A Doodleman Pinscher is a medium to large designer dog hybrid that is a cross between the imposing Doberman Pinscher and the loving Standard Poodle.
Doodlemans are sweet, versatile dogs that can easily be trained and make wonderful family pets. Being a mixed breed, Doodlemans, also sometimes called Doberdoodles, can take after either parent breed in appearance, temperament, and genetics.
Before understanding what a mixed breed dog can be like, it would be well worth the time to understand both parent breeds’ fundamental characteristics.
The Doberman is a medium to large breed dog initially bred in 1890 by Karl Doberman from Germany. He had the dangerous job of being the local tax collector and also ran a local dog pound.
He started breeding dogs to create one ideal for protecting him during his collections that took him through many shady, crime-infested areas.
After several tries and crossing multiple breeds, including the Rottweiler, German Pinscher, and Black and Tan Terrier, the Doberman was developed, the perfect blend of strength, loyalty, and intelligence.
Today, the Doberman is a working dog recognized by the AKC in 1908. It serves humans in many functions, including police and military work.
Pet Dobermans are loyal, courageous, and loving family members that are easily trained but need a firm hand.
When you think “Poodle,” you might think of fluffy dogs with fancy haircuts, the darling of the dog shows strutting in their diamond-studded collars.
However, the Standard Poodle is a working dog also bred first in Germany to retrieve game from the water for hunters.
It quickly became a hot favorite because of its intelligence and trainability, frequently being employed in circuses.
Loving, affectionate, and highly intelligent, Poodles are the hot favorites for developing new cross breeds.
Their hypoallergenic coats make them ideal for people with allergies, while their loving, friendly nature makes them great for first-time or inexperienced owners.
There are three registered types of Poodles; the Standard, the Toy, and the Miniature. Doodlemans are bred from the Standard Poodle.
Appearance
Doodleman Pinschers are medium to large dogs with the wavy coats of the Poodle. They weigh between 50 and 85 pounds and stand between 24 and 28 inches at the shoulders.
They have a muscled, powerful body, more lean than stocky, with a long muzzle and brown eyes. Ears hang down and forward while the coat takes more after the Poodle parent and is dense and wavy.
Since Poodles are hypoallergenic and take after the Poodle coat, it is possible that a Doodleman has a hypoallergenic coat and could be suitable for people with allergies.
While a Doberman is always black with tan markings, a Doodleman can come in various colors like black, grey, white, brown, chestnut, and bi-colored.
Their tails will be long and slender if not docked, and their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.
You can see many different Doodleman Pinschers in the video below:
Temperament
Doodlemans are independent, brilliant dogs, are loving, easy-going, and fiercely attached to their families.
They might display good guarding tendencies from the Doberman parent and bark moderately at strangers or when he feels there might be a threat.
A Doodleman is likely to get along with kids, other dogs, and other animals but might take some time to warm up to a stranger.
They are not naturally aggressive dogs but are sassy, cheeky buggers that will constantly push boundaries if a weak leader is present.
Although independent dogs, they are immensely attached to their families and might develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
They require a firm hand and a leader that is familiar with dominant breeds. They would not suit an inexperienced or first-time dog owner.
Exercise Needs
Both the Doberman and Poodle are high-energy dogs that were originally bred as working dogs.
A Doodleman is likely to have medium to high energy levels and require plenty of exercise to keep him occupied and out of trouble. They are not expected to do well in apartments and would do better in a home with a spacious, fenced yard.
An hour or two of brisk walking or running daily might keep a Doodleman happy, combined with plenty of playtime in between.
Most Poodles and some Dobermans are water-babies that love swimming. Swimming is a great activity to improve cardio, muscular tone and burn off some of that energy.
High-intensity games like frisbee and fetch are an excellent way of bonding with your Doodleman and helping him burn off that excess energy that could get him (and you!) in trouble.
In addition, they will need to be kept mentally stimulated and would do well in agility, obedience, flyball, or any other activity that can improve mental cognition.
An under-stimulated or inadequately exercised Doodleman is not a good idea.
Destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, excessive barking, and separation anxiety can manifest if a Doodleman is not a happy puppy.
Because of its size, a destructive chewing habit can grow to be an expensive one!
Training
Highly trainable, Doodlemans will respond well to positive reinforcement only.
The Poodle and the Doberman have been working dogs for hundreds of years before they mainly became pets. It is in their blood to have a job and work with humans.
They love to learn and bond with their owners and will do well in obedience classes and agility.
Punishing a Doodleman is likely to cause him to lose interest in the training session or, worse, rebel.
A non-responsive or bored Doodleman might be difficult to get through to. They are independent, intelligent dogs that can often have a stubborn streak.
An experienced owner would be an ideal parent for a Doodleman. First-time owners might have difficulty controlling this breed as it has a mind of its own and has been known to do what it wants.
Grooming Needs
Doodlemans have thick, medium-length coats of about 2 to 4 inches long. Their coats can be curly or wavy and come in a variety of colors.
Despite their size and dense coat, the Doodleman requires relatively moderate grooming. Their coats are probably low-shedding and need a few brushes a week to remove dead hair and dander.
An occasional bath when needed is enough to keep a Doodleman happy. Bathing too frequently can strip the coats of natural oils and dry out the skin.
As with all dogs, their nails should be kept short, and their eyes and ears cleaned regularly to prevent wax buildup or infection.
Especially pay attention to the ears, as Doodlemans have floppy ears that hang down, placing them vulnerable to mites, infections, and wax buildup.
Their medium-length coats should be trimmed down to keep tangles away. Poodle coats keep growing and have to be trimmed down; a Doodleman will likely be similar.
Clean your Doodleman’s teeth daily with a canine toothbrush and meat-flavored toothpaste to maintain good dental hygiene.
They are likely to be voracious chewers, so keep plenty of dental bones to keep those teeth clean and your belongings safe from the enthusiastic jaws.
Diet
Doodlemans are medium to large bundles of energy that need plenty of fuel to burn. They need higher than average amounts of protein and will do well with a premium quality kibble meant explicitly for large breeds.
Many commercial dog foods contain cheap filler ingredients like grain. Dairy products, fatty meats, and excessive protein should be avoided as they can lead to health issues or obesity.
Potential Health Issues
Although relatively healthy breeds, Dobermans and Poodles are predisposed to a few genetic conditions that a Doodleman could inherit.
When buying a Doodleman from a responsible breeder, care must be taken to ensure that both parents are not carriers of a defective trait that could lead to severe health problems down the road.
These genetic traits can include:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, the swelling of the heart.
- Cervical spondylomyelopathy, a common neurological disorder caused by a compressed spine, also known as Wobblers Syndrome.
- Hypothyroidism
- Bloat
- Von Willebrand, affecting the dog’s ability to clot its blood due to the lack of protein required to keep platelets together.
- GDV or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, a potentially serious condition where the stomach is twisted unnaturally.
- Hip or elbow dysplasia, where the joints in the elbow or hip joint is loose, wearing down the cartilage and bone, causing pain and swelling.
- Addison’s disease, when the adrenal glands cannot produce hormones like aldosterone and cortisol. These hormones regulate a dog’s internal organs and balances the body.
- Progressive retinal atrophy, a group of degenerative diseases that affect the photoreceptor cells in the eyes, potentially leading to blindness.
- Sebaceous adenitis, the inflammation of sebaceous glands, leading to skin disease and hair loss.
Who Would Doodlemans Suit?
Doodlemans would suit high-energy, active owners who enjoy hiking, playing, jogging, and cycling.
Anyone not able to meet the exercise needs of a Doodleman should avoid getting one. An inadequately exercised dog can have a host of behavioral problems like chewing, digging, barking, dominance issues, and separation anxiety.
Because of their size, chewing and digging can be highly destructive and cost you a pretty penny.
In addition, dominance problems might develop if a Doodleman feels under-stimulated and needs to assert himself.
They can be sassy dogs and require a firm hand and a strong leader. A first-time or inexperienced dog owner will not suit a Doodleman.
Only the most active seniors will suit Doodlemans. These playful dogs can get into trouble if inadequately exercised. In addition, their large size makes them able to drag their owners around on a leash if improperly trained.
A balanced, happy Doodleman will make an excellent family pet. They can love children and other dogs and animals if adequately introduced and socialized.
Although the Poodle has a low prey drive, the Doberman has a moderate to high prey drive.
A Doodleman could chase smaller animals, so care has to be taken when introducing a cat or smaller dog to a Doodleman.
They are fiercely protective and loyal to their family members and, although not aggressive, might take a while to warm up to someone new.
In addition, their high-energy levels make them unsuitable for apartment dwellings. They would do best in a household with a spacious fenced yard for tons of playtime in between a good hour’s walk or more a day.
A timid, fearful, or dominant Doodleman will need a highly experienced owner if brought into a family. They are large, powerful dogs and can hurt small children if they snap or show aggression out of fear or a mistaken threat.
Although they can be independent, intelligent dogs that like their space and quiet time, all dogs can develop separation anxiety. All dogs will do well in a household with a family member present at all times.
How Much Does A Doodleman Cost?
Being a designer dog breed, Doodlemans can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on bloodline, breeder standards, location, and quality.
Check your local shelters and rescue groups before heading to a breeder; you might be able to find the perfect Doodleman at a fraction of the price and save a life!
In addition to the purchase or adoption price, bringing home a Doodleman puppy is more than just buying. In preparation for the new addition to the family, you’ll have to get cleaning and grooming supplies, food, a leash, collar, food bowls, toys, treats, a crate, and some bedding.
Although it ranges, the start-up cost of supplies needed before bringing a dog home can be around $400 to $600.
A Doodleman is a large, active dog that can have a voracious appetite. Expect food costs to be around $50 a month.
If bringing home a puppy, the remaining vaccination shots can cost about $200 to $400, while annual booster shots and health checks can cost about the same.
If you intend to have your Doodleman taken to basic obedience classes, private classes cost around $45 to $120, while group classes cost $35 to $75 a day.
Unexpected vet bills can put a severe dent in the wallet. To protect your bank account from necessary but economically painful bills, think about getting pet insurance.
Insurance can go for as low as $10 to higher than $100, though most owners report paying between $30 to $50 a month for a plan with adequate coverage.
Breed Recognition
The Doodleman Pinscher is currently a mixed breed not recognized by the American Kennel Club as a pure breed. However, it is a registered member of a few hybrid clubs, mainly:
- Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
- American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
- International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA)
Final Thoughts on Doodleman Pinschers
Doodlemans are not your typical tiny, adorable designer dog breed.
They have inherent behavioral traits that first-time owners might find challenging and high energy levels that require constant exercise.
They love being around family and will benefit from a household with an experienced leader that brings the best out in them.
When they settle in as a pack member, they are fiercely loyal and make excellent guard dogs.
If you think a Doodleman Pinscher is for you, we wish you the best of luck and many happy years ahead with your new best friend!
