According to the American Kennel Club, the Dobermann is the 19th most popular dog breed in the United States. The popularity trend is similar all over the world especially in Europe where they are very popular both as companions and working dogs. Say what you will about these pooches but Dobermann’s are elegant. With their beautiful coats and powerful forms, it is easy to almost forget how intimidating and dangerous they can be.
It is this aesthetic and power that makes them so popular. In fact, Dobermann Pinschers can sell for anywhere between $800 to $1200 when they are puppies. Trained adult Dobermanns and those bred from champion bloodlines cost $2500 to $3000 or even more depending on the breeders.
For some perspective, we will look at what it is you have to plan for in terms of their health care, grooming, and general maintenance. But first, let’s see what it is that makes these doggies so expensive.
The price of a Dobermann depends heavily on a number of factors. The first is age in which case puppies can go for prices on the lower end of the $800 to $1200 range while adult Dobermanns are higher on the price spectrum.
Quality in terms of training and bloodline history also play a huge role.
Dobermanns bred purely from prized bloodlines could cost as much as $3000 or even more.
Those trained for special services including police work and personal protection are also as expensive.
So what is it exactly about Dobermanns that makes them generally so expensive?
Versatility is the name of the game and Dobermanns without a doubt came to play. It seems there is nothing that these dogs cannot do. With proper socialization, Dobermanns make for really good family dogs. They are also great for protection both in the domestic setting and in law enforcement including prison guarding.
With all these potential uses, it is no wonder that they are in such high demand and consequently so expensive.
Dobermanns are relatively low maintenance dogs. This, again, indirectly increases their price tag by increasing their demand. This definitely makes it easier making that initial investment.
The reason why Dobermanns are considered among the best working dogs is the fact that they are so easy to train. These doggies are super intelligent, loyal, and obedient. All these come in handy whether you are housebreaking yours or training them for protection.
Dobermanns are quite intimidating and may not be the best for first time owners. However, they have an entire fanbase that loves them solely for their formidable nature. And these guys are willing to pay just about anything to get these beautiful beasts.
Dobermanns live to 10 to 13 years which is the expected lifespan for large dogs.
While their lives are relatively long, they are not entirely unproblematic when it comes to health matters. Here are some of the main issues you may have to deal with as a Dobermann owner.
Doberman ears were initially cropped for the sake of practicality at 8 to 12 weeks. It was believed that having long ears interfered with their level of alertness as well as things like streamlining and speed. Today, Dobermanns are kept mainly for companionship which means cropping is done mainly as a matter of preference.
As a surgical procedure, there are many risks involved including infections and excessive bleeding.
Also known as GDV, this disease is associated with dog breeds that have a deep-chested build. It causes all sorts of issues from uncomfortable bloating to potentially life-threatening obstruction.
Hip dysplasia is a condition where the socket in the hip joint does not form properly resulting in an unstable joint. This affects the Dobermann’s mobility which is a big deal as these are very athletic and energetic dogs. It could also result in arthritis later on in the pooch’s life.
This is a bleeding disorder caused by an inherited absence of specific clotting factors. This is often implicated in complicated surgeries including ear cropping.
This is a condition where the ventricles in the Dobermann’s heart enlarge and the heart muscles stop functioning normally. Death in this case is usually due to heart failure.
If you are sure you want to invest in a Dobermann given all the potential challenges, here is all you need to prepare to give the puppy a good home.
Dobermanns are big dogs with big appetites and as a doggy parent it is your job to ensure that you keep up with their nutritional demands. Pet Plate is definitely the way to go if you want to ensure that you are giving your Dobermann the best quality and quantity of food.
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This is because in addition to using natural ingredients, the meal subscription factors in your dog’s age, breed, and health needs for a customized meal plan.
Good food is not always enough when raising a big and energetic dog like a Dobermann. We recommend you also include multivitamin supplements into their diet if you want to keep them happy and healthy.
These help in everything from promoting immunity and mobility to overall wellbeing for the pooch.
One thing you need to know before owning a Doberman is that these dogs do not have a single lazy bone in their body. They actually need not less than 2 hours of exercise every single day.
As large, athletic dogs, they thrive outdoors so you should definitely identify a dog park near you to take them too for playtime if you live in an apartment.
Dobermanns are widely considered among the most dangerous of all dog breeds. If you plan on keeping them as a companion, early socialization is crucial. This helps counter their instinctive aggressive response to unfamiliar individuals. Obedience training is also helpful as it makes them easier to control when they are worked up.
When it comes to Dobermanns in terms of temperament, you will either absolutely love and revere them or want absolutely nothing to do with them. This is because their personalities are just as big and intimidating as the dog itself. Here are a few of their main temperament traits so you know exactly what we are talking about.
Dobermanns are very confident and are definitely not afraid to get aggressive whether it is with other dogs or suspicious humans. Interestingly, female Dobermanns tend to be more aggressive than their male counterparts.
Fortunately, early training and socialization does a lot to help minimize any risk of violent incidents. Even then, it is not the best idea to have a Dobermann in a house with cats or young children.
Dobermann Pinschers are very intelligent dogs and obedient. They are always quite eager to learn and pick up on new commands and skills very quickly. Despite the fact that training a Dobermanns is so easy, it can still be expensive with rates up to $120 to $680 for professional training per week.
Fortunately, you could train your own Dobermann especially if you get them at a really young age. You just need the right tools in which case Brain Training for Dogs has the most to offer you. The training is conveniently divided into modules allowing you and your dog to work up to more complicated tasks.
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It is this combination of personality traits that has made the Dobermann so popular in the law enforcement and personal protection working dog niche. They are very good at their job and can be ferocious beasts when given the command.
Dobermanns have a short, sleek coat which is one of their crowning physical features. This gives them their elegant look that so perfectly complements the build. It is also what makes them easy to maintain as the coat sheds minimally. In fact, most breeders charge only about $45 per grooming session for brushing, washing, and other services.
This also means that you could very well do it yourself if you wanted to. You just have to know where to start in which case here are some of the most important grooming tips for Doberman owners.
Dobermanns do not shed very much. Their short coats also do not easily get matted up. You can therefore get away with brushing the doggy’s hair once or twice a week. Just make sure to use the right tools to get the job done properly.
Dobermanns also need to be washed on a regular basis to keep their skin healthy and to minimize odors. A 6 to 8 week interval is ideal as a way to get rid of dirt and grime without stripping the skin and fur of protective secretions.
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It is also very important to clean their ears once or twice every month. For Dobermans with untrimmed ears, it is also crucial to dry the ear folds properly to avoid infections.
Finally, take care of your Dobermann’s oral hygiene by investing in chew toys. Make sure to get heavy-duty toys as Dobermanns are strong biters. Keeping the pooch hydrated, feeding them fresh fruit, and adding dental additives for fresh breath also helps with the process.
How Big Do Dobermans Get? Dobermanns are large and intimidating dogs that can grow up to 60 to 80 pounds in weight and 26 to 28 inches in height. Just so that you can appreciate how big this is, their height translates to 2′ – 2′ 5″. That’s almost half the size of most adults.
Is It Better To Have One Or Two Dobermans? It is always better to have two Dobermans than to have one alone. This is because they are pack animals that will always thrive in company. However, you have to make sure you pick the perfect partner for them. While Dobermanns do actually do better in pairs, same sex coupling will only lead to fights. So have it as a male and female pairing to keep the peace.
What’s The Difference Between European Doberman And American Dobermans? Yes, there is a difference both in terms of physical appearance and temperament between the European and American Doberman varieties. The American is the more common of the two. It is a compact, large dog often kept both for companionship and working. European Dobermanns on the other hand are much larger and more muscular. They tend to be more aggressive and less inclined to human interaction and thus kept predominantly as working dogs.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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