Is a Doberman Pinscher the Right Dog for You?

Doberman Pinschers are high maintenance dogs when it comes to exercise. They are also highly intelligent canines that need to be given lots of mental stimulation too. In short, if you're thinking about sharing your home with one of these elegant dogs, you need to spend as much time as you can with them. Not only do these dogs need a lot of exercise, but they thrive on human companionship and should you not be able to give them the amount they need, it could lead to some disastrous behavioural problems.

Mental Exercise is a Must

Doberman Pinschers need tons of mental exercise which should include obedience, agility and even tracking training. The reason being they are just too intelligent to be left to their own devices. However, some of these proud looking dogs are as soft as butter too. The one trait found in most of them is they tend to be quite reserved when around people they don't know.

Early Socialisation is a Must

These highly intelligent canines also need early socialisation which helps prevent dogs becoming nervous, shy or too sharp"". As with many breeds, some Pinschers are more dominant over other dogs they meet and typically it's towards dogs of the same sex. Some of them just can't resist chasing a cat or two. Then there are those that adore going after small animals. In short, it can be a little bit the luck of the draw when it comes to the sort of character a Doberman Pinscher turns out to be.

Consistent and Calm Leadership is a Must

Dobermans should to be handled with a consistent, firm yet gentle hand because they need to know who is the ""top dog"" in a household. They don't like to be teased which is something you need to bear in mind if you have kids.

Need to Know About the Breed

• You need to contact a reputable breeder who does their best not only to produce healthy puppies, but kind natured ones too.
• The breed is a working dog, in short, this means they need lots and lots of mental stimulation and exercise. They are not just good ""guard dogs"" and they are definitely not the type of canine friend that makes a good couch potato companion.
• One of their natural instincts is to protect – hence they don't typically take too kindly to strangers.
• Doberman Pinschers need early socialisation so they get to learn who are the ""good"" guys in your life and being highly intelligent they learn this by recognising normal behaviour. This in turn means they soon get to know the difference between a good person and a bad one who behaves abnormally.
• Remember, these dogs are super intelligent and if they are not taught from an early age problems can arise. Dogs get nervous around people they do not know and this can lead to defensive behaviour which might well include biting.
• Another consideration that should never be ignored when thinking about sharing a home with a Doberman Pinscher, is the breed is known to suffer from certain hereditary disorders which includes heart disease and cancer with many of them sadly dying before they reach the age of seven.

Doberman Pinschers are Sensitive by Nature

Doberman Pinschers are extremely sensitive and can stress out if they are put in certain environments. If you live in a noisy household, it can make a Pinscher so anxious they experience digestive disorders. These lovely looking dogs need to live in a calm and loving environment which in turn gives them the feeling of security they need.

Summary

If you are hoping to share your home with a large canine friend that has the following qualities and needs, a Doberman Pinscher may well fit the bill perfectly:

• Boasts an easy maintenance coat
• Does extremely well when given loads of exercise and mental stimulation which includes lots of athletic activities
• Has a imposing and serious look about them even if they are the softest dog on the planet

If you know you cannot give a Doberman Pinscher the following or cope with some of the traits associated with the breed, a Doberman Pinscher is definitely not the dog for you:

• Provide enough mental stimulation and exercise to keep them happy and satisfied
• Cope with aggressive or timid behaviour if a dog was not socialised early enough
• Know how to deal with any aggression shown towards other animals
• Live in a noisy and boisterous household
• Handle any health issues the breed is known to suffer from which often causes early death

Conclusion

There's no doubt at all that the Doberman Pinscher is a very handsome looking dog that commands respect. As such, if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these dogs, you have to treat your canine friend with the respect they deserve. And the best way to do this is to provide them with all the mental stimulation and physical exercise they need to stay happy, well balanced and healthy dogs. If you lead a very busy life or travel a lot, a Doberman Pinscher is not the dog for you. If, however, you love the great outdoors and have lots of time to spend with a canine friend, a Doberman Pinscher might well fit the bill perfectly.

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