Whether you own a Doberman or simply pass one on the street, there’s no denying their physically intimidating appearance. While they are normally used as guard dogs, Dobermans are also ideal pets for families due to their loyalty and affection. Before bringing one of these muscular and active dogs into your home, however, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Are Dobermans hard to care for? Do they enjoy being outside? How high can they jump, and is my fence sufficiently tall?
Luckily, when it comes to Dobermans, if you begin training them at an early age, they can incorporate themselves into your life easily. Unfortunately, when it comes to fencing around your home, if you plan on allowing your Doberman outside alone, be prepared. A Doberman can easily perform a vertical jump of at least 6 feet. Now, this is an amazing feat, but it doesn’t mean your Doberman will leap out of your backyard fence if it’s less than 6 feet tall. Let’s learn more about Dobermans and their amazing abilities.
The Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman is considered nobility in the world of dogs. They are poised, intimidating, and fiercely protective when need be. This may be due to them being bred as protection for tax collectors in the early 19th century. While that may have been the intention, it isn’t where the Doberman’s story ends.
Yes, these dogs can make you second guess your choices when they are upset, but when they are with their humans, they are nothing more than a bundle of love. Dobermans are affectionate and loving with their families. They also love to stay active and get lots of exercise.
The Doberman Pinscher made its way to the United States in the early 1900s. By 1908 the breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club. Through the years, more and more people came to realize that Dobermans were more than guard dogs. They are often used as search and rescue dogs, for military service, and even for law enforcement. Due to the affection and care they give their owners, these dogs also make great service animals.
The Jumping Doberman
Knowing that the Doberman can jump at least 6 feet, with some saying they’ve seen them go at least 8 feet, you may be curious how they can jump like this. One answer is their amazing build. The Doberman has long legs and a muscular, lean build. This design sets the stage for amazing jumps. They are also incredibly fast dogs thanks to their genetic relationship to Greyhounds.
Yes, the Greyhound was one of the breeds used by the German tax collector and dog breeder when he developed his protective Dobermans. This relationship and build allows the Doberman to run at speeds of nearly 40 mph (miles per hour). If you combine those kinds of speeds and their long, lean legs, you can easily see how a Doberman can jump 6 feet.
Keeping Dobermans in the Yard
Now that we’ve made it clear that Dobermans are not only great dogs but amazing jumpers, you may be wondering whether you could ever keep a Doberman confined to your yard once you bring one home. The answer to that question is simple. While they are incredibly agile and able to make mind-blowing jumps, Dobermans are also very loyal to their owners. This loyalty, and the fact they are easily trained, instills an instinct in these dogs to respect the boundaries you instill in them. That includes your backyard fencing.
Here are a few other ideas to help you keep your Doberman inside the fence and avoid dealing with their amazing jumping prowess.
- Privacy fences are better than chain-link or other fence types for Dobermans. When they can’t see what’s going on over the fence, they tend to avoid jumping it.
- Avoid stacking things around your fence or other areas where you don’t want your Doberman jumping. If they see the stacks, they may see them as tools for jumping.
- Don’t let your Doberman see you climbing your fence or leaning over it. This breed is highly intelligent, and they may mimic your actions and do what you do.
- Give them plenty of exercise and adequate space. A well-trained Doberman will respect the boundaries you set in place if you ensure they are worked out well and given enough room to play and explore.
- The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to stopping your Doberman from jumping is training. These dogs take to training well. If you work with them, they will learn quickly that jumping the fence is wrong.
Final Thoughts
Now that you understand the amazing jumping power a Doberman has, you can do your best as a responsible pet owner to keep their leaping under control. With proper training and care, your Doberman will respect your wishes and only show off their ability to jump 6 feet or more when you want them to do so.
Featured Image Credit: Cynoclub, Shutterstock
