Doberman German Shepherd Mix puppies are one of the strongest and fiercest looking of all the crossbreeds. The German Shepherd and Doberman Pinscher are two hard working German dog breeds with a distinctive look and personality.
In this blog post, we’re sharing the differences and similarities in the German Shepherd and Doberman Pincher to conclude on the personality, appearance and requirements of the Doberman German Shepherd mix.
What Is a Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppy?
Doberman German Shepherd mix puppies are a crossbreed dog that combines two of Germany’s most famous dog breeds, the German Shepherd and Doberman. This striking breed is large, muscular and full of life.
The Doberman German Shepherd mix is less common than both its parent breeds, however, is becoming a common choice for those looking for a protective and loyal dog with fewer potential health risks.
The puppy of this breed is adorable and watching them grow from a tiny pup to a full-size powerful dog is an incredible experience. The Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but the rewards are endless. If you have a Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy, and you invest the time and energy, these high-maintenance pups need, you’ll be rewarded with a loving and loyal dog for life.
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Breed Quick Facts
Average Height:
Male: 22”-26” (55- to 66 cm)
Female: 17”-21” (50- to 61 cm)
Average Weight:
Male: 90- 110 Lbs (40 – 49 kg)
Female: 85- 105 Lbs (35 – 44 kg)
Average lifespan: 10-12
Origin: Unknown
Alternative names:
Doberman Shepherd
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies Characteristics
The Doberman and the German Shepherd are two domineering dog breeds. It’s no surprise that the Doberman German Shepherd mix’s appearance and temperament is just as powerful.
Unique personalities are why crossbreed dogs are so incredible to own. Unlike pure-breed dogs, hybrids can inherit a number of diverse characteristics from either parent.
You never know what personality your crossbreed puppy is going to have.
If you’re interested in owning a cross-breed puppy, but the element of surprise inherent in owning these breeds puts you off, the Doberman German Shepherd is the ideal puppy for you. When the two parent breeds have similar personalities, the temperament of their puppy is easier to predict.
The similarities between both its parent breeds mean the Doberman German Shepherd mix’s personality doesn’t differ hugely between each dog. Common characteristics that occur in the Doberman German Shepherd Mix Breed include:
- Affectionate
- Energetic
- Loyal
- Brave
- Confident
- Loving
- Protective
- Dominant
- Intelligent
Although some of these characteristics will be more dominant than others, it’s likely elements of these traits will crop up in your Doberman German Shepherd mix at some point.
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Breed From?
One of the downsides to owning a cross breed dog is the lack of knowledge surrounding their origin. Crossbreeding and designer dog creation continues to increase in popularity. As this breeding phenomenon develops, it becomes increasingly difficult to track the origin of crossbreed dogs.
The majority of information we have on crossbreeds comes from our understanding of their parentage. Discover more on the Doberman German Shepherd mix’s parents further in this post.
Breeders and fans of the Doberman German Shepherd predict the breed was first bred during the nineteen-nineties, making the breed around twenty years old.
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies Physical Appearance
If you’re familiar with the Doberman and the German Shepherd, you’ll know these two dogs attain a domineering physical appearance. Both breeds are large, muscular, agile dogs, originally bred for working purposes.
These big dogs have a traditional appearance with a long muzzle, black nose and dark eyes. The Doberman German Shepherd mix has large ears that stick upwards and a thick fluffy curved tail.
When it comes to their coat, the Doberman German Shepherd mix’s coat can vary due to their parents having different coats. A German Shepherd Doberman mix puppy can either take after the German Shepherd, who has a long fluffy coat, or the Doberman, who has a short shiny coat. Depending on which parent your Doberman German Shepherd mix takes after will influence their grooming needs.
All Doberman German Shepherd coats are black, brown, tan or a combination of these three colors. This breed is a low to medium shedder, depending on the thickness of its coat.
If you own a Doberman German Shepherd puppy with medium length fur, your puppy likely takes after its German Shepherd parent. Although the German Shepherds grooming needs aren’t super high-maintenance, they do demand more attention than the Doberman’s.
To groom a Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy with a German Shepherd coat, you need to brush them with a long-haired brush every few days and every day during their heavy shedding periods. As with most dogs, bathing can be kept to a minimum and only needs to be done every few months or on particularly dirty occasions.
Pay special attention to your dog’s undercoat and overcoat during heavy shedding periods to ensure your dog stays comfortable, and their coat stays in quality condition. If you’re concerned about your dog’s shedding, you can invest in a shedding shampoo, dog food, or speak to a professional vet.
If your Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy takes after the Doberman and has a shorty, shiny wiry coat, less grooming is required. It’s unlikely you’ll have to take your puppy to the groomers, and a good short-haired dog brush is all you need for grooming your pup.
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies Exercise And Training
The Doberman Pinscher and German Shepherd are two exceptionally large dog breeds. Taking after its parents, the Doberman German Shepherd mix is equally as large. A high-energy dog of this size demands high levels of exercise. Two walks a day is recommended for the Doberman German Shepherd mix, averaging about ninety minutes per day.
A Doberman German Shepherd mix is too large and high energy for apartment living. If you’re looking into buying a Doberman German Shepherd, make sure you have a large enough house and backyard for when your puppy becomes fully grown.
Being the offspring of two working dogs should mean training the Doberman German Shepherd mix isn’t too difficult. As long as your puppy understands you’re the alpha as early on in the relationship as possible, you shouldn’t encounter any problems with getting your puppy to listen to commands.
The only issue that continuously arises when it comes to training Doberman German Shepherd mix puppies is to do with the breed’s stubborn nature. The Doberman German Shepherd can be extremely stubborn, which is why you must train and socialize your puppy as early as possible. Alongside exercise, training for your Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy should take place every day.
Once your dog and you have established the correct power dynamics, and your puppy has been exposed to an array of diverse people, training should be a breeze. The Doberman German Shepherd is extremely loyal, and therefore, always looking to please its owner.
Failure to socialize your puppy early and position yourself as an authority figure will increase their stubborn nature, and could potentially create a hostile and dominating pet.
The Doberman German Shepherd mix is still in touch with the finding and receiving instincts of its parents. To nurture these instincts and stop frustration building up in your pup, provide interactive toys and games. When your Doberman German Shepherd mix does something successfully, reward them with treats and positive affirmations.
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies Breed Health
Generally, mixed puppies are healthier than pure breeds. For the Doberman German Shepherd mix, this is particularly good news, considering the German Shepherd is infamous for its poor health.
High protein and nutrient-rich foods and daily exercise are the best things you can do to keep your pet healthy and happy. Alongside this, you need to know the common illnesses that occur in the Doberman German Shepherd mix breed. These illnesses include:
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Gastric Torsion
- Osteosarcoma
- Cataracts
- CVI
- Pannus
- Progressive Posterior Paresis
- Perianal Fistulas
- Dermatitis
Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies Parents
Almost everything we know about this breed stems from the history and knowledge surrounding the Doberman German Shepherd mix’s popular parents. The Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd are two of the most popular dog breeds across America and around the globe. To help us understand more about the Doberman German Shepherd cross, let’s take a deeper look at its two parent breeds.
The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a working dog that originated in Germany during the 1800s. When initially bred, the German Shepherd’s role was to guard and herd farm animals. Since then, the German Shepherd has worked in numerous roles and become one of the world’s most beloved pets.
Despite their domineering appearance and protective personalities, the German Shepherd is one of the most loving, loyal and affectionate dogs found in American family homes today. Just like its mixed- breed offspring, the German Shepherd requires attention and regular training, however, the reward for this is a dotting pet and a lifelong companion.
Doberman
The Doberman Pinscher also originates from Germany, just a few years after the German Shepherd. Initially, the Doberman was bred as a guard dog. Their lean posture, muscular body and stern face made this breed the perfect protector for its breeder, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. A German tax collector, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann bred the Doberman as a form of protection whilst he went about his daily work.
These pups have a reputation for being intimidating and often aggressive. Although this may put potential owners off, the Doberman’s fierce nature has made them ideal for jobs in the police force and other guarding positions.
Those that do own Dobermans as pets sing the praises of the Doberman’s unwavering loyalty and high-energy. When socialized from a puppy, the Doberman is the ideal family pet for an active and energetic family. The Doberman will always protect its owner, and when brought up in a loving environment, it’s fun and playful side will flourish.
Summary On The Doberman German Shepherd Mix Puppies
Doberman German Shepherd mix puppies aren’t for the laid back or the lazy. A Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy demands attention, exercise and training daily. If you’ve not owned a dog before, or you don’t have the time to dedicate to your pet, the Doberman German Shepherd mix isn’t the ideal dog breed for you.
If you invest time and attention to nurturing and socializing your Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy, you’ll be rewarded with a fun and affectionate companion.
Before buying your Doberman German Shepherd mix puppy, you need to consider how large your pup will eventually get. If you live in a small house without a yard or locally greenery, you can’t own a Doberman German Shepherd mix. These big dogs need space to roam and explore. If you don’t provide your dog with open space and engaging toys, they may become aggressive and frustrated.
Although the Doberman German Shepherd may seem intimidating, this loyal breed will become soppy and affectionate once warmed to its owner. Make sure you put effort into bonding with your dog and establish authority over them from as young as possible. Early socialization is also crucial for this breed due to its potential protective and stubborn characteristics.
If you meet your dog’s demands, train them daily, and keep them active, there’s no reason this intimidating breed can’t become a big friendly giant. The Doberman German Shepherd mix is an eye-catching breed; their sheer size and powerful stature are sure to catch gazing eyes at any dog park or social event. Like all dogs, this cross breed is even cuter when it’s a puppy. Make sure your dog looks good, feels great and is treated well, and they’ll reward you with a protector and a friend for life.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.