Get to Know the Doberdoodle: Doberman Pinscher x Poodle

Rocky Kanaka |

Feb 1, 2023

Credit: Instagram: @wookiee_the_Doberdoodle

Doodle dogs – mixed breed dogs that are usually about half Poodle and half another bred or breed mix – are very popular pets. While many people know about Goldendoodles and Cavapoos, there are lots of other Doodles out there!

One uncommon Doodle cross is the Doberdoodle, a cross between a Doberman Pinscher and a Poodle. While Poodles and Doodles are very popular pets, Dobermans are more uncommon– which means that it’s likely you’ve never seen a Doberman Pinscher Poodle mix before! Here, we’ll tell you all you need to know about this crossbreed and even share some Doberdoodle pictures.

Meet 3 Delightful Doberdoodles from Instagram

Before we get into the details of what makes a Doberdoodle a Doberdoodle, let’s see a few examples of these dogs.

1. Buddy

Buddy was taken in by a Doberman rescue group in Colorado called Saving Dobermankind—we’ll share more from this rescue later—along with his siblings. The result of an accidental litter, Buddy is a shy, intelligent pup who will make his forever family very happy.

2. Wallace

Wallace is a five-year-old Doberdoodle from Massachusetts who is an agility champion! When Wallace isn’t working on his athleticism, he’s hanging out with his brothers Otis and Elwood!

3. Reggie

Reggie is a big ‘ol boy whose family says “he doesn’t know how to Doberman or Poodle!” Reggie goes everywhere with his family, even to baseball games, and he’s a friend to other dogs both big and small.

Doberdoodle Basic Info

So just what are Doberdoodles?

A Doberdoodle is what you get when a Doberman and Poodle mix. Usually, this crossbreed is 50% Doberman and 50% Standard Poodle, but sometimes there may be a little bit of genetic contribution from other breeds.

This Doberman Pinscher Poodle mix is very rare and is frequently the result of an accidental litter. The Poodle parent is usually a Standard Poodle because Miniature and Toy Poodles are much smaller than a Doberman. This cross is not recognized by any organization, and due to the temperament differences in the two parent breeds, this cross is more likely to be an accidental litter than an intentionally bred crossbreed.

Doberdoodle Temperament

Every dog is unique, and while some traits have strong genetic links like a Border Collie’s herding instinct or a Pointer’s ability to point, this is not true of all behaviors! Additionally, a dog’s history, personal experiences, and personality play a huge role in determining what kind of temperament they will have. Since Doberdoodles are a combination of Dobermans and Poodles, let’s look at some of the key traits of both breeds.

Dobermans:

Intense
Protective
Headstrong

Poodles:

Energetic
Intelligent
Sweet

Because Dobermans and Poodles have such wildly different temperaments, if you want to adopt one, you should find out as much as you can about the pup in question. This is one of the big advantages of adopting from a rescue; the rescue coordinators and foster pet parents will have been working with the Doberdoodle and will know more about how they react to different situations.

Even siblings won’t have the same temperament; for example, the Colorado rescue Saving Dobermankind worked with an accidental litter of nine Doberdoodles. Even though all of the pups were from the same parents, one pup was a “Velcro” dog while her siblings were more independent. Some of the puppies were good with other dogs; others were shy.

These dogs can be amazing companions, but you do have to socialize them a lot as puppies to help them be comfortable around other animals. And it is unlikely that they will ever be truly friendly with strangers– Doberman crosses are typically very family-oriented and prefer the company of those they consider their “pack.”

One Doberdoodle owner described their Doberdoodle named Bouncer as their own “Secret Service protection agent,” mentioning that Doberdoodles are “fearless protectors; we once woke to Bouncer’s barking and facing off a massive bear at 2 am.” If you want a dog who will tell you when any human or animal is within 500 feet of your house, the Doberdoodle might be the dog for you!

Doberdoodle Size

Doberdoodle size can vary widely depending on the size of the Poodle parent. Doberdoodles are usually between 60 and 80 pounds, although 90 pounds or more is possible. They are usually about 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder.

Doberdoodle Health

Crossbreed dogs are often less prone to certain health conditions than their purebred parents– and for Doberdoodles, that’s a very good thing, because Dobermans are prone to serious heart conditions that are usually less likely in their offspring.

However, even crossbreeds have health conditions to look out for. Here are some of the most common health concerns that affect Poodles and Dobermans.

Bloat
Eye & vision problems
Joint problems like hip dysplasia
Thyroid problems

Where Can I Find Doberdoodles for Sale Near Me?

Do you want to make a Doberdoodle your next best friend? The best place to find one of these crossbreeds is actually going to be a Doberman rescue! Doodle and Poodle rescues may take them in as well, but because there are a lot more Doodles than Dobermans out there, rescues and fosters that focus on Dobermans are likely to be more knowledgeable about these dogs.

Doberdoodle FAQs

Demanding to know more about the Doberdoodle? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from dog lovers about them!

How big does a Doberdoodle get?

Doberdoodles can get fairly large. Dobermans are between 24 and 28 inches tall at the shoulder. Males should weigh between 75 and 100 pounds, while females should weigh between 60 and 90 pounds.

Standard Poodles are slightly smaller than Dobermans. Fully grown males weigh between 60 and 70 pounds, while fully grown females weigh 40 to 50 pounds. Both males and females should be at least 15 inches tall at the shoulder.

Doberdoodles with Standard Poodle parentage will fall somewhere in this range.

Are Doberdoodles hypoallergenic?

No. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. While poodles have a reputation for being a low-shedding breed, it’s not actually dog hair that causes allergies; it’s dander, the microscopic skin flakes that all dogs produce. Poodle dander, like Poodle hair, gets trapped in the tight curl of their coat, so Poodles may be less likely to trigger dog allergies.

However, this is not necessarily the case for Doberdoodles. With crossbreeds, there’s no guarantee that the coat and skin will have those qualities.

What 2 dogs make a Doberdoodle?

The Doberdoodle is a cross between the Doberman Pinscher and the Poodle.

Do Doberman Poodle mixes shed?

Yes. All dogs shed, even purebred Poodles. However, if your dog’s coat has the curled texture of a Poodle, then the hair rarely falls to the ground; instead, it gets trapped in the coat. (This is why you need to frequently brush dogs with this coat texture; otherwise, their hair forms mats.) Some Doberdoodles have this curly coat; others do not.

What is the best food for a Doberdoodle?

Doberdoodles are large, energetic, athletic dogs, and they need good nutrition that can support them. As a large breed, raw food is a great choice. A high-quality raw diet can provide many benefits, such as better improved digestion, cleaner teeth, and a softer, healthier coat. We recommend the brand We Feed Raw!

What are the best toys for a Doberdoodle?

Doberdoodles are smart and tenacious dogs, so puzzle toys and heavy-duty, chew-resistant toys are a good choice for this breed. Doberdoodles also need lots of room to run and play and appreciate going on long walks.

What is the best food for your dog?

The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
1. The Farmer’s Dog.

This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.

Save 60% on your first order
—
2. Sundays Food For Dogs

This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.

Get 35% off your first order + free shipping w/ code ROCKY35

3. We Feed Raw.

This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.

Supplements:

I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.