— Breed of the Month —

The Doberman Pinscher

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Breed Traits and Characteristics

According to the American Kennel Club, here are some breed characteristic you can find in Doberman Pinschers. 

 

  • Height

    26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)

  • Weight

    70-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)

  • Life Expectancy

    10-12 years

  • Coat Type/Length

    Smooth/Short

  •  100 Affectionate with Family
  • 100 Good with Young Children
  • 60 Good with Other Dogs
  • 100 Trainability Level
  • 100 Energy Level
  • 60 Barking Level
  • 80 Shedding Level
  • 40 Drooling Level

History

The Doberman was bred by Louis Dobermann, a tax collector in the town of Apolda, Germany, around 1890 for a specific purpose – protection from hostilities at collection time. While their exact lineage is largely a mystery, it is believed that Dobermann crossed Rottweilers, German Pinschers, Black and Tan Terriers, and several other breeds to create a dog suitable for his needs.

The Doberman’s intelligence and athleticism led to international recognition as a working dog. The United States Marine Corps selected the Doberman Pinscher as its official service dog, and the breed garnered fame during World War II for their contributions to the war effort. Today’s Dobermans are celebrated show dogs, excel as therapy or service dogs for the disabled, and continue to retain popularity as guard dogs and trustworthy pets.

Doberman Pinscher Personality & Temperament

The Doberman Pinscher possesses an ease of movement and regal appearance befitting their royal status in the canine kingdom. Originally bred as guard dogs, Dobermans are strong and athletic, with boundless energy and keen intelligence that makes them highly trainable. Equally loving and loyal, these compactly-built dogs are very popular pets – provided their owners can cope with their energy level.

Doberman Pinschers have sweet, appealing personalities and stable temperaments. They are extremely loving, loyal, and trustworthy, and even play well with other dogs – provided they can run the show! Dobermans are generally stable and trouble-free. Instances of timidity or aggression can be easily rectified if addressed early in their development, as their high intelligence means they respond well to training.

If you are thinking of purchasing a Doberman, it is important to source from a responsible breeder who is breeding for not only looks, but health and temperament as well. Rescues are also great options for prospective Doberman owners. Contact your local Bark Busters trainer today to learn about great breeders and rescue organizations near you!

Doberman Pinscher Physical Characteristics

Dobermans are a strong, whip-smart breed, with medium-size square bodies. Their appearance projects elegance and nobility, as well as a sense of endurance and speed befitting their energetic nature. They make excellent watch dogs, as they are constantly alert and observing their surroundings.

Class & Color

Class

  • Working Group

Color

  • Blue & Rust
  • Black & Rust
  • Black Brindle & White
  • Fawn & Rust
  • Red & Rust

Size & Life Expectancy

Size

  • Medium to Large
  • Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
  • Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)

Life expectancy

  • Doberman Pinschers typically live between 10 and 13 years.

Other Traits

  • Sleek, graceful physique
  • Angulated head with long muzzle, tapered at nose
  • Flopped ears and long tail (though some owners crop both)
  • Smooth, semi-coarse topcoat and a soft, fine undercoat

Bark Busters Trainer Jeff Drier on the Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers are renowned for their natural leadership qualities and protective natures – noble traits that can create dangerous situations if they misinterpret human behavior, make errors in judgment, or start to determine who is and isn’t welcome at home on their own.

Case Study

Take King, whose human family included two teenage siblings. Like most brothers and sisters, they would squabble and sometimes roughhouse with each other. King’s protective instincts would kick in, leading him to misinterpret their wrestling as something more serious. King would growl and bark at them, and one day even bit the son when he was wrestling with his sister. He fortunately escaped without serious injury, but it was clear to the family that King needed help.

Our trainer reviewed King’s behavior and developed a plan to teach King that it was the parents’ job, not his, to police the kids. Being a typical Doberman, he was very smart and took to the re-education very quickly. The family soon reported that King had vacated his duties as policeman and was no longer reacting to the teens’ dustups, instead letting the parents handle any disputes at home.

Like any breed, Dobermans can make poor decisions and mistakes in judgment. Your local Bark Busters trainer can quickly help establish new patterns of behavior – often in just a single session.

Tips for Potential Doberman Pinscher Owners

Doberman Pinschers are susceptible to certain health risks. Responsible breeders will screen breeding stock for medical conditions inherent to the breed.

Dobermans are extremely active and require space for play and exercise, making them poor choices for apartment-dwellers.

Early socialization and basic obedience training are important to establishing patterns of good behavior with your Doberman.

The Doberman is an energetic athlete who needs a lot of exercise and free play. Taking your dog for long walks and hikes is great for their wellbeing.

We are always available to help you develop a consistent, compassionate approach to good behavior for your Doberman Pinscher. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our trainers today!

Connect with Us!

Need help training your Doberman Pinscher? Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.

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Doberman Pinscher Health & Grooming

Health

The breed is usually healthy, but can be susceptible to bloat (a digestive condition), heart ailments like hip dysplasia and enlarged hearts, and a spinal condition called wobbler syndrome. Potential owners should purchase from responsible breeders, who typically genetically test their breeding stock for these issues.

Grooming

Dobermans are brush-and-go-type dogs that require little care for their short coats. A few minutes brushing and one wash per week should be enough to remove the soft, fine undercoat hairs that can shed or contribute an unpleasant smell if left alone. The American Kennel Club recommends monthly nail trimming, regular teeth brushing, and wiping out their ears with a small amount of baby oil on a paper towel every few days.

Tips for Every Dog Owner

Owner Taking Dog on Walk on Leash

One Step at a Time: A Guide to Successful Dog Walking

Walking our dogs is a great source of exercise for both pets and pet parents. It not only helps keep our canine companions healthy and physically and mentally stimulated, but also strengthens the bond between us. There are several factors for pet parents to consider, however, to keep walks fun and safe for all.

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Dogs at Dog Park

Tips for Every Dog - Socialization

Dogs are social animals and like to be part of a structured social group. In the wild, their pack provides this purpose, but in the domesticated world, this consists of the humans they live with and other animals that live in your home.

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Tips for Every Dog - Four Basic Needs

At Bark Busters, we believe that every dog has four basic needs. When these needs aren’t being met, misbehavior will likely follow.

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Bark Busters Dog Trainers Training Two Dogs

Tips for Every Dog - Why Training?

All dogs need some form of training and education. Love is vital to the bond you and your dog share, but on its own and without all the other elements of a strong relationship, your dog won’t feel fully fulfilled.

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Hear from Bark Busters Clients Who Have a Doberman Pinscher

Had a Doberman that was misbehaving. Marcus did a wonderful job working on his issues. Now we can go for walks. The barking and charging has stopped. Now its our turn to work.
Kay S.
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Scott has been helping us with a reactive Doberman who also has very high anxiety. After seeing her get worse we did private and group training classes but those used shock collars and we didn’t know then that we were making things so much worse and more traumatic for her. We then tried one of the top rated animal behaviorists; but they were the polar opposite. The more we paid the less they did. I felt hopeless and knew we would lose her if we had anymore biting incidents with her. I found Bark Busters and was immediately drawn to the fact that they do not use shock collars, clickers, treats or any things else you have been taught to keep your pup in line. The lady on the phone was fantastic and answered all my questions and told me about Scott. I honestly was surprised he was not working with famous people at how good he looked on paper. Scott came to our home and was so calm and patient. He listened and empathized; but then he got to work. The exercises we did during our FIRST session were already making a complete difference. He helped us with exercises and guided us as needed and left us with tips, tricks and tools to use until his next visit. He also made himself readily available if we were in crisis or needed help of any kind. I have had too many nights crying thinking I am going to have to put my Doberman baby down and now I feel such excitement and a newfound sense of confidence. Scott is honest and straightforward and will not tell you what you want to hear. He understands our crisis and how close we were to giving up. Scott is an all around professional and while he is our last ditch effort to save our dog, I full confidence that he will help us keep her happy, healthy and safe for a long time to come. Thanks Scott and thanks Bark Busters.
Kadie Rose O.
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I would like to start out by saying i have had 9 dobermans in my lifetime, most lived to be between 12 and 3 actually to 15 years. I thought i had seen it all. Never needed a trainer. Well our newest puppy challenged us. Our pup extreme high energy, very excitable, and out of control with puppy biting and jumping like a kangaroo. I had to resource to a trainer. No success the first 2 trainers and their methods, so we tried barkbusters. Chris, came to our home, and had immediate success on one command with our puppy, at the time 5 months old. I have to compliment the training methods suggested by Chris and barkbusters because they were successful, and totally humane. But the key as to anything is consistency. I am not going to say we are over the hump just yet since we are approaching 9 months and getting challenged daily with his new teenage doggy interests and challenges, but the overall experience was well worth it, Chris was great, and the best thing??? He is just a text, call or email away forever, and very quick to respond to our ongoing needs if necessary. highly recommend!!
Vonnie D.
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I have two dobermans ages 3 1/2. I needed to learn how to be the leader of this pack. The skills Sharon taught me were/are very effective with my boys. In addition, we worked on their backyard behavior. In the first session she had my boys greeting the neighbors dog with out aggression. Sharon knows dogs and is very patient when teaching her clients. This was well worth the investment. I am so happy I made the appointment. I would definitely recommend her services. Thank you Sharon.
Jeanine C.
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These guys are amazing. I got Randy and Jared, and they were both equally as amazing. After the first visit with Randy, 75% of all issues were taken care of. After Jared came a few weeks later the remaining 25% of problems we were dealing with were fixed. Since they left me with all the tools to continue practicing good behavior with my dog, none of the problems have resurfaced. The things they helped fix was: jumping on the people and on or doors, eating our other dog's food, recall, and walks. Getting my dog to go on walks was super important because she was terrified of leaving the driveway and I had no idea what to do about it. On the first visit Randy helped to get her more comfortable with being on the leash and being in front of the house. After the second visit with Jared she venturing out on walks with full confidence. Bark Busters really is incredible and they have amazing being working for them. I do recommend Bark Busters.
Evan B.
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Omar was amazing. He taught us how to truly communicate with our dog. And learning better communication with our dog we're getting the behavior changes we desired Omar. Our trainer was well spoken very clear and concise. He was an excellent instructor. I highly recommend Barker Busters to anyone who wants to get rid of chaotic anxious behavior in a dog. The written materials that Barker Busters leaves behind as well as emails electronically are very helpful. we look forward to learning more from Omar at our next appointment. The in-home training also is a huge benefit because it allows the trainer and the owners to concentrate on each other without interruption by others or other dogs.
Dean L.
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I feel like I got a new dog today. I did not know my dog could be this calm & behave this well.
Jennifer N.
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After just one week working with Bonnie, my dog Sherman understands that I am the leader of our pack. He walks next to me beautifully. He stops barking when commanded. He follows me vs. being unruly and underfoot. He is far more relaxed overall. The concept is brilliant and very easy to administer for fast results!
Martha S.
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After just one session with Mark, we have course-corrected the fear aggression that we have seen building over time within our 4-year-old dog, Finnegan. After two (2) poor encounters, one at a groomer and one with another dog, Finnegan developed a very intense reaction to other dogs (and anyone in scrubs), to the point where we could not walk past another dog across the street. He would bark and pull and just go crazy, all out of immense fear. Other aspects of his temperament also started worsening like guarding socks and/or toilet paper. We felt like we were losing our dog. The worst realization was that our 1-year-old dog, Daisy, was beginning to pick up the same characteristics simply by watching him. We tried other training methods over the years that all helped/made small improvements but nothing was as dramatic as Mark and Bark Busters. He helped us reset with the dogs, establish leadership and own the space so that our dogs feel safe and look to us for direction. We have work to do to reinforce the training and make it our way of life, but we feel very excited and thankful for all of it. Our dogs are much happier as well, even after just a few weeks. We would HIGHLY recommend Mark and Bark Busters to anyone.
Jessica B.
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Our mixed breed rescue (JoJo) was experiencing EXTREME fear reactivity after having been attacked and injured by another dog. If within 100 yards of another dog, she would demonstrate over-the-top fear and stress. Although we’ve always had dogs, we were at a loss on how to help her. After discussing “re-homing” her to a safer environment, we called Bark Busters in a last effort to see if we could find a way to help JoJo feel safe and have a less stressful life. From our first meeting with Omar, he demonstrated a calming, knowledgeable and insightful understanding of our situation. He offered strategies that we could start using immediately and, above all, he was patient - both with JoJo AND with us. It has been a journey, and Omar has guided our every step. While JoJo is still reactive, it is FAR less than previously, and she allows us to calm her much more quickly. We are confident that with Omar’s continued coaching, we will get to the place we want to be, for JoJo and for us.
Don L.
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It was very helpful to learn how to talk dog. A different concept for us! We can see an immediate change in our dog Bradley. Loved seeing the mother dog handle her puppies video, it was very eye opening for us.
Ed & Linda K.
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Thank heavens for Marc. I was ready to give my dog to a rescue -- he was 85 pounds and was knocking people down. He was very aggressive to both strangers and other dogs. In the first lesson (yes I said first), Peter was much calmer and continues to improve. I know it's going to get better and better because Marc will help me for the life of the dog.
Mark T.
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I couldn’t be more thankful with Karen and Marc. They came out to our home and taught us everything we did not know about dogs and showed us how to properly correct our Honey without being physical with her. Since before they came out, we already knew what to expect because they are very good at sending you valuable information before your lesson. So by the time they come out to you, you already know more about dogs than you ever did.

Our dog responded great to their techniques and I’m very happy to know they will be there to help us throughout our dog’s life!

Again, thank you Karen and Marc. You guys are awesome!!
Estfanny O.
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I don't know where to start! Me and my husband and both our pups simply adore Kevin! He has the kindest, calmest energy, never judges us, and has helped us transform our eldest dog Flynn's behaviour. We decided to hire a new trainer when we got our second dog Suki as we knew we needed help with Flynn's separation anxiety and didn't want the issue to get worse! After seeing three previous trainers, reading every book on SA in existence and even asking the vet about medication, we were beginning to think there was no hope we'd ever get our lives back. Before hiring Kevin a few months ago Flynn couldn't handle thirty seconds alone. Our latest record? Four and a half hours!!! We still have some reactivity issues we're working through with Kevin's help, but overall Flynn is a much calmer and happier dog. Suki has also settled in beautifully and working through the training with both of them has meant that we've set up consistent and trusting relationships as dog parents. The first session was very intense and the first month or so was a lot of work but we'd do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you Kevin for all your support and encouragement! We don't know what we'd have done without you!
Emma V.
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Steve was a fantastic trainer that helped our mid aged dog as we saw his behavior and separation anxiety change with moving apartments. While we were worried that at age 7, it was too late, we were so wrong as Steve started with strong behavioral techniques to change the attitude of our dog and significantly reduce his stress and anxiety. Can’t say enough about the knowledge, support and coaching he provided us to get our pupper back to a happy and calm state.
Mark D.
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Our Rescue, Mella. Was abandoned with her 7 puppies and was abused .We were fortunate to have Steve come to our home to train Mella. He was patient with both Mella and us during her training . He understand the circumstances she came from and I highly recommend Bark Busters to anyone looking for a dog trainer going forward.
Carmela C.
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Connie is a great at training both my dog, Winnie, and me. I'm guessing you probably know if you've ever watched Caesar Milan, that you know that it's us humans who need training, not so much for the dogs. Trust me when I say, I need a lot of training! Connie is both personable and patient. She has a great sense of humor and really understands animals. One of the things I like best about Connie and Bar Buster's is the Positive Training as opposed to negative (shock, choke collars, etc.). Winnie and I have made a lot of progress, but still have a ways to go with training, but I'm sure with Connie's help we will get there. I HIGHLY recommend her.
Karen M.
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Josh helped Ammo learn how to stop pulling and help stop him from eating rocks. He also showed us "place" where the dog stays in his bed will not get off unless he has permission. He is also learning boundaries.
Adriana H.
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Sheeba responded to the commands, and I see where she will continue to respond with consistent behaviors from me. I think were on the road to a well-behaved dog.
Heather G.
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Amazing, we were having issues with other dogs. In one session Sophie could control herself.
Patty W.
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Enlightening, interesting and we need to practice!
Mary K.
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I am forever thankful for all of Robert’s advices and trick, he taught me how to communicate with my dog and that’s the most important lesson anyone can teach. I learned that I can also understand and train my dog if I follow all Robert’s instructions. I can now have the best relationship with my pup. Thank you Bark Busters for all the hard work you put into this!
Aelita
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I had a great time learning. John is very competent and I think I learned a lot.
Anthony C.
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Let me start by saying I love this training style. It’s all about communicating effectively with your dog (no shock collars or prong collars AND no excessive treats). I grew up with chronically misbehaving dogs and had parents default to prong collars, so I was a little uncertain about this training style actually working, but I already notice improvements!

Overall, Jared was helpful, thoughtful, and thorough. We covered a ton of information during the first session. We focused on leashed walks, attentiveness, jumping, barking, personal space, and general manners (not crowding while we eat, stealing shoes, staying away from the door while we enter/ exit, etc.). We even went over diet. We gave us a lot of material to review and ways to track progress over weeks so it wasn’t overwhelming and it’s easier to stay consistent. He was well-prepared for the session and even brought a stuffed dog!
He helped my two dogs (11 year old rescue and 5 month old German shepherd) as well as my boyfriend’s dog (5 year old pitbull mix rescue). There was noticeable improvement with the puppy before the end of the first session. Thank you, Jared!
Gianna A.
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Tips/ tricks were simple yet effective. Could see significant improvement within seconds (Over a couple attempts)! Extremely happy with how he explained why he has certain behaviors and how to correct it!
Shruti P.
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Josh explained and that helped us with the exercises given to train Winston to listen. Setting boundaries is important and something we did not do when he was a puppy. We understand that we will need to be proactive when training and working with Winston on his exercises! The goal is to have him not door dash! Josh was great and very knowledgeable.
Kelly C.
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Barb showed up ready to go and I'll add gave us very good advice and we started training. Her suggestions worked immediately. Our dog was apprehensive about meeting someone new, but Barb quickly gave some very good advice and Lux responded, in my view right away. Lux and us couldn't be more happy or satisfied with just the first day. Our little girl is very smart and Barb explained that to us and Lux picked up right where we left off the next day. She already has shown tremendous appetite for learning! Barb's leadership and advice is fantastic and we are very pleased already. We are looking forward to further training visits and giving our Girl the guidance for her to be happy and have the life she deserves! Thank you so much Barb!
Jeff W.
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We just completed our first meeting/training session with Theresa and couldn't be happier with the experience. She is extremely knowledgable and we appreciated her calm and gentle techniques with a small dog. We can't believe how quickly Charlie is already responding to the these new techniques and it's only the first day. We are excited to start this new journey and highly recommend Theresa Nichols to anyone struggling with a challenging pup!
Clare B.
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Need Dog Training Assistance with Your Doberman Pinscher? Find Your Local Trainer Now!

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