— 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.

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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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Kayla from Bark Busters is the real deal. She was awesome! Even after having dogs my entire life, learned and practiced so much last evening. It is absolutely true that you see a difference on the very first meeting with your dog. We've been putting in to practice all of the daily activities and exercises and are continuing to see great progress with my 2 year old mini-dachsund, Riley. Kayla is both professional and very personable. I have already recommended her to 2 of my nephews for their dogs, and do not hesitate to recommend her to anyone !
Bill P.
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Kayla came to our home well prepared for our first visit and we saw results day one! Her knowledge combined with true compassion for helping owners help their dogs be the best they can be truly shines through. I love that we are armed with a plan and homework to work on in between visits.
Raichelle K.
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Kayla was excellent - we just had our first visit and learned plenty on how to build confidence in our boy Hammy so he knows to look to us for leadership. Already seeing an improvement on our communication!
Jacqueline O.
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Kayla is so amazing to work with. She came to our house with our puppy and taught us so much. She answers any questions I have via text when I’m stuck on what the best thing is for our pup. She always gives honest and educated advice that I truly trust.
Johanna B.
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We were able to see noticeable differences in Henri's behavior in only a few hours!
Hanna V.
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Carrie was amazing and explained everything so clearly. We immediately saw a difference in Bootsy's behavior and she was responsive to the training. We are excited to see how our relationship improves with our dog.
Olivia W.
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I am blown away by how quickly our dogs took to the Bark Busters method. We are so grateful that we found Pascha and BB. Will recommend to all of our friends and family!
Will S.
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Pascha was very informative and helped me to become a better leader for Hudson.
Rosalie .
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Pascha was very effective in addressing my concerns around separation anxiety and excessive barking at other dogs. After the first session, I've seen how I can implement the tactics I learned to better her behavior!
Jenn K.
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We were beyond impressed with our training session for our dog, Keely. In just one session, we saw a vast improvement in her ability to stay calm in her crate and separate from us. Andy helped us build the foundation for being able to leave Keely in a safe space and allow us to leave our home without worry for Keely's safety. Andy also helped us to learn how to better communicate with Keely. We also worked on leash pulling. Andy gave us a step-by-step plan to help us build on the strategies he taught us in our sessions. We couldn't be more happy with the training we've gotten with Andy/Bark Busters. We wholeheartedly would recommend them to every dog owner.
Michaela A.
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Mr. Johnny and Ms. Diane are exceptional dog trainers who truly understand canine behavior. Their expertise goes beyond just training, as they also provide valuable guidance on dog health and diet, ensuring a well-rounded approach to pet care. I recently got a puppy who is just 2 month old, and their advice has been incredibly helpful in setting the right foundation. We have completed three sessions with them so far, and the progress has been remarkable. Their dedication and passion for dogs are evident in the results they achieve. Highly recommended for anyone looking for professional and compassionate dog training and care!”
Suresh .
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I could not have had a better experience with this team! My dog Beau was a rescue adoption, and he had significant anxiety and aggression issues. Michael came directly to our home, listened to our concerns, and worked with me to create a plan to help everyone, including Beau, feel safe and secure. I gained a whole new perspective surrounding a dog’s behavior. It was well worth the price for peace of mind knowing we are on the right path with the right tools. Thank you!
Kat
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I am amazed at how well our dog is responding after one training session. I wouldn't have believed it was possible to make so much progress so fast if I didn't see it for myself. I mainly called Bark Busters because of resource guarding against our older Golden retriever and I was worried I may not be able to keep the new dog because he would start fights so I was desperate to find help, I believe this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, this is going to help in so many different ways, not just resource guarding, he's so much easier to get calmed down while preparing the dog's food or when company comes over, etc. I look forward to learning more. Michael is very kind and I appreciate his experience , he explains things very well and is patient with me and all my questions.
Joseph
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Deb was amazing with my pup! We saw results immediately and she continued to provide support to us as we continued training.
Madeline P.
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I had an amazing experience working with Kayla from Bark Busters! Her guidance has been incredibly helpful in teaching me how to take control and establish myself as the leader of my pack with my dogs, Nash and Bernie. Kayla’s methods were clear, effective, and easy to follow. She took the time to understand my dogs’ behaviors and provided practical strategies that made an immediate difference. Thanks to her expertise, I feel much more confident as a dog owner, and Nash and Bernie are already showing positive changes. I highly recommend Kayla to anyone looking for professional, results-driven dog training!
Caroline R.
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Working with Kayla and the bark busters training system has been an amazing experience for us and our dog! The training method has built such a close trust and bond between us and our dog. There’s a solution for everything and we always have a great time learning from Kayla - she makes it fun and is a patient and skilled teacher. The health and wellbeing of the dog is her number one priority which we fully align with her on, and she helps us not just with classic “obedience” training (although it doesn’t feel like obedience, it feels like communicating with our dog), but also nutrition and interacting with our baby and anything else we have questions on. We love our dog so much and want the best for him and Kayla is the best!
Kylah N.
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Extremely pleased with C assey. We have a nightmare of a 14 month 71 lbs Golden Retriever. Cassey had him under control and doing as told in less t g an 5minutes. I'm delighted and amazed cannot wait until next visit. !!
Martha Anb E.
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Google Review: "They showed me within the first hour how my French Bulldog could be and I am so thankful. They know what they are doing and have amazing results."
Mary Jane A.
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Nicole is absolutely fantastic! She worked wonders with our dog, providing expert guidance, patience, and personalized training that truly made a difference. Her approach is both professional and compassionate, making it easy for both the dog and owner to learn. We saw incredible progress in a short amount of time, and our dog is now more obedient, confident, and happy.

If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and caring trainer, Nicole is the one to call. Highly recommend her services!
Joseph V.
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My pup is so so sweet but large and very strong. He has had some traumatic experiences at the vet that left him very fearful and combative. He needed a medical procedure that required sedation. I didn’t want to add to another traumatic experience where they would have to shove him between the door and the wall to give him the sedation. I hired Jared a month before the scheduled procedure so time was at a crunch. Happy to report my dog had a very successful procedure where he was sedated calmly and not more traumatized. The peace that I got from the work Jared did with us to keep me, my dog and the vet staff safe and the success of the procedure was worth my investment. Jared also helped with other behaviors I wanted to eliminate. He gave me the tools to feel confident and safe managing my large dog. We are very grateful. 🙏🏻
Laurel
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I have a wonderful little pup named Luna, who is a sweetheart but unfortunately was very comfortable being top dog in the house. Thanks to some recommendations from family, we reached out to Bark Busters and got connected with Jared to help with Luna's behaviors. Jared was very professional and knowledgeable in helping us create a plan and providing context and reasoning for what methods he was going to use. Even after the first few sessions, Luna's behavior dramatically improved, and she's practically a different dog now! I couldn't be happier with the service we received, and the lifetime access is also a bonus! Thanks Jared!
Austin D.
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We can't recommend Kayla at Barkbusters enough! She is an excellent teacher evidenced by her training us on how to train our dog. In only a few months (even after our first session) we have already curbed several negative behaviors and learned a lot. We are eager to continue working with Kayla and Barkbusters until all negative behaviors are extinguished!
Janet S.
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Bark busters and Kayla are the only reason we have our dog today. We rescued our dog Leo in April of 2023 and he is fear aggressive due to his trauma. We called Kayla and she came out within days of our call. After just one visit of Kayla coming Leo was a different dog! She was able to teach us everything we needed to do in order to get a loving and happy dog! We went from a dog who couldn’t even go over our families house or be around dogs to now can sleep over with his best bud Steve without us!! My husband and I owe everything to Kayla and bark busters! We are forever grateful!
Kassidy S.
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Kayla has been excellent training our hyperactive 1.5 year old Jack Russell/Boston Terrier mix. She has taught us valuable tools that we can use on a daily basis. This training really has helped us take control without the use of painful techniques. Definitely would recommend!
Sheryl H.
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Need Dog Training Assistance with Your Doberman Pinscher? Find Your Local Trainer Now!

CALL TODAY 1-877-500-BARK (2275)

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