The German Shepherd Doberman mix is an alpha dog for an alpha master. This intelligent, confident, and athletic designer breed makes a loyal companion suited to an active lifestyle. So, what exactly is the German Shepherd Doberman mix?
A German Shepherd Doberman mix is a crossbreed of the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher breeds. This hybrid combines the best traits of its parent breeds resulting in an intelligent, loyal and confident pup. The guarding instincts of the German Shepherd combine with the intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher to make the German Shepherd Doberman mix the ultimate watchdog.
Like most hybrids, the German Shepherd Doberman mix can be a real handful in terms of physical traits and temperament. So, before you bring one of these furbabies home, let’s explore everything you need to know about this confident breed.
How Big Will A German Shepherd Doberman Mix Get?
Most designer breeds come in small sizes. However, if you fancy a larger dog breed, the German Shepherd Doberman mix is a great option.
If you are adopting a puppy, here are some of the physical traits you can expect from this crossbreed.
Size
You can expect your German Shepherd Doberman pup to grow into a large dog. Since both the parent breeds of this hybrid are large the resulting crossbreed is equally large.
A German Shepherd Doberman pup will get to an average weight between 90 to 110 pounds. on average. Typically, these pups will grow to a height of between 22 to 24 inches.
Due to its gigantic size, this crossbreed is not suited for apartment living. The German shepherd Doberman mix will be ideal if you have a yard with lots of room for your big pooch to roam about.
Appearance
The German Shepherd Doberman mix is a graceful dog that has a beautiful silky coat. The coat colors vary from brown to black and, in some cases, combinations of both.
The half-Doberman half-German Shepherd mixed breed resembles its parents. This pooch will have a domed forehead and large pointy ears.
This crossbreed has an athletic and muscular build that suits its energetic nature. These pups need plenty of space and lots of physical activity to expend their boundless energy. This means they make great companions for people with active lifestyles.
How Long Do Doberman Shepherds Live?
The Doberman Shepherd is a healthy robust breed that has an average life expectancy between 10 to 12 years.
With proper care and nutrition, your pooch should live a long and healthy life. However, your Doberman Shepherd may be susceptible to some health conditions.
Joint Problems
Large dogs can be especially prone to joint issues, and the Doberman Shepherd is no exception. These dogs can be prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia.
It’s important to make sure that your pooch gets plenty of calcium and joint supplements. This can minimize the risk of joint problems by boosting overall bone health.
Heart Disease
Cardiac disease is one of the diseases that Doberman Shepherds are at risk for. Regular checkups are recommended to ensure that any heart problems are detected early.
Keeping your pup’s weight within a healthy range is one way to minimize the risk of cardiac disease. This will involve paying attention to your dog’s nutrition and exercise needs.
Obesity
The German Shepherd Doberman mix is a voracious eater. As a result, this breed is particularly prone to obesity.
It is important to keep your pooch healthy by ensuring they eat just enough. This breed also needs plenty of daily exercise, so a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise per day is essential.
Wobbler Disease
Both the German Shepherd and Doberman breeds are susceptible to wobbler disease. This means that Doberman Shepherds inherit this susceptibility.
Wobbler disease is characterized by instability of the vertebrae, which gives the affected dog a crouching gait. This disease is typically treated with medication or surgery in advanced cases.
How Much Is A German Shepherd Doberman Mix?
Adopting a dog comes with its fair share of costs. So how much does a German Shepherd Doberman cost?
A German Shepherd Doberman mix costs anywhere between $200 to $500. This cost will depend on the breeder, age of the dog, and gender.
Female dogs often cost more because they have a higher demand. Similarly, a Doberman Shepherd puppy will be more costly since most pet parents prefer adopting puppies to adult dogs.
Here are other costs that you need to keep in mind.
Feeding Costs
Doberman Shepherds have voracious appetites. You will need to keep your pooch well-fed on high-quality dog food to ensure their health.
On average, you can expect to spend $80 to $100 per month on dog food. This expenditure will vary depending on the particular food brand you choose.
Medical Costs
Vet visits and wellness checkups are part of the pet parent experience. On average, medical costs can fall between $600 to $1,000 per year. This excludes medical emergencies that may arise.
However, this cost will be much lower if your Doberman Shepherd is healthy and well-cared for.
Training Costs
The German Shepherd Doberman mix is an intelligent breed that is easy to train. However, due to its stubborn nature, training can be challenging, especially if you are a new pet parent.
Professional training for your German Shepherd Doberman mix will cost between $30 to $50 per session. This cost will vary from trainer to trainer.
Are Doberman Shepherds Good Dogs? Temperaments Of German Shepherd Doberman Mixes
Crossbreeds carry traits from both their parent breeds. So what can you expect from your German Shepherd Doberman mix?
Loyal
The Doberman Shepherd is a loyal and devoted companion. These dogs are very loyal and form very strong bonds with their families. This makes them excellent companions.
However, the strong attachment tendency means separation anxiety can be a problem with this breed.
Intelligent
Just like their Doberman parent, the German Shepherd Doberman mix is very intelligent or perhaps one of the brightest on Stanley Coren’s list. These dogs pick up tricks easily. You will need to provide plenty of mental stimulation for your pup.
A bored pooch can get up to lots of mischief, so it is very important to keep your Doberman Shepherd engaged.
Strong Guarding Tendencies
Doberman Shepherds have strong guarding tendencies. This means they can be very wary of strangers. Without proper socialization, these guarding tendencies can turn to aggression. It is therefore important to socialize your pup from an early age.
Vocal
Doberman Shepherds can be loud especially when they want to get your attention. This breed tends to vocalize a lot. This trait is great in a watchdog. However, excessive barking can become a nuisance so training may be needed to curb this tendency.
Stubborn
Doberman Shepherds can be a handful, especially if they are not handled firmly. These dogs have an alpha personality, meaning they require a strong leader or they will become the leader.
The stubbornness of this breed can be overcome with proper training. However, you will need to do it from an early age so that your pooch understands who is in charge.
Do Doberman Shepherds Shed? Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Doberman Mixes
The Doberman Shepherd is a low maintenance breed.
This means you will not have to spend lots of time or money on grooming your pooch. However regular grooming is part of keeping your dog healthy.
Here are some grooming tips to keep in mind.
Brushing
The short silky coat of the Doberman Shepherd sheds little.
This means that your dog can get by without daily brushing. Brush your pup every other day to keep their coat healthy and free of mats.
An undercoat tool, like the FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool, is ideal for brushing large dogs like the German Shepherd Doberman mix. This tool removes loose undercoat hair efficiently without hurting your pooch, making brushing a hassle-free experience.
Pet hair is probably one of the pet peeves many pet parents have. However, you can keep your home relatively free of dog hair using the iRobot Vacuum.
This state-of-the-art vacuum is designed with high-efficiency filters that trap up to 99% of cat and dog allergens. The iRobot vacuum also comes with a host of features, including Wi-Fi and voice connectivity for ease of use.
Bathing
The Doberman Shepherd is a pretty active breed and it is bound to pick up dirt and grime. However, its short silky coat does not trap a lot of dirt, so a bath every 4 to 6 weeks should suffice. You can also bathe your pup as needed depending on their activity levels.
An organic shampoo like the Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic 5 In 1 Oatmeal Pet Shampoo + Conditioner is great for keeping your pooch clean without drying out their skin. This shampoo is also ideal for dogs with allergies and will help to condition your dog’s coat living it clean and smelling fresh.
Related Questions
Is There A Mini Doberman German Shepherd Mix? No, there is no Mini Doberman German Shepherd Mix. The Doberman German Shepherd Mix is a large crossbreed that is a result of crossing the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd. The Miniature Pinscher Shepherd breed that results from crossing the Miniature Pinscher breed and German Shepherd is not related to the Doberman breed.
Are Dobermans Good With German Shepherds? Yes, Dobermans are good with German Shepherds. Dobermans and German Shepherds have many common traits that make them compatible. Both these breeds are protective, loyal, intelligent, and energetic dogs. Dobermans also have similar demands in terms of nutrition and exercise needs, so they do well together.
Is A German Shepherd Stronger Than A Doberman? No, German Shepherds are not stronger than Dobermans. On average Dobermans tend to be slightly taller than German Shepherds but the German Shepherd tends to weigh more. In terms of average strength, both German Shepherd and Doberman dogs are considered to be near equals. However, Dobermans tend to be more aggressive than German Shepherds.
