Have you just adopted a Doberman? Are you wondering how much exercise your Doberman will need? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!
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We’ve put together some information about Dobermans, how much exercise they need, as well as a list of fun activities you and your Doberman might enjoy together!
What is a Doberman?
A Doberman, also called a Doberman Pinscher, originally comes from Germany. The breed was developed by Louis Dobermann, who was a tax collector and needed a guard dog to protect the money he collected from robbers. He decided to breed various dog breeds together until he came up with the Doberman. The first Doberman appeared in a dog show Erfurt Germany in 1897.
From there, the dogs eventually were brought to the US, where the AKC recognized the breed in 1908. Dobermans have been used as police and military dogs from WWII onwards.
Dobermans—Attack Dogs?
Dobermans have a reputation for being attack dogs; however, they are very loving and loyal to their pet parents and families. These are highly intelligent dogs; they’re so intelligent that pet parents are warned they could be outsmarted by their own dog!
These dogs are elegant and athletic working dogs. While many believe Dobermans are ferocious and aggressive, they’re actually easygoing. That is until you threaten their family. Dobermans are also fearless and will protect their home and family from any perceived danger.
Dobermans love nothing more than being with their family. They love participating with the family in all types of activities and are always loving and protective.
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Ask a Vet Live NowDoberman Characteristics
These are large dogs that weigh between 60-80 pounds and stand about 24-28 inches tall. They have an average life span between 10-13 years.
Some people have their dogs’ ears, and tails cropped, while others leave them. So, it’s possible you may come across a Doberman with hanging ears rather than the iconic pointed ears we all know so well.
Dobermans also have short coats that come in a variety of colors, including black, red, fawn, and blue.
Because they’re working dogs, Dobermans need plenty of exercise! They also need mental stimulation. Dogs who don’t get enough exercise may become destructive or even aggressive. A bored Doberman will cook up his own activities!
This is a breed that needs an experienced pet parent who is able to provide consistent training and socialization. It’s also necessary for the pet parent to ensure their fur baby recognizes them as the pack leader. Thankfully, these dogs are very trainable, and they learn quickly. Some of these dogs will try to take over as “leader of the pack,” so as a pet parent, you’ll need to let them know you’re in charge.
Dobermans also need plenty of socialization from a young age, which helps puppies to become used to other animals and people. This can help to curb the aggressive behavior, which goes along with their love and protection.
How Much Exercise Does a Doberman Need?
OK—we’ve finally reached that all-important question! When it comes to staying healthy and active, your Doberman will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise every day. This will keep your dog fit, wear off excess energy, and keep him from becoming bored.
You might consider doing about 2 1-hour walks each day to help manage your dog’s high energy levels. This would be one walk in the morning and one in the evening.
Activities to Do with Your Doberman
So, you’ve learned your Doberman is a high-energy dog! Great! Now, you’ll need some activities to enjoy with him! We’ve put together a list of exercise ideas you and your dog can enjoy together.
1). Walking & Running
Walking with your Doberman is a great exercise to try every day. Remember, he will need about 1-2 hours of exercise each day, which could translate into a morning and evening walk of at least an hour each time.
The goal here is to train your dog to walk with a loose leash. This means he should not be pulling ahead of you on the leash. Instead, your Doberman should walk by your side, with the leash hanging loosely between you and the dog.
You’ll need to have a firm hand—if the dog begins walking in front of you, then stop walking. You can back up a few steps and tell him to sit. Be sure to correct your dog as soon as he tries to leave your side/walk in front of you.
Because Dobermans have the stamina, they also make great running partners. Here, again, use the same lose-leash method as when you’re walking. Your dog should stay by your side—not in front pulling, etc.
2). Cycling
Have you thought about cycling with your Doberman? This is another activity the breed enjoys. They love to run and are fast dogs. So, why not hop on your bike and get your dog to run by the bike? You can enjoy a great ride, and your fur baby will get the exercise he needs at the same time!
It’s best to find an open space where you can safely ride and your dog can run. This means a large parking lot or a cycling area, where you won’t have to worry about pedestrians, vehicles, and more.
Once you’ve decided on a place, just ride around easily and have fun. Your fur baby should be in a harness, as this is much safer than a collar.
3). Frisbee Chase
Another great activity for your Doberman is chasing a frisbee! Like most dogs, your Doberman will love the chase and then fetching (we hope) the disk back to you again.
If your fur baby hasn’t had the chance to play this game before, you may need to teach him how to play. Just take your time—your Doberman is smart and will catch on pretty fast.
While you can use any type of flying disk to play with your dog, one that’s made for dogs is a better option.
West Paw Zogoflex Zisc Dog Frisbee: this is a flying disc made especially for dogs. It’s lightweight and even floats! It’s perfect for puppies and adult dogs. This aerodynamic dog frisbee flies high and is made of durable materials. Even so, the disk is pliable and will not injure your dog’s mouth or teeth. You can use this as a bowl for food or water when traveling. And the frisbee is dishwasher safe!
4). Swimming
Do you enjoy swimming? Why not get in the water with your Doberman? Many of them love to play in the water! And it’s a great way to help them cool down on hot summer days.
If your canine companion hasn’t yet been swimming, you might try first teaching him to swim in a lake or river. Choose an area where the water is calm and not too deep. Let him get used to playing in the water by throwing sticks for him to fetch. Be patient and take your time. Before you know it, your dog will be swimming like a pro!
You may want to consider getting a swim vest for your dog, especially if he’s just learning how to swim. Here’s one that comes in various sizes:
Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket Vest for Swimming and Boating: this swim vest only comes in red; however, that’s an excellent color that’s bright and easy to spot in the water. The vest also includes reflective strips to make your fur baby even more visible—day or night. There’s also a rescue handle, which makes it easier to grab your dog if he gets into trouble. The vest is made of quick-dry, breathable neoprene, which works to make your dog more buoyant.
5). Agility Training
Agility training is a great way to spend time bonding with your dog while putting his natural instincts to work. You can either create an agility training course in your fenced backyard or attend classes with your fur baby. There are even agility competitions, which you and your fur baby could train for together.
Remember, if this is a new activity for your both, it may be helpful to get into an agility training class. This way, you’d both have the benefit of a professional dog trainer in preparing for competitions at some point.
6). Obedience Training
Obedience training is something that your canine companion will need throughout his life. In fact, this is an excellent bonding activity for the two of you.
You might consider looking for obedience training classes near you. Or if you already have the knowledge and experience, then you’ll be able to run your fur baby through his paces.
Obedience training is not only a great way to get rid of excess energy; it also provides the mental stimulation your dog needs.
7). Scent Tracking
Here’s another competition where Doberman’s excel! Scent tracking is built-in with Dobermans. They’ve long been used to track in their police and military work. There are also Dobermans who do search and rescue work, which involves scent tracking.
While scent tracking is non-competitive, this is still a great way to exercise your Doberman while also providing him with the mental stimulation he needs. This activity puts his mind and body to work together.
Search for scent tracking classes and clubs in your area. This is a great way for you and your dog to get out there, be active, and meet others while having fun!
There you have it! These are some great ways to help your Doberman stay active, use up excess energy, and get the mental stimulation he needs. Plus, if you do these activities together, the bond between you will be cemented for life.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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