The doberdoodle is a large doodle that has some great traits inherited from both parent purebreds. Although not the most popular doodle they are great for owners that want a doodle that will stick to them like glue and be loyal and devoted. Doberman Pinschers are commonly called “velcro dogs” and the doberdoodle can inherit this trait as well. As well as being extremely attached to their owners they can also be great watchdogs who are very protective of their families. 🥷

The Doberman Pinscher is known as a fearless and intimidating guard dog. They originated in Apolda, Germany. 🇩🇪  The Doberman Pinscher was originally bred by a breeder named Louis Dobermann. Louis as well as being a breeder was also a not very popular tax collector who needed some extra protection at work. Due to this need for fearless protection he created the Doberman Pinscher. The faithful and intimidating Doberman Pinscher that Louis took with him to work made collecting taxes from tax payers easier and lessened his chance of getting robbed. 💸

The Doberman Pinscher was later used as a working dog in World War II by the Marine Corp on Guam 🇬🇺 and was known there as the “Devil Dogs”. Since this time Doberman Pinschers have been used as therapy, service dogs and search and rescue. The Doberman Pinscher was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 and is still one of the most popular working breeds to this day. 

Let’s take a quick look at the other half of the doberdoodle hybrid.

The Poodle is called Pudel in Germany 🇩🇪 and Caniche in France 🇫🇷 . Both of these names are a nod to the Poodles original breeding use as a water retriever. The German Pudel name translates to puddle or splashing water . The French Caniche name translates to duck dog. 🦆

The Standard Poodles were originally bred as hunters of wildfowl to retrieve the game out of the water. The Miniature Poodle was also bred in France as a talented circus performer 🎪 . These Miniature Poodles were trained to walk tightropes and even perform card tricks and skits. 

Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Poodle have long histories as working dogs and companion dogs. 

Sizing it all up

The size of the doberdoodle does not vary as much as some other doodles. They are usually roughly the average size of their parents. They tend to be a bit smaller than a Doberman but bigger than a Poodle with a muscular body. Doberdoodles usually weigh between 65 to 90 pounds and stand 24 to 28 inches tall. 🐕

Color Coding, Fur Real

The doberdoodle can have different combinations of hair types depending on the genes 🧬 that it receives from its purebred parents. They could be any variety of curliness and length. Their coat may be long and straight or long and curlier depending on which parent the doodle takes after. Either way they tend to be low shedding, but they may still shed seasonally as the weather changes.

The doberdoodle can be any combination of colors as well. These color variations include black, tan, red, gray or white. Thes color varieties also come from the parents’ colors.

They need to be brushed every day if not every other day. They will also need to have a bath once per month. 🛁 Additionally, doodles need to have their ears cleaned to remove debris and trimmed weekly in order to prevent ear infections. 👂

 The AKC states that “there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog”. Unfortunately people with dog allergies are usually allergic to the dog dander 🦠, not the dog’s fur. Granted the dog fur can be a carrier for the dog dander it is not the cause of the allergen. The old school of thought was that less dog hair = less allergen. So breeders would attempt to have as many Poodle genes in a dog breed to lessen dog hair shed. Unfortunately, this does not change the level of dander. Please be cautious regarding the labels of “hypoallergenic” if you have dog allergies. If you would like more info on this please read 22 Hypoallergenic Doodles. ◀️

Working it out

The doberdoodle is a high energy doodle. This doodle is a hybrid of 2 different parent breeds that are also high energy. This means that the doberdoodle will need to have around 90 minutes of exercise per day. 🏃 If the doberdoodle does not get their required amount of exercise per day they can get bored and become destructive. This kind of doodle is very active and would match well with an active owner who runs or hikes a lot. The doberdoodle can also be taught to participate in different sports for dogs such as agility or obedience training. This kind of active doodle needs a home with a backyard that it can run around in. 🏡

⚠️ One word of warning, it is not recommended to have your doodle participate in highly strenuous activities prior to the age of 10 months due to underdeveloped joints and bones. ⚠️

Come, Sit, Stay

Doberdoodles are a highly intelligent hybrid mix that learns very quickly and are attentive listeners. The training methods used with them will need to be varied and engaging, the doberdoodle can get bored easily. It also seems to be easier to train this doodle when they are younger. Training an older doberdoodle can take longer and may be more complicated requiring more effort from the owner. Depending on whether the doberdoodle takes after the Poodle or the Doberman Pinscher in regards to personality can have a big impact on training. Doberman Pinchers can have a stubborn streak and tend to try to be a little dominant. 🐕

Further challenges that may come from the Doberman parent are a strong prey drive and a tendency to be territorial. Due to both of these factors combined additional training may be needed for the doberdoodle to live with other pets, especially cats. 🐈‍⬛  One additional issues that the doberdoodle can have that will need some training is with separation anxiety. They want to be with their owners ALL the time, so they won’t like it if you leave. 😣

As with all dogs doberdooles will need early socialization and also puppy classes to build healthy habits for life. 

Quality of Life

The doberdoodle is a fairly healthy doodle. They can live for about 12 to 15 years. Usually a hybrid dog tends to be healthier than either of the hybrid’s purebred parents. Although hybrid doodles can still be susceptible to the medical issues 🩺 that their parent breeds are prone to. These medical issues include hip dysplasia, thyroid, stomach and heart issues to name a few. The good news is that your vet may be able to test for some of these medical issues that the doodle may be prone to. 🧪

So now you want a Doberdoodle….

If you are thinking about getting a doberdoodle you must make sure that you are in love with any combination of traits that a doodle surprise could offer. 🎁 Your doodle may look exactly like a Doberman Pinscher but act exactly like a Poodle. Would you be ok with that? What about the other way around? If you can love 💗 ALL of the traits of both parent breeds then DO IT! Doodles are the best! 

I would check at Poodle rescues and also at Doberman Pinscher specific rescues, they may have a mixed breed/hybrid there as well. Also check regular rescues. Just realize that if you want to rescue you may have to wait to find your dog or travel to pick it up. But there are great benefits to rescuing instead of buying. 👍👏

If you decide to buy a puppy please do your research on the breeder and don’t be afraid to ask the right questions. And good luck to you! I hope you find your forever puppy! 🥰