Doberman Pinscher
Also known as Doberman, Dobermann
- Height at the withers
- 63 to 72 cm
- Weight
- 32 to 45 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 12 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- Germany
- FCI group
- 2 · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A large, sleek, athletic and powerful working dog with a proud, watchful bearing. Known for its exceptional loyalty and intelligence, it combines strength, elegance and agility.
History and origins
Created in the late 19th century in Apolda, Thuringia, by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector who wanted a protection dog. He is thought to have combined the Rottweiler, the German Pinscher and old German herding dogs, among others.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- von Willebrand disease
- Wobbler syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy)
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
- Hypothyroidism
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very easy, 5 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Rather fragile, 2 out of 5
In our lists
Doberman Pinscher FAQ
How big does the Doberman Pinscher get?
The Doberman Pinscher stands 63 to 72 cm at the withers and weighs 32 to 45 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Doberman Pinscher shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Doberman Pinscher live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Doberman Pinscher need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Doberman Pinscher good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Doberman Pinscher live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The main health problems to watch for are dilated cardiomyopathy and von Willebrand disease.
