The first thing you’ll want to teach your Doberman is basic obedience and the commands that go along with it. Getting your dog familiar and comfortable performing these commands will make everything you try to do with him in the future (leash training, troubleshooting barking, training tricks, etc.) much easier. So start here.
Age to start training: 8 weeks
What to feed a Doberman puppy
Before you bring your Doberman puppy home, ask the breeder what food he has been eating Assuming your Doberman’s breeder is a good breeder, they are probably feeding him a high-quality dog food that is excellent for Doberman puppies.
You will want to keep your pup on this dog food until he is around five to seven months of age. At five to seven months, a Doberman is ready to switch to adult dog food.
Breed Contacts
For more information on the Doberman, contact the state kennel board or breed club in your state or territory.
Doberman Club of NSW: (02) 9788 0977;NSW Club
The appearance of the Doberman puppy
While most puppies are wonderfully flexible, fluffy or clumsy Graceful and beautiful, young Dobermans. They have a shiny, soft coat that requires very little grooming. From an early age, they stand upright, with dignity. (1)
It is very important that a person looking to buy or rescue a Doberman Pinscher make a lifelong commitment to the dog. These are very sensitive and loyal dogs that would do almost anything to keep their human family safe. This breed can deal with a handful of health conditions, and it’s important to be aware of them before you come home with a Doberman puppy. Dobermans live for 10-12 years, and as they get older, they can face spinal cord problems, heart disease, and leg problems. Many purebred dogs face breed-related ailments, so this isn’t unusual, but it’s good to keep it in mind early on in your relationship with a baby Doberman. (1)
Doberman Pinscher Breed History
Pop culture Dobermans tend to be intimidating: Oliver and Company, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and Up feature aggressive dogs or villains of the breed. And, yes, early Doberman breeders intended the dogs to be imposing: the Doberman himself wanted a protector for his rounds. But they are intelligent dogs that develop strong bonds with friends and family.
The “pinscher” in the Doberman pinscher’s name comes from one of its probable ancestors, the German pinscher. The term may come from «the French word ‘pincher,’ meaning to grasp or bite.» Despite sharing «pinscher» in their names and having some aesthetic qualities in common, the Miniature Pinscher is a separate breed and not a smaller version of the Doberman. The DPCA says it is «generally accepted as fact» that the Doberman pinscher is primarily descended from the German pinscher and the Old German Shepherd, although there are no official records of their original breeding.