The Doberman is a great service dog, and its proper feeding depends on the health and good performance of the dog’s duties.
About the Doberman Breed
Dogs of the Doberman breed began their existence at the end of the 19th century. In the 1870s, the German stray dog catcher Friedrich Dobermann set out to breed combine endurance, courage, fearlessness, good reaction, and pliability in training. Doberman was the result of experimental crosses of Old German Pinschers and the ancestors of modern Rottweilers. The original name of the breed — Thuringian Pinscher — was given by the German province’s name, wherein the Thuringian city of Apolde, Friedrich Dobermann, was engaged in developing this breed.
The official entry of the breed into the register took place only in February 1994. This was done by the International Cynological Federation. In the registry, the Doberman breed was noted under registration number 143 and identified these dogs’ homeland as Germany.
Dobermans are strong and, at the same time, graceful dogs with a proportional physique. These dogs have well-developed musculature and a wide bone. The head is not large, with a long and narrow muzzle and an undeveloped forehead. The eyes are small, the ears are set high. The neck of the Dobermans is not very long, the withers are high. These breeds have a developed, deep and rounded chest, a straight, strong back, and a slightly lowered croup. The forelimbs are broad-boned, strong, at right angles to the body, the hind limbs are well-muscled and slightly set back. Currently, the tail and ears of Dobermans are not docked.
Dobermans have a complex character. The exterior and habits of Dobermans are aimed at service. They have a well-developed sense of smell and work well on a trail. They are very energetic, active, and tolerate high physical and informational loads. Dobermans are excellent guards, watchmen, bloodhounds, and companions. However, Dobermans can sometimes develop a problematic character and can be aggressive and dangerous to others. Therefore, it is better to purchase a puppy from proven parents with a balanced personality and a robust nervous system.[1]
What Diet Would Be The Best for My Doberman?
Most dog owners want their pets to be healthy and keep active for a long time. However, not everyone thinks about the most suitable foods for Dobermans. The dog has been considered a pet for many centuries, but it is still a predator by nature, having close genetic similarity to wolves.
Why do I need to feed my dog meat? A pet needs a balanced diet balanced in minerals, vitamins, and nutrients throughout its entire life. Dogs are omnivores, so proper food should primarily include animal protein in meat foods mixed with vegetables and grains. Unlike herbivorous mammals, the body has the following anatomical features:
- A omnivore’s digestive tract is designed to digest animal proteins. If herbivores have a gastrointestinal tract that is many times longer than their body length, then the dog has a fairly short small intestine, in which it is the animal protein that is rapidly digested.
- The dog has elongated teeth, which are characteristic of predators. Such teeth are necessary for obtaining meat food. The structure of the dog’s molars provides the opportunity to make the lower jaw cutting smooth movements, which is not typical for herbivores that grind food.
- In dog saliva, there are special digestive enzymes for breaking down protein from meat.
All these indicators clearly show that it is necessary to feed your pet food with a high content of good quality animal-sourced protein.
At a Glance: Our Favorite TOP-3 Picks
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The Best Picks
This article contains a list of foods that is suitable for feeding Dobermans. The table shows the three most popular products.
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Best Overall 
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1. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
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Our Dry Pick 
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2. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
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Pick for Puppies 
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3. Orijen Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
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Dog Food for Dobermans Pinchers Reviews
1. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
5 / 5
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Dry Wellness is produced in the USA. This choice is holistic in nature. Dry and wet Wellness food has been popular among pet owners. The formula is specially designed to support the entire health of a large breed.
The composition of the feed includes only natural ingredients of high quality. The food consists of the highest quality proteins and healthy cereals, supported by omega-fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine.
This balanced diet is designed to develop a strong immune system, optimize energy levels, and ensure healthy skin and coat. This diet promotes the health of the whole body. The food does not contain GMOs, meat offal, fillers, and artificial preservatives.
Pros
Cons
- Only premium, all-natural ingredients.
- No wheat, corn, soy.
- Without meat by-products.
- None.
Summary: It’s undoubtedly the aptest diet for your Doberman to feed. It fulfills all the required nutrients needed for optimal health.
2. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
4.8 / 5
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Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food is one of the most popular on the market. The formula is excellent for dogs of large breeds, such as Dobermans. This grain-free formula consists of fish protein.
It contains a high content of fish proteins and fats, and sweet potato fiber, an excellent combination of well-digested trace elements for an active body.
Food made from real salmon meat has a beautiful taste, which is sure to please your pet. Fruits and vegetables combined with fish and potatoes ensure that the body receives all the necessary range of natural antioxidants for great health, and healthy and active life.
Pros
Cons
- High protein and moderate fat composition.
- Contains probiotics explicitly formulated for dogs.
- Great for skin and coat.
- One or two owners said that their pets drank more water when using this food.
Summary: This formula, made from real smoked salmon, offers a unique taste experience.
3. Orijen Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
4.7 / 5
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Puppies of large breeds need a special high-protein diet for the formation of muscle mass. Orijen Puppy is the most suitable for Doberman puppies. High-protein (38%) food, with a limited amount of carbohydrates, provides nutrition for puppies according to their evolutionary and biological needs.
It contains chicken and turkey meat, fresh eggs, and mackerel. Orijen includes only meat that has passed veterinary inspection. There are no cereals or carbohydrates in the food that are not suitable for your puppy. Instead of cereals, the food contains a full range of regional fruits and vegetables, including sweet and reddish-brown potatoes, blackcurrants and sunflowers, apples, and cranberries. These fruits and vegetables contain a limited amount of carbohydrates but are rich in vitamins, macro-and microminerals. Chicken and fish oils are an excellent source of essential fatty acids (including DHA and EPA).
Each puppy is a bright personality and therefore, the feeding standards in each individual case will differ, depending on the season, weight, breed, activity, age and environment.
Pros
Cons
- High in essential fatty acids.
- Grain-free.
- High quality proteins.
- Higher cost.
Summary: Grain-free formula that replicates the same rich and diverse balance of meats, fruits, vegetables and grasses that puppies and young dogs would encounter in a wilderness setting.
4. Feed Me Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood
4.5 / 5
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TruDog’s is a premium nutritious raw superfood in freeze-dried form. This food is made from nutrient-rich ingredients. The composition contains only high-quality turkey meat, turkey heart and liver. There is also a small amount of herring oil to improve digestion.
Most commercial feeds are processed under high heat, but this feed retains all the nutrients due to its processing methods. Feed Me TruDog is freeze-dried, which preserves all the nutrients.
The food looks and smells like real meat! The product does not contain gluten, soy, preservatives. Only natural food for your pet.
Pros
Cons
- Helps maintain healthy weight.
- Supports overall health.
- Maintain healthy digestion.
- Limited shelf life.
Summary: It is a delicious and nutritious premium raw superfood in freeze-dried form.
5. Merrick Grain-Free – Real Buffalo & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
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Merrick is made from high-quality ingredients and does not contain grains. All the nutrients in this diet help maintain the skin, coat and muscle tissue’s health.
This product contains buffalo meat and sweet potato, glucosamine, and omega-fatty acids. The formula also has all the minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
The manufacturers claim that they do not include any ingredients from China in their products and do not use artificial flavors. The ratio is 70% protein and 30% other ingredients. Also, the food includes both Omega-3 and Omega-6, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin for elastic joints and strong bones.
Pros
Cons
- Made with deboned buffalo.
- Palatable taste that dogs love.
- Promotes skin, coat, muscle, and joint health.
- Price per bag is slightly higher than comparable products.
Summary: It provides a nutritionally balanced meal made from real, local whole foods.
6. AvoDerm Natural Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
4.5 / 5
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AvoDerm food contains premium ingredients. Each serving contains the perfect blend of natural, high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It is guaranteed to be natural, does not contain meat offal, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Besides, this formula will help keep the coat healthy and shiny.
High-quality recipes, with the addition of vitamins and minerals rich in protein and omega, provide the necessary support for the pet’s overall health. All the elements contained in the food are necessary to maintain the health of the skin.
Pros
Cons
- Adjustable with dogs having sensitive skin.
- Wheat free, soy free, pea free.
- One customer complaining about its dog had diarrhea with this product but rest are satisfied.
Summary: Food contains premium ingredients specially selected to provide a healthy balanced nutrition while supplying a delicious taste your pet.
7. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
4.3 / 5
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Wellness CORE Natural for large breeds of dogs is a grain-free formula made from chicken, turkey, fruits and vegetables and is enriched with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-fatty acids.
Large-sized feed pellets are specially designed for grazing large breeds. This recipe is designed to improve your pet’s fat-free body mass and muscle tone. It is also promotes the health of the coat and skin.
This formula contains the highest quality proteins, balanced with superfoods rich in nutrients. The diet supports the overall health of the whole body and does not contain grains, corn, soy, wheat gluten or artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.
Pros
Cons
- Large kibble size.
- Keeps dog agile.
- Keeps its stomach healthy.
- Stools may get soft.
Summary: It provides large quantities of high quality protein.
8. Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
4.3 / 5
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Purina Pro Plan Sport with Chicken and Rice is designed to boost your pet’s strength and endurance. The formula is 30% protein for building muscle from real chicken and 20% fat for energy. In addition, it is proudly made in the USA without the addition of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The recipe is also enriched with essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and glucosamine for joint health and mobility. This food provides a complete and balanced diet for dogs of all ages.
The recipe helps to optimize oxygen metabolism. This helps your pet maintain stamina during exercise. It also contains DHA and EPA omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Pros
Cons
- A high-protein recipe with real chicken.
- Fortified with live probiotics.
- Includes high quantities of amino acids to help with muscle development.
- This product tastes less appealing than the rest.
Summary: The recipe is specially-formulated to optimize oxygen metabolism to support endurance during exercise.
9. Orijen Senior Dry Formula for Dogs
4.1 / 5
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Aging dogs need a diet enriched with meat proteins to maintain their muscles. Also, the diet should contain fewer calories to maintain optimal body weight.
Your dog’s digestive anatomy has descended from that of the wolf – meaning that it has evolved to a diet that includes a variety of fresh meats, fats, and proteins. The energy value of this feed is 3630 kcal / kg. The source of 42% of energy is protein, 21% is fruits and vegetables, and 37% is fat.
This high-protein (38%) food, with a limited amount of carbohydrates (19%), provides nutrition according to their evolutionary and biological needs. A highly nutritious ratio of ingredients, including meat, organs, and cartilage, combined with whole fish and whole eggs, is a natural source of almost all the nutritional components that dogs need.
Pros
Cons
- Organic for most of the ingredients.
- Made in the USA.
- It is made to make it easy to digest.
- Traces of dust in the bag.
Summary: Orijen Senior Formula is biologically appropriate food for an adult dogs. All ingredients promote a steady absorption of glucose, reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain-Free Chicken & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
4.3 / 5
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Hill’s Science Plan Chicken food for adult dogs with sensitive digestion and skin supports the digestive system’s health with prebiotic fiber. Also, this product contributes to a beautiful coat.
The feed is characterized by high digestibility for optimal nutrient supply and easier removal of the stool. Vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, which are part of the diet, contribute to proper nutrition.
This formula is made from the highest quality natural ingredients. Prebiotic fiber nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and supports a balanced microbiome. Easy-to-digest protein from fresh chicken helps support heart health.
Pros
Cons
- Crafted with beet pulp, which is a nourishing prebiotic fiber.
- Grain-free recipe.
- Contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids.
- Higher cost.
Summary: Hill’s Diet is made with the highest quality natural ingredients for precisely balanced nutrition in dogs with grain sensitivities.
What is The Best Food for a Doberman?
Our TOP-1 choice was the Wellness Large Breed Food. The formula of this formula contains probiotics, which are very necessary for the health of dogs’ gastrointestinal tract. In addition, this feed contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. These elements will help your Doberman avoid arthritis. This product also contains brown rice, which is a whole grain and full of minerals and vitamins.
The diet includes flaxseed, salmon flour, tocopherols, and taurine. This nutrient content contributes to the overall health of the pet. This will be noticeable by your dog’s concentration and overall activity.
The lack of elements in other feeds can interfere with the development and growth of Dobermans’ muscles. Wellness offers a unique blend of sources that do not cause allergies, improve digestion and promote heart health.
Buying Guide: What to Consider before Picking the Right Food?
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Dry food allows you to significantly save time and avoid difficulties with calculating the portion and vitamin supplements. When choosing dry food, you should only follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the portion’s size and make sure that the dog always has fresh water in their bowl.
When choosing commercial product, it is essential to take into account the lifestyle of the dog. Dobermans are very mobile and active. They need food with easily digestible protein. It is best to buy high-quality dry food with a high energy value if your pet is active.
Dry food should not be mixed with raw food. The product is balanced and does not need any additives. Aging dogs that have problems with their teeth can have their dry granules softened with water.
Also, you should take into account the age of the dog. Adults should not be given food for puppies. This can lead to obesity. At the same time, a diet designed for elderly pets is not suitable for puppies, since it does not contain the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development of the body.
Manufacturers offer special dietary foods for overweight dogs. You can also buy therapeutic diets for animals with health problems, and feed developed for sterilized pets.
READ MORE: Wet VS Dry Dog Food (with Infographic)
What Do Dobermans Need In Their Diet?
Photo by Yama Zsuzsanna Márkus from Pixabay
Dobermans, like all dogs, are omnivorous animals, meaning they require a mixture of meat, vegetables and carbohydrates in their diet. It is a common misconception that they are carnivores and only need meat. There are six basic nutrients that comprise a healthy, balanced diet, which are water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. These are essential for the body to function appropriately and must be balanced in a particular manner.
Balancing a home-cooked or raw diet is extremely challenging and requires the help of a veterinary nutritionist to get right. Therefore, balanced commercial food is more preferable, such as those listed above. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have developed a set of guidelines that lays out specific amounts of nutrients a dog needs in their diet, and most commercial dog food companies will develop their product based on these guidelines.
While all six nutrients are vital, the most important is protein. Animal-derived proteins are essential, as they contain the correct balance of amino acids which are needed for growth, muscle development, and tissue repair, among other bodily functions. Since Dobermans are strong, active dogs, this is particularly important for them. A minimum of 18% dry matter protein is required in commercial dog food, however, a higher percentage is preferable. Excellent protein sources include poultry, beef and fish, and both muscle meat and animal by-products, such as hearts, lungs, livers, and kidneys are healthy and nutritious.
Doberman puppies require different quantities of nutrients than adult dogs, such as increased levels of protein and calcium for the growth of strong muscles and bones. Therefore, it is particularly important for a puppy to receive a commercial diet specifically formulated for puppies to ensure your Doberman grows up into a strong and healthy dog without bone or muscle defects.
Dr. Joanna De Klerk
READ MORE: My Dog is Getting Old: What Should I Do?
What Ingedients to Avoid
Dobermans are no more sensitive to any ingredient than any other dog. Therefore, any ingredient safe for a dog to consume, is safe for a Doberman to consume. Of course, there will occasionally be exceptions, for example if your Doberman suffers from food allergies. But generally, a Doberman can enjoy any dog-friendly foods.
There are often misconceptions over healthy food, such as grains and meat by-products. Despite many claims that these ingredients should be avoided, they are in fact excellent for your Doberman. Grains are an important ingredient for dogs to have in their diet, as long as they don’t have a known sensitivity to them. They are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins, and when provided as a wholegrain rather than a refined grain, they are also full of fiber. Also, meat by-products don’t necessarily mean feet and beaks. Meat by-products are usually offel, which is rich in protein and vitamins. Dogs should not have more than 10% of their diet containing offel, as it can be very rich, especially heart and liver, but it is not something that should be avoided.
Nevertheless, there are some foods which all dogs should avoid. These include toxic and unsafe foods. Many foods in the household which are safe for humans are not safe for dogs. Toxic foods include, but are not limited to, raisins, grapes, chocolates, avocados, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions and any food containing the artificial sweetener xylitol.
In addition to this list, there are also unsafe products, such as bones (especially cooked bones) and poorly digestible food, such as rawhide, which may cause blockages, as well as fatty foods, which may trigger pancreatitis.
If you think your dog may have consumed any of these foods, call your veterinarian immediately. The sooner your dog is seen, the better the outcome for his health.
Dr. Joanna De Klerk
Doberman Food Feeding Schedule
There is no set of rules for how often a Doberman should eat a meal, however as a guideline, puppies should eat more frequently than adult dogs. Puppies are less able to regulate their blood sugar levels, so smaller, more frequent meals will ensure they have a constant source of energy.
When you first acquire your Doberman puppy, at around 12 weeks of age, you can split up his daily requirement of food into three or four meals a day. By six months old, this can be reduced to two or three meals, and once your Doberman reaches adulthood at around one year old, he can receive one or two meals a day. Until your puppy is fully grown, they should be receiving a balanced, commercial puppy food such as the Orijen Puppy Grain-Free Dry Food recommended above.
Treats can be given in between meals; however, treats should not consist of more than 10% of your dog’s diet, and any additional calories should be calculated and removed from his meals to ensure he does not put on unnecessary weight.
Dr. Joanna De Klerk
Common Doberman Health Problems
Dobermans belong to breeds with good health, but several diseases and hereditary problems are typical of these animals.
First of all, are heart diseases. Veterinarians often diagnose cardiovascular diseases (dilated cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and patent ductus arteriosus), even in young animals who have not yet reached five. To make the treatment as effective as possible, monitor the condition of your pet. Problems with breathing, collapse, exercise intolerance and pale gums – all these symptoms indicate that there could be problems with the heart. Heart problems can be genetic. You can take preventive measures, the most effective of which are systematic examinations and cardiac tests.
Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) is a worrying condition of Dobermans due to their deep chest. This provides space for the stomach to twist. Once twisted, it can build up with gas due to lack of a way for the gas to escape. This can lead to life-threatening consequences. It has been suggested that GDV is linked to exercising after food or eating a large meal quickly, however, the reality is it often happens for no reason at all. If your Doberman appears to be experiencing stomach pain or collapse, it is imperative you take him urgently to the vet for surgery to correct the twist. Some Doberman owners opt for surgical preventative measures when their dog is under anesthetic already for another procedure (such as a spay or castration). This provides an opportunity for the veterinarian to perform a gastropexy, which is when the stomach is pinned to the inner body wall, to prevent any potential occurrence of twisting.
Hypothyroidism is a hormonal condition whereby the thyroid is underactive. This results in the underproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to your Doberman becoming lethargic, developing poor skin and hair, and putting on excess weight. Due to the non-specific symptoms, it is frequently overlooked, however, if you have a Doberman, it is important to familiarise yourself with the signs and take your pet for a blood test if he doesn’t seem quite right. Hypothyroidism can be easily managed with oral medication and a change in diet to manage weight gain.
Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is, unfortunately, a common type of cancer for any large breed, especially Dobermans. It is quick to progress and can cause considerable pain. If it is picked up early before it has spread to the lungs, the affected limb can be amputated, however, the median survival time for dogs with bone cancer is 76 days even with treatment (with a range of 0 days to just over 4 years).[2]
Dr. Joanna De Klerk
Photo by Ryk Porras from Unsplash
FAQ
How Much to Feed a Doberman Puppy?
The number of meals per day directly depends on the age of the puppy: from 2 months it takes 3-4 times, from 5 months the daily norm for a Doberman is 2-3 times, and from a year it is enough 1 or 2 times a day.
What Should Dobermans Not Eat?
Dobermans can eat any ingredient which is safe for dogs. Common toxic food items include grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions and garlic. Food with bones in, particularly cooked bones, are also particularly dangerous food dogs.
Is Grain-free bad for Dobermans?
Dobermans can be fed food that contains cereals. However, the whole grains are preferable as they are less refined and healthier. It is essential that the main components of the feed are properly balanced and that the total carbohydrate content is not too high.
Is Royal Canin good for Doberman?
Yes, it is made from high-quality ingredients. Royal Canin has a special formula for Doberman feed. These feeds also contain all the necessary vitamin and mineral supplements.
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Article Sources:
- “Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed Information.” American Kennel Club, 25 Mar. 2021, akc.org/dog-breeds/doberman-pinscher/.
- Boston, S. E., et al. “Evaluation of Survival Time in Dogs with Stage III Osteosarcoma That Undergo Treatment.” AVMA Journals, avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.228.12.1905.
