🐕 Doberman Pinscher
Temperament
Intelligent, loyal, alert, sensitive. Dobermans bond intensely with their family and can be reserved with strangers. Despite the imposing reputation, modern Dobies are usually friendly with people and other dogs when socialised early.
Exercise
90+ minutes of daily exercise plus mental work. Excels at agility, schutzhund, obedience, scent work.
Grooming
Short coat, weekly brush.
Health
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM — the leading cause of death in the breed; annual cardiac scans recommended). Von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorder — DNA test). Hip dysplasia. Wobbler syndrome. Bloat / GDV.
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🐕🦺 German Shepherd
Temperament
Intelligent, confident, courageous. GSDs are aloof with strangers (not aggressive, just reserved) and intensely bonded to their family. They need clear leadership and consistent training from puppyhood — without it, their natural watchfulness can tip into reactivity.
Exercise
A solid 90–120 minutes of daily exercise plus mental work. They thrive on jobs: obedience, scent work, agility, schutzhund, herding. A bored Shepherd will redecorate your house. Puppies must avoid forced exercise and stairs to protect developing hips.
Grooming
Double coat sheds constantly (the breed is sometimes called "German Shedder"). Brush 3–4× weekly with a deshedder, daily during seasonal moults. Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Avoid clipping the coat — it functions as climate control year-round.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia (the breed is genetically predisposed; always check OFA / BVA scores of parents). Degenerative myelopathy (DNA test available). Bloat / GDV — feed twice daily, slow feeders, limit exercise around meals. Pancreatic insufficiency in some lines.
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