How Long Do Dobermans Live?

The Doberman pinscher is a highly intelligent and active dog breed, identified ordinarily by its pointed ears, cropped tail and confident stance along with the standard black and tan markings. Knowing about these dogs, including their lifespans, gives you the ability to discern whether the Doberman is the right dog breed for you.

The general lifespan of a Doberman pinscher is 10 to 15 years with optimal health conditions. This lifespan fluctuates, similar to all dog breeds. There is no documented record of the longest living Doberman pinscher, but some owners claim to have Dobermans live into their early 20s.

To assure that your Doberman pinscher lives to its fullest potential lifespan, a proper diet is necessary. Doberman pinschers, being muscular and active dogs, require large amounts of protein in comparison to less active breeds. A high-protein diet consisting of fresh red meat and grain is ideal, but some commercial dog foods create blends just for Dobermans. Feed your Doberman pinscher on a schedule of six small feedings a day as opposed to three because of their high metabolism.

Doberman pinschers require exercise. Without exercise, a Dobie becomes lazy and overweight, which causes a multitude of health problems. A Doberman pinscher that has health problems associated with lack of activity will lose years off of its life, just as a person would. Take your Dobie out for daily runs at a dog park or other area where it can enjoy a full run.

A stressful environment affects the health of your Doberman pinscher. When a dog such as a Doberman is constantly unhappy, stressed or afraid, it essentially will lose its will to live. This naturally affects the Doberman pinscher's lifespan. If your environment is too stressful with a lot of conflict and disarray, it may not be the best place to raise a Doberman to its fullest potential, much less any other dog breed.

Large dogs such as Doberman's are prone to hip dysplasia, which affects the dog's hip sockets, causing pain. Hip dysplasia, among other health issues known to large dog breeds, can affect your dog's overall health and stunt its lifespan. Taking your dog to regular veterinary checkups keeps you in the know with its health so you can assure your best friend lives a long time.