Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
The Doberman Pit is a new hybrid dog. Have you heard of this dog? Are you looking for a canine companion but aren’t sure which dog is right for you? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve put together some information about the Doberman Pit in the form of a guide. Our intention is to create an overview of these lovely dogs, so you can see if one of them might be right for you!
What is a Doberman Pit?
A Doberman Pit is a hybrid dog. The dog breed comes from breeding a purebred Doberman Pinscher and an American Pit Bull Terrier. Hybrid dogs are always the result of crossing two purebred dog breeds. The resulting puppies then receive genes from both parents. However, the puppies are not a 50-50 mix! Instead, the genes are inherited in random ways. This means the puppies may more strongly resemble their Doberman parent or their Pitbull parent. It just depends on the genes they’ve received.
In addition, puppies from the same litter may be entirely different from one another! They are each a unique individual. Each puppy may have different physical characteristics, coloring, and more. The uniqueness of the puppies is caused by the randomness of the genes they receive. It’s impossible to predict how each puppy will be. However, you can learn about the puppies from the parents.
Doberman Pits stand between 22-28 inches and weigh between 35-80 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Doberman Pit History
While the Doberman Pit is a relatively new hybrid dog breed, we do have information on the dog’s purebred parents!
Doberman Pinschers are originally from Germany, where they were bred by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. It’s thought he mixed a black & tan Manchester Terrier, a Weimaraner, German Shepherd, and German Pinscher to create the Doberman.
Each of these dogs has a long history of loyalty, strength, endurance, and perseverance. They also tend to be excellent guardians and protectors. Each breed is a working breed, too.
The Doberman was first recognized by the AKC in 1908.
The Doberman Pit’s other parent, the American Pit Bull Terrier, originally came from England. Back in the 1800s, the dogs were used for bear and bull baiting. However, in 1835, these activities became illegal. After that, the dogs were used for dog fights. It’s through this breeding that the ancestors of the Pitbull became aggressive.
Over time, immigrants to the US brought Pitbulls with them. The dogs soon became favorites for ranchers and farmers. The dogs were used to pull smart carts, hunt wild game, protect their humans and property, and be family companions.
The American Pitbull Terrier was first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1898 and by the AKC in the 1930s. Since then, Pitbulls have become loving family companions. However, they still have a bad reputation when it comes to biting and aggressive behavior.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowDoberman Pit Appearance
The Doberman Pit’s appearance tends to be very muscular and may take after their Doberman parent. If so, the dog’s body shape and stance are more like a Doberman’s. These dogs are also very compact and agile.
On the other hand, if the Doberman Pit resembles his Pitbull parent, then he may have a broad head and a thick neck. These dogs tend to be sturdy, muscular, and powerful.
Doberman Pits have brown eyes and black noses, and their coat colors can vary. Coat colors for these dogs may include:
- Brindle
- White
- Brown
- Gray
- Red
- Fawn
- Blue
The dogs have a medium coat length that’s moderately dense, with straight fur.
Doberman Pit Temperament & Personality
The Doberman Pit’s temperament is hard to pin down. That’s because these are hybrid dogs, with their genetics coming from two purebred parents. What’s more, each dog is a unique individual. Each one could have a completely different temperament (and personality). However, you can tell something about the dog’s temperament by looking at their parents.
Dobermans can be very sweet, loving, and loyal dogs. They are also very obedient. These dogs can make wonderful companions. They may also be good with kids and other pets/animals if the dog has been properly socialized. These dogs are highly protective.
One of the downsides of the Doberman is that they can suffer from separation anxiety. If the dogs are left alone too long, they can develop this debilitating problem. If the dogs become bored and suffer anxiety, they can become quite destructive or develop other unwanted behaviors.
The Pitbull, as mentioned earlier, has a very bad reputation for being dangerous and vicious. This is very unfortunate. In addition, the breed is illegal to own in many locations and countries. So, if you’d like to adopt a Doberman Pit, understand the dog will be classified as a Pitbull, even though he’s a hybrid. It’s important to check the laws in your country/region/county/city to ensure you can have Doberman Pit.
Even with this reputation, Pitbulls are known to be gentle, loving, and loyal dogs. They love and protect their families. However, they may be aggressive toward other animals, even if they’ve been socialized. So, if you have a cat or other small animals, you may want to consider adopting another dog breed.
Pitbulls are also known to be stubborn and fearless. They can also suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They may become destructive or develop other unwanted behaviors.
What about your Doberman Pit? The truth is no one knows how the dog’s personality and temperament will turn out. As hybrid dogs, they can inherit personality and temperament traits from both parents. However, one thing they do have in common with their parents is that these dogs can also develop separation anxiety.
Another surety is that the dog will most likely be intelligent and stubborn. For this reason, they’re not the best choice of companion for inexperienced pet parents. Instead, Doberman Pits need pet parents who understand how to handle dogs like this.
Doberman Pit Health Issues
Doberman Pits are usually pretty healthy; however, they can develop health issues inherited from their parents. The most common health issues in Doberman Pits include:
- Heart disease
- Thyroid disease
- Hip & elbow dysplasia
- Von Willebrand disease
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Aortic stenosis CVI
- Gastric torsion
- Osteosarcoma
One of the best ways to keep your fur baby happy and healthy is through regular checkups. Take your dog for regular checkups with the vet. This is crucial. The earlier a health issue is found, the more treatable it is. When some health conditions go untreated for long periods, it can be difficult or impossible to cure the issue. So, take your dog for regular checkups. It’s also important to ensure your dog receives all the required vaccinations.
If you’re concerned your fur baby could develop a more serious health problem, then consider purchasing pet health insurance. There are many policies to choose from; however, the best are those that cover just about everything. Look for a policy that covers checkups, treatments, tests, and more. With a pet health insurance policy, you’ll have financial help if your dog becomes seriously ill.
Doberman Pit Care
You’ll be happy to learn that Doberman Pits are usually easy to care for! Their coat requires brushing about once a week. However, during shedding season, you may want to brush your canine companion every day. This cuts down on the amount of shed hair all over your home and clothes. It also helps cut down on the amount of dander in the house. Cleaning up the fur can help anyone in your home who may have dog allergies.
These dogs need a bath about once a week. And their nails do need to trimming regularly. Long nails can get caught on rugs and other surfaces. The result can be an injury such as a torn nail, which is not pleasant for your dog.
In addition, Pitbulls are sometimes prone to skill allergies or sensitivities. So, you’ll need to watch your Doberman Pit for any signs of skin problems. Be sure to take him to the vet if you do notice anything that’s not normal.
Doberman Pit Exercise Requirements
Doberman Pits are high-energy dogs, which means they need regular daily activity. Count on giving your dog at least 75 minutes of exercise each day! More could be best. These dogs also benefit from about 2-3 walks a day.
If you have a fenced yard, this could be a great for you and your dog to play and spend time together. Doberman Pits love playing games of fetch with frisbees and other toys. However, never leave your dog outside alone unattended. He could develop separation anxiety and develop unwanted behaviors.
These dogs are not suited to apartment living or living in a small home. Instead, they do best in a large home and one that has a large space where he can run. A fenced backyard is a must.
Doberman Pit Training & Socialization
Doberman Pits are as intelligent as their purebred parents. This can mean the dog is also stubborn and will more than likely have a strong prey drive. What’s more, because the parents have a reputation for being aggressive, it’s imperative to ensure your dog goes through obedience training and socialization.
These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. So, be ready with lots of treats and praise for your training sessions!
Dogs also need to be properly socialized, especially dogs such as a Doberman Pit. Dog socialization is the process of putting your dog through different experiences and helping them be comfortable with different animals and other humans. The goal is to help your dog learn how to behave properly and feel comfortable in a wide range of everyday activities and environments.
Socialization is crucial for all dogs, not only Doberman Pits. Socialization results in a dog that’s psychologically stable, happy, not nervous, fearful, or insecure. Instead, the dog is confident, knows how to handle himself, and more. He’s a happy, well-adjusted dog.
Without socialization, dogs may become afraid of everything, anxious, and more. They may try to attack, damage things, or develop other behaviors. Socialization means your dog knows how to behave, and the people/animals around him are also safe.
Both training and socialization are crucial for Doberman Pits.
Where to Find a Doberman Pit?
The best places to adopt your Doberman Pit are either from a reputable breeder or a shelter. If you choose to adopt from a reputable breeder, your fur baby may cost between $500 to $1500. Adopting from a shelter can cost between $100 to $300, depending on your location.
Generally, dogs usually cost more in large urban areas and when bought from a breeder. Dogs that come from more rural areas or small towns and from the shelter will be less expensive.
Be sure to avoid adopting your fur baby from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder. The reason is to avoid a puppy mill is that the breeders are usually are concerned about the money they can earn. They don’t care for their dogs’ and puppies’ wellbeing. The dogs and puppies may live in crowded, dirty cages and may lack clean water or even good food. What’s more, the dogs and puppies may not have the medical care they need. Plus, puppy mill breeders don’t use good breeding practices. The result of all this is dogs and puppies with health and behavioral problems.
Backyard breeders may care about their dogs and puppies; however, they usually don’t have the knowledge of how to properly breed their dogs. The result can be dogs and puppies with health problems and other issues.
So, it’s always best to adopt from a reputable breeder or a shelter. With shelter dogs, you may not know what you’re getting. However, these dogs need and deserve a good home, just like other dogs. They need love and care, too.
Is a Doberman Pit Right for You?
The answer depends on where you live and if you have time to spend with your Doberman Pit every day. If the dog will be home alone for long periods, this is not the right dog for you.
On the other hand, if you’re home most of the time, have the space, and can provide good food and healthcare, then this may be the right dog for you and your family!
We hope this article helps you find the best dog for you!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
