If you think that the Doberman Pinscher is a large and intimidating dog, wait until you see the King Doberman. This giant dog is ideal for fans of big and scary doggies, as they combine the large build of breeds like the Great Dane with the Doberman’s intense looks.
Also known as the Warlock Doberman, King Doberman is a mix between a Doberman Pinscher and Great Dane. Breeders specifically pick this breeding combination to obtain large-sized offspring of puppies. Size is the only thing that matters for King Dobermans, in spite of having unexpected charms and temperaments.
As far as physical appearances go, the King Doberman typically resembles a purebred Doberman’s features but with the dimensions and proportions of the Dane. The coat is also typically more like the Doberman’s. The personality traits that King Dobermans have are a bit hard to predict as the breeds used in the mix are so different. If you are considering getting a King Doberman, here is all that you need to know about this not-so-gentle giant.
What Is A King Doberman?
As a mix of two magnificent dog breeds, the physical appearance of a King Doberman can easily be summed up as the face of a Doberman and the body of a Great Dane.
Here is more about what these mixed giants look like and how big they really get.
Size And Weight
King Dobermans are much larger than purebred Dobermans and may or may not reach the Great Dane’s gigantic dimensions. For some perspective on what to expect, purebred Dobermans measure about 27.5 inches and weigh on average 65 to 95 lbs.
Great Danes, on the other hand, measure up to 32 inches in height and 110 to 175 lbs in weight.
The King or Warlock Doberman will fall somewhere between the ranges for both the purebred parents.
Build And Proportions
The King Doberman may take after the muscular and athletic form of the Doberman parent. They can also end up with a ‘leggy’ appearance due to their disproportionately long legs.
Coat Type And Colors
More often than not, King Dobermans take after the purebred Doberman’s beautiful coat. This will be short, dense, and smooth to touch. It may also have a glossy look to it.
The colors are also often what is found on Dobermans in which case the black and tan or black and brown combinations are the most common.
The tan or red markings appear over the eyes, on the muzzle, on the shoulders, paws, and partly on the chest and underbelly.
In very rare cases, the King Doberman may have a single coat color in which case black is the most common.
Facial And Skull Features
Like purebred Dobermans, King Dobermans have a narrow skull and facial silhouette. They have a long snout that tapers with a strong jawline. Ear cropping in this case is optional but preferred by most breeders, owners, and dog shows.
How Long Do King Dobermans Live?
King Dobermans have a lifespan of 9 to 12 years. Purebred Dobermans on the other hand typically live for 10 to 13 years. This is unusual as mixed breed dogs typically live longer than their purebred parents.
Hence, King Dobermans are not known to be very healthy dogs. Their large sizes are to blame for most of the health issues they have, and their body mass makes them less agile and active. Furthermore, they are at risk of inheriting diseases common to both Dobermans and Great Danes.
Here are some of the most common health issues that your King Doberman may have.
Obesity
King Dobermans are more likely to become obese than purebred Dobermans. The mixed Warlock variety tends to be slower and less agile despite having a huge appetite.
If you are not careful about what and how much you feed your King Doberman, or practice free feeding, you will end up with an overweight doggy. Things usually just go downhill from there.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in King Dobermans. It often happens as a result of a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy where the dog’s heart chambers become too dilated to function effectively.
Heart failure in your King Doberman can also be as a probable consequence of severe obesity.
Hip Dysplasia
Both Great Danes and Dobermans are at a huge risk of developing hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the socket of the hip joint fails to form normally.
The resulting instability compromises the King Doberman’s activity levels and could even result in arthritis later on in the dog’s life.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
According to a recent study, Doberman Pinschers are the most often affected dog breed by von Willebrand’s disease. Unfortunately, this is a trait that they often pass to the mixed King Doberman dog breed.
This condition causes abnormal bleeding as the clotting process is compromised. While most King Warlocks can live relatively normal lives with the disease, regular vet checkups to pick up on spontaneous internal bleeding are a crucial part of the dog’s care.
How To Take Care Of Your Warlock Doberman?
Due to their large size and multiple health issues, the Warlock Doberman is a high-maintenance pooch. We would definitely not recommend this for first-time dog owners or for dog lovers who have very busy schedules.
However, with the right know-how on the dog’s care needs and tips on how to fulfil them, anyone can raise a healthy and happy King Doberman. Here are a few pointers that should help if you are determined to take one of these loveable pooches home with you.
Exercise Needs
Unlike purebred Dobermans, Warlock or King Dobermans are not the most athletic of dogs. However, regular exercise is still an important aspect of their care as it helps to keep them within healthy weight ranges while also strengthening bones and joints.
We recommend you to set aside 1 to 2 hours every day for your King Doberman’s exercise. If they have joint issues, limit this to an hour with low intensity exercises and games.
Dietary Needs
Warlock Dobermans are big dogs with big appetites. They usually require about 6 to 10 cups of food every day depending on their age and actual size. If your King Doberman is already overweight or is immobilized by joint issues, it is best to stick to the lower end of this portion range.
The balance of nutrients is also super important which is why you may want to consider including multivitamin supplements in your King Doberman’s diet.
Pet Plate offers ideal and convenient solutions to all these dietary needs by customizing the meal plans to your King Doberman’s specific dietary needs.
Dental Hygiene
Oral hygiene is something you cannot afford to overlook while taking care of a King Doberman. If brushing their teeth daily is not feasible for you, you can invest in dental water additives.
Just add a few drops to their drinking water and you will be able to control bad breath, gum irritation, and even tar buildup.
Are King Dobermans Good With Kids? Temperaments Of King Dobermans
King Dobermans are not ideal to be around kids, especially when unsupervised. They tend to play rough occasionally and may unknowingly hurt young children during playtime. If improperly trained, these dogs may display forms of aggression to kids, much smaller than them.
King Dobermans are developed from two dog breeds with very different personalities. On one hand, Dobermans are some of the most intimidating dogs and are known to have a bit of an aggressive side. Great Danes on the other hand are the very embodiment of the gentle giant title.
So which parent does the King Doberman take after? The answer is a bit of both. Here are some of the King Doberman’s most striking personality traits.
Intelligent And Obedient
King Dobermans are some of the easiest dogs to train, owing to the Doberman parent’s known intelligence and trainability. You can train them to fit a number of roles from being a companion pet to being a guard dog.
Besides their high levels of intelligence, their obedience and eagerness to please are to thank for this fact.
Patient And Easy-Going
King Dobermans get their calm and tolerant side from the Great Dane parent. They can therefore easily coexist with other pets and children in the household, especially when trained well.
Confident
King Dobermans are very confident dogs. They are very comfortable even in unfamiliar surroundings and around strangers and just have a way of taking control of the room.
This confidence also comes in handy for dog owners who want a King Doberman for protection.
Affectionate
King Dobermans may look big, bad, and scary but inside they are the most loyal and loving doggies. They do not let their large size stop them from trying to fit into a lapdog role as cuddling is one of their favorite hobbies.
Do King Dobermans Shed? Grooming Tips For King Dobermans
King Dobermans are known for three things, namely their large build, fierce aesthetics, and beautiful coats. They have the Doberman side of the family to thank for this as this gives them the short, dense, and glossy coat that they are popular for.
However, don’t let the short coat fool you as King Dobermans shed quite a lot. They are also not considered to be hypoallergenic, and need much attentive care to keep their coats looking beautiful as always and smelling fresh.
Here are the two most important things you need to know about good coat grooming for your King Doberman.
Brush Your King Doberman Regularly
To help keep up with the shedding, we recommend that you brush your King Doberman 3 to 4 times a week. This will help get rid of loose fur and keep the coat neat and smooth.
The right choice of brush will make all the difference in which case the Furminator Undercoat Tool is your best bet at good results. The best part is that its ergonomic design and quick-cleaning mechanism make it super easy and convenient for DIY doggy grooming.
Wash The King Doberman Every Month Or Two
King Dobermans typically do not get stinky unless they have underlying skin issues. A bath interval of every 4 to 8 weeks should therefore be more than enough to keep them looking and smelling good.
Try the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo which offers lasting results especially if you choose to work with a long bath interval.
The presence of oatmeal in this shampoo also comes in handy, especially if your King Doberman has sensitive or already irritated skin.
Related Questions
How Much Is A King Doberman? A King Doberman on average will cost you about $4,000 for a single puppy. Some can even go for tens of thousands of dollars. This makes them among the most expensive mixed dog breeds on the market. The King Doberman’s high price is largely due to the hype surrounding their large size and menacing aesthetics.
How Fast Can A King Doberman Run? King Dobermans are typically slower than their purebred, regular-sized Doberman counterparts. For reference, regular Dobermans have a top speed of about 32mph. The heavier, slower, and less agile King Doberman can only manage a fraction of this speed. This is made worse if the King Doberman also has obesity or joint issues.
What Is The Biggest Breed Of Doberman? The biggest breed variation of the purebred Doberman is the European Doberman. They measure about 28 inches tall and up to 100 lbs in weight. However, King Dobermans take the win for mixed varieties of the Doberman with dimensions as high as 175 lbs and 32 inches. The Great Dane genes no doubt serve as a benefit in this case.
