Doberman

Doberman

LoyalEnergeticGuardians

Noble, loyal dogs from Germany, Doberman pinschers are worthy of respect. Like a rottweiler, German shepherd, or boxer, Dobies (or Dobes) are alert watchdogs with high energy levels, ready to warn and guard their families. Although they are great protectors, Dobermans are sweet and loving dogs.

Health
Personality
Lifetime Care

Breed Profile

Height

Male: 26 - 28
Female: 24 - 26

Inches

Weight

Male: 75 - 100
Female: 60 - 90

Pounds

Life Span

10 - 12

Years

Health

health

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GVD)

Affects
21%
of dogs

What is it?

Gastric dilatation and volvulus, commonly referred to as bloat, occurs when your pup’s stomach fills with air, causing pressure to build up and preventing blood from returning to the heart, causing a build-up of blood at the back of the body.

Clinical signs:

Salivation, pain in belly, retching, but no vomit, restlessness, and enlarged abdomen

Treatment:

Gastropexy, flipping and deflating the stomach

Other risks:

Bloat is more common in dogs that are hyperactive or stressed. It is also better to wait for a bit after your pup eats before taking them out for exercise, as it can increase the chances of bloat.

Eligible vet bill

$3,000

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$2,700

Your Net payment

$300

Click For Price

*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

health

Wobbler Syndrome

Affects
6%
of dogs

What is it?

Wobbler Syndrome is a condition that affects your pup’s nervous system, which prevents your pup from functioning properly.

Clinical signs:

Symptoms of Wobbler Syndrome include: walking with head down due to pain, unsteady walk, weakness, falling over, and difficulty using all four legs.

Treatment:

Anti-inflammatory drugs, limits on activity, harness instead of leash, surgery

Other risks:

Wobbler Syndrome can be painful, so a lot of exercise might hurt. However, it is also important that your dog get the exercise they need, so it’s best to find ways to balance things out.

Eligible vet bill

$6,000

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$5,400

Your Net payment

$600

Click For Price

*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

health

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Affects
58%
of dogs

What is it?

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that occurs when the heart and the ventricles in the heart become enlarged.

Clinical signs:

Restless sleep, rapid breathing during sleep, depression, inability to exercise, coughing/gagging, fainting/collapse, smaller appetite, difficulty breathing, distended belly, weight loss, and weakness

Treatment:

Cardiac glycosides, ACE-inhibitors, bronchodilators, antiarrhythmic drugs,  diuretics, pimobendan, vasodilators

Other risks:

Symptoms can appear suddenly, but they can also show up slowly over time, so consult a vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Eligible vet bill

$2,000

Reimbursement Rate

Amount a Spot accident & illness plan could cover*

$1,800

Your Net payment

$200

Click For Price

*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.

Personality

Loyal

Doberman pinschers will be by your side for life, which is why they often serve as police dogs or military dogs. Their families are their first priorities.

Guardian

Dobermans were bred as protectors, so they are alert and watchful family dogs. They are quick to guard their families if needed.

Energetic

Dobermans have a lot of energy, so you can expect to get plenty of exercise if you adopt one.

Loving

Despite their intimidating appearance, Doberman pinschers are sweet and friendly towards anyone they know and love. They are good with kids, although they are a little big for small children to romp around with, especially since they have a tendency to roughhouse.

Lifetime Care

Coat:

The Doberman has a short, sleek coat, but they still manage to shed quite a bit.

Colors:

Red and rust, fawn and rust, black and rust, blue and rust, white

Hypoallergenic:

No, Doberman pinschers are not hypoallergenic.

Grooming:

Dobermans will need to be brushed weekly, and their teeth and ears should be cleaned regularly. Don’t forget to add nail clipping to your grooming list too.

Training:

Dobermans can be stubborn, but they are smart and quick learners. It may be helpful to take them to classes as pups for obedience training and socialization.

Doberman: Dog Breed Information Guide

Dobermans are one of the dog breeds famous for their work with the police force and military. Their short fur shows off a sleek and powerful build, perfect for a guard dog. Despite the intimidating appearance, Dobermans are very sweet and affectionate dogs with their families.

Dobermans go by many names. In the Americas, they are usually referred to as Doberman pinschers since one of their ancestors was the German pinscher. In most European countries, however, they are called Dobermanns with two ns, since that’s how the name of the first Doberman breeder was spelled.

If you’re thinking about adopting a Doberman pinscher, there are many things you need to consider first. How much attention and time do they need? What are their grooming needs? How much exercise will a Doberman need?

We have the answers to those questions and more here. At Spot Pet Insurance, we think good pet parents should know about their dogs, which means finding the answers to any questions they might have.

By providing educational articles like this one, we hope to help pet parents become the best they can be so that they can live awesome lives with their pets.

Meet the Doberman

The Doberman pinscher is classified as a large-breed dog. These large dogs are strong, quick, and agile, allowing them to better defend their families.

Their smooth, short coats give them very streamlined and efficient air.

The Doberman’s coat usually comes in four different colors. They can also be white, but it’s not an official Doberman color, especially since Doberman pinschers can have a form of albinism, which means they lack the chemical that gives their fur and skin color.

What is the history of the Doberman? 

Dobermans have an interesting history. In the late 1800s, a German tax collector by the name of Louis Dobermann, after being met with lots of hostility for collecting taxes, wanted to breed a guard dog that could accompany him while he went from house to house collecting taxes.

He achieved his goal by crossing shepherd dogs with German pinschers, Weimaraner, Manchester terriers, and greyhounds. He was so successful in developing his Dobermann that a breed club was formed in 1899.

What are the two types of Doberman?

Although there is only one Doberman breed, there are two major types of Doberman pinscher: the American Doberman pinscher and the European Dobermann.

Doberman pinschers are smaller than their European relatives. They are also sleeker, with thinner, curved necks. They have a slightly more elegant air, and they tend to be a bit more laid-back. They are more suited to live with families.

Dobermanns (the European type) are hard workers. They are diligent, and they will get the job done. They are excellent working dogs with greater muscle mass. They are bigger, but their necks are shorter and a bit thicker.

Both Dobermans are excellent dogs; it just depends on what kind of personality you would get along with.

What are the potential health conditions for Dobermans?

While we all hope for the best, your dog can become ill. It could be a passing illness, but there are also possible hereditary illnesses that your dog could inherit from their parents.

Dobermans are prone to bloat. Since they don’t have enough blood circulating, your pup will go into shock. It’s also possible for your dog’s stomach to flip, dragging the pancreas and spleen into this mess. This issue prevents blood from reaching the pancreas, which causes it to release toxins into your pup’s body.

They’re also prone to Wobbler syndrome. It mostly affects the neck region of the spine, so although their head can function, the rest of their body may have issues.

This condition appears primarily in large or giant breeds, like the Doberman or the great Dane, so the cause could be genetic, but the exact cause of Wobbler Syndrome.

Dobermans are also at risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. In this condition, the walls of the heart thin out, so the pressure causes the thinner walls to stretch out.

The thin walls and increased heart size lead to heart failure. Symptoms can appear pretty suddenly, but the condition itself has probably been slowly getting more severe. Once symptoms appear, it usually means heart failure is about to occur, although the timing can vary.

Dobermans are also predisposed to: von Willebrand’s disease, Gastric dilatation-volvulus, narcolepsy, Spinal cord compression, hypothyroidism, and other thyroid issues.

While these issues can be intimidating, most reputable breeders will try to screen their stock so their dogs are less likely to have genetic issues.

How to be the best pet parent for a Doberman?

Dobermans are dogs that need plenty of exercise, direction, and love. Being the best pet parent means that you need to be sure that you can provide your pet with what they need.

Basic training and behavior etiquette for your dog

All dogs should be properly socialized, but especially guard dogs. By introducing your pup to new people, places, and dogs slowly when they’re young, you can help them learn how to interact well with others. It also prevents them from becoming antisocial and aggressive towards strangers.

Since Dobermans have strong personalities, they need to be trained from a young age, and you need to be firm with them and consistent with the rules.

Dobermans need to live inside, especially in cold climates, and they should be on a leash or fenced in when they go outside.

Do Dobermans get along with other dogs? 

Although Dobermans can get along with other dogs, a dog park probably isn’t a great idea since they tend to bully smaller dogs, and it’s better for them to interact with dogs on a leash.

What type of foods should a Doberman never eat?

Although there are some human foods that a Doberman can enjoy with you, others are toxic to them. Some of these foods are:

Exercising tips to keep your dog to stay fit and healthy

Dobermans have a lot of energy, and they need to have plenty of mental stimulation. Hikes or long walks are a great way for your pup to get rid of excess energy, but they’ll also need playtime.

They need a large fenced-in area where they can run around. To keep their minds sharp, you can train them or play games with them.

Doberman life stages

Doberman Pinscher Puppy: 0-1 year

Adult: 1-6 years

Senior: 7-12 years

Sources:

  • Home | Doberman Pinscher Club of America

  • Bloat (or GDV) in Dogs — What It Is and How it's Treated | American Kennel Club

  • Dangerous Foods for Dogs | American Kennel Club

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Disease In Dobermans | Vets Now

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy Dcm In Dogs Indepth | VCA Animal Hospitals

  • Doberman Pinscher Cost: A Complete Guide (with Calculator) | PetBudget

  • Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Hypoallergenic, Health and Life Span | PetMD

  • Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Information | akc.org

  • Doberman Pinscher | VCA Animal Hospitals

  • Doberman vs. Doberman Pinscher: What’s the Difference? | Doberman Planet

  • Growth and Development | dpca.org

  • Wobbler Syndrome | College of Veterinary Medicine