Character & Temperament

The Doberman is a fascinating breed that has a lot of character traits and behaviors that you should take into account as a future owner. He is not only very agile and sporty but also sensitive and intelligent. Basically, the Doberman is an extremely loyal and people-oriented dog. So if you are someone who can spend a lot of time with your four-legged friend, the Doberman could be just the right choice for you. However, the Doberman is not just a cuddly cheek. Because of his history as a protector, he has a strong guarding instinct. This means he is vigilant and has a strong need to protect his territory and family. In some cases, this can cause him to be wary of strangers and to be stressed by frequently changing visitors. That's why it's important that you make sure to socialize your Doberman well from an early age and teach him that not every stranger is a threat. Another important point is the Doberman’s high energy level. He is not a dog that can lie on the couch all day. He needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Be it through long walks, playing time in the garden or dog sports. It is important that you are able to meet his need to move so that he can lead a balanced and happy life. When it comes to staying alone, you should also know that the Doberman, as a very people-oriented breed, usually doesn't like being alone. He can learn to stay alone for short periods, but care should be taken to ensure that this does not become the rule. When it comes to hunting behavior, it should be said that the Doberman does not have an extremely strong hunting instinct, but due to its history it is still a dog with a high level of prey-catching behavior. It is important to start recall training early and ensure that the dog remains controllable in any situation.

What Awaits You

The Doberman is considered a very excitable dog with a high energy level. He is docile and quick. The Doberman is not a beginner dog and needs exercise appropriate to its type. Heart disease is common in this breed.

Housing & Care

The Doberman Pinscher can be kept in the city as long as it receives enough exercise and activity. A garden is ideal, but not absolutely necessary. As very social creatures, dogs should generally not be kept in kennels. Despite its reputation as a guard dog, the Doberman is also not a kennel dog as it could freeze outside without an undercoat. Dobermans are generally good with children as long as they are properly socialized, but it is always important to monitor interaction between dogs and children. However, they are only moderately suitable as family dogs, as they could be stressed by the hustle and bustle of other visiting children. The Doberman can get along with other pets, including cats, if he is used to them from an early age.

Training & Education

Dobermans are intelligent and trainable dogs that like to keep busy. They are suitable for a variety of dog sports, such as obedience, agility, pulling dog sports, cycling and jogging. You should make sure that the dog is not overly busy and gets enough rest periods. It is important to offer them mental challenges and not just physical ones. Nose work is very suitable for this. Dobermans should be trained consistently but fairly. You have to offer them good leadership so that they learn to give up responsibility for protecting the house and the "pack". Developing frustration tolerance and impulse control is particularly important so that they learn to remain calm and controlled in various situations. Early socialization and exposure to different environments and people are crucial to developing a well-adjusted Doberman.

Nutrition & Care

Dobermans are active dogs and therefore require a balanced diet with high-quality proteins and fats. It is also important to keep an eye on calorie intake to avoid becoming overweight. In terms of care, the Doberman is quite easy to care for. The coat is short and dense without an undercoat. An occasional brushing is enough to keep the coat clean and shiny. Since the Doberman has no undercoat, it is not particularly well suited to very cold climates; in Germany, you may want to consider a dog coat in winter.