Owning a Doberman can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand the unique needs and characteristics of this loyal and protective breed. So what is this breed really like?
Dobermans are very loyal and work hard to please their owner. However, some downsides come with adopting a Doberman. For one, they are pretty stubborn and require quite a bit of training. Training these dogs takes time and effort, so ensure you are up to the task before adopting one!
If you consider adopting a Doberman, there is a lot to know about this breed before making your decision. Stick around as we reveal everything you need to know before adoption!
Should You Own a Doberman?
Whether or not a Doberman is the right fit for your home will depend on a few factors that must be considered.
Dobermans are known for having one of the highest survival rates. This means that they have a high potential to live for a long time, as high as 10-12 years.
Louis Dobermann developed this wonderful breed in the late 1800’s, and they have since been bred for their loyalty, strength, and intelligence.
Dobermans are incredibly intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are also very loyal to their family and will do anything to protect them. This makes them an excellent choice for a family pet. They are also great guard dogs, as they will bark at strangers and keep them away from the home.
The other thing you might not have considered is how much exercise your new pup might need. If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the dog world, or if you’re a first-time Dobie owner, there are some things you need to learn!
Dogs who don’t get enough exercise can be more challenging to handle and exhibit behaviors such as chewing on furniture and developing separation anxiety.
The good news is that Dobermans are one of the most energetic dog breeds, so they can handle more than you think. Just make sure to take them out for walks regularly and find some creative ways of getting in your daily exercise too!
Before you commit to owning a Doberman, be sure to read until the end!
Are Dobermans Good for Beginners?
If you are adopting a dog for the first time, the Doberman may not be the best choice for you. These dogs are affectionate, loyal, and very intelligent, but they are also known for being stubborn.
If you are ready to handle their qualities, this blog will give you all the information you need about adopting one!
Dobermans require daily exercise, so if you don’t have time to take them out for a jog every day, another breed might be better suited to your lifestyle.
They also love activities like swimming and running, so if getting active is something you enjoy too, then this dog could be perfect for you!
However, just because these dogs may need more attention than other breeds, it doesn’t mean that they don’t make good watchdogs! Their loyalty makes them excellent watchdogs, but they require plenty of training and for first-time dog owners.
Are Dobermans Good with Children?
Dobermans are one of the breeds of dogs most commonly used as service animals for people with disabilities.
They’re also intelligent and loyal, but they can be challenging to train because they have a stubborn streak that makes them want to do things their own way.
Dobermans make great pets for families with older children who understand how to handle this breed’s need for independence and sternness without allowing it to take over the household. Younger children should not be left unsupervised with a Doberman or any other type of animal.
The size difference between younger children and dogs is significant enough that even well-trained Dobermans may accidentally hurt young kids if they aren’t careful around them.
I am not trying to be too dramatic or anything, but Dobermans have a lot of energy. Depending on the situation, this can be dangerous around small kids. A Doberman’s default response to any situation is “let’s play”! They need lots of exercise!
However, they’re very loyal and affectionate towards their owners, So if you teach them what boundaries are, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic pet. Having said that, I would be reluctant to recommend this breed to families with younger children.
They can make great family dogs and are fine around older children, as long as the children understand that dogs need space.
Temperament
Dobermans are one of the most popular breeds in America.
They were originally bred to be guard dogs, but nowadays, they are often used as companions because of their affectionate nature and intelligence.
Dobermans are one of the more intelligent breeds. However, they do have a few specific traits that you should know about before getting one!
The first thing you should know is that Dobies can be very stubborn. If you’re looking for something with an easy-going temperament, this might not be the perfect breed for you!
This doesn’t mean they’re uncontrollable though – it just means training will take longer than usual. Obedience training at an early age will make a big difference in fostering an even temperament with your dog.
On top of this, Dobermans need plenty of exercise daily to stay happy and healthy. This makes them less suitable if your life already includes a busy schedule. If you have a family, they will need to go on long walks together every day. But don’t worry – Dobermans are great with most other pets!
Dobermans are very intelligent and affectionate; however, one thing that needs to be considered is their tendency to bite.
For the most part, Dobies are friendly with strangers because of their training. They typically only show aggression when you’re in danger.
You can prevent this through careful socialization and teaching them how to play nicely with other animals. Owning a Doberman requires plenty of positive reinforcement, especially when recognizing good behaviors.
Temperaments change over time, so there is no telling how an animal will act six months down the road. If you’re considering adopting a Doberman, make sure everyone in your house is 100% on board with the decision.
“A puppy is likely to be less stubborn than one who has already reached adulthood, but even still, they can be hard to handle at times!“
Since Dobermans are known for their intelligence and stubbornness, keep in mind that this could lead to behavior problems if they feel like they don’t have enough to do. If you’re someone who hates the idea of training, then owning a Doberman may not be a wise choice!
Exercise Needs
Dobermans need a lot of physical and mental exercise as they have high energy levels. They’re suitable for active families but not the best option if you have limited space.
They also required a lot of mental stimulation. Providing this outlet will minimize boredom and the potential for bad behaviors.
Doberman pups are notoriously stubborn and will take advantage of any opportunity to get out.
“They can jump over fences as high as six feet tall, so good luck trying to keep your pup contained in your yard!“
To stay happy and healthy, they should be walked at least four times a day on average. If that sounds like too much work or just something you don’t want to deal with, then owning a Doberman may not be for you.
If all this talk about running around has got your Doberman-loving heart racing, though, read on! We’ll give you all the information you need to know about adoption.
If you have made it this far in the article, you now understand that owning a Doberman means they need to be regularly exercised.
But how exactly are you supposed to exercise such a large dog? Engage them in family activities, including playing frisbee!
Here’s how you play:
- Teach your dog how to run after the toy, pick it up and bring it back. Once this is mastered, teach him how to catch the frisbee in his mouth if he doesn’t have enough time to pick it up before you throw again.
- Throw the frisbee as far away from you as possible and let your pup go get it! Keep practicing until he can chase down anything you throw and bring it back safely – even when there are other dogs around or distractions like squirrels or birds.
If he starts chasing something else, call him over using his name instead of catching the frisbee, and then give him a treat when he comes back to you.
- Practice on the ground before expecting your dog to catch the frisbee in the air. That will undoubtedly take some time to master!
Grooming
When it comes to coat grooming, Dobermans only need a minimal amount of coat maintenance. Their short coats do not require much brushing, and they only need to be bathed when necessary.
However, ear cropping is common with this breed, and their ears need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent infection.
There are a few ways to groom a Doberman.
First, brush your dog’s coat with a stiff-bristled brush and make sure to get all the mats out. When you bathe your dog, don’t use soap or anything that will dry its skin.
You can also bathe your dog without water by using cornstarch or baby powder as the masking agent. Just rub a generous amount of it all over your dog’s body and brush them off. Be careful, though, because that powder will get everywhere!
Dobermans typically need grooming two to four times a year which is considerably less than other breeds need.
Nail Care
Some people may not know, for example, that these dogs also require frequent nail trimming. A lot of breeds do, but some are less high-maintenance than others.
That said, time and patience are needed to keep up with your new family member’s nail-trimming needs.
The first thing you’ll want to do is learn how to trim their nails safely and efficiently.
Of course, it would be best if they could handle this on their own (after all, they’re very intelligent!), but in most cases, you’ll need to put in a little bit of work yourself.
You can use regular clippers or nail trimmers for this purpose. However, you should be aware that their nails can become very sharp over time which is bad news for your furniture!
You should only trim a small part of the nail off at a time. Otherwise, you risk cutting them too short, which is extremely painful for the dog and will cause them to bleed for a long time.
Even worse, if you hit a nerve in their nail, they may snap and even attack you.
Choosing the Right Breeder
One thing to keep in mind when owning a Doberman is the choice of breeder.
A good breeder will be able to answer any questions you may have about the breed of dog and provide you with all the necessary information.
Pet owners should be aware that the cost associated with adopting a Doberman can vary greatly. This depends on where you go getting one from.
A reputable breeder will charge anywhere between $1500-$2000, but you can find adoptable Dobermans cheaper with rescue organizations.
Once the adoption process is complete, you will need to take your pup to a veterinarian soon after to have them checked out and vaccinated. They also need to be spayed or neutered. Although different breeders will give you different recommended time frames for this to happen.
Final thoughts
Owning a Doberman can be extremely rewarding, but does come with its challenges! We’ve covered the Doberman’s positive qualities as well as its negative ones. Hopefully this will help you decide if adopting one will be suitable for your household.
As long as you’re willing to give your Dobie lots of attention and love (and maybe some training!), then there’s no doubt he will become a beloved family companion.
