— 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…
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…
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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Very easily understandable and relatable. Dog's reactivity immediately and positivity.
Ryan R.
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Orlando was fantastic! It's hard to believe such a change in behavior after one session.
John & Laura K.
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We are so incredibly grateful for Gusty and the help she gave our family. We have two miniature Australian Shepherds, one of whom is just over a year old and had recently developed reactive aggression. Over the last few weeks, things escalated to the point where she began attacking our other dog whenever someone came to the door or a package was delivered. During one of these incidents, my husband was accidentally bitten while trying to break up a fight. That's when we realized we needed professional help -- fast. It had gotten so serious that we had even begun discussing the heartbreaking possibility of rehoming her, simply for the safety of everyone involved. That fear, and the emotional pain that came with it, weighed heavily on our hearts. But after just one session with Gusty, that painful thought is now firmly in the past. Enter Gusty. In just one session, our lives changed. The nuisance barking stopped…
Jessica N.
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The training may feel odd at first, but is is so effective. My dog has separation anxiety and is reactive towards/distrusting of other dogs and people. After just one session Rookie was already a bit calmer, his demeanor has changed already. There’s a lot of consistent work for us to do, but for the first time since we got him, I finally have hope. And Sarah (the BB trainer in my area) is amazing, kind, and so easy to talk to. It’s worth the investment.
Justine R.
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Sara was absolutely amazing, and we learned so much from her! We absolutely love her and this program! My boy zombie has separation anxiety and is reactive to other humans and dogs and in one session we are already seeing a change in his behavior. We are so excited for him to be able to be calm and carefree and live his life to the fullest! Thank you so much for training us to train him correctly!!!
Brianna M.
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Wow. What an experience. We had high hopes and expectations and all of them were exceeded. After 2 hours we had a completely different dog and we are determined to see this through to the end. Pepper will be a happy boy soon.
Rico L.
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Awesome trainer!!!! Really appreciate how Sara knows how to train you can really tell she loves dogs and knows her stuff.
Winnona L.
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Google Review: Sarah is awesome!!!! I learned so much from her after only the first session. After only two days, Sadie is already learning what she is and is not supposed to do.
Julie B.
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Google Review: Had our first training today at home with two Jack Russell’s and a miniature dachshund. The techniques felt like they were genuinely helping and we have a few weeks of training to go but I am confident that this will be successful. I will post an update in a few weeks as we continue on with training.
Tamara W.
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Enjoyed my exchanges with Orlando and the exercises he taught me to train Jack!
Patricia H.
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A very positive experience!!
Janet & Rick B.
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Very thorough plus effective training methods & information provided. Understanding the difference between Behavorial + command training + the rationale behind it was very helpful to be able to apply the different techniques. Glad I started training while my puppy is still young.
Nicole S.
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Went over basic commands regarding claiming space & PLACE. Additionally worked on aggression between the two dogs.
Joe G.
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Josh was great, saw immediate improvement within the 1st hour. Can't wait to use what I learned as soon as possible.
Leticia P.
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Mark is amazing. Call him, you won’t regret it. We have a new rescue, Gunner, that is about a year old who came into our home and decided he was the boss. As lifelong dog owners, we just couldn’t get him to stop his nipping, jumping, and overall dominant excitedness. It was overwhelming.
After our 3 hour first visit, our pup was fully submissive to us, listening amazing, and refused to nip or jump at all. I write this the next morning after we slept in our bed without the dog for the first time since he came home.
We couldn’t be happier with the transformation, and Gunner is so relaxed now that he doesn’t feel like he needs to run the place. Thank you Mark!
Jenny G.
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Our first session was great! Stella showed improvement and we all learned a lot.
Michelle I.
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Omar is an Amazing Trainer – Highly Recommend! Working with Omar has been such a great experience! We had worked with Bark Busters before and learned the basics, but Omar has shown us new, more effective, and less aggressive ways to make corrections. He really took the time to understand the issues we’re having with our two reactive dogs and came up with a training plan that’s easy to follow and actually works. What I really appreciate about Omar is how patient he is—not just with our dogs, but with us as we learn these new methods. He walks us through everything step by step and helps us practice until we get it right. On top of that, he’s super personable and fun to be around, which makes the whole process even better. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly knows what they’re doing and makes the experience enjoyable, I can’t recommend Omar…
Luis
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We cannot recommend Bark Busters and our amazing trainer, Ryanne, highly enough! We were expecting our first child and reached out for help with our 10-year-old Yorkie, Gerrard, and we are absolutely blown away by the transformation. Ryanne did several in-home visits and took the time to truly understand Gerrard’s behavior and our needs as owners. She patiently taught us how to train him in a way that was both effective and easy to follow. Thanks to Ryanne’s guidance, Gerrard is like a whole new dog—calmer, more obedient, and happier than ever! Her expertise, professionalism, and genuine love for dogs were evident from day one. If you’re looking for a top-notch dog trainer who delivers real results, Ryanne and Bark Busters are the best choice you could make! Thank you, Ryanne, for giving us the tools to create a better life for Gerrard and our family!…
Patrick
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Wow - Gusty is truly an incredible trainer and we saw significant improvements in our dog's behavior after just 1 session. My husband was hesitant about Bark Busters since we have tried so many different techniques with moderate success. But after Gusty left our house, my husband said "That was AMAZING!". We have a 3 year old pitbull (Moo) who is super smart and trainable, but we struggle to redirect her barking when guests come over/people come in our yard, she jumps on guests, and she has some leash reactivity. Gusty immediately tuned into Moo's needs and established her role as a trainer - truly training my husband and I to better train/support our dog. Using the Bark Busters harness, Moo is walking right next to us and is much calmer on walks. She is also responding well to respecting the front door as a "no go zone" and relaxing after she's notified us that there is a visitor. I highly recommend Gusty - we wish…
Morgan
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This training with Jared has given me the dog I've wanted and hoped for! My friends were skeptical at first about the higher cost of private training, but i work where i live so it was very important that my Rio be behaved in both areas. Rio had been adopted before and returned, so he had a few issues at first. He had lots of separation anxiety and barking. Jared gave me some important tools to use and slowly there is no more anxiety when I leave - no barking, even when left in the car as I do errands. We had a glitch at about 2 months. Rio had been housebroken and has a dog door for outside access. Suddenly he started urinating - seemingly willfully. That just about broke me truthfully. He's so smart and i was at a loss until i thought to call Jared again. He gave me the faith that we could overcome this occasional issue. We scheduled another in person visit and he gave me lots of tips! Strangely, it never happened again! I'm…
Sian
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I would like to tell you how awesome Mariah at Bark Busters Home Dog Training in Southern New Hampshire! We had a nice visit and she went over everything in detail, very patient with all of us. I have known her in the past as she was on my GHSET. I am so proud she has found her passion. Wishing her the best and I know she will do well. Highly recommend her!
Joanne G.
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I highly recommend Jared! I've been working with him for about two months now, I think we've had four or five sessions, and my dog has made huge improvements. One of my neighbors even said 'wow, it's like he's a different dog!', and I was able to host a small party at home without having to worry about him bulldozing everyone when they walked in the door. I have a 75lb, three-year old dog, and the specific issues we were looking for help with were: - pulling on leash - jumping on people to say 'hi' - barking at people, dogs, cats when they walk by the window On the first visit, Jared came to my house to get a better understanding of my dog's problem behaviors, and was able to teach me some techniques to practice for homework. In the next visit, he was able to see what kind of progress we'd made, and point out how I could improve, as well as teach my parents and teenager how to communicate with the dog. He…
Holly K.
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We can not say enough good things about our experience with Bark Busters. Mariah has been the most wonderful trainer. She is kind and considerate, patient and so very responsive. We would recommend her to all dog owners as she has been such an important part of our puppy’s life. And such a good trainer of us!!!
Cathy D.
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Mariah is wonderful with our dogs. She makes things easy to understand, listens to all our struggles and is always quick to fit us in when we need her!
Mackenzie E.
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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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