It is true that the Doberman has a reputation as an aggressive breed, even a dangerous one. However, the Doberman is a lovable, gentle dog that gets strongly attached to their owner and immediate family. They’re also defensive-minded dog with extraordinary courage and power. Their strong instinct for protection, however, leads them to be wary of strangers. Nevertheless, one thing is sure: They will certainly not fail to protect their territory and their family from malicious people.

Overall, Dobermans can make excellent pets, provided they have received proper training and socialization. We also recommend this breed mostly to experienced dog owners.

What You Need to Know Before Adopting a Doberman

What you want is for your Doberman puppy to grow up to be a well-rounded, gentle, and tolerant adult dog. Keep in mind that males of this breed can weigh up to 100 pounds, and while they make great pets, you don’t want to end up with a poorly socialized Doberman that has behavioral issues.

Given the full grown Doberman’s impressive size, it’s important to not teach a Doberman puppy tricks that look adorable when they’re young but that can be extremely problematic when they are larger. For example, teaching your puppy to “jump” on or playfully “tackle” you might be charming when they’re small, but a full grown Doberman that tackles an elderly person can cause substantial injury.

Another factor to consider when dealing with a breed this large is the logistics of their size. They will need large crates and beds and may not readily fit in an average car for transportation purposes. They will also eat considerably more than a small breed, and as such, their food bills will be higher.

Many preventive medications for canines (such as a heartworm preventive) are dosed by weight. A large dog needs more of the same medication than a small dog, and over time, these expenses will add up. A simple tail wag from a Doberman can easily clear all the contents off a surface like a coffee table. Likewise, in the unfortunate event of an emergency, their weight can be too much for an ordinary person to handle to bring them to a veterinarian.

Essentially, what’s important to keep in mind is that a breed as large as this needs the appropriate living space, consideration, and commitment (including financial commitment) from the potential owner prior to being adopted.

Temperament

The Doberman is courageous, intelligent, loyal, and sensitive. They’re attached and devoted to their owner, and their loyalty is never in question. This gorgeous dog has long had a reputation for being a fierce dog, a reputation that has somewhat faded today. Although the Doberman is a good watchdog due to their strong protective instinct and strong character, they are indeed gentle, especially with children. The Doberman is intelligent, energetic, and unwaveringly loyal to their adopted family. They hate loneliness. Emotional and sensitive, this dog needs a calm and fair owner.

Energy

The Doberman is an athletic dog. Every day, they need a lot of exercise to stay fit and happy. They will enjoy long walks, but above all, they prefer to run alongside their owner or in a park. They are also an intelligent dog that needs to be mentally stimulated to thrive: You can try obedience lessons, tracking, agility training, hiking, and so on. If the Doberman is too often confined, left alone, and not moving enough, they can become irritable and yes, even aggressive.

Grooming

Grooming the Doberman is quite easy. The maintenance of their short hair is often limited to a weekly brushing. However, your dog may need more frequent grooming, especially if they have a knack for getting themselves dirty when left to their own devices (for example, some dogs love rolling in mud!).

Another question we often see is “Do Dobermans shed a lot?” This breed does in fact have a moderately high rate of shedding, so you might want to groom your dog more frequently to keep their hair from getting all over your furniture and fabrics.

Living Environment

Given their size, this breed tends to do best in a large house, ideally one with a fenced yard for them to exercise in. Given their high energy and sheer size, they are not the best dog for an apartment dweller. They may also not take well to strangers in densely populated apartments. While they’re friendly toward their own family members, they are extremely vigilant guard dogs.

Quality Time

The owner of the Doberman must be of the athletic type because this dog needs a lot of exercise. They must be available to devote several hours a week to walking and doing various activities with their pet. In addition, the Doberman fundamentally needs human companionship to be happy and fulfilled. Therefore, their owner must be someone present, not someone absent constantly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Dobermans Aggressive by Nature?

Dobermans are not inherently aggressive. However, they are fiercely protective of their family, so they can definitely act aggressively if they’re poorly trained or if they perceive another person or animal as a threat.

They make great guard dogs, but the most important trait that a guard dog should have is being able to distinguish between a threat and a non-threat. So, by definition, a well-trained Doberman won’t be unexpectedly aggressive toward others for no apparent reason.

Are Dobermans Easy to Train?

Yes. Dobermans are highly intelligent and eager to please, and as such, they are considered easy to train.

Are Dobermans Good With Other Pets?

Sometimes, Dobermans tend to have a lukewarm response toward other pets (including other dogs), but this must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To say that all Dobermans are good with other pets would be misleading. Conversely, the inverse (that all Dobermans are not good with other pets) is also erroneous.

Pros & Cons of Keeping a Doberman

• See Also: Dogs that Don’t Need a Lot of Exercise (with Pictures)

Bottom Line

A Doberman owner must be prepared to invest in the education and socialization of their pet. The logistics of a large dog that can be unpredictable if not trained well means this breed is best suited for someone with experience (when it comes to canines).

Unfortunately, the Doberman is often mistakenly judged to be a dangerous dog. In reality, they have a strong temperament but are well-behaved and loyal. Indeed, Dobermans from reputable and responsible breeders are loving family dogs and make wonderful pets.

See also:

• • Doberman Names
  • Doberman Ear Cropping: Is It Necessary?

Featured Image Credit: Primorac91, Shutterstock