Doberman Pinscher Health Issues

doberman

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed of large, hard-working, energetic dogs that originated in Germany. These dogs require plenty of exercise or they could otherwise become irritable and aggressive. If socialized and trained properly, Dobermans can make a good pet, loyal to their owner and good with children.

The average life expectancy of Doberman Pinschers is 9 to 13 years.

Do Doberman Pinschers Have Health Issues?

Like most other breeds, Doberman Pinschers are also prone to certain health issues. They come in a variety of colors and one of them is white. White Dobermans are not prized rarities as some breeders present them, but the result of a genetic mutation that causes serious health problems.

The health issues that have been reported in Doberman Pinschers (not only the white ones) over the years are the following:

  • Orthopedic issues: hip dysplasia, Wobbler syndrome (cervical vertebral instability), intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), eosinophilic panosteitis, arthritis
  • Skin problems: demodectic mange, color mutant alopecia, Malassezia dermatitis, Pemphigus foliaceus, lick granuloma, lipoma
  • Eye problems: progressive retinal atrophy, blindness
  • Ear infection
  • Periodontal disease
  • Heart problems: dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), congestive heart failure (CHF), mitral valve disease
  • Blood clotting diseases: Von Willebrand disease, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia
  • Kidney diseases: glomerulonephropathy
  • Gastric issues: bloat, gastroenteritis, colitis
  • Neurological disorders: narcolepsy
  • Cancer: prostatic adenocarcinoma, benign hyperplasias, osteosarcoma
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Prostatic diseases: bacterial prostatitis, prostatic cysts
  • Behavioral disorders: canine obsessive-compulsive behavior
  • Chronic active hepatitis (CAH)
  • Copper storage disease
  • Addison’s disease
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Albinism
  • Allergies
  • Obesity

The above-mentioned health issues have been reported in this breed over the years. However, it doesn’t mean that some or most of them will definitely occur in all Doberman Pinschers. The purpose of this list is to inform the owners of these dogs or those who are thinking about getting a Doberman Pinscher as a pet about potential health issues that may arise.

Please keep in mind that the health issues listed above are not ranked according to any special criteria, i.e., this doesn’t mean that health issues at the top of the list occur more often than the issues from the bottom of the list.

Although it’s not possible to predict whether and when a dog will get ill, by purchasing a Doberman Pinscher puppy from a reliable breeder you can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases. Any responsible breeder will provide the certificates that confirm that puppies are free of genetically inherited diseases and that they have received all the necessary veterinary care.