Height and weight of a Doberman: how a puppy develops by month and to what age pets grow

Many people remember very well Glyukoza’s cartoon clip about the bride, where a cartoon teenage girl easily manages a large and majestic dog on a walk. This dog is a Doberman Pinscher breed. This breed will be discussed in the article.

A young breed developed in the second half of the 19th century and named after the breeder Louis Doberman. Carrying out numerous searches to obtain a dog that, becoming an excellent protector for the owner, would retain the elegance of its appearance.

Louis had to cross four breeds: a miniature pinscher, a Rottweiler, an English greyhound, and a German shepherd. There is a little bit of admixture from other breeds, but these breeds have given the main traits to this strong dog. Typically, dogs of this breed are used for service purposes. Very smart, easy to train, unrivaled guards. Their appearance is menacing and intimidating, but their disposition is very friendly, although they are always serious. They love to chase and drive the pursued object into a corner, where, without attacking, they will hold it until the owner arrives.

Doberman Pinscher

A very large animal, with a well-developed, muscular body. A healthy animal will delight its owner with its presence in his life for 8 - 12 years. Males in adulthood reach large sizes, their height at the withers is 68 - 72 cm, ladies are slightly smaller and are 63-68 cm at the withers.

Fit, with long graceful paws, the weight of an adult Doberman male reaches 40-45 kg; females are lighter and usually weigh no more than 35 kg. The best representatives of the breed are dogs with average performance.

The proud posture of the animal is added by cropped ears, which give it a special, intimidating appearance. Ear cutting is performed on puppies at 7-8 weeks of age. The coat color is usually brown or black. Dobermans are smooth-haired dogs. Their fur fits so tightly to the body that it shines in the sun in different colors. The presence of undercoat is not allowed. They always have red tan markings located above the eyes, on the chest, cheeks, paws and under the tail. According to the standard, the head from above should look like a blunt wedge.

A standard table has been adopted, according to which puppies of the breed in question should gain weight by month. In order for your pet to meet the standards, you need to carefully monitor the diet and select nutrition. Puppies grow very quickly, increasing in size several times each month.

Overweight of the animal should also not be allowed. If this happens, it is necessary to transfer him to dietary nutrition.

Disease susceptibility

In general, Dobermans are in good health. The most common pathology is dilated cardiomyopathy and heart rhythm disturbances; elbow dysplasia, osteopathy, coagulopathy, Wobbler syndrome, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy are also common.

Due to their high mobility, Dobermans are susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries, cut and puncture wounds. In adult Dobermans, gastric volvulus and cancer occur.

It is important to remember that compliance with the conditions for keeping the Doberman, as well as preventive veterinary examinations from an early age, prevent the development of many diseases.

Miniature Pinscher Miniature Doberman

Despite the name "dwarf Doberman", the miniature pinscher is not an exact copy of the Doberman in a smaller form. Referring to an independent breed of dogs, they are united with the Doberman by one common ancestor of the smooth-haired pinscher breed. This is where the similarities end. This breed has a second name - miniature pinscher. The Miniature Pinscher is a breed older than the Doberman Pinscher. Its origin dates back to the 15th century.

A born hunter, with sensitive hearing and an excellent sense of smell, he will perfectly cope with the role of a devoted friend in the family and a reliable guard. A smart dog, even as a puppy, will figure out who is prey and who is master and friend, and does not need long and tedious explanations. Hunting instincts are perfectly preserved, even if the animal lives in an urban environment.

At the end of the 19th century, the miniature pinscher standard was determined. An animal with a muscular body, an elongated muzzle and powerful jaws. They have a thin but very strong neck, medium-sized and erect ears. Very proportional dogs, at sexual maturity reaching a height of 25-30 cm at the withers for males, females are a couple of centimeters lower. The weight of an adult dog is 4-6 kg. In males, girls weigh less. Despite its modest size, this is a very strong breed of dog. The coat is smooth, dense, and the color is brown, or less commonly black and tan. The life expectancy of little hunters reaches 15 years.

Puppies grow very smoothly, gradually gaining weight over the months:

Description of the breed

The history of Doberman breeding begins at the end of the 19th century. Despite the fact that the breed was bred recently, its creation is shrouded in a fog of mysteries and secrets . This is due to the fact that the author did not leave any notes about the selection process. Therefore, his followers could only guess in the features of the Doberman his ancient ancestors.

Friedrich Louis Dobermann is the creator of this unusual breed. He lived in Germany, worked as a tax collector during the day and as a policeman at night. As you can imagine, not everyone wanted to pay taxes, and Mr. Dauberman had to think about how to make his work as efficient as possible and protect himself from conflict situations with aggressive debtors, because he always carried large sums of money with him.

Already in the 1870s. Dogs that Mr. Dobermann called Thuringian Pinschers . They gained wide popularity among residents of the city of Apolda, and then beyond its borders. They were purchased to assist police officers, as watchmen and bodyguards.

Word of the fearless and loyal Thuringian Pinscher spread at the speed of light thanks to the fact that Mr. Dobermann's dogs actually brought great practical benefits . They could engage in various types of activities, had super-fast reactions and lightning speed, were hardy and not picky in terms of care.

If your Doberman puppy is not gaining weight

The current weight gain standard for Doberman Pinschers is the same for all dogs of this breed. As the puppy develops, it should gain weight proportionately. If the pet deviates from the set rate of weight gain, the owner should pay attention to this and monitor the dog’s behavior.

Abnormalities in weight gain can be a sign of certain diseases, but not always. Active animals that love to run and whose owners spend a lot of time walking with them gain weight more slowly.

Climate also affects this indicator. It is necessary to ensure that the puppy receives enough calcium from its diet. Infectious and viral diseases can prevent weight gain. The presence of worms is always the reason for slow weight gain.

What influences development?

There are many factors that influence the height and weight of a Doberman puppy.:

• Nutrition . It must be rational, balanced, and its amount must strictly correspond to age. A Doberman puppy's diet should contain a minimum of fried and fatty foods, as well as a small amount of carbohydrates. Sweets and flour products are also undesirable, and overfeeding is unacceptable.
• Disease is another factor that affects the normal development, weight gain and growth of a pet. These could be hormonal disorders, allergic reactions, or the presence of parasites. But don't rush to conclusions. If you suspect your puppy is sick, consult a professional.
• Genetic factor . Sometimes puppies are born underweight, and sometimes they tend to be overweight. If this is so, then underweight or overweight can be attributed to the natural constitution of the animal and it is almost impossible to correct the situation. However, in order to make a final conclusion, it is necessary to consult with specialists. You may need to take tests or conduct other studies.
• Climacteric region . It happens that because the climate is too cold or hot, the dog will gain or lose weight so that it does not meet classical standards. If this is the only reason, there is no reason to worry.

How to gain weight for a Doberman puppy

A healthy dog ​​has an excellent appetite, and the rate of weight gain directly depends on the diet of the growing dog. You cannot feed your dog raw meat. It is necessary to take into account that the animal is very large, and eating raw meat leads to increased aggressiveness. The best diet would be dry food. About half a kilogram of food per day will provide your pet with the necessary microelements.

You can feed a Doberman with natural food, but you need to take into account some features. Pork is not the best food for these dogs, at least lean.

By-products can be given, but after reaching 6 months. An excellent diet would be a diet with a predominance of dairy products: cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt. Dobermans love raw eggs and fish. Giants really need microelements, of which there are many in cereals: millet, oatmeal, rice and buckwheat will perfectly compensate for their deficiency. Vitamin supplements should be added to the diet with natural food.

To what age do they grow?

Before answering this question, it should be said that the growth and development of a puppy is conventionally divided into five stages. And each of them deserves special attention.

Doberman growth stages:

• Period of intrauterine development . This period is considered fundamental, since it is at this moment that the genetics and innate characteristics of the puppy are laid down. That’s why when purchasing, you should always pay attention to the parents, their appearance, character, size, weight and other data.
• Milk period or breastfeeding period . As a rule, it lasts from 1.5 to 2 months. During this period, the baby’s immunity is formed, and the breeder is entirely responsible for his health.
• The third stage is the period of physical maturation (from 2 to 6 months) . At this time, the baby is taken away from the mother and handed over to permanent owners. This is the most intense period of growth, development, maturation. Therefore, at this time it is very important to feed the puppy with high-quality balanced food and provide him with proper care and maintenance. It is also during this period that you should begin to seriously train your dog.
• The fourth stage is the period of growing up (from 6 to 12 months) : Doberman puppies continue to actively grow and gain weight, right now the puppy is turning into an adult dog. By the end of this period, height and weight gain stops.
• The fifth stage is the end of formation (from 1 to 2 years) . At this stage, the dog’s exterior is fully formed and muscle mass has been gained.

Thus, we can conclude that the growth and formation of the Doberman cannot be called complete before the age of 2 years.

How to dial and measure height correctly

It is not on a whim that breeders instill certain standard traits into dogs, for which strict parameters are established. The presence of these features helps animals cope with the main tasks of their breeding, i.e. security functions, hunting, decorative.

Accordingly, parameters for measuring standardized indicators and special tools for making measurements have been established. The most accurate measurements are taken with a rigid measuring stick. A less accurate tool, where the error increases, includes a flexible measuring tape.

A book or any flat object is applied to the withers of a dog standing on a flat, level surface, while its head should be raised and its neck straightened. A flat object located at the withers is pressed against the wall at one end and a mark is made at this level (approximately the way we were measured in childhood).

The resulting level is measured with any of the above instruments. The greatest accuracy is obtained by measurements taken three times.

Care

Dobermans require a spacious room - it is difficult for them to stay in a small apartment without long active walks.

Raising an obedient Doberman requires socialization from an early age, constant training and high physical activity.

Dobermans are unpretentious in grooming: the short hair of these dogs does not require frequent washing. It is necessary to comb the animal once a week with a special brush and wipe with a damp towel. For walks in the cold season, it is recommended to use overalls.

An important procedure is also a weekly examination and cleaning of the ears, as well as examination of the pet’s teeth and oral cavity.

The Doberman's short coat does not require frequent washing. To remove dead hair, the dog must be wiped with a cloth or soft brush. For walks in the cold season, you need to use overalls.

Briefly about the main thing

1. The ferocious appearance of the Doberman is just a frightening picture. Of course, he is a very strong animal, capable of protecting his owner to the end, but by his nature he is friendly and accommodating.
2. They will make great friends for teenagers and get along well with smaller animals in the house. They love communication very much, and even need it. Owners must allocate enough time to communicate with their pet.
3. Smart, easily trained dogs, designed for human protection.
4. An interesting fact about the miniature pinscher: racing over huge distances is the norm for them, because they used to accompany carts with horses to protect the property of their owners.
5. An excellent mole and rat catcher.
6. Its modest size is complemented by the complex character and abilities of a security guard.
7. Already as a puppy, he should know that the owner is in charge.
8. Active, playful, friendly, but with dignity. They cannot stand violation of their boundaries and pain.
9. Capable of barking until they are hoarse.

Character and habits

Dobermans have a complex character, which is due to the fact that the selection of dogs during breeding was carried out taking into account working qualities. The exterior and habits of Dobermans are aimed at serving. The sense of smell is very developed, so representatives of this breed work well on the scent. They are very energetic, active, and tolerate high physical and information loads well. Animals with a strong nervous system are balanced, perfectly obedient and devoted to the owner, and respond adequately to stimuli. Dobermans are excellent guards, watchmen, bloodhounds and companions. Dobermans with a weak nervous system are cowardly, can be aggressive and dangerous to others. Therefore, it is better to adopt a puppy from parents with a balanced character and a strong nervous system.

Vaccinations

The vaccination calendar will tell you when the puppy needs to undergo primary vaccination. It is worth noting that some medications may require a different time frame, but your veterinarian will tell you about this.

Ways to assert the authority of the owner

Considering the instinctive desire of independent dogs for leadership, not everyone manages to raise their pets correctly.

Dobermans of any age can try to play the role of leader. The owner must constantly show strength of character and maintain the authority of the unconditional leader. Mistakes must not be made.

There are certain critical age periods when the dog, obeying instinct, wants to test the owner in order to take his place. These are 3, 7-9, 12-18 months. The communication system, taking into account the pet’s character, is built on severity, respect, and love.

Learning ability

The Doberman was bred as a service dog, so the ability to learn is inherent in the breed from the very beginning. Intelligent and decisive, with quick reactions, these dogs are simply made to be trained.

High potential allows dogs to learn new commands, often from the first training session. The realization of intellectual abilities can be called physically necessary for the Doberman; without this, he gets bored, his character deteriorates.

Excellent learning ability allows you to focus them on the specialization that is your priority. A dog can be an excellent guard, a service dog and a family member.

Principles of weighing a dog

Determining the weight of a pet with accuracy is a difficult matter, since it is usually not always possible to keep the dog in one place, especially a playful puppy. The simplest home weighing method is to separately determine your weight and the weight with the puppy in your arms. Then calculate the difference. The resulting number is the weight of the pet.

Another way of weighing is to involve the dog using a treat. But again, the puppy may not respond to commands, making it difficult to determine its weight.

The last method involves hanging the dog on a dynamometer scale. This is done quite simply; the Doberman can be dressed in a suit and hung by a strap, but in such a way that the pet does not feel uncomfortable.

Nuances of the general training course

Mastering a set of exercises designed to completely discipline the Doberman usually begins when the dog is six months old.

It is recommended to entrust your pet to professionals who purposefully implement a specific training system.

The purpose of the general course involves the formation of key skills necessary for the dog to perform further service. Its purpose is determined taking into account its abilities - hunter, guard, companion. The dog that completes the course is awarded a diploma.

Video

Knowledge of the theory on dog training is reinforced by watching videos demonstrating competent handling of dogs. This will help avoid gross mistakes and not cause unmotivated aggression in the Doberman.