Doberman, Dobermann, Dobie, Dobe The Doberman Pinscher breed is a newer breed, just over a hundred years old. It was developed by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann as a personal protection dog to help protect him while he collected taxes. These medium to large-sized dogs have muscular bodies covered with short glossy fur, and generally wear an alert expression on their strong, wedge-shaped faces. They require very little grooming to keep them at their best, but they do require vigorous exercise and mental stimulation as they are both athletic and intelligent. These dogs tend to be highly trainable, although if they are poorly socialized they can begin to display dominant or inappropriate guarding behaviors that will need to be corrected. Dobies are an exceptionally loyal and alert breed suitable as a family pet, military and police animal, or as a search and rescue dog.
Doberman Pinscher Health
Average Size
Height: 26-28 inches Weight: 70-100 lbs
Height: 24-26 inches Weight: 60-90 lbs
Major Concerns
- Cardiomyopathy
- Bloat
- Von Willebrand's Disease
- Wobbler's Syndrome
Minor Concerns
- Bone And Joint Problems
- Eye Problems
- Hepatitis
Occasional Tests
- Cardiac
- Dna For Vwd
- Hips
- X-Rays
- MRI
- Eye Examination
Doberman Pinscher Breed History
The Doberman Pinscher is a fairly new breed, originating in Germany sometime in the 1890s. The founder of this breed is one Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a dogcatcher and tax collector, who developed this clever canine in order for the dog to accompany him on his job. He was looking for the perfect personal protection dog; one that was intelligent, loyal, and brave, with a naturally protective instinct and a reliable nature. Mr. Dobermann did not keep very clear records to document which dogs he used, and in many cases, breeds were not known for some of the dogs he utilized to create his personal guard dogs. Although we do not know all of the dogs that went into the formation of the Doberman Pinscher, there are a few breeds that are suspected as ancestors of this noble looking dog, including a breed that was very similar, known only as Thueringen breed or Thueringen Shepherd, as well as German Pinschers, local sheepdogs, butcher’s dogs, and Black and Tan Terriers. Since their inception, these dogs have provided exemplary service as guard dogs, police dogs, and military dogs, and were key players in World War II, acting as sentries, messengers, and even scouts. Dobies were involved in directly supporting our military in the battle of Okinawa in 1945, and a memorial statue of a Doberman stands in Guam to commemorate the 25 marine war dogs that gave their lives to free it. There is a softer side to these courageous canines, however, and they can make loving and affectionate pets, true and loyal friends to those that they love.
Doberman Pinscher Breed Appearance
This attractive pup is a medium to large dog that is both elegant and athletic, with short, smooth, glossy fur that accentuates their strong build. Their heads are well proportioned and wedge-shaped with a flatter skull than most breeds. They have almond-shaped eyes, typically with an alert and energetic expression, and powerful jaws. The iconic Doberman look has triangular ears that are carried erect and a stub of a tail, but these dogs are actually born with long tails that have a tendency to curl up, and hanging ears. The alteration typically occurs when the puppy is still quite young, usually between seven and twelve weeks old. The cropped look is considered the breed standard for the American Kennel Club, but there are many reasons that some Dobie owners who are not showing their dogs may choose to leave the dog’s tail and ears intact. There are four recognized colors for Doberman Pinschers: black, red, blue, and fawn, all sporting distinctive rust-colored markings on their face, chest, and legs. In rare cases, however, one of these dogs may be born albino, a pale cream color referred to as white, or even all black with no tan markings. The albino and white dogs may be prone to additional diseases and disorders and should be protected from sunburn, although this is not the case for the melanistic (all black), dogs of this breed.
Eye Color Possibilities
Hazel
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
Black
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
Black
Brown
Red
Blue
Fawn
Coat Length
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded
Doberman Pinscher Breed Maintenance
This breed of dog sheds, although not heavily, and it is not hypoallergenic, however, they are clean animals with very low odor. This makes the grooming requirements for Doberman Pinschers minimal. Regular brushing with a slicker brush and occasional wiping down with a wet cloth will help to reduce shedding and odor, and bathing is only typically needed every few months. It is also important to check and clean your dog’s ears and brush their teeth on a regular basis to prevent bacterial or fungal infections from becoming a problem and to reduce the chance of tooth decay. These dogs are very athletic, and although they are not as high energy as some breeds, they do require quite a bit of vigorous activity each day to maintain their strong and healthy physical appearance. Although Dobies thrive with room to run and play, most also do fairly well in apartment buildings if provided with adequate exercise and consistent training. It is also important to provide this intelligent breed with plenty of mental stimulation, either through training sessions or through puzzle and foraging games and toys. Early socialization of the Doberman Pinscher is a huge benefit, and a lack of socialization may create a more anxious animal.
Brushes for Doberman Pinscher
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
Daily Weekly Monthly
Doberman Pinscher Temperament
The temperament of this breed can vary somewhat, particularly in the areas of dominance and aggression. Early Dobermans were bred for their protective and loyal natures, and this led them to be adopted not only by families, police departments, and military outfits, but also by dog fighting rings, junkyard owners, and drug dealers, particularly around the 1970s, and these groups tended to breed for viciousness. Fortunately, responsible breeding and proper socialization methods have helped to reduce the number of dogs that are aggressive by nature and most Doberman Pinschers today are dignified and companionable animals who only show that protective side when protection is necessary. They make better pets when fully integrated with the family and do not thrive as well as kennel dogs, although they are not as prone as some breeds to suffer from separation anxiety. While affectionate with family, they may be more wary of strangers. For the most part, Dobies get along fantastically with children, but because they are a very powerful canine, interactions with infants and small children should always be supervised. They get along with other dogs and pets in the household moderately well, particularly if the other dog is not of the same gender.
Doberman Pinscher Activity Requirements
Activity Level
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
14 miles
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
Similar Maintenance Breeds to Doberman Pinscher
- Tenterfield Terrier 100%Similar
- Teddy Roosevelt Terrier 100%Similar
- Cane Corso 100%Similar
- Kerry Beagle 100%Similar
- Danish Swedish Farmdog 100%Similar
Similarly Sized Breeds to Doberman Pinscher
- Doberdor 98%Similar
- Great Danebull 97%Similar
- Maremma Sheepdog 97%Similar
- Alaskan Malamute 97%Similar
- Bull Arab 97%Similar
Doberman Pinscher Food Consumption
Cups Per Day
3 cups
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
Doberman Pinscher Height & Weight
6 Months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 37.5 lbs
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 33.0 lbs
12 Months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 67.5 lbs
Height: 23.0 inches Weight: 55.0 lbs
18 Months
Height: 27.0 inches Weight: 80.0 lbs
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 67.5 lbs
Top Doberman Pinscher Breeders
Check out who made our list for the most reputable Doberman Pinscher breeders of 2024.
Rahdy Dobermans & Swathrun English co*ckers
Barrington, Illinois
Omnia Paratus Doberman Kennels
Desoto, Texas
Doberland
Collins, Missouri
Jackson's Kennel
Mitchell, Indiana
Aeolus Dobermans
Rosharon, Texas
Deborah Weller
Kerhonkson, New York
Southerwind Kennels
Brooksville, Florida
Ramsey's Dobi Gang
Hewitt, New Jersey
Vom Feverhaus
Lindenhurst, New York
Ostertag Kennel
Powhatan, Virginia
Doberman Pinscher Owner Experiences
Roman
4 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walks
Hikes
Car rides
Beach days
Fetch
We really can’t ask for more out of Roman. He has been an amazing dog, protector, best friend. Easy to take care of, heathy, friendly, energetic, trainable, gentle…….just don’t show up to our house late at night. He will do his job and scare you off lol
1year, 8months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
Exploring
The dog I walked was very wiry and scared easily. He wasn't aggressive, though.
6years, 3months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Tracking
Run
Speak
A Doberman is very protective of its home. Though most Dobermans I’ve met are absolutely sweethearts. They’ve got a big bark and a bigger kiss. They’ll be so excited to go on a walk. They love sniffing and tracking. They may be prone to lunging at small animals out of instance and can be very strong. Hold on tight.
6years, 3months ago
10 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play with Toys
Dog Parks
Playing
Walk
Run
The pinscher I took care of was sweet but liked to bite when playing. He nipped my finger when I was trying to get him in his crate. He really loves to run in the dog park and is friendly with other dogs.
6years, 3months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
When i first entered house he was very alert and watching me carefully to see if i was an intruder with bad intentions or if i was a walker or friend of guest that he could trust. He trusted me immediatly after i grabbed his leash from table, the he approached me and then decided to smell my face before then smelling my feet. After we had leash on he was ready to walk. He pulled alot but i figures it was because he was a big dog so then i ran with him for about 20 min and then he stopped pulling. The only real trigger he had were other dogs that were very large, we came across two pit bulls along the way and both dogs were sizing each other up right away and then deciding to bark. After i pulled him away he did not continue to bark. He just moved on even if the Pit was still barking.
6years, 3months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Run
Walk
My friend owns a beautiful purebred Doberman and she's the best dog ever. She's extremely protective and so well trained, but definitely not for the faint of heart. They require a strong trainer who knows what they're doing, and can establish confidence and control with the dog. They're extremely intelligent and some of them can be escape artists, but once they're trained they are some of the most loyal and amazing dogs in the world. They do need a lot of exercise, but equally, they're great running or walking partners if you like to spend a lot of time outside. They'll go with you to the ends of the earth and defend you to the end. They can be a little headstrong to walk if you aren't a confident walker, but they can be the best and most dedicated of family dogs. If they're well socialized, most of them are fantastic with cats and even really small children. Dobermans can be really high energy but they're great dogs!
6years, 3months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
chasing squirrels
Walk
Play
Running
The doberman, Cali, that I've walked a few times is a very sweet girl. She was always excited to see me, excited to walk, excited to see squirrels or leaves, excited to get home, just generally excited about life! She'd often run back and forth to show me just how happy she was to be getting to go on a walk. She's a big girl and a strong one but she was very good at listening to me. She likes to move fast and walk for a long time so they require a fair amount of exercise to stay happy. She's a very curious girl and liked to investigate everything going on around the neighborhood. They're soft and sleek puppies and very striking in appearance. Some people out and about were afraid of her which just seemed silly to me because she's such a sweet puppy but her size and grace can be intimidating! In my experience, Dobermans are great dogs, very friendly and happy and energetic!
6years, 3months ago
6 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Run
I walked a 6 month old doberman pinscher about five times. Every week I walked him, he was even more well behaved and trained than the last. Though he had a hard time walking down stairs in his first couple weeks of me walking him, he was running and jumping and very active shortly after. However, he was always fearful of going near the street because of the cars, and was determined to stay in the backyard at all times. His owner kept him on a very strict eating, walking, and cage schedule. Since he was only a puppy, it's hard to say how trained he will get, but from what I saw he was learning very quickly. Overall he was a very active and fun dog to play with on walks.
6years, 3months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Walk
Nap
digging
The ones I've experienced had personality! One of them made it her personal goal to rid the yard of grass! She was working so hard day and night digging holes, she was so focused. At one point she even got some other dogs to join in! But all in all they have a lot of energy and didn't really care for other dogs but enjoyed being by themselves or with humans and just running around!
6years, 3months ago
Leo
24 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
Our Leo was rescued from the island of Crete in Greece where he had been kept on a chain for the first 6 months of his life by his owner. The owner lacked patience and gave him to another person who subsequently dumped him on waste land. He was eventually rescued by a lovely lady who took him in and arranged for him to be sent to the UK in the care of Stoke Doberman Rescue Centre. He is a beautiful and highly affection dog with no aggression but he suffers from separation anxiety (understandably) and his ability to contain his excitement, together with his immense strength makes it quite a challenge to handle him. We absolutely adore him and with patience and lots of love, we know he will come through.
3years, 11months ago
Zeus
5 Years
8 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running, going to pet stores
Some days he is very lazy and does not want to do anything other day he is very hyper and all over the place
3years, 2months ago
Samson
7 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
This is my 3rd Doberman he is my most aggressive. My 1st dobie was a black female who lives to be 13. My 2 one was a red male who passed away from wobblers at 8. My 3rd one is Samson who is 7yrs old and I’m afraid he is starting to show signs of the wobblers. I have always had dobermans my female was the most protective.
3years ago
