Do Dobermans shed? Yes they do, but only a little. Coat length and ease of maintenance is an important consideration when choosing a new dog. If you are considering buying or adopting one of these beautiful hounds, you may be wondering if Doberman Pinschers shed.
You probably also have many other questions about the Doberman, so we’ve put together a handy guide to the breed, including Doberman shedding with lots of useful information to help you decide whether this is the right dog for you.
Table of Contents
How much do Dobermans shed?
Dobermans have short, single-layered coats and no thick undercoat like the Labrador or German Shepherd. It is this undercoat that is often responsible for the copious amount of hair shed by double-coated breeds.
So if they don’t have an undercoat, do Dobermans shed a lot? The answer is no, they don’t. Dobermans are a low-shedding breed and their coat is easy to maintain.
Dobermans do shed a little, but the shedding doesn’t tend to be seasonal- instead, it continues throughout the year. The hairs that they drop are short and thick so are easily vacuumed or swept up.
They don’t tend to be static so they aren’t likely to cling to your clothes. If you groom your Doberman using a brush or a hand mitt every few days, this will further reduce the amount of hair that is shed inside your home.
What is a Doberman?
The Doberman is a medium-sized dog of athletic build that originated in Germany in the 19th Century. A tax collector named Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was looking for a dog that would protect him whilst he was working.
He also happened to run a dog pound and set about breeding his ideal dog. After Mr Dobermann died, other breeders continued to refine the breed and the Doberman was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908.
A number of breeds are believed to have contributed to the development of the Doberman; these include the Old German Shepherd, Beauceron, Rottweiler, Greyhound, German Pinscher, Manchester terrier, and the Weimaraner.
Today the Doberman is popular as a pet and as a working dog, it is currently ranked 16th in the American Kennel Club’s popularity ranking.
Suggested reading: Which dogs make the best guard dogs?
Doberman Meaning
The Doberman was originally known as the Dobermann Pinscher and still retains this name in many countries today. It was named after the man who created it– Mr Dobermann- although the second ‘n’ is seldom used.
The word ‘pinscher’ means ‘terrier’ in German and some breed clubs have now dropped this word from the name as the Doberman is not classed as a terrier.
Doberman Appearance
The Doberman is powerful and muscular, yet incredibly elegant and proud. It is described by the AKC as ‘one of dogkind’s noblemen’.
The Doberman has a compact body and long legs, it is bred for excellent athletic ability, speed, and endurance. The breed has triangle-shaped drop ears and a long, thin tail, however, it may have the ears cropped and the tail docked in countries where this is legal.
The Doberman has a long muzzle and a ‘wedge-shaped’ head. The coat is short and sleek all over.
Very occasionally you may find a long-haired Doberman in a litter of puppies. This is a result of a recessive gene still present in the Doberman, inherited from its ancestor breeds. Long-haired Dobermans are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Doberman Stats
height:
weight:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
How long do Dobermans live?
On average, Dobermans live to 10-13 years old, depending on the level of care they have had and how healthy they are. Dobermans can be prone to a number of hereditary diseases so buying a puppy from health-tested parents is vital.
Doberman Colors
The AKC breed standard accepts dogs that are black, blue, red or fawn (Isabella) with rust-colored markings over the eyes, on the muzzle, throat and chest, down the legs, on the feet and under the tail.
A little white patch on the chest is allowed but it must be less than half a square inch.
Doberman temperament and training requirements
Dobermans were originally bred as guard dogs and they retain the tendency to be protective of their home and their family.
They are incredibly loyal dogs and they are loving and affectionate with their family. They tend to be good with children they know but they may be reserved or even anxious around unfamiliar children and adults until they get to know them.
Socializing your Doberman puppy is essential to develop his confidence around strangers. Dobermans are highly intelligent and they need to be kept busy or behavior problems may develop.
They can easily become destructive or hyperactive if not adequately stimulated. They need regular training using positive, reward-based methods and they thrive when given a job to do.
Dobermans can excel at agility, competitive obedience, tracking, scent work, rally obedience, heelwork to music, and working trials.
How much exercise does a Doberman need?
Dobermans are energetic dogs who require a lot of exercise, especially when young.
They were bred for speed and endurance so a quick walk around the block will not suffice! You can expect your Doberman to need 2 hours of exercise a day, preferably split into 2 or more sessions.
This can be a mix of on and off-leash walking, playing with toys, running or hiking with you, and taking part in activities such as agility or flyball.
Do Dobermans like water?
Maybe. Some do, some don’t. Dobermans weren’t bred for working in water and there is an argument that their deep chest makes swimming difficult. In addition, their fine coat offers little protection from cold water.
However, many Doberman owners will tell you that their dog loves swimming and there are even some Dobermans who compete in water sports such as Dock Diving.
The earlier your Doberman experiences playing in water, the more likely he is to learn that it is fun. Safety is important and always supervise your dog in water, especially if he is an inexperienced swimmer.
Doberman grooming
The Doberman coat is easy to care for and requires very little grooming. A brush once or twice a week should be sufficient to remove dead hair and keep the glossy sheen.
Some owners prefer to use a grooming mitt as it is more effective at removing loose hair while being gentle on the skin.
You will need to trim your dog’s nails if he doesn’t walk on hard surfaces regularly- if you don’t feel confident to do this yourself, ask a dog groomer or a vet nurse to do it for you.
Just two love birds soaking up the sunshine ☀️
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I got a marrow bone for being the goodest boy!
It is delicious, helps me clean my teeth and helps me chill out and ignore loud noises that are happening around me
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Sorry but how good does she look in the leopard print harness 😍 made by john_and_dee
Ivy had a go on the fun pull at gatorsweightpulling and got her first certificate. In true Ivy style, swipe for her beautiful pearly white smile 😂❤️
Shes bonkers but I love her for it.
bullseyefotoz 📸
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Doberman nutrition
Dobermans thrive on a well-balanced, commercial dry or wet dog food. Choose a food that is appropriate for their age and activity level.
Dobermans can have a tendency to become overweight, so ensure you feed the right amount and monitor your dog’s weight- ask your vet if you are unsure.
Dobermans are very sensitive to deficiencies in their diet so if you decide to feed a home-prepared diet, do so with the advice of a vet or a qualified canine nutritionist to ensure your dog gets all the nutrition he needs.
Doberman health
Regular vet check-ups are an essential part of your Doberman’s healthcare routine.
Dobermans can be prone to certain hereditary conditions so it is important to choose a breeder who health tests the dogs they breed from. Healthy parent dogs are more likely to produce healthy puppies.
Suggested reading: How to find a reputable breeder
Health conditions that Doberman owners should be aware of include:.
- Gastric Dilatation-volvulus. This is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas or food and then twists on itself, cutting off vital blood supply.
Many deep-chested dog breeds can be prone to this so owners need to be aware of the warning signs such as a bloated stomach, retching, drooling, panting, and whining. - Dilated cardiomyopathy- a weakening of the heart muscle of the left ventricle
- Von Willebrand’s disease- a blood clotting disorder.
- Hip dysplasia- an inherited condition that causes abnormality in the hip joint and can lead to arthritis.
- Hypothyroidism- a disease that attacks the thyroid gland and results in weight gain, lethargy, ear, skin and behavior problems.
How much is a Doberman?
A Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder can cost between $1000 and $2500. Puppies of rarer or more sought-after colors will cost more.
Adopting a rescue Doberman can often be more cost-effective than buying from a breeder, and there are lots of great reasons to adopt rather than buy a dog.
Adoption fees vary from $100 to $500 and usually include vaccination, neutering, and parasite control.
Suggested reading: Adopting vs buying a dog, Reasons dogs are returned after adoption, Ways to identify a reputable dog rescue shelter, Questions to ask when adopting a dog
Doberman pros and cons
Pros
• Loyal and affectionate with family members
• Good guard dog
• Intelligent and easy to train
• Low maintenance coat
• Low shedding breed
• High energy, so great for an active owner
Cons
• Can be wary of strangers
• Territorial behaviour needs careful management
• Requires a lot of exercise
• Requires a lot of training
• Prone to some health problems
Final thoughts
With its noble features and sleek, shiny coat, the Doberman is certainly a head-turner!
If you are looking for an energetic and intelligent dog that doesn’t shed too much, the Doberman could be the right breed for you.
