Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Now, for most folks who aren’t necessarily all that familiar with the Doberman Pinscher dog breed, it may be a surprise to learn that these dogs are really “sweet” animals to own. And even though they may look a “bit” intimidating, they’re quite playful and friendly, not to mention SUPER bright.

Which is a bit ironic…

Over the years, these dogs have often been put in “roles” that don’t often shed light on the fact that they can be great household pets and perfect companion animals for children of all ages. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it’s like to own a Doberman Pinscher so that if you are considering possibly purchasing a Doberman Pinscher puppy or, better yet, adopting a Doberman Pinscher rescue dog, you’ll know exactly what to expect if you do.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  Germany

Original Function:  Guard dog, personal protection.

Height:  24 to 28 inches

Weight:  65 to 90 pounds

Dog Breed Classification:  Working Dog

Lifespan:  10 to 13 years

Origin of the Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed

The Doberman Pinscher dog breed can trace its origin back to the mid-1800s when a German “tax collector” by the name of Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann thought it might be “prudent” to have a little extra protection with him while out on his “collection route.” Back then, folks weren’t thrilled about paying their taxes, just as most of us aren’t thrilled about it now! Only back then, rather than simply “mail in” what you owe, folks had to submit their payment to a “tax collector.”

And in the case of…

Louis Doberman was a “tax collector” who owned and ran a dog pound. So, Louis Dobermann was quite familiar with various dog breeds and knew precisely which would make a perfect “companion” animal while making his rounds. And having ample access to a wide variety of dog breeds, Mr. Dobermann began “experimenting with dogs that he thought could meet his needs. While no “official” records describe which species were mixed to create the Doberman Pinscher, many experts speculate that the dog is a mix between the German Pinscher, the Rottweiler, and the Black and Tan Terrier.

Physical Traits and Characteristics

Although the Doberman Pinschers weren’t bred for their looks, they still have unique features, which we here at IndulgeYourPet find quite pleasant! Now, this medium-long breed is solid and muscular and features a long muzzle, and if you look real closely, you’ll notice that most of the time, these guys prefer to stand on their toes.

Giving even the…

Most casual observers have the impression that this dog is ready for action. This dog isn’t a “heavy-footed” dog; they are built for action! And while most Dobermans will tend to be back or black rust-colored, it’s not uncommon to see a variety of other colors as well, including:

• Blue
• Red or red rust
• Fawn
• Brown

One thing that we should mention, particularly after going into so much detail about the history of the Doberman Pinscher breed, is that “modern” Dobermans are much slimmer and sleeker than their earlier ancestors, and the “temperament” of the dog has also changed over the years making him a much more “pleasant” companion.

Temperament and Personality

At its “core,” the Doberman Pinscher dog is a trustworthy, loyal, playful, and fun-loving companion who is a natural protector and would go to any lengths to protect his family members. However, dogs aren’t necessarily aggressive unless they have to be. This is probably why they aren’t as popular as they should be because people who want an “aggressive” dog won’t be satisfied with a Doberman.

And those…

Afraid that the Doberman is too aggressive, won’t take a chance on adopting one! This is probably fine for those who have owned Dobermans in the past because they get to be the proud owners of one of the “dog world’s” best-held secrets,t which is these guys are fantastic! And super easy to train, too, boot! You see, these guys are super bright. And since they love to be mentally and physically challenged by their owners, they make for perfect students in any dog obedience program.

In fact…

The only real worry you should have is if you don’t enroll one of these guys in a class or provide them with plenty of opportunities to run and play, your Doberman will find his way to release all of this energy. And there is a perfect chance you won’t approve of how he “feels” he should “vent”!

Potential Health Concerns

Every dog breed is prone to getting some health disorders, and while we would love to tell you that these guys are a super healthy dog breed, they are prone to develop quite a few health issues, which could make owning a Doberman Pinscher quite expensive. However, assuming that you would with a “reputable” Doberman Pinscher breeder, many of the following disorders can be avoided. Just be sure you ask your breeder about these conditions and whether or not the parents of the puppy you’re considering have any of these conditions.

Common medical conditions that can affect the Doberman Pinscher breed include:

• Von Willebrand’s Disease: This blood disorder doesn’t allow the dog’s blood to clot. Excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery is the most prominent symptom. Others include bleeding gums, nose bleed, bleeding intestines, and stomach.
• Hip Dysplasia: The inherited condition in which the thigh bone doesn’t snugly fit the joint. This c snugly can cause pain and lameness in the legs. Getting an X-ray is essential to diagnose this condition.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This eye disease causes the gradual deterioration of the dog’s retina. Dogs with this disease become nightblood,d and as the disease progresses, they also lose their vision during the day.
• Hypothyroidism: This disorder affects the dog’s thyroid gland and leads to hair loss, epilepsy, obesity, dark patches on the skin, lethargy, and other conditions. It can be treated using diet and medicine.
• Wobblers Syndrome: This inherited condition affects spinal cord compression,n which is caused by cervical vertebral instability. The symptoms of this disorder include paralysis in the legs and neck pain.
• Cardiomyopathy: The disease affects the dog’s heart muscles and mak, making him thin. The heart chambers widen due to the condition, which leads to an abnormally large heart. This condition can lead to heart failure.
• Albinism: This genetic condition causes the dog to have no pigment. So, the Doberman Pinscher is white, with a pink nose and skin and blue or light eyes. These dogs are sensitive to sunlight and develop various health problems.
• Color Mutant Alopecia: This condition can be seen in fawn or blue coat colors. Dogs born with conditions have a regular coat but start to show signs when they are 3 to 4 months old. The dog begins developing brittle hair and has patchy hair loss.
• Narcolepsy: The neurological disorder caused by the inability of the brain to regulate wake-sleep patterns. The dog may suddenly get sleepy at any time of the day and fall asleep.
• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly known as bloat, GDV is a potentially life-threatening disease. This occurs when the dog’s stomach is distended with gas and twists on itself. This means the dog can’t pass the excess air out and needs immediate attention.

Now, at this point, you may be thinking to yourself…

“Wow, that’s a lot of things that can go wrong with a Doberman Pinscher!”

And in truth, you’re right. But at the end of the day, things can go “wrong” with many different types of dogs. This is why, regardless of what “kind” of dog you ultimately decide to adopt, we always advise our readers to take a moment and consider what would happen to you and your new pet if you suddenly received a $2000 or $3000 vet bill.

Would you be able to afford the care your new pet needs?

If not, you might consider purchasing a pet insurance policy on your animals so that if something like that ever occurred, you wouldn’t be on the “hook” for the total cost of care.

For more information about some of the pros and cons of owning a pet insurance policy, as well as information on who we “feel” is currently offering some of the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we would encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies.