Doberman Pinscher health: what owners should know

The biggest concern in the breed is dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease that can stay silent for years. Dobermans are also known for von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder), hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and cervical spondylomyelopathy, often called wobbler syndrome. Good breeders screen parents with annual Holter monitoring and heart ultrasound, a DNA test for von Willebrand disease, hip scoring and thyroid testing.

Ask your vet about regular heart screening from around 2 to 3 years of age, even if your dog seems perfectly healthy. See a vet promptly if your Doberman faints, tires unusually quickly, coughs at rest, breathes fast while sleeping, shows a wobbly or scuffing hind gait, or has a swollen hard belly with unproductive retching, which is an emergency.