Doberman Pinscher Information

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(Dobermann Pinscher) The Doberman Pinscher is agile, elegantly bodied, and powerful. The breed has a short back, well-proportioned chest, and a sinewy, muscular neck. Their legs are straight and parallel. They have well-developed teeth that close in a scissors bite and dark eyes with an intelligent expression. Ears of this breed are usually cropped, and they are often taped for several weeks to prompt them to stand erect. In recent history, many Doberman Pinschers have been left natural- without docking or cropping of the tail and/or ears. The short-haired coat of the Doberman Pinscher is close-fitting, hard, and thick. Coat colors for this breed include black, blue-gray, black & tan, red, and fawn. White markings may or may not be present.

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As of 2009 they rank second in the worlds top ten best guard dogs. They also rank fifth in the worlds top ten most intelligent dog breeds.

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Character

The Doberman Pinscher is a highly capable guard dog with an energetic personality and intelligent disposition. The breed possesses incredible strength and stamina, and they are adaptable and easy to train. They are courageous and assertive, yet they are not vicious or aggressive. Like any other breed, subtleties in temperament will vary according to the dog. They are regal, loyal, and very affectionate towards members of their family. They are a people-oriented breed, and they require an owner that is capable of disciplining the dog confidently. If allowed his or her own way too much, the Doberman Pinscher can be pushy. This breed is naturally protective, and they don’t need specialized training to be an outstanding guard dog. They should be trained and socialized properly from an early age to prevent over-protective behavior. If raised with children from an early age, they make wonderful family pets. This breed generally isn’t suitable for first-time dog owners.

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Size

24 – 28 inches
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Weight

66 – 88 pounds

Male: 75-100 pounds Female:60-90 pounds
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General Health

The Doberman Pinscher is a comparatively healthy breed. Some lines are susceptible to cervical spindylitis (wobbler syndrome) because of a fusion of the neck vertebrae and compression of the spinal cord. Another concern is Von Willebrands disease, a possibly inherited blood disorder. The Doberman Pinscher is prone to obesity and bloat in its adult years. Hip dysplasia and congenital heart disorders are seen occasionally. It’s highly recommended that a veterinary check be given prior to purchasing a Doberman Pinscher puppy. This breed typically lives for up to 13 years.


They are also at risk for gastric torsion also known as bloat. Bloat will result in death without immediate treatment.

Dialated Cardio Myopathy is seen often In this breed.

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History

The Doberman Pinscher was developed in Germany throughout the 1860’s. It is highly likely that the breed was created by crossing German Pinschers with the Beauceron, the Rottweiler, the English Greyhound, and a variety of Greyhound and Pinscher breeds. The founder of this breed was a German tax collector by the name of Louis Dobermann. Mr. Dobermann’s goal was to create a watchdog that was capable of handling and adapting to a variety of unexpected situations. The Doberman Pinscher became instantly popular after its first showing in 1876.


The Doberman Pinscher was first developed in Thurigen, Germany, by a local town watchman named Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman. Doberman Wanted a nimble, quick-thinking dog of action to accompany him on his rounds during the 1870's. The breed was combination of the all qualities that Doberman was looking for in the ultimate police dog. He desired a breed that had the strengthen and muscles of the Rottweiler, the compactness of the Pinscher and the traits of several other local breeds, including the Black and Tan Terrier. The lines of the Doberman Pinchsher are unmistakable. Sleek, tapered, and quick moving, this alert dog is the ultimate guard/police dog. When properly trained, these dogs are the ultimate help to humans and their best friend. The Doberman has a fast, crisp gait and is capable of long burst of speed. A highly intelligent dog, it can be trained to do a great number of tasks and is able to think on his own. The breed has distinguished itself as both a guard dog and a messenger dog in many fields of battle. It is also known a well as a protector for individuals during peacetime. This breed requires lots of exercise and obedience training.

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Maintenance

The short-haired coat of the Doberman Pinscher requires very little grooming and maintenance. This breed is an average shedder.

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Ideal Environment

The Doberman Pinscher is content to live in a small household or apartment if it is given sufficient daily exercise. This breed is happiest with at least an average-sized yard. The Doberman Pinscher is sensitive to the cold, and it should not be kept as an outside dog. This is a highly energetic breed that needs plenty of physical activity.


A Doberman should not be kept outside in extreme heat. If your uncomfortable with the temperature be it hot or cold then a Doberman is will to be uncomfortable. If you live in an apartment then you will need to take your dog out several times a day as they need exercise. They do not do well in small spaces. They have a large amount of energy. They were bred for working and they enjoy task. If left alone for long periods they may become anxious and destructive.

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Dog Training!

If you're having problems training your dog or getting control, you should read our review of DogProblems.com. Adam will do whatever it takes to help you whip your dog into shape. I've used them to help with my Great Dane as well as help friends train their dogs. It's the first place I go to help answer users Questions. Many training issues are too extensive to answer in this forum, which is why I refer a lot of the load to his site. Update: I've been using and recommending DogProblems for three years now. I, as well as my users, value the techniques we've learned. I get weekly emails from users who have become better owners from the information they received.

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Doberman Pinscher Q&A

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My dog is just over a year old and we try to do a lot with him. He's socialized, goes to dog parks and daycare but he whines a lot and we also have problems with him being overly vocal when other dogs are around or walk by as well as him barking at everything outside the house and can't have the windows up at night. Is this their normal behavior?

This is completely normal and can be corrected. As you know, your dog is very protective which is why he`s doing all the protective barking. I recently went through the same thing with my Great Dane, he would protectively bark at anything and whine when he was outside and wanted in. The way I corrected it was to become super dominate when he would start barking in order to let him know it wasn`t ok. For example, when he starts to bark, approach him in a calm assertive manner and correct him. I like to use shape my hand like a dog`s mouth and say “cschh.” (Ceser Milan) This should cause him to focus his attention on you. When he looks like he`s going to start barking again, repeat. Most of the time, just your hand in his face is enough to get him to focus…. If not give him a slight touch on the neck. You can also tell him no. This takes a lot of repetition. You have to do it every single time he starts to bark. After a few days, should see results. To correct the whining, you can basically use the same method. Except, this time you want to communicate to him that wherever he is at, that is “his place.” Essentially, your telling him to be comfortable where hes at and that whining is not acceptable. So, when he whines, immediately go to where he is and correct him, make him sit, stay, lay and then leave when he is calm. When he starts to whine again, repeat.....over and over and over. Eventually, the whining will stop. As frustrating as all this is, remain calm and assertive. He should pick it up quickly since Dobermans are usually very smart breeds. Hope this helps.

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My dog is 3 yrs old and whines constantly. I have just about had it but I care for the dog too much. Is there anything I can do?

Do not pay attention to it when it whines. Keep with it.

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I have a 4 month old female dobe.. my mother brought her home when she was 45 days old.. Right from day one she has been hyper active.. She used to play bite a lot but then she had little teeth and it never hurt.. She stopped biting for a week or so when her milk teeth stopped growing.. but its becoming hell now.. Am quite a huge guy at 6 foot 5 but that just doesnt seem to deter her.. I have healed/semi-healed/fresh wounds all over my hands.. It sounds silly getting bitten by a little puppy but her teeth are razor sharp and she's quick as lightning.. She sinks her teeth, withdraws and scurries away.. I have tried every goddamned thing to stop her biting. One dobe owner told me, i should lift her up by the scruff and bite her ear lightly, which is what the mother does. i did that and she was okay for a couple of a day but that was it.. Now nothing deters are. yelling, hitting her with slippers, biting her ears, picking her up by the scruff NOTHING. I excercise her a lot.. walks 3 times a day and i run full speed with her.. I just dunno why she cant stop biting.. I have had a dalmatian and a lab before and i ve never seen something like this.. I have cared so much for her, spent so much time trying to correct this behaviour, but with no results.. am really starting to lose faith in dogs, its a big thing cause i literally grew up with them but this one puppy is giving me hell..

One of the worst things you can do with a doberman is to hit them. Dobermans are one breed that never forgets whether it be good or bad. I use the tapping on the nose to correct my dobermans. I have only had one that did the play bite and it was never real serious.But it hurt none the less and if let go I am sure it could have been serious. But each time he made the move to nip at my fingers I would tap on the nose and tell him no at the same time in a very stern voice. You have to use a different tone of voice in correcting your dog than you would normally do just talking to them. My dogs know when I use a certain tone that I mean business. It could also be something in the ancestory of the dog. Look at the background dogs and see if they had biters. That could be a genetic fault and you may not be able to correct it. But at 4 months old you should be able to straighten her out. Yelling will do no good. She will know your mad but really not know why.

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I really want to get a Doberman but all I hear about them, is that they do not get along with other dogs - is this true? And if I do get one should I get a puppy so I can train at an early age - rather than a rescue?

Dobermans can get along quite well with other dogs if you socialize them with other dogs from an early age. They are very protective of there owners so you have to show them from the start that other dogs can be around and that it is ok. Some rescue dogs do well with other dogs as they may have been socialized with them as pups.But you need to know the background of the dog. If you don't and want a dog that is going to get along with other dogs then my suggestion would be get a puppy. But something you have to be aware of is that Males generally do not get along with other males. It is in the breed. And you really have to work at it if you have other males. If your just wanting a pet I would get a female as you will have less problem with other dogs. Hope that helps.

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i have a almost 2 yr old male doberman that is big 120 lbs he is starting to bounce up in down slightly on his rear legs when he gets off the ground and that sometimes takes some work .waiting to get some money to take to the vet does this sound similar to a hip problem

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im going to acquire an adult doberman. 2years ld i think. i had dogs here. they are native dogs. mongrels. somebody told me that my alpha male here might be challenged by my new dobe? is it true? what should i do?

Anytime you add a new dog to a "pack" here will be squabbles over a new order. When A new dog is added they don't just file into the bottom of the order, the whole order has to be reestablished between every dog. So a bit of bickering between any of you dogs, even ones that had gotten along before, is normal

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i have a male 9month old dob and just bought a 7week old male dob. my 9month old is fixed and were thinking of not fixing our 7week old because we want to stud him. being so young will they get along considering they are both males and will my 7week old be more aggressive if we dont fix him??

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I have a two year old male doberman that sheds constantly. I brush him every two days with a regular soft brush and I use a deshedding tool from my vet once a week. We have him on Flaxseed pills (vet recomended). The other thing we struggle with is keeping weight on him (he is not wormy) We feed him an all natural food about 4.5 cups daily and he has plenty of water

Did you ever have him tested for thyroid problems this can cause all kinds of problems such as hair loss eye matter problems, weight loss check it out.

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I have an 8 year old male dob who lives in the city. He has never been socialized with children and now seems to be afraid of them. He barks and seems very anxious around them when they are in the same space. I have never allowed him to be free with children simply because I am unsure as to what he will do. Any ideas for this breed?

yes I think the dog whisperer is ok but you are dealing with peoples children and a big dog so just for your safety theirs and your dog I would attach a shock collar to be sure you can call him off should anything go wrong until he adjusts to the children. I have used a collar that has a remote with a high pitched ring and an optional shocker if necessary. My female dobie was not socialized around children and thought they were a threat and was trying to be protective. I had to use this method which proved very successful a few times and since she has adjusted to the kids and has now diverted her attention to real threats and the good thing is I don't have to use the collar anymore. Just another "happy" thought.

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i have a 10 month old female dob and she is quite small,50 pounds but very skinny, when do they stop growing and how much bigger do u think she will get?

They usually continue to grow till 18 to 24 months. Although some continue to slowly grow throughout their lives. During her second year she will grow most of her muscle mass. The first year is pretty much just their bones growing. For our female since she just turned 1 we give her a mix of one can of wet dog food mixed with dry dog food once a day for one week once a month.

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