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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+12
Dogs
# The Dobermann: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Germany
Also called Dobermann Pinscher, this loyal German guard combines power, vigilance and attachment to its family.
Size LargeLife expectancy 10–12 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €800 – €1,300
[Find a breeder 26](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=dobermann)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
- Remarkable guard: His courage, vigilance and protective instinct make him a very deterrent guard dog.
- Family loyalty: Very attached to his owner and his family, he is affectionate, attentive and devoted.
- Intelligence at work: Receptive and willing, he learns well when training combines a fair framework, play and rewards.
- Simple maintenance: His short coat without undercoat mainly requires weekly brushing.
- High activity needs: He needs long outings and daily stimulation to stay balanced.
- Strong-willed temperament: Early socialization and firm, fair training are essential.
- Climate sensitivity: His coat without an undercoat protects him poorly from cold, humidity and extreme temperatures.
- Health vigilance: Cardiac, joint and hereditary predispositions require appropriate screenings.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active owners: They can meet its daily need for physical exercise and mental stimulation.
- Experienced owners: They will know how to manage its assertive temperament with consistency, fairness, and socialization.
- Homes with a house and fenced garden: This environment offers it more space while allowing it to live indoors.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary people: Their need for outings, games and regular activities would be difficult to satisfy.
- Living in a small space without sustained outings: The lack of space and exercise would compromise their balance.
- Owners looking for a dog without an educational framework: Their strength and assertive temperament require consistent training from an early age.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
67 cmDobermann
- Height at the withers
- 61–72 cm
- Weight
- 32–45 kg
- Coat
- Short, close, harsh, without undercoat
- FCI group
- 2
- Origin
- Germany
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Dobermann in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Originally from Germany, the breed owes its name to its first breeder, Frédéric Louis Dobermann (1834-1894). A tax collector, responsible for a knacker's yard and tasked with collecting stray dogs for his municipality, he was looking for a courageous, biting protection dog. The breed benefited from contributions from various butcher's dogs and shepherd dogs, notably the one from Thuringia, and shares ancestors with the Rottweiler. The Dobermann then established itself as a guard dog, defense dog, livestock protection dog, police dog and companion dog. Listed under number 143 in the FCI standard, it was definitively recognized in 1955.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Dobermann is a large powerful and athletic dog with an elongated head, a strong and well-proportioned skull, with medium-sized oval eyes generally dark. Its withers are clearly prominent, its back short and muscular, its loin long and muscular, its chest well developed and its belly tucked up. Its ears are set high and naturally drooping when they are not cropped, this practice being prohibited in France outside a curative reason. Its tail is set high and kept natural in countries where docking is prohibited. Its coat short, tight, harsh and lying flat has no undercoat. The coat is black or brown with clearly defined tan markings.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Affectionate and very loyal, the Dobermann is not needlessly aggressive despite his deterrent appearance. Very attached to his owner, his family and children, he seeks to please them and to defend them with determination. Attentive, courageous and wary of strangers, he has a very pronounced guarding instinct. His assertive temperament can however make him dominant towards certain fellow dogs, especially those of the same sex.
Affectionate Intelligent Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Fundamentally calm at home when he is well-balanced, the Dobermann needs to express his power and energy on a daily basis. He enjoys long walks, games and activities that stimulate his body, his intelligence and his senses. Sensitive to cold and humidity, he must live indoors, but cramped housing suits him poorly. A house with a large fenced garden and an active owner capable of organizing frequent activities better meets his needs.
Training
## Training and socialization
The Dobermann must be socialized early and receive a firm, fair and consistent education. Play and rewards encourage a balanced, respectful and happy dog. Its intelligence, responsiveness and taste for work make learning easier, but its assertive temperament requires an owner capable of setting a clear framework without brutality.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Dobermann
The purchase price depends in particular on the breeder and the dog's profile. To this initial cost is added an annual maintenance budget estimated by the source between 1 600 and 1 650 euros.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dobermann/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Dobermann is generally robust and resilient, but it has predispositions that justify regular veterinary monitoring, particularly in terms of cardiac, joint, ocular and thyroid health. It is also sensitive to cold, humidity and extreme temperatures.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dobermann/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
A high-quality industrial diet can cover the Dobermann's needs and support its energy level. The ration must be adapted to its size, its age and its activity, then divided into two daily meals.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/dobermann/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Dobermann is sometimes nicknamed the "gendarme dog" because of its historical abilities in guarding, defense and police work. In the animated film Up, Alpha is a Dobermann belonging to Charles Muntz. The film The Dobermann Gang, released in 1972, features six Dobermanns named after famous thieves and trained to take part in the robbery of a bank. A litter generally includes 3 to 13 puppies according to the data from the source.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Dobermann
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Dobermann a good family dog?
Yes, it is affectionate, loyal and very attached to its family, including children. Its power, protective instinct and assertive temperament nevertheless require early socialization, consistent training and supervised interactions.
### Can the Dobermann live in an apartment?
An apartment does not suit it well, because it needs space and plenty of exercise. However, it must live indoors due to its sensitivity to cold and humidity; a house with a fenced garden is preferable.
### How much exercise does the Dobermann need?
It needs long daily walks and regular activities that stimulate its body, intelligence and senses. An active owner is the most suitable profile.
## Find a Dobermann breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Dobermann breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Dobermann breeders in Grand Est6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/grand-est) [Dobermann breeders in Occitanie4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/occitanie) [Dobermann breeders in Hauts-de-France4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/hauts-de-france) [Dobermann breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Dobermann breeders by country
[123 breeders of Dobermann in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/italy) [94 breeders of Dobermann in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/germany) [30 breeders of Dobermann in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/netherlands) [26 breeders of Dobermann in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann) [20 breeders of Dobermann in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/austria) [11 breeders of Dobermann in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/united-kingdom) [8 breeders of Dobermann in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/denmark) [7 breeders of Dobermann in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/finland) [3 breeders of Dobermann in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/belgium) [3 breeders of Dobermann in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann/spain)
[All breeders of Dobermann in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann)
## Ready to welcome a Dobermann?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-dobermann)
## Compare Dobermann with other breeds
- [Rottweiler vs. Dobermann](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/rottweiler-vs-dobermann)
## Discover other breeds
[Pinscher
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/pinscher)
[Rottweiler
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/rottweiler)
[Miniature Pinscher
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-pinscher)
[Austrian Pinscher
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/austrian-pinscher)
[German Shepherd Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/german-shepherd-dog)
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