playtime.

Also, it’s important not to wear the muzzle in public when it’s not necessary. Dobermans already have a bad reputation thanks to television shows and movies. Unfortunately, people will assume that you have an aggressive dog if they have a muzzle on and it’ll only reinforce breed stereotypes. Really, you wouldn’t be doing the Doberman breed any favors. So please just use it as little as possible.

Introducing Your Doberman to a Muzzle

Introducing a Doberman to a muzzle can take some time and you should never attempt to do it when you’re in a rush. If you slap it on your dog because you are in a hurry, it will likely frighten him so much he will quickly associate the muzzle with fear and anxiety. A slow, progressive approach (with a reward and praise) is a great way to introduce him to his new muzzle.

Start by showing your Dobie his new muzzle and holding it while playing a game and praising him. This will start his positive associations with the device. Then let him sniff it and encourage him to get closer. Then praise and reward again.

“A muzzle is a tool that should be used as little as possible—and only as a means to fix another issue.”

– John Watler (DobermanPlanet.com)

Now I like using the peanut butter trick with this personally. To do this, put a little peanut butter on the muzzle so your dog will lick it, then praise and reward again. Continue putting the peanut butter further and further into the muzzle until they’ve put their whole nose into the muzzle to lick it.

As this happens, make sure you take the muzzle off as quickly as possible when they’re done licking up the peanut butter—then praise some more. Slowly increase the time you leave the muzzle on until you can completely latch the muzzle on and he’ll be a happy camper. Don’t rush this and only add very small increments of time as you go.

Muzzle Comfort

It’s important that whatever muzzle you use is comfortable for your Dobie. If it’s not comfortable then you’ll have a real battle getting him to wear it and every time you do, it may be setting his behavior back a few steps (rather than helping it).

There are two main types of muzzles:

• Basket Muzzles – These are cages of a hard material surrounding your dog’s mouth. They’re usually plastic, metal, or leather. They are more comfortable for your dog than the soft fabric muzzles because they allow him to open his mouth, pant, and even drink water.
• Fabric Muzzles – Fabric muzzles are much less comfortable and although some say they look less intimidating, are more dangerous for a dog. They work by holding the mouth shut. This prevents your dog from panting or drinking water. They are also much harder for the dog to learn to accept because of their discomfort.

Try to get some form of a basket muzzle for your Doberman. When fitting it, make sure the muzzle is adjusted so it’s loose without being so loose that it might slide off or be easy for your dog to remove by pawing at it. 

Conclusion

Muzzles are not a permanent solution to a problem you are having with your Doberman and they should only be used as a temporary tool while addressing another issue. Regular use of a muzzle is likely to make your Doberman frustrated and potentially even more unpredictable in their behavior.

A muzzle may not look very attractive, and most Dobermans will not require a muzzle in any circumstances, but there are many reasonable circumstances where a Doberman may require one like if it is the law where you live, or if he needs medical care and is resisting by trying to bite those tending to him.

If you must use a muzzle with your Doberman, then make sure you use it properly so that it doesn’t hurt him and is comfortable as possible. 

Never use them to quiet your dog or prevent him from chewing on something in the house that he shouldn’t. This is not appropriate usage of a muzzle and instead, you need to focus on the reason why he’s acting out in that way and correct that first. Most of the time, with proper training, you can avoid the use of a muzzle entirely.

Related Questions

Is it cruel to muzzle a Doberman? Using a muzzle on a Doberman is not cruel depending on how it’s used, although it’s rarely necessary. Some responsible owners will use a muzzle during visits to the veterinarian or dog groomer, or during emergencies when the dog becomes injured.

How long can you muzzle a Doberman? It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid putting a muzzle on your Doberman for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Wearing the muzzle longer is not necessarily harmful to your Doberman as long as they’re supervised and the muzzle is removed if there are any signs of distress.

The post Do Dobermans Need a Muzzle? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

The Doberman Pinscher is a highly intelligent working breed with a rich history who possesses arguably unmatched loyalty to their owners. As a result, the Doberman’s popularity has increased in recent decades and the breed has captured a passionate following of dedicated owners worldwide. Physically, these dogs are capable of some impressive feats and have even contributed to the success of the allies during both the World Wars. The Doberman Pinscher is certainly a very capable dog who has made a great addition to families all around the world for many generations.

Doberman Pinscher: At-A-Glance

• Height: Males: 26 – 28 inches (66 – 71 cm), Females: 24 – 26 inches (61 – 66 cm)
• Weight: Males: 75 – 100 pounds (34 – 45 kg), Females: 60 – 90 pounds (27 – 41 kg)
• Lifespan: 10 – 13 Years
• Standard Colors: Black & Rust, Red & Rust, Blue & Rust, and Fawn & Rust.
• Non-Standard Colors: White, Melanistic Black, Melanistic Red, Melanistic Blue, and Melanistic Fawn.
• Breed Varieties: American Doberman Pinscher, European Dobermann
• Origin: Germany (1890’s)
• Temperament Traits: Alert, Loyal, Fearless, Intelligent, Obedient
• Health Concerns: Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV or Bloat), hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), chronic active hepatitis (CAH), von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler Syndrome), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

History

The Doberman Pinscher was created in the 1890s through selective breeding by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, who was a tax collector, night watchman, and the local dog catcher in Apolda, Germany. Imperial Germany at the time was a rough place and as a tax collector, Louis was certainly a target while making his rounds collecting tax money from the citizens. His other job at the time wasn’t much easier, a night watchman was tasked with walking through the town at night, on the watch for thugs who were up to no good. As the local dog catcher, however, Louis had access to a large number of different dog breeds.

Louis began selective breeding to produce an ideal personal protection dog that could accompany him on his rounds through town collecting taxes and performing his duties as a local night watchman. He desired to create a dog with the right combination of intelligence, speed, strength, stamina, ferocity, and unshakable loyalty.

After Louis Dobermann’s death in 1894, the breed that he pioneered was named the “Doberman Pinscher” in his honor. Later, another citizen of Apolda, Germany named Otto Göller became critical in further developing and refining the breed. He became well known as a major promoter of the breed after Louis’s death and was responsible for establishing the official breeding rules for the breed and founding the “National Dobermann Pinscher Club” in Apolda in 1899 along with Oskar Vorwerk, which was the first Dobermann breed club. Otto Göller along with Oskar Vorwerk worked with several other breeders of the Dobermann to establish an official breed standard. By 1900, the breed standard was adopted by the German National Kennel Club and Dobermann breed clubs were founded in many other German towns including Berlin, Mannheim, Frankfort, Hanover, and Hamburg.

Soon, many Doberman Pinschers were being exported and finding their way to other countries all around the world. The breed was quickly becoming recognized around the world for its highly desirable qualities and there was no turning back—the Dobermann was here to stay.

In 1944 Doberman Pinschers served in World War 2 alongside the U.S. Marine Corps during the battle for Guam. These amazing dogs were recruited with the help of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) and were trained at the War Dog Training Center at Camp Knox in North Carolina.

These dogs were nicknamed “Devil Dogs” and fought fearlessly. During the conflict, 25 of these dogs gave their lives and saved countless servicemen in the process. They conducted over 550 patrols and each dog had specific training to perform their role as either a messenger dog, sentry dog, or scout dog. A memorial currently stands in Guam honoring the 25 Dobermans who gave their lives liberating Guam.

In 1948, Germany dropped the word “Pinscher” from the name as it was argued that the label was not appropriate since the dog is not representative of a pinscher (or terrier). Other countries followed suit and currently only the United States and Canada refer to the breed as the Doberman Pinscher, while the rest of the world refers to the breed as just “Dobermann.” Dobermann is also spelled with a second “n” at the end as this was how the creator of the breed, Louis Dobermann, spelled his last name. For more about Doberman terminology, see my article all about the difference between Doberman and Doberman Pinscher here.

You can read more about the early history of the Doberman Pinscher at this DPCA Masterminds page.

Genetic Origins

The genetic makeup of the Doberman Pinscher is not entirely clear. Louis Doberman didn’t keep records of exactly which breeds of dogs he used in the process of creating the Doberman. However, even after Louis Doberman had produced the first Doberman Pinschers, further refinement of the breed occurred, especially around 1900 when the documented crossing of the bloodline with that of the Greyhound and Manchester Terrier occurred.

Today, experts believe that the following breeds are in the genetic makeup of the modern-day Doberman Pinscher:

• German shepherd
• Rottweiler
• Blue great dane
• German pinscher
• Greyhound
• Weimaraner
• Beauceron
• Black and tan terrier (extinct)
• Manchester Terrier
• Shorthaired shepherd

In order to create the Doberman breed in such a short time, many believe that Louis Dobermann almost certainly would have had to breed his dogs with close relatives of each other.

Experts have established this list of breeds that were likely used in the creation of the Doberman Pinscher from historical records of dogs common in Apolda, Germany at the time of the Doberman’s creation, the genetic makeup of the modern-day Doberman, and with the help of the (sometimes sparse) records that were kept in the early years of the breeds creation.

Currently, there are two variations of the breed. The European Dobermann and the American Doberman Pinscher. The breed has split into these two varieties likely due to many different factors. Most experts cite the strict breeding registration requirements and approval processes in Europe and an emphasis on show dogs in the United States for this split in the breed. While this article focuses on the American Doberman Pinscher, it’s important to mention the differences between the two variations, especially while discussing their genetic makeup.

The European Dobermann

The European Dobermann is a much closer genetic relation to Louis Dobermann’s original creation. These dogs are a compact, muscular working dog. They have thick necks, broad chests, and a somewhat blockier shape to their heads and muzzles. European Dobermanns typically weigh more than their American counterparts.

Heavy regulation in Europe surrounding the breeding of Dobermann’s has helped to keep the breed’s physical traits very close to that described in the FCI Breed Standard.

The American Doberman Pinscher

The American Doberman is a more elegant-looking dog with a smooth sleek long body, a longer neck, and less visible muscle mass than the European variant. They also generally have less pronounced chests, a smoother head shape, and a more slender bone structure in the snout.

The American variant’s physical traits likely developed due to an increased emphasis in the United States on show dogs. Winners of show titles in the U.S. went on to produce more offspring which meant that over time the Doberman became more elegant and sleek in appearance. The ideal traits of the American Doberman Pinscher can be found in the AKC Breed Standard.

For a complete guide on the differences between these two Doberman variants, take a quick look at my article American vs. European Doberman: A Side-by-Side Comparison which includes detailed diagrams of both dogs.

Popularity

The Doberman Pinscher become popular in a relatively short amount of time after its creation near the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The breed saw another explosion in its popularity around the end of World War 2 after the U.S. Marine Corps worked closely with the breed during the war effort, most notably during the Battle of Guam.

In the 1970s the breed’s popularity increased again and Doberman’s found themselves front and center in many facets of popular culture. Dobermans were becoming featured in popular television shows and movies at the time. This lead to an increase in Doberman ownership, especially in the United States, and they became among the top 5 most popular dog breeds during this time.

Many celebrities have owned Dobermans over the years, including John F. Kennedy, Mariah Carey, William Shatner, Rita Hayworth, and Victoria Pendleton. This has also helped the breed climb the popularity ranks.

In Recent Years

More recently, the Doberman has maintained a very high level of popularity, although not quite what it was in the 1970s. Some claim that the dog is due for a resurgence of popularity, but that remains to be seen.

From the graph above, you can see that the Doberman Pinscher’s popularity, although declining slightly in recent years, is still at an impressive level considering that there are currently 193 dog breeds recognized by the AKC. The number of Doberman dog registrations are overall on an upward trend in recent decades and according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), they were the 17th most popular dog breed in 2018.

UPDATE: 2019 Numbers are in and the Doberman is ranked as the 19th most popular dog breed by the AKC. A small decline in popularity from 2018.

The Doberman is also quickly gaining popularity in some major cities, such as Chicago, Illinois and may soon break into the list of top 5 most popular breeds in that city, according to the AKC. Unfortunately, many landlords in large metropolitan areas still categorize the Doberman as a “vicious breed”, despite the overall tame nature of the modern-day Doberman. This means the breed is often banned from many big-city housing communities, which impacts Doberman ownership rates as a result.

Worldwide Popularity

In 2013, a study was conducted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) of worldwide popularity figures of 293 different dog breeds in 25 countries around the world. This study was based on the dog registration figures for each of these countries. In total, this survey involved 2,276,864 registered dogs. Of the 293 breeds in this worldwide survey, the Doberman was ranked as the 26th most popular dog breed in the world bringing in 20,941 new Doberman registrations every year (source).

Physical Characteristics

The Doberman Pinscher has many physical traits that make them both an elegant and very physically capable breed. While many consider this to be a large breed of dog, they’re technically classified as a medium-sized dog. They display a toned muscular physique and a proud gait.

Height

• Males: 26-28 inches
• Females: 24-26 inches

Weight

• Males: 75-100 pounds
• Females: 60-90 pounds

Coat

Smooth, short, thick hairs that lie close together make up a single-layered coat. A second layer, or undercoat, is present around the neck area.

Head

A blunt wedge-shaped head with a long muzzle.

Ears

The ears are usually cropped when the dog is between 7 and 9 weeks of age. The ear cartilage is then trained so that when the cartilage hardens (a natural process as the dog ages), the ears will stand erect. However, many owners opt to leave the ears uncropped. Learn more about Doberman ear cropping here.

Tail

The tail is traditionally docked at the second joint soon after birth. Some owners may opt to keep the long tail. Learn more about tail docking Dobermans here.

Bite

Teeth come together in a scissors bite. There are 22 teeth in the lower jaw and 20 teeth in the upper jaw.

Colors

Black is the most common color, followed by red. Blue and Fawn (Isabella) are also often seen. These variants are all accompanied by rust-colored markings on all four legs, below the tail, chest, throat, snout, and above each eye. Some dogs may have a small white patch on the chest. See All the Colors and Types of the Doberman Pinscher for pictures and information on all known colors.

Health

The Doberman Pinscher breed is susceptible to a number of genetic issues. Reputable breeders in the United States and elsewhere make efforts when selecting breeding pairs to help minimize the chances of passing along many of these genetic disorders.

• Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome (GDV or Bloat): Bloat is a very painful condition caused when the dog’s stomach fills with air (or gas) and twists. This twisted stomach cuts off circulation and can be deadly to the dog if not corrected. A few minimally invasive techniques exist to untwist the stomach. However, surgery may ultimately need to be performed. Steps can be taken to help prevent this, however, such as eating smaller easy to digest meals, encouraging slower eating, and refraining from exercise around meal times.

• Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that causes the hip joint to form incorrectly causing the ball of the leg and the socket of the hip to not fit tightly together. This can lead to lameness and pain in the hips. Some non-invasive options exist to help manage symptoms (physical therapy, losing weight, and anti-inflammatory medications). Some surgical options may also provide additional relief.

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): Also called enlarged heart syndrome, this is a genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to become thicker and larger with time. There are treatments that can be moderately effective at extending life, but DCM is an incurable and terminal disease. See my in-depth breakdown of this serious disease which seems to be affecting more Dobermans here: Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Simplified.

• Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH): Chronic Active Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. This inflammation causes scar tissue to develop in the liver, reducing its function. Copper storage disease is one of the most common causes of CAH in Dobermans. The average age at diagnosis is 6 years, and death typically occurs within 1 to 2 years. Although if caught early enough, medications can often help the dog achieve a full life span. Regular bloodwork is critical for early identification of this disorder.

• von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD): This is a genetic blood clotting disorder that causes excessive bleeding. It’s rarely fatal if managed correctly. Simple tests exist that can be done to determine if your dog has this disorder.

• Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler Syndrome): Wobbler syndrome is a genetic neurological disorder that causes compression of the spinal cord in the neck area. This can lead to lameness in the hind legs, weakness, difficulty with mobility, unsteady gait, or paralysis. This doesn’t usually appear in an affected dog until they’re over the age of 3 years. Symptom management options and surgical options exist to correct the condition.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): Progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited disease that causes degeneration of the cells in the eye causing blindness. PRA is not painful to the dog but blindness can cause additional stress. There is no treatment for this condition.

• Hypothyroidism: This is an inherited condition that causes your dog’s body to produce too much thyroid hormone. It can cause lethargy, depression, weight gain, and mental dullness. A dog diagnosed with hypothyroidism can usually live a full life span with the assistance of medication.

• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): This is a disorder that affects the dog’s spinal cord and usually develops later in life. It typically starts with lameness in the dog’s rear end, progressing to the rest of the body until the dog is unable to stand or walk. As debilitating as this disorder is, it does not directly cause pain to the dog.

• Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer): Osteosarcoma is a type of cancerous bone tumor that can begin showing symptoms such as lameness, joint pain, and swelling around the site of the tumor. The cancerous cells usually spread throughout the body making this a terminal illness with little that can be done to mitigate the issue.

• Head Bobbing Syndrome: Also frequently called Episodic Head Tremor Syndrome, Idiopathic Head Tremors, or simply head tremors, this is a common issue with the Doberman breed where the dog will uncontrollibly shake their head side-to-side or up-and-down. It’s thought that this doesn’t cause the dog any discomfort and episodes typically only last for a few minutes. You can learn a lot more in the article Doberman Head Tremors and Head Bobbing Syndrome here.

These are all serious disorders that Dobermans are prone to and many are life-threatening. The best thing you can do to help ensure your dog is not affected is to make sure that you get your dog from a reputable breeder who performs the necessary health and genetic testing.

I wrote an article all about the best places to locate Doberman breeders which provides some great online resources for finding reputable breeders who perform these tests.

TIP

A Doberman’s nose is a great indicator of their overall health. If a Doberman has a dry or cracked nose, something may be wrong. See 10 Reasons Dobermans Can Get a Dry or Cracked Nose for what to look for and how to treat it.

Temperament

The modern-day Doberman possesses a temperament that is much different from its ancestors. Whereas Louis Dobermann’s early dogs were likely fairly aggressive dogs, today the Doberman is a much more mild, family-oriented dog. This is especially true if the dog is well socialized from an early age. However, they still possess great protective instincts and are certainly capable of guard work.

Intelligent

The Doberman Pinscher is consistently ranked among the top most intelligent dog breeds in the world. In the “Hart and Hart” study in 1985, the Doberman was ranked as the most intelligent dog of all breeds. Another study in 1980 ranked the Doberman as the most trainable dog breed in the world. Other studies have consistently put the Doberman among the top five breeds in terms of intelligence.

Calm

These dogs are known for being calm, elegant, and stoic in nature. Not easily phased, they know how to study their surroundings with watchful patience. However, they certainly have a playful and energetic side when they feel comfortable letting loose, making them great for families with active kids. They also require lots of regular exercise to keep them happy.

Obedient

Their high level of intelligence makes these dogs not only highly trainable but also very obedient. They have a strong drive to please their owners which means they tend to listen closely to commands given to them.

Watchful and Alert

Always aware of their surroundings, Dobermans like to keep an eye on everything that’s going on around them. They’re especially focused on their masters and will have a strong desire to stay by their owner’s side if they are in unfamiliar or seemingly dangerous surroundings due to their protective instincts. This is also the reason you’ll almost always find a Doberman sleeping facing the door, especially in new surroundings.

Determined

A high level of determination and drive is present in the Doberman. While this is certainly true for the American Doberman Pinscher, it’s even more noticeable in the European variant. When given a task, they’re committed to carrying it out. This adds to their trainability and makes them great for agility and working dog competitions.

Loyal

The Doberman Pinscher is incredibly loyal and devoted to their families. They will not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their owners.

Fearless

Most Doberman owners will agree that their dogs are not afraid of any person or animal. This is likely due to their powerful protective instincts. However, when their protective instincts are not engaged, it’s common to find the Doberman expressing their own unique personality by avoiding rain, your vacuum cleaner, or that cardboard box stacked in the corner that might tip over near them.

People Oriented

These dogs are very people-oriented and pay close attention to the emotions and body language of their masters. This helps them with trainability and personal protection work since they can easily sense when their masters are fearful, even if it isn’t obvious to others. They’re known for maintaining eye contact while interacting with people. They also have a tendency to bond strongly to one specific member of the family.

Care

Dobermans are considered to be easy to care for. Their shedding is light and easy to deal with, their coats don’t hold onto dirt and debris the way many other breeds do, and they instinctually prefer to stay clean.

• Feeding: Doberman’s do best with two or three meals spread out evenly throughout the day. If feeding two meals per day, feed one meal in the morning and one in the evening. Generally, 3.5 to 4 cups of dry food per day is ideal. See your food manufacturer for recommended portions for your food specific food.

• Shedding: This breed is considered to be a low to moderate shedder. They have a single layer coat (with the exception of around the neck area) that sheds short thick hairs similar to that of a human eyelash. The hair is easy to sweep up on hardwood or tile floors but may stick into fabrics and be semi-difficult to remove.

• Grooming: Ideally you should brush your Doberman once per week and bathe your Doberman every 6 to 8 weeks. Increased brushing of the coat can be done to help reduce shedding. Brushing of the teeth is optional depending on plaque build-up, but brushing even just once per week will provide significant benefits.

• Exercise: This breed has high exercise requirements and is happiest if provided with regular physical activity. However, significant physical exertion should be limited when the dog is under 18 months of age, especially on hard surfaces like concrete as it risks damage to their joints which are still developing.

• Training: Dobermans are highly intelligent and respond very well to frequent training. It keeps their mind engaged and helps to reduce overall anxiety in the dog. For more help with training your Doberman, see my article How to Train a Doberman: The Complete Guide.

Overall, this is a very clean breed of dog that requires far less grooming and other care than many other breeds. Dobermans don’t like to get dirty and are usually able to keep their home fairly clean. Many owners can get away with bathing their Dobermans only occasionally while still maintaining a shiny, healthy coat.

Aggression

Dobermans are more protective than they are aggressive. This means that they are more likely to react defensively to a situation then they are to act offensively. This is a quality that helps make them great personal protection dogs. The old stereotype of the Doberman as an agressive and dangerous dog is dying as the modern-day Doberman is certainly far more family-oriented than an aggressive “junkyard dog”.

In fact, in a recent study, dog bite fatality statistics were compiled according to the breed of the offending dog over a thirteen-year period. The results showed that between 2005 and 2017, Doberman Pinscher’s accounted for 6 fatalities in the United States—or only about 1.4% of the total number of dog bite-related fatalities during that time. The detailed results of the study are displayed in the table below.

For more information about these statistics and Doberman aggression in general, see my article Are Dobermans Mean, Dangerous, or Overly Aggressive.

Aggression with Other Dogs

There are some aggression issues often noted in Dobermans with other dogs of the same sex who live in the same household. This is more of an issue with two male dogs living together however than two females.

The temperament of the modern-day Doberman, however, is much more conducive to life with other dogs in the same house. Many owners have seen success in raising Dobermans alongside smaller breeds as well. For more information on which specific small dog breeds Dobermans are known to get along with, see my article Dobermans Living with Small Dogs: 12 Tips for Success.

Aggression with Cats

With cats, there doesn’t seem to be a general rule. Some owners report no issues with cats at all, while others have ongoing issues. The one common thread seems to be that if the dog is raised with the cat from a young age, they’re much more likely to get along without problems as an adult. More information is available on my site about how Dobermans get along with cats here. This includes the results of a poll of what Doberman owners who also keep cats in the same home, think about how they get along.

Did You Know? A common myth says that the Doberman brain grows too big for their skulls, causing the dog to randomly become vicious and turn on their owners. See Do Dobermans Turn on Their Owners? Brain vs. Skull Size Myth for more on this.

Video: The Complete Doberman Pinscher Breed Overview

Dobermans as Family Dogs

The modern-day Doberman is a far cry from the vicious dog that they’re often portrayed as in movies and television. Their natural temperamental traits make them ideal for a family environment. In fact, some Doberman owners will argue that you are just as likely to find your Doberman trying to sneak up into your lap while you’re watching television or trying to go to sleep in bed as your Shih Tzu. Yes, Dobermans like to cuddle with their family members at the end of the day.

Since they bond so strongly with their family members, these dogs are also often naturally inclined toward off-leash walking. They don’t like being away from their families and enjoy being a part of the family pack. Many owners say that they only keep their dogs on leashes due to the reactions they might get having them off-leash, and not because they’re worried about their dog running off.

Although leash training a Doberman is also not an impossible task due to their intelligence. See How to Train Your Doberman to Walk on a Leash for more on techniques that work great on Dobermans.

They’re also great with kids and other pets if socialized from a young age. They’re generally calm dogs at the end of the day but can become anxious if they don’t receive daily exercise. This means that they can still get excited and run around with children for hours at a time, which can be great for both the dog and the kids. Dobermans are best fit for active families as they do prefer to stay active during the day.

Dobermans have gained popularity as family dogs due to their good nature, predictable behavior, low shedding concerns, and cleanliness. For more information about Dobermans in a family setting, see my article Are Dobermans Good Family Dogs? The Surprising Truth.

Dobermans as Guard Dogs

The Doberman Pinscher breed was originally created to excel at guard and personal protection work. They have a host of natural instincts such as extreme intelligence, loyalty, fearlessness, watchfulness as well as drive and determination to keep their master’s safe. As a result, they’re consistently rated among the absolute best dog breeds in the world for this type of work.

Besides their temperamental traits which make them ideal for guard work, they also have a host of physical traits that make them a formidable force, including:

• Bite Force: 305 PSI
• Bite Type: Scissor bite
• Speed: 40 mph
• Vertical Jump: Up to 6 feet
• Other Physical Characteristics: Muscular build, close to 100 pounds in weight, a large chest area ideal for hitting hard during an attack.

The Doberman also has an amazing sense of smell and is capable of searching a house room-to-room using primarily their nose. This makes these dogs excellent at searching dark, or dimly lit, buildings. Their keen sense of smell allows them to clear rooms incredibly quickly. Only a few seconds of sniffing the air inside a room will alert the dog to the presence (or lack thereof) of any humans hiding inside the room. When Doberman’s search a building, you’ll often see them enter a room, pause, sniff the air for a few seconds, and then continue on.

Dobermans are even known to frequently take action to protect their owners from harm even with no protection training whatsoever. I’ve explored this in much more detail in my article How Even Untrained Dobermans Will Protect Their Owners.

In fact, it’s well known how capable this breed is as guard dogs, and as a result, they very rarely need to take action. Most people realize that if a Doberman is on your property, it’s best to move along if no one’s home.

Dobermans in Other Roles

Due to their impressive list of desirable temperamental traits, Dobermans are also used in many other roles. They can excel at just about any job traditionally reserved for working breed dogs. These include:

• Police K9: Dobermans have been used for decades at police dogs and perform the job exceptionally well due to their trainability, determination and impressive physical capabilities. In recent years, however, some agencies have been moving away from the breed as a police dog due to public perception and their low tolerance to cold temperatures.

• Military: This breed has been used for decades as an exceptional military dog, for many of the same reasons that they make great police dogs. They’ve been used as sentry’s, scouts, messengers, and perimeter protection. During World War 2, they saw extensive action during the battle of Guam where 25 Doberman’s lost their lives protecting U.S. Marine Corps personnel.

• Search and Rescue: Their physical and mental capabilities also make them ideal for search and rescue work and they’re used in this role worldwide. They’re commonly used to assist in recovering evidence, locating human remains, locating missing people, and other important tasks. During the aftermath of the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York on September 11th, 2001 a Doberman Pinscher named Sonny Boy performed extensive work searching the rubble for survivors. He also is credited with helping the New York Fire Department locate the remains of one of their own who perished that day.

• Service Dogs: Besides being incredibly physically capable dogs, Dobermans are also highly trainable and bond very closely to their masters. This makes them ideal as service dogs. They’ve been used successfully as therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support animals. I’ve written extensively about Dobermans in these roles in my article Can a Doberman Pinscher Be a Service Dog, including what they’re capable of, how they’re trained, and how to qualify your Doberman for service work.

This breed is truly one of the most versatile dog breeds in existence and they certainly live up to their “working breed” label. Their drive, determination, and focus on the tasks entrusted to them makes them highly desirable in many roles.

The Future of the Breed

The Doberman breed is certainly unique with many positive characteristics that appeal both to the professional use of the breed, as well as use as a family companion. Unfortunately, a prevailing mentality of “only breeding champions” among breeders of the past has led to a surprising lack of diversity in their genetic pool.

This means that serious health concerns are becoming more common among the breed. Although the breed is still a relatively new breed (only first created in the late 1800’s), this breeding mentality has made it increasingly difficult for breeders concerned with producing healthy dogs to be successful. The best way forward for the Doberman breed may be to increase emphasis on health while decreasing the emphasis on “show-perfect” or champion dogs.

However, as word spreads about how wonderful and capable this breed is, it seems only inevitable that the Doberman Pinscher will continue to climb the ranks of popularity and ownership rates. The future is likely to be very bright for the Doberman Pinscher.

Related Questions

Why do Dobermans and Rottweilers look alike? Dobermans and Rottweilers have similar features and markings because they have similar genetics. Experts believe that Louis Dobermann used a local butcher’s Rottweiler during the breeding process that ultimately lead to the creation of the first Dobermans in the late 19th century.

The post The Doberman Pinscher: A Complete Breed Overview appeared first on Doberman Planet.

There are a lot of people out there who are curious about how much a Doberman weighs, and some who just want to know if their dog is overweight or underweight compared to the average Doberman. You may have even seen extra large, or “Goliath” Dobermans offered for sale before. Certainly, the breed can vary significantly in size, but only a specific weight range is considered to be the “breed standard” by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Any bigger or smaller, and the dog isn’t not considered a standard Doberman.

How much does a Doberman Weigh? The American Doberman Pinscher’s weight is 75 to 100 pounds for males and 60 to 90 pounds for females. European Dobermans weigh 88 to 99 pounds (40-45 kg) for males and 71 to 77 pounds (32-35 kg) for females.

These weights are per the American Kennel Club (AKC) Doberman breed standard for the American Doberman Pinscher and the Federation Cynologique Internationale’s (FCI) breed standard for the European Dobermann.

The important thing to remember is that these breed standards aren’t necessarily a reflection of reality. What I mean is that these kennel clubs have a set standard of what the ideal weight for the dog is to compete in their shows and get certification papers. This number doesn’t always reflect the real-world weight of these dogs, however.

As an example, the European Dobermann almost always outweighs its American counterpart in the real world, but you wouldn’t know that from the official numbers. That’s because the AKC allows for more variation in the weight of their American Doberman Pinschers while the FCI has a much stricter (and tighter) allowed weight range for their Dobermann. So don’t let the range of accepted weights by the kennel clubs confuse you with how much these dogs normally weigh. Below I’ll tell you what you can expect in the real world.

Doberman Growth Chart (Weight vs. Age)

This growth chart shows the approximate growth rate (measured in pounds) of a Doberman Pinscher. The chart is based on the AKC’s Doberman Breed Standard. As you can see from the chart above, the Doberman’s growth is pretty significant during the first year of its life. After one year, the Doberman is considered to be an adult and at its full height, although weight gain continues, although at a slower rate, for about the next year as the dog’s frame fills out.

Use this chart as a general guideline of what to expect as your Doberman grows. It should only be considered to be a rough estimate however as the weight of Dobermans varies greatly. If your dog falls outside of the shaded region of this chart at any given stage of growth it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unhealthy. Of course, if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight, it’s best to consult with a qualified veterinarian.

Rule of Thumb: The average growth rate of a Doberman puppy is roughly 10 pounds of weight gain for every month of age.

One general rule that Doberman owners use to remember the growth rate of the average Doberman is “ten pounds every month.” That means they should weigh 20 pounds at two months of age, 30 pounds at three months of age, 40 pounds at four months, and so on. This rule is generally fairly accurate for male Dobermans until about seven or eight months of age. At that point, the Doberman’s weight gain rate begins leveling off.

For female Dobermans, you can use the same rule if you subtract about 5 pounds from that weight. So you can generally expect a female Doberman to be about 15 pounds at two months of age, 25 pounds at three months, 35 pounds at four months, and so on. Again, please remember that this is a general “rule of thumb” and is certainly not a perfect calculation.

Average Doberman Weight by Age

While the above chart will show you the approximate range in weight a Doberman is likely to be at any given age, the table below will show you what the average weight (or “mean” weight) is at any given age. Your dog might be above or below this, and that’s fine, these are just averages so you can gain a better understanding of their growth pattern.

The average adult male Doberman weighs approximately 88 pounds and the average adult female Doberman weighs approximately 75 pounds.

The table above should be considered as only a guideline. Every dog is different and Dobermans are known to have a wide variation in their weight.

When getting a new Doberman puppy, the best advice I can give you is to talk to your breeder. They should have an idea of the family history and how your pup’s parents developed over time and can provide you with a better idea of what to expect from your specific puppy.

Age When Full Grown

At 1 year of age, a Doberman will have reached its full-grown height and by 2 years of age, it’ll have reached its full-grown weight. However, some Dobermans will reach a stable weight closer to 18 months. The height and weight of the dog are typically stable at this point, and their joints are fully formed. Usually, there is very little (or no) filling out of the dog’s frame left to do. At that point, their bodies are ready to handle more strenuous types of activity.

If you want a more in-depth resource as to exactly when a Doberman reaches certain stages as they grow, see my article When is a Doberman Full Grown here.

Sometimes there will still be minimal growth in a Doberman after the age of two years in terms of weight, but the height of the dog should be basically stable. Although the Doberman is still not considered to be “in their prime” until about three years of age.

American Doberman Weight

The growth chart depicted above is based primarily on the AKC’s breed standard for the American Doberman Pinscher and, in my experience, is fairly accurate. American Dobermans are leaner than European Dobermans and generally weigh a bit less.

The AKC lists the following weights as the “breed standard” for the American Doberman Pinscher.

• Males: 75 – 100 lbs
• Females: 60 – 90 lbs

It’s nice to see that the AKC’s breed standard attempts to account for the broad range of weights for the Doberman Pinscher. This is why I decided to model the above growth chart off of their estimates. However, it’s worth noting that it’s certainly still possible to have a healthy Doberman who falls outside of the above-mentioned weight range.

European Doberman Weight

The European Doberman (also called “Dobermann”) has a body type that’s a bit bulkier and more muscular than the American variant. Their bone structure is also a little thicker. This is most apparent in the blockier head and snout, as well as their broad chest. This means they generally weigh more. The growth chart shown above was modeled around American Dobermans but can be used to estimate the weight of a European Doberman as well.

A European Doberman’s weight will usually fall near the top edge of the growth chart’s shaded region. The final adult weight of a European Doberman will more typically be near the 100-pound mark.

The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) defines the following as the breed standard weights for the European Doberman.

• Males: About 40 – 45 kg (88 – 99 lbs)
• Females: About 32 – 35 kg (71 – 77 lbs)

The breed standard of the FCI listed above for the European Doberman has a much smaller weight range for the European Doberman than the AKC has for the American Doberman. It’s worth noting that the FCI adds the language “about” before their listed weights, likely in an attempt to account for the broad range of weights that are possible for the Doberman.

The European Doberman has an equally broad range in adult weights within the breed as the American Doberman, it appears though that the FCI just has stricter requirements for their breed standard than the AKC does.

For more information about how European and American Dobermans are different (including detailed diagrams of both dogs), see my article American vs. European Doberman: A Side-by-Side Comparison.

Predicting How Much Bigger Your Doberman Puppy Will Get

Besides age, there are other methods Doberman owners have used to help determine how big a Doberman puppy will be as an adult with relatively good accuracy. These are:

• DNA Testing – Modern at-home DNA health tests, such as these Embark DNA test kits can give you an incredibly deep look into your dog’s genetic health including a puppy’s adult size! The Embark DNA test kits (a favorite among Doberman owners) test for five specific genes that are known to influence about 85% of the variation in their adult size. You can read more about how to DNA test your Doberman at home here.
• Parents – Looking at the size of your Doberman puppy’s parents is a good indicator of their genetics in terms of growth and can give you a good general sense of your dog’s growth potential. Although DNA tests seem to be more accurate since a puppy can inherit growth genes from its grandparents as well.
• Size in Relation to Littermates – If you know how large your puppy’s parents are, you can then compare your puppy to its littermates to help predict how large he or she is going to get. If they’re the largest in the litter, it means your dog will likely be as big (or bigger) than its parents.
• Paw Size – This has been a go-to indicator for Doberman owners for years. The general thinking is the larger your Doberman’s paws are, the bigger they will be as an adult. This is because larger paws are needed to support a heavier dog so it’s a good indicator of your dog’s genetics in terms of size.
• Their 4-Month Weight – Take your Doberman’s weight at 4 months old (or about 16 weeks) and multiply it by two, then add 5 pounds. That formula will get you close to their adult weight. So, if your Doberman weighs 30 pounds at 4 months old then take 30 and multiply it by 2 to get 60 pounds. Then add 5 pounds and you come up with an expected adult weight of about 65 pounds.
• Age When Spayed or Neutered – If your Doberman is neutered before reaching full maturity (6 – 24 months of age), then it’s more likely that they will be taller. This is because the dog’s hormones have a large impact on when the growth plates close which causes their legs to stop growing. Spaying and neutering removes these hormones. Some owners report that they end up with taller, but thinner, Dobermans when they’re spayed or neutered early. This is also backed up by recent studies such as this one published in the National Library of Medicine.

Is Your Doberman Overweight or Underweight?

The best way to determine if your Doberman is overweight or underweight is by a visual inspection. The reason you can’t rely on numbers and graphs for this is simply that, just like in humans, every dog’s body is different.

Some have smaller frames while others have larger ones, and a Doberman whose used to more strenuous activity and possesses more muscle mass, as a result, will weigh more than one who doesn’t. This doesn’t mean that either dog is necessarily unhealthy, however.

Underweight Dobermans

If your Doberman is underweight (especially if they are 10% or more under their ideal weight), it can lead to long-term health problems, quality of life concerns, degradation of their emotional state, and other issues. Here’s how to tell if your Doberman is underweight:

• Ribs, pelvic bone, and vertebrae are visible or starting to become visible from the side.
• An obvious and elongated appearance of the waist when viewed from above.
• No discernible fat around the rib cage area—feels like the skin is lying directly on the ribs.
• Multiple individual bones of the rib cage are easily visible from the side.
• Loss of muscle mass may be apparent.

Ideal Weight Dobermans

When your dog is at an ideal weight, it’s a great indicator that they are happy and healthy. They are fit and ready for activity. Some signs that your Doberman’s weight is within the ideal range are:

• The ribcage may be slightly visible—a “soft outline” of the ribcage may be apparent.
• A minimal fat layer can be felt between the skin and the ribs.
• The waist is distinguishable when viewed from above without excessive bony protrusions.
• The abdomen area tucks smoothly up from the ribcage to the hind legs.

Overweight Dobermans

Just like with humans, there are various health concerns if your dog is overweight such as joint issues and increased susceptibility to life-threatening diseases. Being overweight also increases the chances of injury during strenuous activity. Your dog may become lethargic and their emotional well-being may suffer as a result. Here are some typical traits of an overweight Doberman:

• The ribcage is not visible from the side or above, excess fat covers the ribs.
• The waist may be slightly discernible, although is not prominent from above.
• Abdominal tuck is lacking or minimal—the stomach area may appear to “hang down”.

NOTE: Make sure you’re always feeding your Doberman quality food that is NOT grain-free since recent research suggests grain-free diets are linked to heart issues in the Doberman breed. You can see the current list of my recommended best foods and treats for Dobermans here.

Increased Medical Risks with Larger Dobermans

Larger dogs tend to die younger. In fact, the majority of differences in life span among various dog breeds can be explained by genetic factors that control differences in body weight (source). In Dobermans, there are certainly a few health conditions that they are considered to be more prone to the larger that they are including:

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – This condition involves a weakening of the heart muscle and affects a very large number of Dobermans. In dogs in general, DCM most commonly affects larger dogs (source). To learn more about how serious DCM is in Dobermans specifically, and how you can help protect your dog, see our article Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Simplified here.
• Hip and Joint Problems – Dobermans are at a higher risk of hip dysplasia which is a genetic condition that causes the hip to not form entirely correctly. A common treatment for this condition is to have the dog lose weight since it puts less strain on the hip. More weight means there’s more strain. The increased size also means there’s more pressure put on your dog’s joints as they move which can lead to a higher chance of osteoarthritis.
• Lower Tolerance to Heat – Larger dogs have more difficulty handling hot weather than smaller dogs (source). Dobermans in general have been more susceptible to heat, but this is especially true if your dog has a few extra pounds on him or her.
• Increased Cancer Risk – Overweight dogs are at an increased risk for many types of cancer (source) and Dobermans are known to be prone to various forms of cancer such as osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

Final Thoughts

The Doberman Pinscher is a large and impressive dog in my opinion, although technically they’re classified as a “medium-sized” dog. The American Doberman Pinscher is known for toned muscle and little body fat (think more like a long-distance runner, not a bodybuilder), while the European Doberman is known for a bigger, heavier, and more muscular body type.

It’s always good to make sure your dog is growing correctly and on track to be a healthy weight as an adult. Don’t ignore any sudden changes in your dog’s weight, as it could be an indicator of an underlying health concern

This is why I strongly urge Doberman owners to always DNA health check their Dobermans so they know what genetic issues they might be up against. Don’t just watch the years tick by and wonder what might be in store for your Dobie. I wrote this DNA testing guide specifically for Doberman owners to help you out with that.

The most important thing I can stress in this article is that every Doberman really is different. The weights I have provided here should really only be used as rough estimates. The best way to see if your dog is truly at a healthy weight is to consult with a qualified veterinarian. I wish you and your Dobie a long healthy life together!

Related Questions

At what age is a Doberman full grown? At 1 year of age, a Doberman has reached its maximum height and is considered to be an adult, although they will continue to gain weight until about 2 years of age.

At what age has a Doberman reached their full height? A Doberman will reach their maximum height at about 1 year of age (12 months).

How much should a male Doberman weigh? An adult male Doberman should weigh between 75 to 100 pounds when full-grown.

How much should a female Doberman weigh? An adult female Doberman should weigh between 60 to 90 pounds when full-grown.

The post Doberman Weight: Growth Curve and Average Weights appeared first on Doberman Planet.

I’m often asked by people interested in owning their first Dobie how much a Doberman puppy typically costs. After working out exactly what I spent in the first year of Doberman ownership, and discussing puppy costs with many reputable Doberman breeders, I can tell you there is a specific price range you should expect to pay for an American Doberman.

How much does a Doberman cost? The average price of a Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder is between $1500 and $2500. Pet quality Dobermans will be closer to $1500, while a show quality Doberman will cost closer to $2500.

This price range is for the typical American Doberman. However, there are also European Dobermans which can cost over $3000. There are also various Doberman colors available including black, red, blue, fawn, and white. But besides the cost of the puppy, there are many other costs you should expect in the first year of Doberman ownership. That’s why I’ve worked out what I spent the first year of owning my Doberman, so you won’t be caught off guard.

The Average Cost of a Doberman Puppy

You’re ready to count out your hard earned cash for a cute Doberman pup, but how hard will it be on your wallet? Well, Doberman puppies have been known to be sold for prices ranging from $500 to $3500. In general, it’s good to be wary about the quality of dog you are getting if the price is unexpectedly low (anything under about $1000 should be a red flag). With purebred dog breeds, you typically get what you pay for.

However, the typical American Doberman, purchased in the United States from a reputable breeder averages between $1500 and $2500. European Dobermans are even pricer and if they’re purchased in the United States, they’ll typically cost upwards of $3000.

I have compiled a list of places to find a reputable Doberman breeder here. This list will also help you spot the breeders that you should avoid.

There are many other factors that can affect the price of a Doberman puppy, however. Factors like:

• Bloodline – If the puppy comes from a bloodline of a Doberman that has won a show or competition, it will cost more.
• Breeder Reputation – Some breeders are just better known for producing healthy, strong, and well cared for puppies. They may be also known because of the number of their dogs who hold show titles. If you get your Dobie puppy from a breeder that’s known far and wide, it’ll cost you more.
• Kennel Club Papers – If the puppy itself is certified purebred by an accredited kennel club in your country (such as AKC in the United States), it will cost more. If only the parents are certified, it may cost slightly less. If there’s no certification, the puppy will cost significantly less.
• Ear Cropping – A Doberman can get their ears cropped between about 7 to 12 weeks of age. Most breeders won’t separate a puppy from their mothers until at least 8 weeks of age. So many breeders will sell Doberman puppies with their ears already cropped. This will increase the price of the puppy.
• Disease Testing – If there is testing done on the puppy (or the parents of the puppy) for common Doberman medical disorders such as von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) it will raise the cost.
• Tail Docking and Dew Claw Removal – These are very common and almost all breeders will automatically do these things to their Doberman puppies unless a customer specifically requests not to.
• Vaccines – Some breeders will offer Doberman puppies for sale only after they have had their first round of vaccines. This will increase the cost of the puppies.

The typical Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder will come with their tail docked, dew claws removed, disease tests completed, and kennel club papers. Still common (but slightly less so), they’ll come with their ears already cropped and their first round of vaccines completed.

Types of Breeders

I’ve mentioned the phrase “reputable breeder” a few times already. It’s important you understand the differences between a reputable breeder and other common breeders of Doberman puppies. This is probably the biggest factor affecting the price of a puppy. These are the three most common types of breeders you’re likely to find offering Doberman’s for sale.

Puppy Mills

Puppy mills generally offer the cheapest dogs for sale. They are commercial establishments that focus on breeding dogs on an intensive schedule and typically provide inhumane conditions. Dogs from puppy mills can have health problems, inbreeding complications, and even injuries due to poor living conditions. You should never purchase a dog from a puppy mill.

Average price of a Doberman from a puppy mill: $300 – $600

Backyard Breeders (BYB)

Also offering very cheap dogs for sale, backyard breeders are dogs bred by people who don’t breed dogs for a living and often offer puppies for sale that were the result of unplanned K-9 pregnancies.

Backyard Breeders often don’t follow applicable laws or best practices for ethical dog breeding. They may be first-time breeders who decided to “give it a try” to see if they can breed their dog and sell some puppies to make some money on the side. They’re often well-intentioned, but inexperienced. This can be a questionable source for a Doberman puppy.

Average price of a Doberman from a backyard breeder: $500 – $1000

Reputable Doberman Breeders

These are breeders whose business is focused around the dog industry and on Dobermans specifically. They often participate in dog shows and competitions, keep tedious records of the dogs they breed, and will usually have long wait lists for their litters. Buying a Doberman from a reputable breeder will often involve them asking a lot of questions of you, to make sure their dogs are going to a good home.

Reputable Doberman breeders have methods for shipping the dogs nationwide already established and will have their Dobermans tested for medical issues common in Dobermans such as von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). A purebred Doberman bought from a reputable breeder will come with kennel club certification papers.

Average price of a Doberman from a reputable Doberman breeder: $1500 – $2500

Initial Costs of Doberman Ownership

I know, you’re excited to pick up your cute Doberman puppy. But before you do, you should know that there are some considerable initial costs when you first get a new puppy besides just the puppy itself.

I’ve compiled a list of items you’ll need for a new Doberman puppy here to help you out. Make sure to have a look at that list—it’ll save you a lot of time and money finding what works well for a Dobie puppy.

In general, though, it’s a good idea to be prepared for these expenses at a minimum.

Additional Costs to Get Started

All dollar values are approximations and are intended to give you a general idea of the initial costs of Doberman ownership. This is in addition to the cost of the puppy.

Many owners of new puppies elect to sign up for dog insurance to help cover medical costs. If you sign up for a puppy specific plan, then it will likely cover many of the initial medical-related costs for your new puppy. I decided to go with a plan offered by Banfield Pet Hospital (this is the nationwide veterinarian that is often located inside PetSmart stores) since it was very reasonable and covered almost all the initial costs after we brought our Dobie home.

My First Year Expenses Owning a Doberman Puppy

There were so many smaller expenses that I didn’t expect when I first brought home my Doberman, Cooper. I decided to catalog the expenses I incurred in the first year of ownership so I can let other potential Doberman owners know what to expect.

The first year of ownership is significantly more expensive than the later years when your dog is full-grown. So, unless your dog has an unexpected medical issue, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that every year won’t be as expensive as this first year.

Before you mention it in the comments, yes, I only paid $600 for my Doberman. To be perfectly honest, this was before I knew the dangers of buying from a backyard breeder. I will give the breeders some credit however, they seemed to really care, had both parents at the home for me to meet, had kennel club papers for both parents, and proof of genetic screening for certain Doberman conditions (for the parents only, not the puppies themselves).

It was definitely still a risk, and my next Doberman will certainly come from a reputable breeder, but things worked out for me. I ended up with one great (and very loved) new family member.

These were the expenses I incurred during the first year of Doberman ownership.

My Expenses the First Year

These numbers are rounded up to the nearest dollar. “Other Equipment” includes things like a leash, bowls, crate, bed, doggie door, carpet cleaner, dog waste bags, puppy pee pads, etc.

Knowing what I know now about Doberman’s, there are a few things I will do differently for my next dog which will affect the expenses a bit. These include:

• Buying my Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder. I didn’t, but next time I will. This will probably add about $2000 to the cost of the puppy.
• Use a higher quality dog food. I choose Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy food. There are much higher quality foods out there but they will cost a little more. This would add probably around $400 a year to my food expenses.
• More time spent training. It’s important to focus on training in the early years. I would still do it myself but more training means increased treats costs since treats are used heavily in training. Probably about $50 additional for the year.

As you can see in the table, a lot of the expenses in the first year are listed zero because they were covered by the puppy health plan that I purchased through Banfield Pet Hospital. This is just how I choose to help cover these expenses and there is nothing wrong with deciding to cover your expenses on your own, out of pocket. You’ll need to decide what’s best for you. Without this plan, neutering, vaccines, and deworming would have cost approximately $900.

What I really liked about the plan was that it covered 100% of the costs of an unlimited number of veterinarian visits. That way if I had any concerns about my dog I could see a veterinarian for their opinion for free. As an overly worried new Dobie Dad, this was a great feature of this plan!

Also, I choose to go with a slightly more expensive ear cropping service through a very well known veterinarian about 45 minutes away from me. They were well known for doing great work with Doberman’s.

They used techniques that are as pain-free as possible which included localized anesthesia and full sedation during the process. Also, they would do all the posting and other aftercare of the ears as they healed. I figured it was worth the additional cost. Cropping ears usually cost somewhere around $500.

Monthly Cost of Owning an Adult Doberman

As I mentioned earlier, owning an adult Doberman (over 1-year-old) is considerably cheaper than your first year with a new puppy. Trust me, after that first year, it’s usually smooth sailing! That’s because there are a lot of one-off expenses that you’ll have to get done early on in your Dobie’s life.

Now that my Dobie is five years old, I have a pretty good handle on what an adult Doberman usually costs. These are the typical expenses for owning an adult Dobie.

Average Monthly Expenses for an Adult Doberman

Many of these numbers are approximations and all numbers are rounded up to the nearest dollar.

I would consider this to be the typical cost of owning an adult Doberman. However, you should always be prepared for unexpected expenses with an emergency fund. If your pup unexpectedly needs prescription medications or swallows a sock that gets stuck in his intestines (it happens) and needs surgery, you may have to dip into your emergency fund.

Other Potential Expenses

There are other expenses that come with owning these dogs that you may or may not need to pay for depending on your situation. These are a few examples.

• DNA Testing – I no longer really consider this an optional expense, not with Dobermans anyway. You really should test your Doberman’s DNA so you understand what genetic disorders you might be battling down the road. This can cost a few hundred dollars, but honestly, it’s well worth it. See my Doberman DNA Health Testing guide here with help on how to do this at home yourself.
• Training – Training for your dog is especially important in the first year. I choose to train my dog at home myself, but using a puppy class or certified trainer are great options. This can cost from $65 for eight weeks of group puppy classes to $150 per hour for private in-home training
• Day Care or Pet Walking Services – If you work for eight hours a day like most of us, you may find yourself needing daycare for your pup or pet walking services during the day while you’re gone. This can cost between $15 and $40 per day for daycare. Pet walking can be cheaper if you find a trusted neighbor kid to do the job!
• Ear Cropping – This should always be done through a reputable veterinarian who has experience cropping Doberman’s ears. This will cost between $300 and $800. Learn more about ear cropping here.
• Pet Insurance – Pet insurance can help cover medical costs should your Dobie need to see a veterinarian and typically costs between $30 and $100 a month depending on what it covers.
• Shipping – If you buy your puppy from a breeder out of the area, you may need to pay for shipping to get your new puppy home. Work with your breeder and agree on a reputable service. This will typically cost between $200 to $800 depending on how far the dog needs to be shipped.
• Kennel Club Registration – If your dog didn’t come with papers and you decide you’d like to get your dog registered with a kennel club (such as AKC), this will usually cost around $35.
• Tail Docking – Tail docking should ideally be done when the puppy is a few days old. Docking a puppy’s tail usually costs between $10 and $50 per puppy. It can be as much as $1000 to dock an adult dog’s tail. Learn more about tail docking here.
• Dew Claw Removal – Removing the dewclaws on a puppy is done when the dog is a few days old. This typically costs around $20 per puppy but it can be as much as $500 to remove an adult dog’s dewclaw.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s always important to be financially prepared for the unexpected. Dobermans are very intelligent and strong dogs, but they are far from immune to sudden health problems or accidents.

Finding a Cheaper Doberman

There are other ways someone might be able to own a Doberman for a cheaper price than by going through a breeder. The first three places listed below often involve getting a slightly older Doberman.

• Doberman rescue centers
• Humane society
• Other adoption centers
• Overseas

Doberman rescue center and humane society Doberman’s can work well for a family without kids. But if you are adopting an adult dog with an unknown history, it’s important that you know what you are doing and certainly, don’t bring them into a home with children. To find Dobermans up for adoption, you can check online resources such as AdoptAPet.com. Adopting a Doberman will cost between $100 to $300 in adoption fees.

Some people will buy a Doberman overseas and bring them back to the United States. This makes sense, especially when dealing with purebred European Dobermans. They can cost over $3000 when they are bought within the U.S.

In Russia, Ukraine, or Poland, the European breed of Doberman can be bought for significantly less, usually between about $500 and $1500. However, you will have to either bring the dog back yourself or have it shipped internationally. It’ll cost around $250 to fly back with your new Dobie should you decide to go pick him up yourself, or around $800 to have the dog shipped back to the U.S.

How to Find Products That Work for Dobermans

Dobermans are a fairly unique breed, and it’s very easy to waste thousands of dollars on products that seem like they will work great but leave you disappointed once you try them with your Doberman. You just can’t walk into your typical pet store and buy anything you see, like owners of other breeds can.

Since I found myself often helping people who were at their wits end after wasting time and money on products that weren’t right for a Doberman, I decided to make a directory of products that either I’ve personally tested or my clients have, and they are confirmed to work great for Dobermans.

These items are listed in the menu at the top of this page under “Recommended Products”. As I find new products that work better, I will continually update this list.

You can find my list of recommended products for Dobermans here.

Related Questions

How much does a blue Doberman cost? Blue Doberman Pinscher puppies generally cost the same as their black or red counterparts. You can expect to pay between $1500 and $2500 from a reputable breeder.

How much does a fawn Doberman cost? A fawn colored Doberman puppy should cost the same as a Doberman puppy of any other color, or between $1500 and $2500 from a reputable breeder. However, some breeders will attempt to collect a premium for fawn colored puppies.

How much does a white Doberman cost? A white (or albino) Doberman puppy is incredibly rare and owning one is controversial among Doberman owners due to their potential for health problems. They’ll cost about the same as other Doberman puppies, or between $1500 and $2500.

How much does a European Doberman cost? Purebred European Dobermans purchased in the United States from a reputable breeder will generally cost between $3000 and $4000. The same dog purchased in many European countries will cost between $500 and $2000.

How much does a King Doberman cost? A King Doberman (or “Warlock Doberman”) isn’t a recognized breed. This type of dog is often described as a larger Doberman Pinscher. However, they’re usually a cross between a Great Dane and a Doberman. Many breeders attempt to market them as a form of purebred Doberman and charge as much as $4000 for a puppy.

The post How Much Does a Doberman Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses appeared first on Doberman Planet.

When I bought my first house with a yard, I knew the first thing I wanted to do was get a Doberman Pinscher. I worked full time though and wasn’t sure if a Doberman could ever adapt to my schedule and be left alone for an 8-hour workday. If this is you, let me reassure you that it is possible, it just might take some extra effort especially in the beginning.

How long can you leave a Doberman home alone? While each Doberman’s personality is different, in general, an adult Doberman shouldn’t be left home alone for more than 8 hours while a puppy shouldn’t be left alone for more than 4 hours. Puppies under 4 months of age may need additional attention. Dobermans are prone to separation anxiety.

This is the best guideline I can give you but the truth is, many of us who have 8-hour jobs need to be able to leave our dogs home alone for 9 to 10 hours. There’s drive time to and from work, and very often we have an hour lunch break at a job that’s too far away to be able to make it home during the break. Luckily, you can still make it work if you plan things out carefully.

There are even remote pet cameras now which will allow you to see, talk to, and even dispense treats to your dog remotely while you’re at work. I listed a few of these in the Cool Doberman Tech Gear section of my Recommended Products page.

Leaving an Adult Doberman Home Alone

Leaving an adult Doberman Pinscher home alone is a lot different than leaving a puppy. We’ll talk about leaving a puppy alone in a minute, but first I want to reassure you of what’s possible once your dog becomes full grown.

Dobermans are very intelligent and adaptable dogs. Once they learn what the house rules are, you’ll find yourself slowly becoming more and more trusting of your dog being home alone. Of course, each dog is different and you’ll have to learn what your specific dog can handle, but eventually, an adult Doberman can be left alone during your 8 to 10-hour workday without a problem.

Just to be clear, 8 to 10 hours won’t work if your dog is kept in a crate when you leave. But an adult Doberman should be trusted to be outside of his or her crate and even let themselves outside to go to the bathroom (usually by using a doggie door). Make sure they have this concept down before attempting this or you could come home to some nice welcoming puddles of joy for you to clean up in the house after a hard day’s work.

Here are some basic tips for making sure your adult Doberman has what they need so you can get through a full day of work.

• Leave out at least two water bowls. If your dog accidentally knocks over a water bowl the first hour you’re gone, it could be serious. So leave out at least two water bowls to be safe.
• Provide plenty of chew toys. Dobermans are prone to separation anxiety of varying degrees, although this tends to be less of an issue as they get older. Any anxiety they do have is usually expressed through chewing. So make sure your Dobie has plenty of chew toys around, especially toys that are mentally stimulating. A shortage of chew toys means they just might start to chew on something they shouldn’t. I have compiled a list of my favorite chew toys that are also mentally stimulating here.
• Tire out your dog before leaving. Going for a walk or run before you leave for work for the day is not only healthy for you but can help your dog deal with his or her time alone. It’ll reduce anxiety for your Doberman and make it much more likely they’ll just sleep while you’re gone. A puppy might even sleep the whole day while you’re gone. See more about how much Doberman puppies can sleep (it’s a lot) with my article all about average Doberman puppy sleep times.
• Arrange for a mid-day visit if possible. If you can make it work with your schedule, pay your dog a mid-day visit during your lunch break. Taking him out for a quick walk, play with him, and give him some praise for being a good boy while you were gone. If this isn’t possible, consider getting a dog walker to come by.
• Ensure you have adequate fencing. We have a 6-foot tall privacy fence around the backyard of our house which works great. Just make sure your dog is well contained with a good fence. If he does start to get anxiety with you being gone, he could decide to start exploring the fencing. If there’s a way out, and an adventure to be had, your curious Dobie might just go for it.

My 5-year-old Doberman is very well behaved in his adult years now and he knows the rules of the house. I could leave him alone for 24 hours straight without worrying about him (even more if I had to). In fact, at one point we had a family emergency and we had to leave him from morning one day until evening the next day. We made sure he had plenty to eat, drink, and toys to play with and he did absolutely great!

He slept in his bed, put himself out through his doggie door to pee, didn’t destroy anything and was completely trustworthy. To be clear, I hated doing it and it was an emergency situation. I don’t ever plan to have that happen again and I’m definitely not recommending that you should do this. However, it is good to know what he’s capable of.

Doberman’s are very adaptable dogs. Many people will give you some extreme answers to this question like “you shouldn’t leave your dog alone at all,” which is true in an ideal world. But this world isn’t ideal and most of us have to work for a living to be able to afford our gorgeous Dobermans. In my opinion, you lucked out choosing this breed, because you couldn’t have picked a better dog to adapt to their living situation than a Doberman.

Raising a Puppy with a Full-Time Job

Here’s where things get interesting. Yes, a Doberman puppy who isn’t potty trained yet and doesn’t know the rules of the house is going to need a lot more attention than the very self-sufficient adult Doberman I described in the previous section.

Besides being more prone to intense separation anxiety, puppies also need frequent potty breaks, they’re more prone to flipping over their water bowls or getting into something they shouldn’t, and very often start off by being crate trained. In fact, I will talk a lot about crate training because I think this is the best way to train your puppy to hold it while you are at work.

Here’s what a typical day might look like for a Doberman puppy who’s going through crate training while their owner is at work.

1. Morning Routine – Wake up, go for a walk and play ball for 15 minutes. Focus on tiring your puppy out, giving him lots of love and attention.
2. Give Food and Water – Give your puppy food and water at least an hour before you leave for work.
3. Potty Break – Bring them outside to “empty them out” (potty them) as much as possible.
4. Put in an Appropriate Crate – Put him in the crate 15 minutes before leaving the house. The crate should be covered with a blanket on three sides so it’s more like a den. The crate should be large enough for your pup to comfortably turn around in, but not too much larger than that.
5. Provide Lots of Chew Toys – Make sure there are chew toys inside the crate so they can work out the anxiety. No overly stimulating toys though, this should be nap time, not playtime.
6. Check on Your Pup – After no more than 4 hours, come home to let him out for a potty break, give some attention to them, provide water, then place back in the crate. If this isn’t possible due to your work situation, hire a dog walker to come by.
7. Arrive Home – After arriving home from work, take your pup out calmly, potty, water, and praise him for a job well done while you were at work after a few minutes. Overly excited greetings immediately upon arrival can increase their separation anxiety while you’re gone.

If you are wondering what specific equipment I use for dealing with a Dobie puppy at home, I have made a list of what I recommend for new Doberman puppies here. My hope is that this list can save you a whole lot of time and money. I wasted plenty of both testing things that just didn’t work for Dobermans.

Note: In general you should not leave your puppy home alone more than the number of hours that they are old (in months). In other words, if your puppy is 3 months old you shouldn’t leave them in their crate for any more than 3 hours without a break. At 4 months it’s 4 hours, at 5 months it’s 5 hours, and so on.

Never put your dog in their crate as a punishment. You want the crate to be a happy and relaxing place, not a place of punishment.

Just make sure that your Dobie doesn’t start peeing in his or her crate. If this happens with any kind of regularity it will be detrimental to successful potty training. If this starts to happen, it means you are leaving them alone too long. You need to find a way to give them more potty breaks during the day and may have to hire someone to come by.

Remember also that Dobermans have growth plates in their legs that are still forming when they are puppies. So although it’s great to thoroughly tire them out before putting them in the crate, don’t go on long runs on concrete until they are at least 18 months of age. It can cause real damage to your developing Dobie’s body, especially if you’re running on concrete or asphalt.

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

First off, I made a detailed video all about how to deal with separation anxiety in Dobermans which you may find useful (available here on YouTube).

Separation anxiety is a problem in many Dobermans. They are intelligent dogs that thrive on close human contact. If you leave your dog alone too often or too long when they just aren’t mentally ready for it they might get separation anxiety in the form of:

• Howling or barking.
• Destructive behavior like chewing on things they shouldn’t be.
• Excessive crying.
• Swallowing things they shouldn’t (this is very dangerous).

The best thing I can say is to know your dog. Some dogs suffer greatly from separation anxiety while others don’t seem to very much. I was lucky with my Doberman Cooper who only seemed to struggle with it as a puppy. As an adult, he really has no problems—especially after I found the one key that really worked to break him of this habit.

Iheartdogs conducted a poll on 714 Doberman owners and asked them if their dogs ever had separation anxiety. 9% said their dogs had severe separation anxiety, 36% said moderate, and 55% said none. They defined separation anxiety as “bad or anxious behavior when left alone.”

The best thing you can do if your dog struggles with this is to make sure to provide plenty of toys to keep them busy (especially food injected toys like certain Kong toys for example), have someone come by to play with them and tire them out more during the day, or practice leaving on your days off.

To practice leaving, start by leaving the house for 5 minutes and listening for any signs of anxiety. If there are none, go back in and reward your dog. Then do it for 10 minutes, then 20 minutes. Eventually, your Dobie will understand what’s expected of them and you may be able to work through the issue completely.

I have an entire article dedicated to separation anxiety on this site since it’s such a major theme with the Doberman breed. You can learn all the methods for preventing Doberman separation anxiety here.

The Key That Finally Solved Cooper’s Separation Anxiety

What finally seemed to break my Dobie of his separation anxiety was simple; I stopped getting overaly excited to see him when I got home from work—or making too big of a deal when I left for the day.

It’s hard to do at times, but when I would leave, he’d be in his pen about 10 minutes before I’d leave so that he could calm down. Then when it was time for me to go, I’d say a calm “good-bye” to him and leave. When I got home, I would calmly walk up to him, pet him, and tell him I was happy to see him. Then I would let him out of the cage.

Before, I used to make a huge deal saying big long good-bye’s to him before leaving. I’d also jump up and down and hug him multiple times—really going overboard when I got home. This calmer good-bye when I left, and hello when I got home, was the key that seemed to finally work for breaking his separation anxiety issues when nothing else would.

Leaving Your Doberman Alone Outside

Just a quick word about leaving your Doberman alone outside while you are gone. If your dog is old enough and able to let themselves in and out of the house through a dog door, it’s fine that they have access to the outside. But you should never lock your dog outside while no one is home.

For one, Doberman’s have thin skin and a single layer coat. They get cold easily and can even overheat fairly easily as well. Also, if they are left outdoors it increases the chances of kids coming by and teasing your dog which may cause them to develop aggressive behaviors. That is not something you want to struggle within your 100 pound Doberman down the road.

Lastly, never ever tie your dog up outside. They can literally tie themselves up in the rope or inadvertently strangle themselves. It has happened more than once in the past so don’t do this to the new member of your family.

Related Questions

Do Dobermans have separation anxiety? Many Dobermans suffer from separation anxiety and will often express it by crying, howling, barking, and destructive behavior. Dobermans are highly intelligent and thrive on close human interaction throughout the day.

Can a Doberman be left home alone while you’re at work? In general, adult Dobermans who are fully house trained and understand what’s expected of them can be trusted to be left alone indoors during a typical 8-hour workday without issue.

The post How Long Can You Leave a Doberman Home Alone? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

I’ve known a few brave disabled people in my lifetime and because most people in my life know I am absolutely in love with the Doberman breed, the topic has come up more than once about Doberman Pinschers being used as service dogs. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering a Doberman service dog.

Can Dobermans be service dogs? Doberman Pinschers are a working breed that’s highly intelligent, easily trainable, hyper-focused on their owners, loyal, and eager to please. These qualities make the Doberman an excellent breed for use as a service dog.

Many people don’t picture a Doberman as a service dog. While it’s true that they aren’t very common in the service dog world, the Doberman does naturally possess all of the qualities necessary to be a great service dog, therapy dog, or emotional support animal (ESA). However, A lot more goes into selecting, training, and putting a service dog to work than just selecting a capable breed.

With each step in the process, you should always take into account the Doberman’s unique qualities and adapt the process accordingly. When I got my first Doberman I got a crash course on these unique qualities.

If you’re new to the Doberman breed, take a look at my complete Doberman Pinscher breed overview here.

Why Dobermans Make Great Service Dogs

There are no breed restrictions on which breeds can be service dogs. In fact, there is no certification, identification, or even mandated training that a dog must go through to become a service dog. So yes, Dobermans can be service dogs just like any breed can, and actually, they are more geared towards this kind of work than many other dogs.

Dobermans were originally bred as guard dogs. Luckily, many of these guard dog traits are easily transferable to accomplish other tasks, such as those needed to be accomplished by service dogs. They are actually becoming more popular in recent years as guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, seizure dogs, and even search and rescue dogs. This breed can really do it all!

Before we go any further, many people get confused with the differences between an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), Therapy Dog, and Service Dog as well as with what rights each type of animal has or doesn’t have. So here’s a brief description so you can get a better idea.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA): An emotional support animal can be any animal, not just a dog. Yes, there can be “emotional support pet rats” believe it or not. These animals are meant to help only with mental health issues and not physical disabilities. They can live in no-pet housing and board airplanes with their owners but have no other special privileges. To exercise these privileges, you’ll need a note from a doctor. These animals are not covered by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

Therapy Dogs: Therapy dogs are the dogs you often see visiting patients in hospitals or in nursing homes. Their job is to provide emotional support and comfort. They cannot accompany their owners on planes or any public place. They are registered with a therapy organization and have to undergo testing and be covered by an insurance policy. Therapy dogs are not covered by ADA.

Service Dogs: These are dogs that are specifically trained to perform specified tasks for someone with a disability. They can go anywhere a human can go in public and are protected under ADA. Legally, they are considered the same as necessary medical equipment.

Really, a Doberman can perform any of these three roles with proper training. Below are many of the characteristics of the Doberman breed that make them great for this type of work. In general, Dobermans are:

• Calm and not easily excitable.
• Very alert at all times.
• Highly intelligent.
• Easily trainable.
• A working breed that loves to accomplish tasks.
• Instinctually inclined to help.
• Minimal shedding and clean dogs.
• Inclined to bond strongly to one specific person.
• Highly focused on their masters.
• Called “velcro dogs” because they love being very close to their owners at all times.

The biggest negative quality that people cite as to why they believe Dobermans cannot be good service dogs is because “they’re vicious.” I know, if you’re already a Doberman owner then you’re probably getting frustrated just hearing that.

The reality is Dobermans are not instinctually vicious, a case could be made that they are instinctually protective (which is another great quality in my opinion). But any viciousness you may have seen in a Dobie in the past is not because of their breed, I promise you. It comes from their environment and training. They are very calm and gentle dogs normally.

These traits mean that these dogs are excellent guide dogs for the blind, seizure alert/medical response dogs, social signal (SSIG) dogs for those with autism, mobility assistance dogs, hearing dogs, or even therapy dogs for those in a hospital or nursing home.

Video: Doberman Undertaking Service Dog Training

Using a Doberman as a Service Dog

While Dobermans are clearly naturally able to be a great help to someone with disabilities, or someone needing comfort in a hospital, there are some things that you should do differently if you’re raising a Doberman to be a service dog. This breed has some unique traits, so they should be considered while raising or training a dog for this work.

• Cropping the Ears – The classic Doberman look is a dog with cropped ears. As a service dog, it may serve them better if they’re left uncropped. Unfortunately, many see the cropped ears look as a trait of an aggressive dog. Uncropped ears make the dog appear more friendly, approachable, and fit in better in public settings. Another issue to consider is if medical help comes to your aid, they might be less likely to jump in and help you if you have a 100 pound Doberman with cropped ears named Butch staring at them.
• Breed Bans – Some cities are imposing what is called “Breed Specific Legislation” or BSL. This means that some municipalities have enacted ordinances banning certain breeds of dogs from being owned in their area. Also, many apartment complexes or landlords also have their own rules when it comes to which breeds they may allow or not. Very often, Doberman Pinschers are on these banned breed lists. Even if you are exempt from these regulations because the dog is a service dog, you may still have to explain your situation more often than you’d like.
• Protection Training – If your Doberman is going to be a service dog, you cannot also train them for personal protection in any way. Besides, this may be a large liability issue for you if something does happen.
• Socialization – Dobermans need to be socialized often and from a young age. This is specifically true if you wish to use a Doberman as a service dog. It will help ensure they are gentle and calm at all times. Plus they love socialization with both dogs and humans.
• Separation Anxiety – This is a pitfall that’s easy to fall into with a Doberman for a service dog. They bond strongly to one specific person (great for service work), but this can lead to separation anxiety if the dog is ever without you. Through your training, make sure your dog can be away from you without getting stressed.
• Mental and Physical Stimulation – Dobermans need lots of both. The mental stimulation will likely be easy to stay on top of as long as you are continuously challenging your Dobie with further training. Physical stimulation might be a bit tougher. These are muscular, fast, working breed dogs that need to get out and run from time to time.

These are the main differences you’ll likely notice when using a Doberman as a service dog when compared to other breeds. Overall, they are a magnificent dog and although I am not disabled and my Doberman isn’t a service dog, I often feel like it isn’t a stretch at all to picture him in that role. He just plain loves helping me, looking me in the eyes, and trying his best to figure out what I want of him.

What You Should Know Before Getting a Service Dog

From talking to many people who have owned service dogs over the years, there were a few things that almost all of them told me that people considering getting a service dog should know.

For one, be prepared for every errand you run taking significantly longer than you expect. It takes time to load and unload your dog from your car, get their gear on, and talk to all the people who approach you. Dobermans attract attention from strangers anyway, but a service dog that’s a Doberman will make the issue worse.

Strangers will ask lots of questions (sometimes inappropriate questions such as “what’s your disability?”), kids will want to pet your dog, and the list goes on. What was once a 20-minute trip could easily be a 45-minute trip with a service dog.

Also, be prepared for people to take a lot of photos of you and your Dobie strolling down the isles in the grocery store and post them all over social media. Mainly pictures from the back. Yes, your rear end will end up more on social media than you ever thought possible if you own a service dog (I would imagine it would be far worse with a Doberman service dog).

Know Your Rights – They’ll be Challenged

Unfortunately, be prepared for the occasional dispute from businesses about allowing access for you and your dog. This is especially true with Dobermans since many are afraid of the breed. These people are not trying to deny you your rights, they just don’t know what your rights are, so you need to know them. Service dogs can go anywhere humans can go in public. Have a look at the ADA’s Requirements and Rules. This will answer many of your questions.

Businesses can only legally ask you two questions:

1. Is that a service dog required because of a disability?
2. What tasks does the dog perform?

Those are two questions you need to answer. You don’t need to answer any questions about what your disability is and your dog is not required to have any paperwork or identification.

Sometimes business owners will say that your dog is required to have this paperwork or identification because they’ve seen it before on other dogs. Other people who have paid for and gotten this documentation just fell for one of the countless online scams that claim to be able to certify your dog for a small fee. It is not required and holds has no legal standing.

However, businesses can ask unruly dogs to leave (even service dogs) if they don’t appear to be under the owner’s control.

Lastly, don’t fake it if your dog isn’t a service dog. Many states are now adopting laws making it a crime to fake that your dog is a service dog. It also really does a disservice to those who legitimately need and use a service dog.

Qualifying for a Service Doberman (or Any Dog)

In general, to qualify for a service dog you must be considered disabled by a medical condition. This condition must be one that severely limits or completely prevents you from completing common everyday tasks. A doctor will be able to discuss your specific situation with you and determine if a service dog is appropriate.

Owner Trained Dogs vs. Program Trained Dogs

If you’ve decided that a service dog, or even a Doberman Pinscher service dog, is right for you then you’ll have to decide if your dog will be owner trained or program trained.

Owner Trained – This means you find the dog, pick the puppy, and arrange for training yourself. There are many books, YouTube videos, and training courses that can help you in this process. If you choose this option, take your time and do lots of research beforehand. Also, consider your limitations. A puppy is a lot of work, especially one that you want to be trained to be your service dog. Make sure you are able and willing to take on this task.

If you go this route, seriously consider hiring a dog behaviorist or trainer to accompany you to your breeder to assist you in picking out a specific puppy from the litter. Getting a puppy with the right natural temperament is key to his or her success later as an adult service dog.

Program Trained – There are programs where you pay for a completely trained service dog. The cost is usually anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000, although there are many programs for disabled people out there that can help you to get a dog at no cost. Be prepared for a 2 year wait time on average though and don’t trust any place that says they have a dog ready immediately.

Just be sure you get your dog from a reputable organization because there are a lot of scammers out there. A great place to start looking is Assistance Dogs International. They have this database of accredited members that are all considered very trustworthy places to get a service dog. You may have to call around a bit to find one that will have Doberman Pinscher’s available as service dogs but just be sure to make your request clear. You won’t be disappointed with the breed.

What Tasks Doberman’s Can Perform

Doberman service dogs are fully capable of performing all the typical tasks you’d expect from an exceptional service dog. Including assisting with mobility, medical alerts, turning on and off lights, opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, guiding the blind, and so much more. I’ve really only scratched the surface here.

My Doberman is certainly not a service dog but I have taught him to help me with a fairly long list of involved tasks. I wrote an article about some of the more advanced tasks Dobermans are capable of here—with a few tricks tossed in just for fun.

Final Thoughts

Getting any service dog will mean a major lifestyle change. If you do choose to take on this task, I couldn’t think of a better type of dog than a Doberman Pinscher. Their loyalty is unmatched and you’ll be amazed at how intelligent and trustworthy these amazing dogs can be.

Related Questions

Can a Doberman be a therapy dog? Yes. Dobermans have a very calm demeanor and if they are well socialized can be perfect for a role as a therapy dog

Can Dobermans walk without a leash? Doberman Pinschers are highly intelligent dogs that are very focused on their masters. Their natural traits make them very capable of going on walks without a leash and can be trained to react predictably to only verbal commands.

The post Can a Doberman Pinscher Be a Service Dog? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

I was at the dog park recently with my Doberman and I ran into a woman who told me she absolutely loved my dog and the Doberman breed in general. She was excited about the breed because she thought they would be light shedders. She asked me, “Is that true?” Well yes, but there are some important differences in a Doberman’s coat and the coat of your average dog that you should be aware of.

How much do Dobermans shed? Dobermans shed low to moderate amounts year round, with very little seasonality to their shedding. Their hair is short and thick so it doesn’t static cling to clothes like the hair of many other dog breeds do.

Owners of Dobermans, myself included, typically feel their dogs are low shedders when compared to other dogs they’ve owned. This isn’t only because they shed a smaller number of hairs from their body, it’s also because the type of hair they shed is much easier to deal with.

If you’re entirely new to the Doberman breed, you may want to have a look at the complete breed overview here, so you know what to expect.

How Bad the Shedding Really Is and What’s It Like

Dobermans do shed less than many other breeds. For example, they shed significantly less than a typical labrador. Labrador’s, and many other breeds have a two-layer coat whereas the Doberman Pinscher only has a single layer. Their level of shedding can be best compared to the level you’d expect from a Dalmatian.

Their hair is short, thick, and pointed. Some describe the hair as similar in appearance to eyelashes. When you have a floor that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time and a Doberman living in the house, it looks like lots of eyelashes all over the floor.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still give my Dobie Cooper a semi-frustrated glare from time to time when I see a small pile of his hair. But really it’s not all that bad (no big clumps of hair), pretty rare, and very easy to quickly clean up.

There was a recent poll of Doberman owners regarding their dog’s shedding put on by iheartdogs.com. The results were that 57% of owners said they consider their Doberman to be low shedding while 34% said moderate shedding (and 9% reported no shedding).

Here are some of the best descriptions I can give about what the shedding is like from my 5-year-old, black colored Doberman:

• On the Floor: You can see the black hairs on the floor, but only on the tile. On the tile, you might get the occasional clump of hair, but it takes a while to build to that (a few weeks of not cleaning the floors). On carpets, it’s very difficult to see the hair since it’s so short and dark. If your carpet has any kind of speckling pattern or dark colors, then you really won’t be able to see the hair at all.
• Static Cling to Clothes: Personally, shedding bothers me most when it’s always stuck to my clothes. Which is one reason I love the Doberman. The short, thick fur is not as affected by static as a breed with finer hair would be. It just doesn’t stick to your clothes like that. Side note: Since the hair is semi-pointy and stiff, it can “stick into” the fabric of your clothes but you pretty much need to physically rub against your dog to make this happen.
• On the Couch, Curtains, or Other Upholstery: Although the hair won’t easily stick to fabrics in the house because of static, it will work its way in by the tip. The hair is stiff, short, and pointy at times. So it can hook into couch fabric or your bed comforter and be difficult to remove.
• On Your Hand When Petting the Dog: This is not an issue with Dobermans (unless your hand is wet). Pet your pooch all you want! The short thick hair won’t stick to your hand.
• Allergies: Allergy sufferers will be happy to know that Dobermans are really quite easy on the sinuses. Their coats are easy on the nose. The main way people have reactions to Dobermans is with skin reactions. The short pointy fir can sometimes cause people with sensitive skin to have a reaction. You can read my in-depth article about how hypoallergenic Dobermans are here.
• On the Skin: Some Doberman owners report that the short, thick, eyelash-like hairs of these dogs will stick them in their foot almost like a very fine splinter when they walk around the house barefooted. No one in my family (including my 1-year-old with very sensitive skin)  has ever experienced this with our dog. But since some owners say it’s possible, I thought I would mention it.

Seasonally, these dogs shed pretty much the same amount year-round. This is especially true if your dog is primarily an inside dog. If he or she spends significant time outdoors, you might see a slight increase in shedding during the springtime as they lose their winter coat.

In general, Dobermans are very low maintenance dogs when it comes to their coats. They just don’t shed much and the little they do is manageable. Their short coat has other benefits like the fact that it doesn’t easily hold onto dirt or debris. That’s one reason Dobermans are not considered smelly dogs. Most say you only need to bathe your Doberman every few months (with wet cloth wipe downs in between bathings, about once a week).

TIP:

Although each individual dog can be different, blue or fawn colored Dobermans have less hair and therefore tend to shed less than black or tan Dobermans.

How to Reduce the Shedding

Although it’s clear these dogs are great when it comes to low shedding, there are still some things you can do to help reduce the shedding of your Doberman even further. After speaking with many owners of these wonderful dogs, I put together this list of the best tips for reducing shedding in Dobermans.

Best Methods for Reduce Doberman Shedding

• Regular Brushing. Brushing your dog’s hair outdoors once a week with a stiff bristle brush, rubber grooming tool, or grooming mitt will help remove the dead hairs and keep shedding to a minimum in your house. It will also give your dog’s coat a nice shiny appearance by distributing the dog’s natural skin oils and improving circulation.
• Wipe the Dog’s Coat with a Wet Cloth. Once a week, wipe down your dog’s coat with a wet cloth to help remove dead hairs.
• Use Oatmeal Bathing Shampoos. When you bathe your dog, use an oatmeal bathing shampoo. This also improves the health of their skin.
• Plenty of Excercise. Dobermans need lots of exercise for many reasons but one benefit is it will help circulation and improve their coat. I compiled a list of some great Doberman exercises here.
• Add a Teaspoon of Olive Oil to Meals. Believe it or not, simply adding just a teaspoon of olive oil to your dog’s meals with provide them with extra Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and improve their coat.

These are the best ways that I have found to reduce shedding in a Doberman. Although frankly, these steps aren’t always necessary since they really don’t shed all that much to begin with. But it’s always good to have a healthy, happy Doberman who has a beautiful shiny coat and gets plenty of exercise.

You can find a list of the products I use for Doberman hygiene here, many of these products took me years to find but are perfect for shedding Dobies.

It’s very important that you bathe your Doberman correctly since bathing is a little different for this breed. For a step-by-step guide on how to do this, see How to Bathe a Doberman: Bathing Schedule and Guide.

Dealing with Shedding in the House

Simply vacuuming every now and then in your house will be enough to take care of most of the shedding. However, there are some special techniques for taking care of these unique hairs when they work their way into other areas.

Since these are pointy, short, thick hairs they do work their way into fabrics around your house. This is especially true of fabric couches (if you have a leather couch, you won’t have this issue). If you simple vacuum your couch once over, you will see that it really didn’t pick up many of the hairs.

The reason is that these pointy little hairs stick between the threads of the fabric and “hook” themselves in. To get Doberman hair out of fabric it’s best to use a vacuum attachment that has bristles on the end. Then you’ll want to go back and forth at least two or three times over each spot, to loosen the hairs from the fabric. The sucking power of the vacuum isn’t enough for these hairs, you’ll need to work them loose also. A lint roller rolled over the couch can also grab the hairs enough to pull them out.

For the tile or hardwood floors, usually a quick vacuuming or sweeping is enough. If you live in an apartment or other small area with your Doberman, then this shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.

If you see an area that is hard to get to with a broom or vacuum, just wet a paper towel and wipe the area. All the hair will easily stick to it so it can be discarded. We do this in our house in between vacuumings in areas that seem to collect the hair worse, like in front of the stairs, or on the sides of the frequently used hallway.

Spotting Abnormal Shedding

Your Doberman might be experiencing abnormal shedding if you are seeing un-even hair loss. This means patches of thinning areas of their coat. This can happen with Dobermans in their neck, chest, or stomach areas.

If you see hair loss that seems to be associated with a fever, skin irritation, or redness, then this is also abnormal. Also, if your dog is licking or scratching the area where this hair loss is occurring it may also indicate a problem.

If you see any of these signs of abnormal hair loss in your dog, make sure you take your dog to a veterinarian. Dobermans can be prone to serious thyroid and other issues that can first show themselves in the form of abnormal hair loss.

Early detection is key to being able to manage many of the health issues Dobermans are prone to. That’s why I always urge all Doberman owners to make sure they DNA health test their dogs so they know exactly what genetic issues might crop up later in life. Take a look at this Doberman DNA health testing guide I wrote to help make testing your dog really easy.

Related Questions

Does olive oil reduce shedding in Dobermans? Olive oil is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, both of which are important for healthy skin in Dobermans. Providing one-half teaspoon for every 10 pounds your dog weighs, once a day will help to reduce shedding by ensuring your dog has adequate nutrients to maintain a healthy coat.

Does coconut oil reduce shedding in Dobermans? Among many other health benefits, adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to your Doberman’s food every day can improve the health of their skin and coat while reducing shedding.

The post Living with a Doberman: How Much Do They Really Shed? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

There are so many potential loving homes out there for Dobermans, but some people find themselves hesitant to own one of these amazing dogs because they live in an apartment or small home. In fact, it’s been a myth for a long time that Dobermans are not good apartment dogs because of their size. Well, a lot more goes into whether or not a dog can thrive in an apartment than just size.

Can a Doberman live in an apartment? Doberman Pinschers can thrive in an apartment setting as long as their high exercise, socialization, and training requirements are met. Dobermans are often comfortable in apartments because they love being close to their owners.

For years the answer to this question was “no way, they need far too much exercise!” While it’s true these dogs do need to stay active, it isn’t something that can’t be accomplished in an apartment setting. What really makes them work well in smaller living conditions is their desire to be close to their masters. There are just a few things you need to be careful of.

Why Dobermans Can Be Great Apartment Dogs

I don’t know you, and I’m not going to assume I know everything about you because of where you live. That’s the problem I’ve seen with those who say Doberman’s can’t be apartment dogs. They think that just because the dog lives in an apartment it means they are not going to get the level of activity they need.

This is pretty narrow-minded in my view since so much more goes into whether a dog can thrive in an apartment than just the level of activity they need. There are actually many characteristics of a Doberman Pinscher that makes them work great in an apartment including:

• They love close human interaction. Be ready for your 80 pound Doberman to try and climb up into your lap while you’re watching TV or wake you up in the morning by shoving their wet nose against your cheek.
• They’re highly intelligent. Which means they are also highly trainable. They will learn quickly what is expected of them which is great in an apartment setting.
• They’re great guard dogs. A burglar who decides to break into an apartment is not going to expect an 80 pound Doberman to be waiting inside. The shock factor alone will send a crook running. Just make sure they’re penned up if a maintenance man is stopping by.
• They have a strong desire to be “part of the pack.” These dogs are pack animals but they can and do develop that pack mentality with their family. Living in a smaller environment can actually help make these dogs feel more secure and like they’re one of the pack.
• They’re generally very clean dogs. These dogs love to stay clean and lucky for you, Dobermans also don’t shed very much.

Too many people seem to focus on the size of the dog when they say Dobermans don’t make good apartment dogs. The fact is that they have so many other traits that make them great apartment dogs that really, their size becomes less of a factor.

Video: Raising a Doberman in an Apartment

The video below is of an interview I did with a young couple raising a Doberman in a very small apartment (under 750 square feet). They are doing great raising their Doberman “Romeo” despite the small area.

Keeping them Happy While Living in a Small Space

Dobermans do need a lot of exercise and a lot of attention from their owners. They’re a highly intelligent working breed of dog that loves to be active. If you live in an apartment, you can still make sure your dog stays active, but it may take a little extra work on your part.

Here are a few ways you can ensure your dog is active, healthy, and happy living in an apartment setting:

• Frequent Trips to the Dog Park: Is there a dog park near your apartment? This is perfect because not only will it help to exercise your pup but will help to socialize them as well. Also, because these dogs are able to run for hours at a time without tiring, it’s a whole lot easier for other dogs to tire your Dobie out than you trying to do it by running alongside him! Trust me.
• Trips to a Field or Open Wooded Area: Large open spaces within a reasonable distance to your apartment is great. An open area like this gives them a great chance to really stretch their legs. Bring a tennis ball!
• Go on Runs with Your Dog: Many people get a Doberman and use it as a great excuse to stay in shape. Keep in mind though that Dobermans are incredibly fast dogs. They can run up to 40 mph for an extended period of time. So you aren’t going to really tire them out easily by going for a jog, but it’s still good for them.
• Socialize with Friends, Family, and Kids: Get your dog around friends and family from a very young age. The more socialized your dog is, the easier he or she will be to live with in small space such as an apartment. This will also help ensure they don’t grow up to be an overly aggressive dog. It’s also important to get them used to children from a young age. This will make them very gentle dogs as adults.
• Socialize with Neighbors: For people wanting to live with one of these dogs in an apartment, this is the best piece of advice I can give you. Let your neighbors play with your dog when he or she is a pup. That way when your dog grows to be almost 100 pounds, they aren’t frightened of him, but friends with him. It’ll also just make life so much easier if your dog gets out or barks a bit while you are away at work.

In general, it’s ideal to exercise your Doberman at least three times a day. Now every dog is different and you will soon be able to gauge what your dog needs. If your dog starts getting restless throughout the day and walking around in circles crying, he probably needs more exercise (or to go to the bathroom).

Make sure your Doberman has a place to go to the bathroom or you will have to take him out quite frequently for potty breaks. If you have even a small back patio, you can make life easier if you’re able to set up a doggie door and some fake grass for your pup to do their business on. If this isn’t an option where you live, you’ll just need to get used to frequent trips outside for bathroom breaks.

Training for Apartment Life

Since these are highly intelligent dogs who want nothing more than to please their masters, they are considered highly trainable. Training is even more important while living in a small space like an apartment. It will make life easier on you and your dog.

Dobermans love to look you in the eyes and try to figure out what you are saying to them. Talk to your dog often and try to make it clear what you expect of them. It is also important that you are the alpha in the relationship. Reward your dog when he does something good and be firm when they do something bad. Above all, remember positive reinforcement. These dogs love to be told they did something well and be praised.

If you get a puppy, potty training can take a bit of work and you won’t be able to leave your puppy alone while you are at work for 8 hours. At least not initially. Your puppy may not be able to hold their bladder through a full 8 hour work day until they are 8 months of age or older. So during the potty training phase, you’ll need to have someone come by during the day and take your dog out to go to the bathroom.

Barking, Whining, and Chewing on Furniture

These are some of the more important factors to consider when deciding what kind of dog to share your apartment with. Here’s the scoop on Dobermans.

Barking

As puppies, Dobermans have an adorable bark and it might be tempting to play with them while encouraging them to bark (well as a pup it’s more of a “yelp”). But if you live in an apartment, you just can’t afford to let your dog get used to barking, no matter how cute it is when they’re young.

An adult Doberman has a very loud, strong bark that will no only annoy anyone you share a wall with but might just make them wet themselves too. If you don’t work to stop the barking when they’re young, your apartment manager will be knocking on your door when they’re grown up.

These are very intelligent dogs and even if your Doberman never barks when you are home, he may be waiting for you to leave to unleash. I know that was the case with my Doberman Cooper. I almost didn’t believe my neighbors when they told me “Yeah, he seems to know when you aren’t home because that’s the only time he starts barking.”

Whining

Since Doberman’s have a natural instinct to be incredibly close to their masters, you may get a lot of whining from your dog when you aren’t around. Luckily for Dobermans, this is usually only the case when they are a puppy and they tend to grow out of it.

You can help keep the whining to a minimum by making sure they get plenty of exercise and are tired before you leave them home alone. You may also want someone to come by for a short time and play with your puppy during the day to tire them out. When they’re young you’ll probably need someone to come by and give them a bathroom break anyway, so make sure they play with your pup and tire them out!

Chewing on Furniture

Here’s some really great news: Dobermans are just not big furniture chewers. Of course every dog is different, but in general, you have nothing to worry about in this department.

You might want to be a little extra cautious of this when your Dobie is in his or her teething stage as a puppy because even Dobermans have been known to destroy a few household items during this stage. Just make sure they have plenty of things around that they are allowed to chew on (plenty of chew toys).

Leaving Your Doberman in Your Apartment While at Work

As long as you have taken some of the suggestions I’ve outlined in this article, there is no reason your Dobie can’t be fine while you’re away when they’re an adult. By the age of 1 year old, they should be trained well enough and able to hold their bladder long enough for you to leave them alone for an 8 hour work day.

Just make sure you’re friends with your neighbors and have them tell you if your dog is barking, whining, or making any other noise while you’re gone. It’s good to have your neighbors as friends, you want them calling you and not the apartment manager!

When in doubt, try exercising your Doberman a little more than you think is necessary. Some dogs really thrive on the extra exercise and it just might get them to sleep the day away while you’re at work.

Final Thoughts

Overall, just remember to give your Dobie plenty of love, attention, and exercise. Make sure they feel like they are really “part of the pack” and they will do just fine in a small apartment. In fact, they just might prefer it. I know with Cooper, he’d be a happy dog living in a closet with me as long as he could be sitting in my lap all day long.

I hope you’re ready for a wonderful dog who will love you more than anything, protect you with his life, and climb up in your lap every chance he gets!

Related Questions

Do apartments allow Dobermans? Most apartments that have breed restrictions will list the Doberman Pinscher as a restricted type of dog. However, this isn’t always the case and some apartments don’t have any breed restrictions at all. Contact your apartment manager for their specific rules regarding dogs.

Do Dobermans like to cuddle? Although each dog has their own personality, in general Doberman Pinschers love to cuddle. They are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because they instinctively stick very close to their owners, even by climbing in their laps.

Is a Doberman a good family dog? While in the past, Dobermans were bred for aggressive traits, this is generally not the case anymore. The modern-day Doberman Pinscher is a loyal, gentle dog that is highly intelligent and easy to train. This makes them excellent family dogs.

The post Why Dobermans Can Make Great Apartment Dogs appeared first on Doberman Planet.