A Doberman named Kurt became the first K-9 casualty during the second World War on 23 July 1944 when he was fatally wounded by a Japanese grenade. Kurt was the first dog buried in the War Dog Cemetery and is the bronze dog depicted on the WWII War Dog Memorial, sitting quietly yet alert. Cappy, Kurt, and 23 other Dobermans are buried there, including a Doberman named Cappy, who saved 250 US Marines by alerting them to Japanese soldiers.
Doberman Pinscher
A super-active, intelligent dog is what you get when you adopt a Doberman. You also won the lottery when it comes to an amazingly trustworthy, tenaciously loyal, playful, and fun-loving family member.
Country of Origin
Germany
Breed Group
Working dogs
Height
Male 27-28 In
Female 25-27 In
Weight
Male 88-99 Ib
Female 71-77 Ib
Life Span
9-13 years
In a Nutshell
Dobies love to be loved and close to those who love them and are kind. They are genetically naturally protective, vigilant, and incomparably fearless, and the world’s best protectors. These traits have probably garnered Dobies a reputation for being aggressive. However, that isn’t the case, and studies have proved this. They are only aggressive in certain situations – like in the face of stranger danger. Dobies are definitely not more aggressive than many breeds people consider harmless, like Dalmatians, Great Danes, and Cocker Spaniels.
Life With a Doberman Pinscher
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
Dobermans have magnificent, athletic physiques and are considered canine kingdom royalty. They’re sleek with a glistening coat and exude power, yet they are elegant and brilliant. Because Dobermans were bred as guard dogs, the males usually have compact, muscular bodies, compared to the thinner females, with wedge-shaped heads and a somewhat intimidating appearance.
Their physical attributes impact their energetic personality. These athletes need a lot of playtime and exercise. Besides long walks or hikes, having a large fenced-in area where they can run is essential for their mental and physical well-being. They also excel at sports such as tracking, agility, and obedience.
Dobies love to be busy both mentally and physically. They are so quick to learn and easy to train that the challenge is keeping lessons fun, exciting, and fresh. One thing these dogs can have is their own ideas about who the boss is, so they need a firm owner who shows kind, consistent leadership. Otherwise, we know who is going to be the leader of whom!
A tip from a vet
The Doberman enjoys cool weather for exercising but cannot live outside in it because of its short coat. It also requires daily exercise in the form of a long walk, jog, games and sprint.
A tip from a trainer
Dobermans are strong dogs and can become unmanageable, pushy, or destructive if not raised and socialized correctly from puppyhood. The breed should always live inside the house with their people, not outdoors.
What about your Doberman Pinscher?
Did You Know
Dobies are sensitive to the cold and need sufficient shelter in winter – their ideal is next to the fireplace!
The US Marine Corps adopted the Doberman Pinscher as its official war dog during World War II.
According to the latest 2017 American Kennel Club ranking, Dobermans are the 16th most popular dog breed due to their agility and intelligence.
In The News
Famous Doberman Pinscher Owners
Tanya Roberts, John F. Kennedy, Raquel Welch, Rudolph Valentino, Victoria Principal, William Shatner, Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage, Kevin Hart, Mariah Carey, Sylvester Stallone, Kendall Jenner.
The History Behind the Breed
Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann was the first to breed Dobermans in Apolda, Thuringia, Germany, during the 1880s. Dobermann was a tax collector who ran the Apolda dog pound. His access to many types of dog breeds gave him the idea to create a new kind of dog with the strength, stamina, and intelligence to protect him. The exact details of the makeup of the Doberman are not known. Five years after his death in 1894, Otto Goeller, another breeder, started the National Doberman Pinscher Club (named in Karl’s honor). It is believed that Goeller refined and established the breed in the 1890s. Eventually, the “Pinscher” part of the name was dropped along with the double “n” in Dobermann. Only the US and Canada still use “Pinscher” in the title.
If a Doberman Pinscher Could Talk…
A Quick Anatomy Lesson
Dobermans are generally healthy but prone to specific health issues so it is advisable to have early evaluations for the following: thyroid, heart, eyes, hips, and a DNA test for Von Willebrand's Disease.
Common Health Problems
What about your Doberman Pinscher?
Why Get Pet Insurance For Your Doberman Pinscher?
Doberman Pinschers are especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin and weak, that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. Other common health issues include gastric dilatation-volvulus, hypothyroidism, Von willebrand’s disease and hip dysplasia. Pet insurance will cover your vet bills following injuries, accidents, and illnesses, including diagnostics, procedures, and treatments.
Your Doberman has a 1 in 3 chance of requiring emergency treatment in any given year. In fact, every pet will statistically suffer 6 significant health episodes in their lifetime. Each incident costs an average of $1,100+. Animalia pet insurance reimburses up to 90% of your vet bills as the unexpected is…well, expected.
Deciding on the right pet insurance plan from the start is extremely important as it should cover hereditary and congenital breed-specific conditions. If you choose the wrong plan and go to make a claim, you could find your Doberman Pinscher’s illness isn’t covered. You’re left paying the entire bill and that illness would be excluded moving to a new insurance company.
Bear in mind that we buy pet insurance to protect our precious friends and pay for the best medical care that’s needed. If something unexpected happens, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your ability to pay doesn’t depend on the size of your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doberman Pinscher Pet Insurance
How long do Dobermans live?
The average lifespan of a Doberman Pinscher is 10 to 13 years. While we’d like to see every Doberman Pinscher live 13 years (or beyond), that’s not always the case. Our dogs experience illnesses just like we do and while some are curable, others can decrease their quality of life or even shorten it.
What are Doberman Pinschers most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?
The Doberman is a healthy breed in general ,but there are a few genetic health conditions that can affect the breed, including hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), von Willebrand’s disease (a clotting disorder), progressive retinal atrophy, albinism, and hypothyroidism. These are all complicated conditions that are extremely expensive to treat. Animalia dog insurance provides coverage for accidents, injuries, illnesses as well as chronic and breed-specific conditions, while allowing you to choose a policy that fits your budget and the needs of your Doberman Pinscher.
Can I visit any vet after enrolling my Doberman Pinscher in pet insurance?
Yes, Animalia’s pet insurance gives you the freedom to pick the vet that works best for you and your Doberman Pinscher. For Animalia pet Insurance, ‘vet’ means any veterinarian, veterinary specialist, animal hospital, animal clinic, or animal surgery, who is currently registered in the US.