German Shepherd Doberman mix, or the Doberman Shepherd, is a mix between the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher, two of the most fearsome guard dogs in the world. Doberman Shepherds, as you might guess, are enormous, powerful animals with a lot of energy that require a lot of daily exercises and a firm, confident hand in training.

They are also devoted and affectionate dogs. They’re friendly and attentive, even though this may not be visible due to their imposing look.

If you’ve been considering adding a Doberman Shepherd to your house, you’ve come to the perfect spot! To assist you to determine if this is the breed for you, we look at the temperament, suggested training, and care of these strong dogs in this article.

German Shepherd Doberman Mix: History

Due to the fact that the German Shepherd Doberman mix is a recent generation crossbreed, nothing is known about their actual origin, except for the fact that they were first introduced in the 1990s.

Therefore, looking into the history of their purebred parents can teach us a lot.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a descendent of German herding dogs. During the 1800s, breeders and enthusiasts came together to produce many sorts of German herding dogs. This resulted in the modern-day German Shepherd that we all know and adore.

The German Shepherd is well-known police and military canine in today’s world. But did you know that the majority of their abilities stem from their time as sheepherders? The German Shepherd is now a well-known working-dog owing to their outstanding intellect, devotion, and courage.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman is a dog breed that developed in Germany at the turn of the twentieth century. The breed was designed by a guy called Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann as a medium-sized guard and companion dog.

Dobermans are known for their calm, protective, and clever demeanor.

Appearance

A German Shepard Doberman mix will most likely be a robust and athletic dog with a short soft coat of dark brown to black and tan. Large upright Doberman ears, a domed German Shepherd forehead, a long nose, and dark eyes are common characteristics of the combination.

Size:

Doberman Shepherds typically average 90 to 110 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches in height, with females being smaller than males. Due to DNA from their larger-bodied German Shepherd father, the mixes are generally longer than the ordinary Doberman.

Coat and Colors:

The coat of a Doberman Shepherd is medium in length; however, it can vary. The German Shepherd’s coat is double-layered, whereas the Doberman Shepherd’s coat is single-layered. Puppies with a single coat or a double coat can be born to German Shepherd Doberman mix parents.

The coat of these puppies is soft yet short, and it might be black, tan, or black and tan. In comparison to other colors, black German Shepherd Doberman hybrid dogs are more common.

Red Doberman German Shepherd puppies, which are bred from fawn or rust-colored Dobermans, are occasionally seen.

Temperament

Doberman Shepherd’s imposing appearance is equally matched with a brave personality. They have a protective instinct and their aggressive temperament is encoded in them.

It should come as no surprise that the Doberman Shepherd is extremely loyal, protective, and athletic and since both parent breeds are all of these things and more. They may be stubborn and rough at times, but they make up for it with their love and care for their owners. They have a strong link with their human family, and while they appear to be bold and fearless on the surface, they are actually quite sensitive and suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. This is not the breed for you if you spend a lot of time away from home.

You can also be sure that your Doberman Shepherd will be smart and clever. German Shepherds are not only popular, but they are also intelligent. As a matter of fact, they are the world’s third most intelligent dog breed, behind only the Border Collie and the Poodle. Doberman Pinschers are no dummy either, ranking fifth in terms of intellect.

Doberman Shepherds may be wonderful family dogs if properly trained and socialized, but they can be noisy and active around little children. They are normally kind and friendly with kids, but while playing, they may easily knock them over and injure them. They are fantastic family dogs for families with older children, as they are extremely loyal and fearsome guards.

Doberman Shepherds get along well with other dogs and are usually cat-friendly as well. While these dogs make excellent guard dogs, they lack a strong predatory impulse, so any other animals in your home should be safe among Doberman Shepherds.

Exercise

This is a highly active and energetic dog whose parents were bred to work. To channel and unleash their accumulated energy, the German Shepherd Doberman mix demands a significant amount of exercise.

The breed needs to exercise for at least 90-120 minutes every day, split into two sessions, but more is ideal.

Here are some dog-friendly activities:

1. Flyball: Because it is a relay competition, flyball is a dog sport that requires a lot of running. A four-dog team is sent on a course to retrieve a tennis ball from an obstacle course and return it to its handler. The team that completes the job with all of its dogs first wins.

2. Tracking Games: This form of activity is beneficial to the dog’s mental health. The German Shepherd DNA in the German Shepherd Doberman mix makes for a great tracking pup. These games include locating the treat, hiding and seeking, and discovering the toy.

3. Herding: The German Shepherd Doberman Mix, like the Doberman and the German Shepherd, may benefit greatly from this activity. Because most dogs live in cities, herding allows the dog to activate herding instincts that have been neglected for a long time.

These canines are fantastic cycling and jogging companions, and you’ll be exhausted long before they are!

Training

By properly training your Doberman Shepherd, you will be able to manage their aggression while maximizing their guarding abilities.

Positive reinforcement is the most effective technique to train a Doberman German Shepherd Mix. Praise and rewards will go a long way toward helping this dog adjust to good behavior, especially because they may be stubborn at times.

Luckily, because of their intelligence and eagerness to learn, these hybrids are often easy to teach. You must begin training and socializing your German Shepherd Doberman mix at a young age. As your dog matures, they will be able to securely associate with other people and animals.

You can also help your Doberman Shepherd overcome separation anxiety with time and effort. Make a secure location in your house, such as a windowed room with your dog’s bed and toys.

Grooming

Doberman Shepherds require less maintenance because they are low to moderate shedders. You can brush your Doberman Shepherd with the slicker brush three to four times each week and bathe them when they become truly muddy.

It’s a good idea to start training your Doberman Shepherd to get in and out of the tub at a young age so that bathing them when they’re fully grown will be easier.

It will be also beneficial to get these dogs acclimated to having their nails cut and their teeth brushed as a puppy. Also, make sure you clean the Doberman Shepherd’s ears every week, cleaning off debris from all sections that you can reach.

Health

Depending on whose parent a Doberman Shepherd inherits the majority of the DNA from, they may suffer from a variety of health problems. Doberman-dominant mixes may have fewer overall health difficulties, but they do have more serious concerns, which should be checked on a regular basis through veterinary appointments.

Hip dysplasia is common in both parents of the Doberman German Shepherd mix as dogs become older, especially if their dietary and activity demands aren’t addressed properly. Hip dysplasia makes walking, running, and jumping difficult for your mix, as well as causing discomfort.

Also, these dogs have a strong desire to eat and are unable to control their food consumption. If they are overfed, this can quickly develop into obesity; therefore, their daily meals should be divided into two to three smaller meals to prevent them from eating too quickly. Gastric torsion is a problem caused by ingesting too much air with food in large dogs that devour their meal too rapidly. In the vast majority of instances, this illness is deadly.

Osteosarcoma, cataracts, and dermatitis are all minor health issues that might afflict the Doberman Shepherd.

German Shepherd Doberman Mixes may live for 10 to 13 years with good care and a healthy lifestyle.

Cost

A Doberman Shepherd may cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the dog’s pedigree.

When buying a dog, it’s critical to go via trusted sources you can rely on. If you decide to purchase your German Shepherd Doberman mix from a breeder, look for one that has a history of mixing these breeds and can give you documents demonstrating their puppies have been checked for major health concerns.

We recommend going via reputable shelters or rescues if you decide to rescue your Doberman Shepherd.

Conclusion

The Doberman Shepherd is a huge, powerful, and imposing dog that is widely considered to be one of the greatest guard dogs and protection animals in the world. Despite their strength, they are sensitive animals who make excellent family dogs who will defend their owners to death. However, because they are strong-willed and require a strong, confident leader in training, they can be a struggle for novice owners.

It is important to remember that not every breed of dog is suitable for every family and situation. This is why it’s important to research the breed you’re interested in before bringing one into your home.

To know more, check out other articles on the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher.

Do you have a German Shepherd Doberman mix? Let us know how they are by sharing your experience in the comments section below.