Doberman Pinscher: temperament, size, care and health

About the Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is an elegant, square-built dog with a long wedge-shaped head, a deep chest and a tight, glossy coat. Adults stand about 24 to 28 inches tall and move with a light, springy stride. The classic coat colors are black, red, blue and fawn, each with rust-colored markings. Tails are often docked and ears cropped in some countries, though plenty of dogs keep both natural.

It was bred to accompany and protect a person, and it has served as a guard, police, military and search dog. Families keep it today for its closeness to its owners, its speed to learn and its watchful presence in the home.

Temperament and family life

The Doberman is sometimes called a velcro dog because it wants to be near its people and can be miserable when left alone for long hours. It is usually alert, quick to notice anything unusual and reserved with strangers, but a well-socialized adult is not meant to be aggressive. Sensitivity is part of its makeup, and many respond poorly to heavy-handed correction.

With children it can be loving and playful, though its exuberance and size call for supervision with toddlers. It generally does well with other dogs when raised with them and may chase small, fast animals. Because it feels the family's mood, a tense home can unsettle it.

Exercise and training

A Doberman needs a good hour or more of vigorous activity each day: running, fetch, long walks or sports such as agility, obedience and tracking. Without it the breed can turn restless, pacing and chewing. A fenced yard helps, but yard time is no substitute for walks and interaction.

This is one of the quicker learners among large breeds and responds well to reward-based training that is brisk and varied. It needs early socialization to many people and places, and it benefits from a regular routine. Adolescent dogs can be boisterous and testing, so patience through the second year pays off.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat needs little effort. Brushing once a week with a soft brush or grooming mitt keeps it shining, and baths are occasional. Shedding is light compared with many large breeds, though short hairs do end up on fabric. The thin coat offers little insulation, so a Doberman feels the cold quickly and often wears a jacket in winter.

Trim nails regularly, clean the ears as needed and brush the teeth. If ears were cropped, ask the breeder or a vet about care.

Health

The most serious concern is dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease common in the breed, and breeders and owners commonly use heart monitoring and screening. The breed is also known for von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder for which a DNA test exists, as well as wobbler syndrome, which affects the neck vertebrae, hip dysplasia and an underactive thyroid. Bloat is a risk in deep-chested dogs. Lifespan is usually about 10 to 12 years. Treat this as general information only, and take questions about an individual dog to a veterinarian.

History

The breed is named for Louis Dobermann, a tax collector in the German town of Apolda who wanted a formidable, loyal companion during the late nineteenth century. The exact breeds that went into the Doberman are not documented with certainty, though it is generally believed that pinscher types, Rottweilers and other German dogs contributed. After Dobermann's death in 1894, fanciers refined the breed, and it reached North America in the early 1900s.

Is the Doberman Pinscher right for you?

The breed suits an active owner who wants a devoted, athletic companion and will commit to training and daily exercise. It is a poor fit for people who are away most of the day, who live in a very cold climate without the means to keep the dog warm, or who expect a guard dog to act without direction. A smaller alternative with a related look is the German Pinscher, while those who like a heavier guardian may consider the Rottweiler. The Boxer is a more clownish option with a similarly short coat.