Doberdane : All About This Doberman Pinscher x Great Dane Mixed Breed Dog

Proving to be lovable companions, Doberdanes check all of the boxes of friendly, loyal, obedient, and alert.

Doberdane owners should be comfortable with a larger dog. While they are small as young puppies, Doberdanes grow rapidly into canine giants, albeit gentle ones. Don’t fall in love with a Doberdane puppy and expect it to stay small. Owners should research and be comfortable with the size of an adult Doberdane.

Because of their size and interaction needs, Doberdanes are not a good choice for a first-time dog owner. They’ll need plenty of training to keep them on their best behavior. An owner who has experience training dogs and providing them with the right activity level would be a perfect fit.

Doberdanes can be an investment, as training needs throughout their lives will be an ongoing expense. Take this into account as you consider whether a Doberdane is right for you.

What’s a Doberdane?

As their name suggests, Doberdanes are a hybrid canine breed; a cross between Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers.

Breeders developed Doberdanes as a hybrid breed in the 2000s. Their large size – up to 35 inches tall and as much as 140 pounds – makes them intimidating as guard dogs, but they are intelligent, loyal companions who have plenty of energy for runs and hikes.

To understand this large and lovable designer dog better, let’s look at Doberdane’s parents: Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers.

The modern Great Dane breed originated in Germany, where nobles used them in hunting wild boars. Contrary to their name, Great Danes do not originate from Denmark. Germans often know them as Deutsche Dog or German Dog.

By the 1800s, Great Danes gained popularity in America, becoming an American Kennel Club registered breed in 1887.

As for Doberman Pinschers, a German tax collector, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, bred them for protection on his grounds, the AKC reports. Bred to be a combination of strength, courage, and loyalty, Herr Dobermann’s dogs caught on, and they quickly became prized as security dogs in police forces and military units. The AKC registered Doberman Pinschers in 1908.

The cross of a Great Dane and a Doberman Pinscher is recognized by the Designer Breed Registry and the International Designer Canine Registry as a designer breed.

Doberdanes in Pictures

With muscular frames, broad chests, and sleek, short hair, Doberdanes are an elegant and handsome breed. Take in these photos of Doberdanes and see for yourself.

What’s it Like to Own a Doberdane?

If you’re looking for a canine companion who’s friendly and loyal, a Doberdane could be a perfect addition to your family. However, this large and lovable breed does have unique needs that you should consider before buying a Doberdane puppy.

• They’re among the largest breeds. Their appearance might be intimidating, but the Doberdane is a loyal and loving dog who loves to play. Because of their strength and energy, a Doberdane is not a good choice for a family with small children or small pets. A friendly game could get out of hand and become unsafe for children or fellow pets.
• Doberdanes are protective. Doberdanes, like Doberman Pinschers, are bred to be loyal and offer protection to their owners. Because of this, it’s smart for a Doberdane owner to use caution in introducing the dog to strangers. Without ongoing training in socialization, Doberdanes’ protective nature can become a problem.
• They require low maintenance in grooming. With short, sleek coats, Doberdanes don’t require frequent baths or grooming. Like all dogs, they will need their nails trimmed, and teeth brushed regularly. You can easily wipe off any mud from outdoor play with a damp towel.
• They need training: As breeders combined these parent dogs for intelligence, the Doberdane will need constant training to aid in mental stimulation and specialized training  for maintaining social skills. Obedience training will fill that need nicely and will ensure your Doberdane is well-mannered.
• They are extremely active dogs. Doberdanes take after their Doberman Pinscher side, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Doberdanes love walks, hikes, and runs. Doberdanes will need at least three long walks a day and plenty of backyard for romping and playing. Start any walking routine slowly during the puppy months to avoid causing any joint damage to your growing Doberdane. Their skeletal system doesn’t finish developing until 18 to 24 months of age.
• Without proper attention, Doberdanes can be prone to misbehaving. Failing to provide Doberdanes with the interaction and activity they need can lead to problems including excessive barking, digging, and chewing on whatever’s nearby.
• With their high energy level, Doberdanes require plenty of food. Feeding Doberdanes premium-quality dog food will keep them at a healthy weight. Consult your veterinarian on the best food choices for your dog. As puppies, they require as much as 8 to 10 cups of dog food each day. Once grown, they require about 2 to 6 cups of dog food daily. Don’t overfeed them, as overweight Doberdanes are more likely to develop hip dysplasia.
• Because of their size and weight, as well as their need for training throughout their lives, Doberdanes could be a challenge for a first-time dog owner to raise. Doberdanes require plenty of interaction with their owners, but if you provide the playtime, training, and walks, you will have a loving companion who is gentle and loyal to you and your family.

Doberdane Breed Information

As a fairly new breed in the designer dog world, Doberdanes have been displaying the best traits of Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers since about the year 2000. They are among the largest designer canine breeds available and are perfect for those who have space for a big dog with the time to give them the interaction and play they need in order to thrive.

Often this breed is picked by dog lovers who either like the attributes of the Doberman Pinscher but would like a larger dog, or love Great Danes but would like a slightly smaller dog with more energy.

Owners often favor Doberdanes for the great watchdog attributes, but they do not often serve as attack dogs. This breed is intensely loyal to their owners and can be intelligent, loving companions at home and on walks, hikes, or runs. Often, just their deep, loud bark and imposing size are enough to keep any threats at bay.

The protective nature of the Doberdane can be a plus when you keep them in check with regular training. Without training, Doberdanes can become too protective of their owners, preventing them from accepting your friends, extended family members, or visitors to your home.

Doberdane FAQ

How Much do Doberdanes Cost?

Since the Doberdane designer breed has only been around for about 20 years, a standard of pricing for Doberdane puppies is not yet available. The price of Doberdane puppies can vary by the breeder, but understand that the breeder could instead choose to breed registered Great Dane or Doberman Pinscher puppies, which can cost as much as $1,500 to $3,000 each.

Based on this, a Doberdane puppy may set you back about $1,000 to $2,000.

Are Doberdanes Good Apartment Dogs?

Because of their size and their need for constant physical activity and play, an apartment is not the best place to raise a Doberdane. Many apartments have rules regarding the size of dogs they will allow, and an apartment lifestyle will most likely not meet the needs of this large breed.

Doberdanes are happiest in homes with plenty of fenced outdoor space for running and romping. If you plan on keeping your Doberdane indoors, you’ll also want to make sure you have the indoor room for them to roam without bumping into furniture or having to stay contained in a small space.

What are Some Common Doberdane Health Issues?

Doberdanes do have some of the medical conditions that Great Danes and the hardier Doberman Pinschers do. They can include:

• Entropion: This condition causes the dog’s eyelids to roll inward, causing the eyelid’s hairs to scratch the cornea.
• Cherry Eye: This is an inflammation of the tear gland, causing it to turn red like a cherry.
• Hip Dysplasia: A condition that often affects larger canine breeds, hip dysplasia results in the femur not fitting into the hip socket properly, resulting in pain and loss of function.
• Bloat: In this condition, the dog’s stomach fills with air, blocking blood flow, and sometimes making the stomach flip. Bloat can quickly become a fatal condition for Doberdanes.
• Cervical Spondylomyelopathy: This condition, also known as Wobbler’s Syndrome, is a disease of the dog’s neck. It causes the dog’s spinal cord to become compressed, leading to neurological impairment and pain. Usually, a veterinarian can diagnose this condition after a CT or MRI scan. Some cases of Cervical Spondylomyelopathy may require surgery.
• Canine Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism happens when a dog’s thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include hair loss or a dull coat, dry skin, weight gain, and fatigue. A tumor rarely causes this, but it is best to stay cautious. Instead, a dog’s hypothyroidism is oftenly caused by an underactive thyroid gland.

If kept in the proper conditions, along with the stimulation your pup needs, Doberdanes usually live about 8 to 12 years.

Are Doberdanes Hard to Train?

As one of the largest canine breeds, Doberdanes can be challenging to train because of their size. However, Doberdanes are intelligent, obedient, and enjoy interacting with their owners, so obedience training is beneficial throughout your Doberdane’s life.

Their training should start during the puppy months and continue regularly to keep them using their best manners, mentally sharp, and well behaved.

What Colors Do Doberdanes Come In?

Doberdanes come in various colors, including:

• Brindle
• Red
• Fawn
• Black
• Brown

Their fur is short, straight, and sleek, making them low maintenance. A weekly brushing will keep their coats shiny, whatever the color.

How Big do Doberdanes Get?

Fully grown male Doberdanes are about 30 to 35 inches tall, weighing between 100 and 140 pounds. Female Doberdanes are smaller, reaching 28-30 inches in height and about 95 to 140 pounds.

Are Doberdanes Good with Kids?

While Doberdanes are friendly, good-natured dogs, their size and strength make them a poor match for families with young children. Even well-meaning play could be dangerous since Doberdanes are so large. They are extraordinarily gentle with their owners and protective of family members, so if your children are older, a Doberdane could be a great addition to your family.

12 Fun Facts You Should Know About Doberdanes

With their colorful parentage, Doberdanes are a unique combination of two well-loved breeds, the Great Dane and the Doberman Pinscher. They are gentle and loyal, protective, and energetic.

For a family with space for a Doberdane to romp and play and the time to give a Doberdane the attention they need to thrive, this designer breed can be a perfect match. Here are a dozen facts about this extra-large designer dog breed.

1. Doberdanes are German on both sides: Despite their name, Great Danes originate from Germany, not Denmark. Doberman Pinschers were also first bred in Germany, taking the name (but dropping an N) of the German tax collector who developed the breed.
2. Born in the USA: While their parents may hail from Germany, experts believe that the cross-breeding that resulted in the Doberdane happened in America.
3. They can be therapy dogs: Doberdanes may be large, but with training, they have the intelligence to be effective therapy dogs.
4. Guarding is in their blood: Doberdanes come from a long line of guard dogs. This new breed carries the protectiveness and loyalty of Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers, making them serve well as guard dogs.
5. Growing up fast: Doberdanes can weigh just a few pounds at birth, but by 7 to 8 weeks of age, they will weigh in at 20 pounds or more. By ten months to a year, your Doberdane will reach its full adult size.
6. They love to play: Doberdanes are dogs who love to be active. They require a minimum of 75 minutes of play and activity each day.
7. Plan to walk more: If you decide to become a Doberdane owner, you might want to buy a new pair of comfortable walking shoes. These dogs will walk around 14 miles a day, so it’s best if their owners are as active as they are.
8. To crop or not to crop: Ear cropping can be a controversial topic among Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher owners, and also among owners of Doberdanes. Cropping is done for cosmetic reasons, to make the dogs’ naturally floppy ears stand permanently erect.
9. Stranger danger: Because of their instinct to protect their owners, Doberdanes do not warm up to strangers quickly. Without training in obedience and socialization, this protectiveness can get out of hand.
10. Hark, a bark: Doberdanes have a deep, loud bark, which matches their size, but they are not habitual barkers unless they need more interaction and activity. Excessive barking can be a symptom of a dog’s boredom or frustration.
11. Happiness is a full food bowl: Doberdanes, like Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers, love to eat. They need fuel for their high activity rate. Plan to feed your Doberdane like you would a Great Dane – during the puppy years, they need as much as 8 to 10 cups of premium-quality dog food a day. Once they are grown, a Doberdane eats less, about 2 to 6 cups of dog food each day.
12. Grab a towel: Doberdanes can drool excessively, so you might want to have a towel handy when enjoying a game of fetch with your big best friend.

Conclusion

The Doberdane is a large and lovable designer dog breed that will make a wonderful companion. However, this cross between a Great Dane and a Doberman Pinscher isn’t for everyone.

Doberdanes are not well suited for those who have small children or small pets, due to the danger of injury from the size of the Doberdane.

Doberdane owners should have plenty of fenced land to let their best friend run and play. If the Doberdane is allowed indoors, the home should have plenty of space for walking without bumping into furniture or sprawling out for a nap by the hearth or a sunny window.

Doberdanes require plenty of activity, so it’s best if their owners also love to walk, hike, or run. This way, the Doberdane gets the exercise it needs while its owner enjoys the time outdoors – a perfect match! One plus of having a Doberdane who loves to walk is that you’ll be sure to get plenty of exercise, too.

If you have the space in your home, experience as a dog owner, and have the time to provide the activity level needed for proper care of a Doberdane; then this designer breed will be a loving, loyal pet.