Let’s talk about the German Shepherd Doberman mix!
This lovely, mutt-like pooch is actually a designer dog, created by crossing the German Shepherd with the Doberman Pinscher.
Commonly known as the Doberman Shepherd, this hybrid dog has a lot of interesting traits that it picked up from both of its parent breeds.
In this article, we will try to explain the origin of the crossbreed, as well as some of its most important characteristics. We will talk about its appearance, personality, training, grooming needs, and potential health issues,
So, if you are looking to adopt a German Shepherd Doberman mix, or simply want to know more about these dogs, stick around and read this post.
What Is The German Shepherd Doberman Mix
First things first, we need to define what the German Shepherd Doberman mix actually is.
As its name clearly suggests, it is a hybrid between the German Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher. It also goes by the name Doberman Shepherd.
Doberman Shepherds need a lot of room to run around and play because they weigh between 90 and 110 pounds.
A Doberman Shepherd can be raised to be a devoted family member if it is socialized and taught from an early age.
Parent Breeds
We can’t really talk about the German Shepherd Doberman mix without first mentioning its parent breeds.
Interestingly enough, both of them were originally bred in 19th-century Germany.
German Shepherd
A German Shepherd is a breed of dog that is frequently employed in law enforcement and the military, as well as in therapy, search and rescue, and as a family dog.
Their intellect, devotion, and trainability are some of their best-known traits. Long, pointed ears and a thick, black-and-tan coat give German Shepherds their characteristic appearance.
They are medium to large-sized dogs with powerful, muscular physiques. They are also renowned for their unique personalities and intellect. They are among the most well-liked dog breeds worldwide.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher was first bred by a man called Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, which is where it got its name.
Dobies have sleek and muscular bodies and range in size from medium to large. Their short hair often has the colors black, black and rust, blue, or fawn. They stand out from other dogs thanks to their long, pointed ears and docked tails.
They need frequent training and exercise because they are known to be quite spirited. They are frequently used as family pets, but also as police and military dogs, as well as guard dogs.
With the right training and socialization, dogs from the Doberman breed can be excellent guard dogs.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Appearance
As we’ve previously hinted, these dogs often have a mutt-like appearance. This is mostly because of their coat color, but also because of their facial structure.
Doberman Shepherds are powerful, stocky dogs with long muzzles and deep, dark eyes.
They often have upright ears, and a short, smooth coat that comes in black, tan, or a combination of the two. There are also red ones, but they are fairly rare.
In terms of size, Doberman Shepherds often grow up to be fairly large canines, even though it’s not easy to exactly predict the size of a mixed-breed puppy.
They can be up to 22 to 26 inches (55 to 66 cm) tall and 90 to 100 pounds (40 to 45 kg) in weight. That’s almost the size of a purebred German Shepherd and only slightly larger than a Doberman Pinscher
Due to its enormous size, this crossbreed may undoubtedly scare potential intruders and keep its owners safe.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Temperament
Temperament is usually something that mixed breeds inherit from both sides of their family tree.
Therefore, it’s no wonder that this hybrid breed is renowned for its loyalty and devotion to its owners. In fact, they can often be a bit too clingy, so don’t be surprised if your new puppy follows you around all the time.
The German Shepherd Doberman hybrid breed is not the best dog for apartment living due to its large size. This kind of dog requires lots of room and does best in houses with large backyards where it may run around.
They will also be more comfortable in warmer places. Dobermans don’t really tolerate cold weather that well, and they pass that trait on to their mixed offspring.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Training
Training is a key aspect of dog ownership, and doubly so when you own a dog that has the potential for being aggressive.
By properly training your Doberman Shepherd, you can develop its guarding instincts and still keep its aggressive tendencies in check.
Since this crossbreed dog can occasionally be stubborn, praise and treats will go a long way in helping it develop excellent behavior.
Due to their intelligence and openness to learning, these hybrids are typically simple to teach, but training and socialization, starting from early puppyhood, are essential for your German Shepherd Doberman mix.
Taking Care Of The German Shepherd Doberman Mix
Despite the fact that Doberman Shepherds shed a lot, grooming them is not too difficult.
The short, smooth coat of the Doberman German Shepherd Mix sheds all year round. Even though this dog’s coat might not shed as much as some other dog breeds, individuals who have allergies may have trouble with it.
By making sure you maintain regular grooming habits, such as weekly brushing, you can help fight allergies, dander, dirt, and loose hair.
Aside from grooming, you need to think about the Doberman Shepherd puppy’s nutrition, as well as physical and mental stimulation.
They are large dogs so they will need a lot of dog food (but not too much, since that can lead to obesity), but they will also need a lot of daily exercise, due to their history of being herding and working dogs. Long walks in addition to 30-60 minutes of exercise should satisfy their needs.
German Shepherd Doberman Mix Health
A generally healthy dog, the Doberman German Shepherd mix has an expected average lifespan of about 10 to 13 years.
Even while the Doberman German Shepherd mix has the advantage of hybrid vigor, it can still be susceptible to many of the same health problems as purebred dogs, including its parent breeds.
In addition to physical issues, these dogs can also suffer from conditions such as separation anxiety, so you will need to have that in mind. Spend as much time with them as you can and give them a lot of space to entertain themselves while you’re away.
As we already said, they are not ideal dogs for apartment living.
We will be listing some of the more common health issues that these dogs may face below.
Hip Dysplasia And Elbow Dysplasia
This is a common genetic disorder that affects the hip and elbow joints in dogs, causing them to become malformed and resulting in arthritis and pain.
German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are both prone to this condition, so it is important to have them screened by a veterinarian and to choose a responsible breeder who tests their breeding stock for dysplasia.
Bloat
Bloat is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, causing it to rotate and become blocked.
German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are both at risk for this condition, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and to seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect that your dog is experiencing bloat.
Cardiomyopathy
This is a condition that affects the heart muscle, causing it to become thickened and weak, leading to heart failure.
Doberman Pinschers are particularly prone to cardiomyopathy, so it is important to have your German Shepherd Doberman mix screened by a veterinarian.
Epilepsy
Dogs with this neurological condition experience seizures, which can be potentially fatal.
Due to the fact that both German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are predisposed to this problem, it is crucial to have them examined by a veterinarian and to select a reputable breeder who checks their breeding stock for epilepsy.
Wobbler Syndrome
Dogs with Wobbler Syndrome have problems with their cervical spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord in the neck, which is the disorder’s defining feature, can cause a range of symptoms, including a wobbly walk, neck pain, and muscle weakness.
Numerous things, including a herniated disc, a bone spur, or a vertebral deformity, can contribute to the compression. Large breeds such as the Doberman Pincher and the Rottweiler are affected more frequently.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Dogs who have Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) suffer from a gradual and crippling condition that affects the spinal cord. It is a degenerative disorder that affects the spinal cord’s nerve cells, causing them to die off and impairing the ability of the hind legs to operate.
It can happen in many breeds, such as Labradors, Weimaraners, and Golden Retrievers, however, it is more frequently seen in German Shepherds, Boxers, and Welsh Corgis.
Conclusion
The German Shepherd Doberman mix is a very interesting mixed breed dog, and it’s becoming more popular in recent times.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering how beloved both of its parent breeds are.
This article was meant to shed some light on the breed and briefly describe some of its most important traits for all potential dog owners.
Remember, if you want to adopt a German Shepherd Doberman mix puppy, make sure to get it from a reputable breeder, because they will typically have the healthiest pups.