The Doberman Poodle mix, or the “Doberdoodle” is a cross between a Doberman Pinscher and a Poodle – a marriage of the genetics of two German dogs to create an energetic, loyal, good-natured working and companion dog for your family.
Image credit: louiethedoberdoodle
Doberman Poodle Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 50–85 pounds |
| Height: | 24–28 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Coat Colours: | Black, white, gold, red, grey, blue and brown in a variety of combinations. |
| Temperament: | Energetic, active, intelligent, gentle, loving, even-tempered. |
| Suitable for: | Families with or without children, active couples and active single individuals. |
What Does a Doberman Poodle Mix Look Like?
The Doberman Poodle will closely resemble both of its two parent breeds. It will likely have the high stature of the Doberman, mixed with the fur of the Poodle. Its face and head will be wedge-shaped, like the Poodle and it may have short ears, like the Doberman. Its tail will typically be short, too. You can expect it to have a long body and long legs, like the Poodle.
Photo: Instagram
The History of the Doberman Poodle Mix
Being a designer dog, very little is known about the history of the Doberman Poodle mix, though it is thought to be a fairly recently-created mixed breed dog and is thought to have been bred in the United States.
Given the popularity of crossbreeding in the US, which peaked in the 1990s and early 2000s, we can anticipate that it’s possible that the Doberdoodle was created during this time.
The History of the Doberman
The Doberman Pinscher was created in Germany by Louis Dobermann in the 19th century. Dobermann was a tax collector who needed a guardian dog to work with him while he went around and collected taxes from people. At the time, being a tax collector was a far more dangerous task. Two certainties in life, and all that…
How Popular Are Dobermans?
Despite being a more recent creation than some animals, the Doberman’s popularity in the United States is surprisingly high. Last year, they were ranked as the 16th most popular dog in the country by the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Dobermans a Good Dog For?
Given its large size and athleticism, the Doberman Pinscher is best kept as a companion pet by active households, as it has the energy to burn and loves the outdoors. If you’re not a particularly active family or individual, consider a different breed.
How Did The Doberman Come About?
The Doberman was the creation by the German tax collector, Louis Dobermann in the 19th century in Germany. Dobermann was searching for a guardian dog to accompany him on his tax-collecting rounds, to ward off thieves and any other danger stemming from those who didn’t want to pay their taxes.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Doberman?
Given that the Doberman is a relatively new dog breed, crossbreeding of the sort that produced the Doberdoodle is a relatively new thing, gaining popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. Little is known about the exact crossbreeding history of the Doberman, though we can surmise that those who did cross the Doberman with other dogs, were likely looking to incorporate its intelligence, agility and speed with other breeds’ characteristics.
Several other popular crossbreeds of the Doberman include:
- Doberman Corgi Mix (Dobergi)
- Doberman Chihuahua Mix (Doberchi)
- Doberman Pitbull Mix (Doberman Pit)
- Doberman German Shepherd Mix (Doberman Shepherd)
- Great Dane Doberman Mix (Doberdane)
The History of the Poodle
The Poodle also began in Germany, though it is officially the national dog of France. “Pudel” is a German word meaning “to splash in water”. The Poodle was originally bred as a fetching companion of German hunters, bringing in waterfowl back to their masters.
Fun fact: the traditional poodle cut (with bare legs, but fur around the joints), was to make the poodle better functioning at swimming to retrieve downed waterfowl. Fur placed around the joints was to provide warmth, though shaved legs were supposed to make the poodle more agile in the water.
How Popular Are Poodles?
The Poodle is a tremendously popular dog in the United States, both as a working dog and a companion pet, though they are rarely found with the ‘traditional’ poodle cut. They ranked fifth in last year’s AKC rankings!
Who Are Poodles a Good Dog For?
The Poodle is a great dog for almost anyone, with the possible exception of the elderly, as they require a great deal of exercise. They’re also hypoallergenic dogs, making them fantastic for those who have allergies to dog fur. Poodles are a great fit within family units, as they’re not typically aggressive around other pets or humans.
How Did The Poodle Come About?
The Poodle was a creation by German hunters in the 19th century, as they attempted to find a hunting companion that was good at swimming to fetch downed waterfowl. The Poodle, originally “Pudel”, meaning “water dog” in German quickly became a favourite among hunters across the continent.
When Did First Cross-Breed Poodles?
The history of crossbreeding of the Poodle is fairly limited, as most people tend to keep Poodles as purebred as possible to maintain their original function. However, those who have tried to crossbreed Poodles within the United States likely started to do so around 1990, as crossbreeding popularity hit a peak at this time.
Popular Poodle crossbreeds are numerous! They include, among many others:
- Corgi Poodle Mix (Corgipoo)
- English Bulldog Poodle Mix (Boodle)
- Pug Poodle Mix (Puggle)
- Labrador Retriever Poodle Mix (Labradoodle)
- Boxer Poodle Mix (Boxadoodle)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
A dog’s temperament is of critical importance to your family – you must do thorough research before deciding to adopt or purchase a dog. Researching a dog’s temperament will help you decide whether or not the dog is going to be a good fit for your family home. Placing an active dog with an inactive family will cause health issues for the dog, as well as general unhappiness – and vice versa with inactive dogs/active families.
Ensuring that your new dog will be a temperamental match for your family will save you and the dog great pain, suffering and trauma if they have returned to their shelter, or re-homed to another family if it doesn’t work out for you and your family.
What is the Temperament of the Doberman Poodle Mix?
The temperament of the Doberman Poodle is generally a very friendly and loving companion. Though they do need to maintain a reasonably high level of activity, so consider this when choosing whether or not the Doberdoodle is right for you. Otherwise, expect a loyal, gentle and even-tempered companion dog!
Are Doberman Poodles Friendly?
In general, the Doberman Poodle is a very friendly breed, energetically so when meeting new people!
Is The Doberman Poodle Easy to Train?
Yes, in general, the Doberman Poodle is quite easy to train, with both breeds having experience with having to be obedient and follow commands.
How Much Can Doberman Poodles Weigh?
The Doberman Poodle can reach weights between 50 and 85 pounds.
How Tall Can The Doberman Poodle mix Get?
Doberman Poodles will typically be 24 – 28 inches tall (at shoulder height).
Similar Sized Breeds
As these two breeds are relatively similar in size to each other, there are a few different similar-sized breeds. These include Rottweilers, Australian Kelpie, Irish Water Spaniel, and the Barbet.
Does the Doberman Poodle Mix Shed?
Thankfully, for those who were worried about shedding, you don’t have to be! The Doberman Poodle mix is an extremely low-shedding dog and also hypoallergenic!
How Much Exercise Does A Doberman Poodle Mix Require?
Being a hunting dog, the Doberman Poodle will require a significant amount of exercise, including free-roam running on the weekends, if possible. One should aim to have their Doberman Poodle mix walk for about an hour each day. Given this high-level energy requirement, the Doberman Poodle isn’t advised as a dog for the elderly, unless they can have someone else walk the dog to the degree that it requires.
How Long Can a Doberman Poodle Mix Live?
Typically, a Doberman Poodle mix will live between 12 and 15 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Doberman Poodle Mix Have?
- Wobbler’s Syndrome (cervical vertebral instability)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease (blood protein deficiency)
- Cancer
- Hip & Elbow dysplasia
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (eye condition)
How Can You Find a Doberman Poodle Mix Puppy For Sale?
We recommend that you begin your search for a Doberman Poodle mix by seeking to adopt, rather than buy a puppy from a breeder. To begin this search, you can check out your local animal shelter, or veterinary clinic. However, if you strike out there, you can begin searching your local area at https://www.petfinder.com/.
How Much Does a Doberman Poodle Mix Puppy Cost?
If you strike out with adoption and seek to purchase a Doberdoodle, you should expect to spend between $500 and $1000.
However, if you do go down the purchasing route, please review and carefully consider the AKC’s guidelines for finding the right breeder.
Is the Doberman Poodle Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking for a spry, energetic companion that’s fiercely loyal and loving – whether to use as a working dog or primarily as a companion pet, then the Doberman Poodle might just be the dog you’re looking for!