A Doberman’s compact, muscular appearance can be intimidating. But any Doberman owner will tell you that beneath that tough exterior is a playful, affectionate watchdog eager to please. Like all dog breeds, several factors play a role in a Doberman’s lifespan. Learn how nutrition, sex, genetics, and other factors impact how long a Doberman can live.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Doberman?
Dobermans have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years old, and you can do many things to help your Doberman live a long and healthy life1. Below we take a closer look at why some Dobermans live longer than others.
Why Do Some Dobermans Live Longer Than Others? 10 Common Reasons
1. Nutrition
Feeding your Doberman an unhealthy diet can lead to reduced immunity, pancreatitis, or diabetes, among other things. These conditions affect the quality of life and overall lifespan. High-quality dog food is essential throughout your Doberman’s life, as the risk of diabetes increases for older adult and senior dogs.
2. Environment
Unsupervised Dobermans who roam freely are at risk for accidents and injuries. Attacks by other dogs, getting hit by a car, encounters with wild animals, and physical abuse from humans can shorten an otherwise healthy Doberman’s life.
3. Living Conditions
Dobermans that live in cramped quarters with other dogs have an increased risk of canine infectious diseases. Distemper, dog influenza, kennel cough, and parvovirus can spread quickly amongst unvaccinated dogs. Some of these illnesses can be expensive to treat and could be life-threatening.
4. Exposure to Extreme Temperatures
A normal body temperature for a Doberman is between 100.5- and 102.5-degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to the cold can lead to hypothermia, while a hot environment can bring on hyperthermia. Both conditions, when left untreated, can be fatal. Dobermans may develop hypothermia faster than other breeds due to their short coats.
5. Size
A healthy weight for purebred adult Dobermans is between 60 and 100 pounds. Males tend to be taller and heavier than females. On average, Dobermans that maintain a healthy weight will outlive their obese counterparts by 2.5 years.
6. Sex
In addition to age and obesity, sex plays a role in developing diabetes. Female Dobermans are twice as likely to develop diabetes than males. Diabetes can be treated but not cured. The condition is associated with a shorter lifespan in dogs, and the mean survival time after a diagnosis of canine diabetes is 1.5 to 2 years.
7. Genes
Dobermans are overall a healthy breed. However, they have an increased risk for a blood disorder, Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD). Dobermans with vWD are deficient in a protein that aids in blood clotting. The risk of prolonged bleeding tends to increase with age. Ask your vet about testing for vWD.
8. Breeding History
Each pregnancy puts a female Doberman at risk for pre-eclampsia, when the dog’s calcium levels drop too low. Treating pre-eclampsia is risky, as giving too much calcium can make a pregnant Doberman even sicker. In addition, male and female Dobermans bred without appropriate genetic testing can pass on vWD, which can shorten their offspring’s lifespans.
9. Healthcare
Routine canine wellness exams can catch diseases and illnesses early on. Doberman puppies should first see a vet when they’re 6 to 8 weeks old. Puppies need to be seen every 4 weeks for the next several months; your vet will provide you with a schedule for well-puppy exams. Healthy adult Dobermans should see the vet at least once a year. Once your Doberman enters its senior years, your vet may recommend that you schedule exams every 6 months.
10.Spaying and Neutering
Intact female Dobermans have an increased risk of mammary cancer. Dogs spayed before their first heat cycle have only a 0.5% risk of developing mammary cancer during their life. For Dobermans that aren’t spayed until after their second heat, that risk jumps to 26%.
The 4 Life Stages of a Doberman
1. Puppy
A Doberman’s puppyhood lasts for the first 12 months of their life. Good nutrition and immunizations set your puppy up for a healthy adulthood.
2. Young Adult
Young adulthood for Dobermans isn’t strictly defined. Many Dobermans will continue to gain muscle mass between their 1st and 2nd birthdays. Rambunctious, unsupervised Dobermans can be at risk for accidental injuries.
3. Mature Adult
As your Doberman ages, they may become less active. A more sedentary lifestyle can put your dog at risk for obesity. Your vet may recommend a special diet or more frequent exams as your Doberman grows older.
4. Senior
A Doberman is considered a senior during the last 25% of their lifespan, around 7 to 9 years. Older Dobermans may need to see the vet every 6 months for wellness exams. Talk to your vet about switching to a senior dog food formula.
How To Tell Your Doberman’s Age
You may not know how old your Doberman is if you adopted them as an adult. Luckily, there are ways to determine your Doberman’s age. First, take a look at your Doberman’s face. A mature adult Doberman may have gray or white fur around their muzzle.
Next, you can examine your Doberman’s eyes. Some Dobermans’ eyes will become cloudy around 6 to 8 years of age. This color change is a harmless and painless condition called lenticular sclerosis, which should not be confused with canine cataracts.
Your vet can examine your Doberman’s teeth to estimate their age, but this isn’t as accurate as many people think. Vets look for missing teeth, staining, and tartar build-up as signs of older adulthood. However, some younger Dobermans can have poor dental health as well.
Lastly, sit back and observe your Doberman. Older dogs are less active and more prone to weight gain than younger pups.
Conclusion
The average lifespan for a purebred Doberman is 10 to 12 years. Supervising your Doberman at all times can prevent accidental injuries, but the breed has an increased risk for a genetic blood clotting disorder, von Willebrand’s disease. You can help your Doberman stay healthy with regular vet visits, immunizations, and an appropriate diet.
Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
