Mixed breeds are all the rage right now. Curious about what the Doberman Australian Shepherd mix is going to be like for a furry addition to your family? Read on to find out the must-know details.
A Doberman Australian Shepherd mix is a large and muscular dog that tends to look more like a Doberman once they reach adulthood. Most will have floppy ears and be either brown or black.
They are considered large dogs, reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) for height in most cases and weighing between 50-90 pounds (22-40 kg).
This mixed breed is intelligent, loving, and energetic. They can be prone to health conditions, however, so proper care is important! Read more on all of that below.
What is a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix called?
These mixed breeds have a few name options. The most common one is a Doberman Shepherd. However, they can also be called a Doberalian in some circles!
What does a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix look like?
Since they do tend to take over their Doberman parent, they will be a solid dog, too. That is, they’ll have a lot of muscle, and this translates to making sure that you can always stay in control of your dog on the leash! But, more on that in a bit.
Color-wise, Doberalians tend to be brown or black because they take so firmly to their Doberman genes. However, sometimes they can come in some really unique color combinations (in addition to brown or black, or instead of!) including:
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Red Merle
- Blue Merle
It really depends on what genes come out in each pup and what genes are in each parent dog, too. A breeder will have as much of a say in that as anyone else. There’s no way to guarantee what a dog will look like, however.
Their coats tend to be short and glossy, and smooth to the touch. Some may have more of a shaggy effect, though, if their Australian Shepherd genes are a little stronger.
They are considered moderate shedders, making grooming just a way of life when you’ve got one of these dogs in your family.
One of their most distinctive traits is their long, large floppy ears. They are expressive, adorable, and can often look oversized for their face, especially when they are younger.
How big will a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix get?
These are considered large dogs, as mentioned above. They reach up to 24 inches (60 cm) in height and weigh between 50-90 pounds (22-40 kg).
They are not recommended for apartments or even smaller homes. They’re also relatively high-energy dogs, so being confined to small and closed spaces will be especially challenging!
What is the lifespan of a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix?
A mix between a large and a medium-sized dog, you can expect this unique mixed breed to live between 10-14 years.
Proper care throughout their life will be critical to help them enjoy as many healthy and happy years as possible. We’ll talk more about that in a bit.
Are Doberman Shepherd mixes good dogs?
There are many ways you can interpret the way “good.” Still, Doberman Shepherds somehow manage to meet them all due to a careful and targeted breeding process.
Both the Doberman and Australian Shepherd have extraordinary characteristics. This mixed breed takes on the best of both of those, offering you a unique personality and temperament that will be great for those looking for a furry addition.
What’s the temperament of a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix
They’ve got a lot of great traits that make them welcome additions to the family. First and foremost, they’re known for being very friendly dogs. They are confident and strong and affectionate with their humans.
Since they have a very strong pack instinct, they’ll always want to be huddled up with everyone else. During a movie night, they’ll be right in the middle of everyone. When everyone is in the kitchen, they’ll want to be there, too. They’re very social and put a lot of attention on being “part of the pack.”
These are pretty active dogs, too. They love to run and jump and play and generally always be moving. They are great dogs for those busy families who want to ensure that their dogs can keep up with all of the fun activities!
These are known for being brave and bold. They won’t run and hide from loud noises or cower in fear whenever they meet a new person. They are self-assured and will be right there along with you to face it.
These are protective dogs by nature, so they will be dedicated to protecting their “pack” whenever they feel that a threat is nearby.
Between their pack instinct and their intelligence, the Doberman Shepherd will be a fantastic choice for when you want a really alert dog that is going to be firmly part of the crew.
However, this also means that you’re going to have to be okay with staying in charge of them. Since they have powerful alpha personalities, you’ll need to be ready to remain in charge and make sure that they listen to you instead of the other way around!
This is going to come out most when looking at something like training. While they are absolutely intelligent enough to understand what you’re asking pretty quickly, they’ll be stubborn and strong-minded enough to simply ignore you.
You’ll need to stay in charge of your dog and make sure that they do end up listening to you and your training commands.
If this is your first family dog, it may be a lot to take on! You’ll want to consider something like obedience training courses so that you can learn how to teach him the commands and stay firmly in charge with someone experienced at your side to help!
Are Doberalians good family dogs?
Doberalians are going to be fantastic family dogs! They are the right mix of protective and friendly. They love to be right in the middle of everything and enjoy being loved.
If you have kids who are looking at being their dog’s very best friend, this will be a great match. Your dog will dote on your kids, and vice versa!
Since they have such high energy needs, you’ll most likely find that these are recommended for those families that are especially active.
While they will enjoy their couch potato moments, they will be just as happy to be running around in the backyard. Your Doberman Shepherd will be a great family companion for a hike, a family camping trip, and anything else where they can be out and exploring the world around them.
What are a Doberman Shepherd’s health issues?
While sweet and loveable family dogs, they do have some significant health issues that you’ll need to know about so that you can be appropriately prepared to take care of their health needs as they pop up.
Some of the most common ones include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Hear issues
- Drug sensitivity
- Ear infections
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
Hip and elbow dysplasia
If you’ve had big dogs before, you’re most likely familiar with this. The joints don’t work as they should, most commonly seen in the hip and/or the elbow.
As they age, it’s like a severe form of arthritis that causes them a lot of pain when they move. Vets can help with preventative care as well as offer pain relief when it does set in. This is very common with larger dogs like Dobermans.
Bloat
A serious and potentially life-threatening illness, bloat, is when the stomach twists and prevents food from digesting properly. Gases can build up, and the stomach will swell, too. This can cut off blood flow to other organs, including the heart. It also can impact lung capacity too.
If left untreated, it can be fatal. Your vet will be able to offer up advice on how to watch for symptoms and even how to avoid it in the first place (which is always best)!
Hearing issues
Both throughout their lives as well as when they age, Doberalians are prone to ear issues. It can reduce their hearing or even have each dog slowly lose their hearing over time and leave them deaf as they get older.
While many breeders will have this as part of their tests before selling puppies, it can sometimes manifest later in life.
Drug sensitivity
Both of these dogs are prone to drug sensitivities and reactions. This means that they’re more likely to be allergic to different cosmetic products (like dog shampoos) or even medications like antibiotics.
An allergy and sensitivity test is definitely a good idea to make sure that you know about these kinds of issues beforehand. Finding out the hard way is never fun, and it can lead to unexpected vet bills!
Ear infections
Thanks to their large ears, they are prone to ear issues. This includes ear infections. You’ll get used to learning what to look for when inspecting your dog’s ears (more on that in a little bit) and how to treat ear infections.
Your vet will also be able to help you learn how to catch them early. The earlier, the better!
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Sounds scary, and it is, all things considered. This is a disorder where your dog’s blood cannot clot like it’s supposed to, which means that they’ll have difficulty stopping bleeding, including internal bleeding.
Injuries, even minor scapes, will be problems for your dog. It means extra care and attention, of course, and making sure that you have a vet who is aware of the disease to prescribe medication or, at the least, be mindful of any complications in case of an injury.
When you see a list like this, it can make owning a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix look to be a scary situation, even for the experienced dog parent.
Any dog out there is going to have health conditions. The main thing is to be aware of these issues beforehand so that you and your vet can work together in helping deal with them if they become a problem.
You can also work out a lot of these with your breeder too. Most responsible breeders will work with you to understand what conditions are most at risk and how to live with them as responsible pet parents. After all, they are professionals!
How to take care of a Doberman Shepherd
If you want to make sure that you are caring properly for your energetic Doberman Shepherd, then here are some of the essential details to focus on to ensure their quality of life and, of course, your enjoyment of your new furry addition.
- Prioritize exercise
- Grooming will be mild to moderate at most
- Get the right food
- Don’t forget the toes and ears
Prioritize exercise
This is first for a reason! A Doberman Shepherd requires at least 1.5 hours of exercise a day, and this number can often be higher. This can be a combination of activities, of course, including long walks, playing, fetch, and more.
Their intelligence and emotional intelligence also will need to be cared for. The best activities to help with this include puzzle toys or treat mats where they need to work to get to the solution. These are especially helpful when you leave them alone while you’re at work.
To help your dog feel calm and secure, you’ll want to add in exercise before you go to work in the morning as well as after you return from work at night.
Simply waiting until the evening can bring your home to a house full of a mess because your dog has too much energy and nowhere to dispel it.
You’ve probably heard this before: A tired dog is a happy dog. So, tire him out with some fast-paced fetch or a walk before work!
The other thing is to make sure that you never blame your dog for destroying things when he is anxious. While it is frustrating, blaming the dog will just make him fearful of you instead.
Grooming will be mild to moderate at most
Since most of these dogs tend to have shorter fur, you’ll be relieved to know that you can most often get away with brushing them at home. About 2-3 times a week will be sufficient for most people.
Grooming at home is a great way to bond with your pet. It also helps improve their blood circulation and fur shine too.
You will want to book them into a professional groomer every month or 6 weeks, however. Since they have shorter fur, their skin can dry out, and this will mean that ap roper shampooing from a professional can help them stay comfortable and clean.
Get the right food
Since they can be prone to sensitivities and allergies, one of the most important things to do is get a test for that and then see just how to fill your home with food and treats that will be free from that particular allergen.
Your vet will be a great resource with this since they often will know how to avoid them.
As well, you’ll want to find a dog food that is formulated for large dogs. Since they often have different focuses (omega-3s for joint health, for example), it will be geared toward helping them be their strongest and healthiest selves daily!
Don’t forget the toes and ears
Nail clipping can be done at home or with a groomer or a vet. You’ll want to do this at least once a week, so learning how to do it at home is going to be really helpful to make it quick work and get more comfortable with your dog’s care.
While you’re at it, you’ll want to clean their ears out. The cleaner that they are, the less likely that they will get an infection! As well, this means that you’ll be checking their ears every week, so you’ll notice something before it gets too bad, too.
How much is a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix?
These dogs can cost anywhere between $300-$900. However, you can often find them at rescue centers, too, which will save you some cash.
Always do your research on the breeder to ensure that you aren’t getting ripped off, of course.
Pros and cons of a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix
While these are undoubtedly wonderful dogs, they have both pluses and minuses to consider when adding one to the family!
PROS
- Loves to be around people
- Great with kids
- Intelligent and alert
They are great family dogs because they are good at being around everyone in the family and genuinely joining in on all of the fun to be had.
For families that are active and want a dog that is going to come along for the ride, a Doberman Shepherd is certainly the dog to consider.
CONS
- Separation anxiety
- Prone to health conditions
Due to their intelligence and high activity level, these dogs can be destructive and prone to separation anxiety.
For those that intend on leaving their dog entirely alone for 8 hours a day, it may be challenging to help with that. It might be helpful to look at a doggy daycare or perhaps some sort of dog-walking service.
All in all
A cross between its two named parent breeds, a Doberman Australian Shepherd mix is a large dog, getting as tall as 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) and weighing between 50-90 pounds (22-40 kg) as an adult.
They can be prone to some health conditions and separation anxiety, so proper care and attention to their needs is essential! They are loving, active, protective, brave, and alert dogs.
A Doberman Australian Shepherd mix is a beautiful family dog that is high-energy, protective, and loving. While prone to health conditions, they can be great additions to the active family that wants a dog to keep up!
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