10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Doberdor

If you haven’t yet had the privilege of meeting a Doberdor, then let me introduce you. The Doberdor is a large, intelligent breed that’s a cross between the Doberman Pinscher and Labrador Retriever. Occasionally referred to as the Labraman, the Doberdor is loyal, playful, and incredibly protective… if you’re on the lookout for a guard dog that’s happy to play the clown on occasion, they’re ideal. Keen to find out more? Then check out these 10 things you didn’t know about the Doberdor.

1. They’re huge

If you’re looking for a cute ‘n’ cuddly lap dog, you’re not going to find it in the Doberdor. This a big dog…if it tries to snuggle up in your lap, you’ve got a problem. According to Dogell.com, the breed (which, as you’d imagine, falls into the large/ giant category), typically weighs between 60 and 100 pounds, with 80 lb being the average. Heightwise, most stand between 24 and 27.5 inches at the shoulder.

2. They’re a crossbreed

Doberdors are many things, but pedigree they aren’t. Rather, they’re a crossbreed, a mix of Doberman Pinscher and Labrador Retriever. As dogtime.com explains, the Doberman first emerged in the 1800s in Germany. Strangely enough, it was developed by a tax collector who moonlighted at a local kennel. Since those early days, the Doberman has become renowned as a guard dog, not to mention a long time employee of the military and police force. The Labrador Retriever needs no introduction. As one of the friendliest and most intelligent dog breeds around, they’ve graduated from their humble origins as a working dog to become one of the world’s most popular pets.

3. They need an experienced owner

If you’re a first-time dog owner, welcoming a Doberdor into your home is going to be a baptism of fire. These are big dogs with big needs. They’re smart and they’re loyal, for sure. They make great guardians, absolutely. But they’re also stubborn and relentlessly single-minded. If you’ve not had at least a little experience in training dogs, trying to get a Doberdor to do anything is going to be an uphill challenge. Unless you have the patience, the time, and the experience to train and socialize them probably, you might do better with a breed that’s a little easier to handle.

4. They need lots of exercise

Doberdors are big dogs with even bigger exercise needs. If you struggle to leave the sofa, this isn’t the dog for you. At a bare minimum, they need three lots of 20 minute walks a day. But that really is the minimum – the more exercise they get, the happier they’ll be. In between walks, they’ll benefit from plenty of games and interactive toys to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated. Due to their high activity needs, Doberdors aren’t suited to apartment living.

5. They’re robust

No dog is completely immune from health problems, but like most crossbreeds, the Doberdor is generally healthy and robust. They can, however, be vulnerable to the same kind of health complaints that trouble their parent breeds. Watch out for any signs of Elbow Dysplasia, Wobbler’s Syndrome, and Hip Dysplasia.

6. Their coats can be solid or patterned

Doberdors coats come in a wide variety of colors, with black, chocolate, tan, and fawn being the most common. Depending on which side of the family tree they most take after, they can either be solid like the Labrador Retriever or patterned like the Doberman. Regardless of color or pattern, the coat is always short, dense, and straight. They rarely shed and asides from a weekly brush and the occasional bath, grooming needs are minimal.

7. They don’t like the cold

Their size might give the impression of toughness, but Doberdors are surprisingly sensitive when it comes to the cold. Although considering that their coat isn’t exactly long and luxurious, it’s hard to blame them for kicking up a fuss when the temperatures plummet. If you live in a climate that’s not to your Doberdors licking, it’s worth investing in a sweater or jacket to keep them cozy and even-tempered.

8. They make excellent guard dogs

The Doberman has a long, long history as a guard dog. It’s a breed that’s renowned for its guarding abilities and loyalty to the family. It will be pleased to know its offspring has inherited the same tendency. As wagwalking.com (wagwalking.com/breed/doberdor) explains, most Doberdors have a protective trait that makes them excellent guard dogs. But this is a dog that will do way more than just stand guard and protect you. With proper socialization, this intelligent and playful breed is good-natured and sociable, loving nothing more than playing around and interacting with their families and other dogs.

9. They get on well with children

The Labrador is one of the most family-friendly breeds in existence. Happily, the Doberdor has inherited a lot of the same traits. Although early socialization will help enormously, most Doberdors get on famously with children. As is the case with all dogs, children should be taught how to interact with them safely, and supervision at all times is encouraged. Due to the Doberdors size, pay constant attention during any interactions with young children – even if your pet means no harm, they might accidentally hurt a small child if they become overexcited. Pets are a slightly different matter. Although Doberdors are very sociable and will love kicking around with other dogs, small creatures like cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits had better watch out. Unless you get on top of their training very quickly, Doberdors are very likely to see anything small, furry, and skittish as prey.

10. They’re expensive

Considering that a purebred Doberman costs around $600, you might expect its crossbreed offspring to come in for a lot less. But you’re out of luck. This is a designer crossbreed with a designer price tag. Providing you stick to a reputable breeder, you’re unlikely to come away with much change from $400 – $600. Of course, you could always choose to save your money by adopting a needy dog instead. Although there aren’t any shelters dedicated especially to the Doberdor (their numbers are still too few to justify that), it’s worth contacting your Doberman and Labrador rescue centers to see if they have any Doberdors in need of a home.

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