Health

The Dobermann’s health is usually pretty good, but work needs to be done to extend the average life expectancy, which is around 9-10 years. There are three major genetic health problems: von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypothyroidism.

vWD is a bleeding disease found in several breeds, including Dobermanns. Dogs can be clear, carriers, or affected. Very careful thought should be given to using an affected dog as a stud but, with a small gene pool, if the stud dog is from a line with excellent longevity and health, then this may be a good dog to use, PROVIDED the bitch is clear of vWD. The pups will then all be clear or carriers. Carriers should only be used with clear dogs; again, there may be an exception where it is useful to use a carrier that comes from a line with an excellent record of longevity and health. A carrier should not be mated with another carrier or an affected dog. You can check a dobe’s vWD status (if it has been tested) by going to the Kennel Club’s records. If both parents are clear, the puppies will be hereditarily clear and will not show on these lists. Never buy a puppy if you do not know its vWD status. All my Dobermanns are clear of vWD.

DCM is a disease in which the heart enlarges and weakens. It is more common in large breeds like the Dobermann. It usually occurs in middle age and eventually leads to heart failure. One genetic marker has been identified, but this is not specific enough to be conclusive on its own. There is therapy to help manage it and extend the dog’s healthy life if it is diagnosed in time. Dogs can be tested for the presence of signs of DCM and should certainly be tested before being mated. The test only checks for the presence currently; it cannot predict whether the dog will develop the disease later and so retesting is needed from time to time on breeding stock. Always ask the DCM status of the parents before buying a puppy. My adult dogs have tested DCM clear and the puppies will be tested at an appropriate time. There is new research based around simple blood tests for Troponin I and lactate. Please read my briefing for further details.

Hypothyroidism is fairly common in dobes (as it is in humans). It is not life-threatening and can be managed with drugs. My article on Hypothyroidism in Dobermanns was first published in Dog World in June 2009.