Doberman Shepherd

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-13 years
The Doberman Shepherd is a hybrid breed of the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd. This breed is considered to be very healthy and only has a couple of main health issues to worry about.

As with any breed of dog, it is important to work with a reputable breeder to limit the instances of diseases and inherited conditions. When it comes to any disease in a dog, especially mixed breeds, you need to look at both of the parents.

The Doberman Shepherd is known to have EPI, bloat, heart problems and joint dysplasia.

EPI, also called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, can occur in the Doberman Shepherd, but is often rare. This condition affects the pancreas and causes there to be a lack of digestive enzymes in the body. This condition can be fatal if it is not caught in time or is left to persist without medical intervention. In short, a dog cannot digest the food he or she eats with this condition.

Bloat is another common problem experienced by many large breed and active dogs. This condition is best described as swallowing too much air. It is thought to happen when a dog eats too quickly, drinks too quickly, or gets excited and runs around soon after eating or drinking. When bloat occurs, the stomach fills with gas and expands. This places unnecessary pressure on the surrounding organs and can stop the circulation of blood.

Heart problems can occur in any large breed dog, and you need to monitor your puppy’s health on a regular basis. Heart problems can appear as a number of conditions, so work closely with your vet to continuously monitor your Doberman Shepherd.

Lastly, joint dysplasia can develop in your Doberman Shepherd and happens when the joints of the hip or elbow do not correctly form or fit into the socket. Elbow dysplasia affects the front limbs of your puppy and hip dysplasia affects the hind legs.

The life expectancy of the Doberman Shepherd is 10 to 13 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Doberman Shepherd is often described as a bold dog who is energetic, independent, and intelligent. This breed often barks and will work as a guard dog, if trained to do so. You will find that your Doberman Shepherd is protective of your home and you, so strangers will usually not receive a friendly welcome.

This breed is NOT considered a good choice as a family pet and should not be in a home with children. Older children who know to leave the dog alone are generally okay, but this breed is not recommended for young children and should not be placed around them.

Your Doberman Shepherd may be on edge as he or she has a lot of energy to burn off and does require a large yard to run around in and exercise daily. You will find that this breed likes to play, and you can have a fun game of tug-of-war or fetch.

The Doberman Shepherd is considered to be easy to train and does listen to the commands you give. This is an intelligent dog and he or she will work to please you and make you happy. In fact, this breed’s training is less repetitious than others.

This breed is not good for apartment living and you should not leave him or her alone all day without any type of stimulation, as this will lead to destructive behaviors.

Grooming

The Doberman Shepherd has a short coat that is relatively silky to the touch. Due to the short hair, your puppy does not require extensive grooming. In fact, you can brush his or her hair once or twice a week and be fine.

This breed does not require baths on a regular basis and you can give him or her one when really needed. If you find that your puppy is dirty, simply wipe him or her down with a wet cloth.

You will need to keep an eye on your puppy’s nails as they do tend to grow quickly. Nails that are too long are painful and they can easily snag or break. A once a month trim should do.

Diet

Your Doberman Shepherd will eat anywhere between four to five cups of dry dog food per day. This amount should be split up equally into two meals throughout the day.

Since this breed is considered large and active, you need to find a dry food for them that is high in protein and low in calories. As you shop around for the right dog food, look for wholesome ingredients such as meat, rice, and grains.

You may be tempted to feed your Doberman Shepherd wet food, but this should only be done as a treat. Wet food does not offer as much nutrition as dry food and will lead to obesity if your dog doesn’t get enough exercise.
 

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Doberman Shepherd Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Doberman Shepherd

Cost

A Doberman Shepherd puppy will cost you somewhere between $300 and $1,100. This amount will depend on the sex of the puppy and also the breeder you choose. It’s important to remember that the price of the puppy in no way guarantees the health of the puppy. Therefore, a $400 puppy may be healthier than a $900 puppy.

In addition to the cost of the puppy, you should factor in costs for veterinary care, preventative medicines, and supplies. All of this can cost up to an additional $2,000 per year.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Doberman Shepherd is a good dog to have in your home if you want to feel safe and protected. This watch dog works hard to make his or her owner happy and you will enjoy taking your new companion on long walks and hiking adventures. This dog is not recommended for children and should not be around them. This breed ranks a 2.

 

German Shepherd

Doberman Pinscher

Australian Shepherd

Belgian Tervuren