European Dobermans are like no other canines when it comes to helping us perform our day-to-day activities. And as a parent to one, I am excited to tell you much about these loyal canine friends.
The European Doberman belongs to a family of dogs from the Doberman breed, just like the standard Doberman Pinscher, also called the American Doberman. What sets it apart is that this European Doberman is 10% larger, possessing more muscle mass, and has a higher level of aggression than its American counterpart. These variations, therefore, make the European Dobermans more useful than the American Dobermans in certain applications.
Here in this article, we will show you the lifespan of a European Doberman, how to take care of them, their temperaments, and their shedding type. Before getting into that, let’s see how the qualities of European Doberman affect their use as family dogs or working dogs.
Are European Dobermans Good Family Dogs?
No, due to their size and aggressive temperaments, the European Dobermans are not ideal to be family pets. They are preferably used as police and working dogs.
Nevertheless, European Dobermans can still become decent family pets, only if professionally trained and socialized from a very young age.
How Big Do European Dobermans Get?
The European Dobermans are usually larger than the American Dobermans because they have a bigger bone structure. They are purposefully developed to be working line dogs rather than show line dogs.
According to the FCI standards for European Dobermans, the male European Dobermans are usually 27 to 28 inches tall. They weigh between 79 to 106 lbs, while the females stand at 25 to 27 inches and weigh between 64 to 86 lbs.
On the other hand, the American Dobby is about an inch shorter and this further confirms how more intimidating the European counterpart can be.
How Can You Tell A European Doberman Puppy?
The European Doberman puppy is more compact and broader than its American counterpart. They also have a high temperament which is why they are mainly used as working dogs to protect lives and properties.
Can A European Doberman Be AKC Registered?
A European Doberman won’t pass the AKC (American Kennel Club) confirmation test as they are working line dogs. They are bred majorly for security purposes. However, they will excel in any other activities and dog sports.
How Long Do European Dobermans Live?
The European Doberman lives on average up to a minimum of 10 years. However, because they are also prone to some genetic disorders, it is important to always take your canine buddy to the vet for regular checkups.
Let’s examine some of the health issues common with European Dobermans, which may in turn have a toll on their lifespan.
Osteosarcoma
This appears as a bony tumor on the limbs or other bones like the ribs, skull, and backbone. It causes lameness and pains on the affected bones of your furry companion.
Bloating
Bloating, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus, causes gases, fluids, and food to fill the stomach of your pooch. If not treated on time, bloating can be deemed fatal.
Some signs of bloating include a painful abdomen, distress look, restlessness, excessive drooling, and inability to stand. One way to prevent bloating is to avoid exercising your pooch immediately after feeding.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is becoming more common in European Dobermans these days. A study shows that about 58% of European Dobermans will experience DCM before they die. This rate is seen higher in European Dobermans when compared to American Dobermans.
Other Common Health Issues
Hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), cervical vertebral instability, Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH), hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, and some genetic diseases are other common health issues facing European Doberman dogs.
How To Take Care Of European Dobermans?
You should provide your European Dobie with regular exercises, a good diet, and proper grooming. Doing so will ensure a happy European Doberman living a fuller and healthy life.
Exercise
European Dobermans are known for their agility and activeness. Exercising your Doberman for 1 to 2 hours daily will prevent your doggie from developing any destructive behavior and will help relieve your Dobbie of any anxiety.
You need to engage your Doberman with some outdoor exercise, like a chase of a treat within an enclosed and safe park.
Diet
You should provide your canine buddy a high-quality diet containing high calories, proteins, multivitamins, and minerals, all of which a typical European Doberman requires.
Pet Plate comes highly recommended as it meets all these requirements. Besides being rich in proteins and high in calories, each meal will contain safflower oil, salmon oil, and essential minerals like calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, potassium iodide, sodium selenite, and zinc oxide.
In addition, it contains multivitamins such as vitamin B complex, vitamin D, and vitamin E needed for a shiny coat, and to reduce shedding in dogs. Safflower oil and salmon oil contain omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids respectively and it is needed for healthy skin formation.
Most importantly, remember to avoid exercising the dog immediately after feeding to prevent bloating.
Dental Water Additives
It is also necessary that you take care of your dog’s teeth. You won’t like a bad breath from your dog’s mouth. You should care about your canine buddy’s breath, teeth, gum, and even tongue.
You should always clean your dog’s mouth with dental water additives to disinfect and clean the dirt and bacteria in your dog’s mouth.
Are European Dobermans Good With Children? Temperaments Of European Dobermans
When well trained and socialized, a European Doberman is ideal for your home and even safe with little kids.
However, not properly introducing your furry friend to your loved ones and getting both of them to be familiar with each other will lead to your European Doberman displaying some form of aggressive behavior.
You should let your new canine buddy understand that your kids mean no harm by thoroughly socializing and making them a part of your family. Doing this will accomplish the primary aim of owning a Doberman which is to protect your family and your properties.
You also have to train your kids to be friendly with the dog because a European Dobbie tends to react in self-defense when threatened or provoked, resulting in an awful situation with your children.
Are European Dobermans Affectionate?
European Dobermans are affectionate dogs if brought up properly and trained well. They are loyal dogs devoted to their human family and protection.
European Dobermans also like to cuddle with their human friends. Although this also depends on how they are brought up. They understand human emotions and tend to stay close to their human family always.
Are European Dobermans Aggressive?
European Dobermans can be aggressive, especially towards strangers, due to their territorial nature. Their protective instincts and alertness are why they are often bred to be security dogs.
Given their large sizes, one can see why European Dobermans are often preferred to serve as both police dogs and military K9s over American Dobermans. For European Dobies to fulfil their purposes, they will require vigorous physical and obedience training to perform well in their roles.
Do European Dobermans Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For European Dobermans
European Dobermans have a short and thick coat. They shed averagely all year round, which may sometimes be affected by the weather, and are deemed hypoallergenic to their moderate shedding level.
Grooming Tips For European Dobermans
European dobbies are generally clean dogs and due to the nature of their hair, they do not need frequent grooming.
Regular baths, consistent brushing of hair, and maintaining good hygiene will stop your European Doberman from shedding and will keep it in good shape. Also, remember to remove dirt and boogers around their eyes as part of the grooming process, and brush their teeth at least once daily.
How Do I Stop My European Doberman From Shedding?
To stop your European Doberman from shedding, you should brush their coat at least once a week. You can condition their coat and brush their hair with the help of shampoo products and trimming tools respectively.
Also, with a grooming tool like Furminator Undercoat Tool, its ergonomic handle makes brushing your pooch coat a lot easier and shouldn’t take more than a minute to clean up any mess on your European Dobie’s coat.
In addition to removing debris and tangles from the hair, Regular brushing and combing helps to remove the dead hairs lying underneath your dog’s coat without causing any damage to the topcoat.
Always ensure to give them a thorough bath at least every six weeks, and not forgetting to trim and clean dirt from their nails once a month. We recommend that you use Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner for conditioning and cleaning your coat.
Related Questions
How Much Do European Doberman Puppies Cost? On average, a European Doberman puppy can cost as much as $3,000. Ultimately, the pricing largely depends on the bloodline and the quality of the puppy. You can get a European Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder recommended through AKC. In this way, you can be rest assured to get a high-quality puppy.
How Strong Is A European Doberman’s Bite? Dobermans are powerful dogs. They are recognized for their jaw and bite force. The bite force of a European Doberman is a staggering 305 PSI (pounds per square inch).
Is American Or European Doberman Better? It depends on your needs and the environment. You have to examine your environment and what you want in a dog to determine which of the two will perfectly adapt to your environment. However, an American Doberman will be ideal if you desire a show line dog for conformation shows or a furry friend to always cuddle with. At the same time, the European Doberman will be a better fit if you are looking at a guard dog for security purposes.
