There is a universal truth that no one can deny and that is: dogs are a man’s best friend. Dogs are loyal, they are receptive to their owner’s emotions and will always be there to brighten your day.
They are, for all terms and purposes, the best pet a person can have. But if you are looking to adopt a dog, you are probably stumped about which dog to opt for. After all, there are so many different breeds, and they are all so adorable!
But the second worry that every potential dog owner has is how high maintenance their dog will turn out to be? Do Dobermans shed? Will they have to be bathed regularly? Will they shed fur absolutely everywhere? Are they prone to certain diseases?
Well, worry not. There is a breed of dog out there that is relatively low maintenance and is intelligent, fearless, and always alert. The Doberman Pinscher is a perfect dog to keep. So, do Dobermans shed?
As a whole Dobermans are a moderate shedder all year round. The great thing is their hair is so small and thin, it will not seem as bad as it is. As a general rule, you won’t notice it on your carpet or floor as easily. Along with not getting their hair on your clothes, as it won’t stick because of how small and thin it is.
Grooming Your Doberman
Doberman Pinschers are easy to groom. They have a slick short coat of hair so all they need is a brush through every week with a hand glove to maintain their coat. Dobermans also do not need to be bathed regularly.
But when you do bathe them, make sure you use dog products and not human products such as the shampoo you use.
Dobermans need a monthly nail trim at least. You will also want to brush their teeth on a regular basis to prevent terrible dog breath! Their ears also need to be cleaned every few days as well. Before you take the task upon yourself, ask your vet to show you how to, just to avoid any damage.
Do Dobermans Shed
One major worry every pet owner has is how much fur their pet might shed. No one wants to find dog fur in their morning breakfast, no matter how much they love their dogs. Dobermans are dogs who shed moderately, and for most of the part keep their dark-colored fur all year round.
Their fur can be accurately described as short, thick, and pointed. For more of a visual description, once they have shed, it looks like a bunch of eyelashes scattered on your floor. The usual places where you will find their fur are:
- The floor: you will see their black fur scattered on your tiles, but you will not find clumps of hair unless it has been accumulated for a while. You might not notice the fur on your carpets.
- Static cling on your clothes: since their fur is short and thick, Doberman fur will not stick to your clothes. If it does it is mainly because your Doberman rubbed itself against your clothes.
- On the skin: while not all Doberman owners face this issue, some claim that if they walk barefoot it might stick on their feet.
Shedding Season
Shedding is normal. Animals shed their old fur in order to grow healthier new fur. Dobermans have a single fur coat which means they do not have loads of fur on them.
So, they will not leave a blanket of fur lying around in your house in comparison to breeds with double coats. For the most part, Dobermans shed most of their fur in Springtime in order to get rid of their winter coat.
A quick going-over daily with a short-bristled brush or a grooming mitt will keep his coat shiny and healthy. He does not need to be bathed often.
Read the original article at – American Kennel Club
Reducing the Shedding
While you cannot stop your dog from shedding their fur completely, there are a few tricks that reduce the shedding. You can, however, reduce the amount of loose hair on your clothes, floors, and on your dog itself.
In order to reduce your Dobermans from shedding everywhere, you will need to know about its grooming. While you do not need to give them a bath regularly, try to brush your dog before the bath to get rid of the loose hair.
While baths are not a regular requirement, you will need to brush your dog at least twice a week. You should do this with a stiff bristle brush or a hand glove to remove all the excess hair on him.
Brushing is not only for the reduction of shedding; it is also to encourage blood circulation. As a result, your dog will grow a neater, shinier new coat. Also, try to make it a point to wipe your dog with a wet towel once a week.
Since Dobermans have a short coat, they dry off easier as well. A short towel rub after a shower will do but you can also leave him to air dry. But once he does dry off, make sure to give him a brush over in order to remove all left-over loose fur.
Use a gentle dog shampoo when you bathe your dog. Try to go for oatmeal bathing shampoos. They are also good for your dog’s health. Omega 3 and Omega 6 and fatty acids will help improve your Dobermans coat. You can also incorporate coconut oil as well.
Excessive Shedding
While Doberman’s shed moderately less, there can come a point where they are shedding is accelerated. Doberman can sometimes suffer from pattern baldness especially around their throats, chests, and bellies.
There usually is not any itchiness and discomfort associated with this but once the hair falls it will not grow back.
If you notice sores caused by excessive licking, which is common in Dobermans. Make sure you take your dog to the vet to prevent the issue from becoming serious. Similarly, hair loss accompanied by fever is also abnormal and a cause of concern.
Dobermans and Their History
Doberman Pinschers are named after the German Louis Doberman who is credited to have developed the breed in the 1800s. Dobermans are said to be a mix of various breeds such as Rottweiler, Great Danes, German Shepherds, and English Greyhounds.
Although they were used specifically as guard dogs. Over the years they are now being used as police and military dogs, rescue dogs, and therapy dogs.
General Information About Dobermans
Male Doberman, on average, can grow as heavy as 74 to 90 lb. and as tall as 24 to 27 inches in height. While females, on average, grow as heavy as 59 to 79lbs and as tall as 24 to 25 inches in height.
Dobermans come in different colors such as black, tan, fawn, white, and red. The Doberman Pinscher’s life expectancy is 10 to 11 years.
Dobermans are intelligent creatures; in fact, they make the list for the top five most intelligent breeds! With the right kind of training and mental stimulation, Dobermans can showcase their intellect.
They are also very athletic dogs with a strong muscle structure. This energetic breed needs daily exercise in order to live a long healthy life.
However, Doberman is not an outdoor dog. You cannot leave your Doberman to live out in your yard or kennel. They are indoor dogs who need proper attention.
Dobermans also have a reputation for being stubborn and very strong-willed. So, if you are not willing to invest proper time and effort in your relationship with them, they are not a breed suitable for novice owners.
Moreover, if you have other pets or children at home, you will have to, from the get-go, ensure that your Doberman is socialized with them so that they get used to others being around.
Potential Health Problems
Doberman’s are prone to bloat or more a formally known condition of gastric torsion. This means the stomach twists, cutting off the blood supply and it can strike at any time. If this because serious, only an emergency operation can save your Doberman.
In order to prevent this from happening, feed your dog smaller portions in the day. Rather than giving him all his food at once. Do not feed your Doberman an hour before or an hour after heavy exercise.
Similarly, you will need to remove the water from around your dog while they eat their food. You also must be sure you are feeding them the right kind of dog food. For example, puppies have different nutritional needs than adults, so puppy food is not appropriate for adult dogs.
Conclusion
Doberman’s are a breed of dogs that are perfect companions for humans. But just like any dog, where the Doberman may be low maintenance in certain regards. They do have certain requirements from their owners.
So while you might not have to worry about shedding as much as let us say if you have a Labrador. You must not become complacent with whatever little grooming they may need.
Similarly, a Doberman requires physical and mental exercise. If they do not get it, do not be surprised if they cause havoc inside your home.
Just like children, Doberman needs love, care, and attention to live up to their reputation. If you do treat them the way they deserve they will not let you down. So if you want to get yourself a breed as wonderful as a Doberman, keep these points in mind!
