Last Updated on April 25, 2023
Blue Dobermans, also known as Doberman Pinschers, Dobies, or Doby, are brilliant working dogs with various positive traits.
Owning one means getting the best of both worlds, where friendly and loving meets strong and fiercely protective.
Dobermans are affectionate pets, and with their sleek silver coats, they’re dignified and attractive-looking dogs to boot.
Let us uncover everything about Blue Dobermans with our guide. Keep scrolling!
Quick Navigation
- 1 Where did the Blue Doberman originate?
- 2 What does a Blue Doberman Pinscher look like?
- 3 Temperament: Are Blue Dobermans good family dogs?
- 4 How to take care of your Blue Doberman
- 5 Do Blue Dobermans have more health problems?
- 6 How much are Blue Dobermans worth?
- 7 Who should get a Blue Doberman?
- 8 Further reading: Similar breeds to the Doberman
- 9 Reference
Where did the Blue Doberman originate?
Back in the 1800s in Germany, Herr Karl Louis Dobermann was in dire need of a competent guard dog. Dobermann was a tax collector and needed protection from some of the enemies he made in his work.
But he also caught stray dogs for a living. With access to a variety of breeds, he had the perfect opportunity to develop his own.
Thus the Dobermann Pinscher was born — Pinscher meaning ‘Terrier’ in German.
The precise breeding lineage isn’t clear, but it’s said that Dobermans are made from combining the Weimaraner, Rottweiler, German Pinscher, Manchester Terrier, and English Greyhound.
The Doberman breed got its name from its creator after he died in 1894, but with a different spelling. Many use ‘Doberman,’ while others say ‘Dobermann.’ It’s also why this fido is known as the Tax Collector’s Dog.
In 1908, the Doberman Pinscher received official recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
This recognition extends to all color variations of the Doberman, including the Blue Doberman Pinscher.
What does a Blue Doberman Pinscher look like?
The Blue Doberman Pinscher has a noble appearance with its compact and muscular body. With its sleek toplines, this doggo stands elegantly and with poise. It has a long, wedge-shaped head and a dark gray nose.
Its almond-shaped, brown eyes with an alert, energetic expression. White Dobermans’ eyes can be blue.
Doberman puppies are born with long, floppy ears, but some Dobies get their ears cropped when they’re around 5 months old.
Ear cropping is the owner’s choice, and some say it arguably prevents ear infections and staves off deafness as these dogs get older.
But others still have long, wide ears or pointy ones that stand erect and poised.
The Blue Doberman has a proud, lengthy neck with a broad base that meets the body. Its forequarter and hindquarter legs are muscular and straight. And at the end of their body is a tail that’s sometimes docked.
Size: Are Blue Dobermans good apartment dogs?
Blue Doberman Pinschers are large dogs that can adjust comfortably to apartment living as long as their daily exercise needs are met.
It’s ideal if you have a home with a safely enclosed backyard that this breed can run freely on.
Male Dobies have a height of 26 to 28 inches (66 to 71 cm) tall and weigh 75 to 100 pounds (34 to 45 kg).
Female Dobermans are a bit smaller, standing 24 to 26 inches tall (60 to 66 cm) and weigh around 60 to 90 pounds (27 to 41 kgs).
They usually reach their full-grown size when they’re about 2 years of age.
What kind of coat does a Blue Doberman have?

Regardless of color, Dobermans have short, smooth fur. Blue Dobies have a grayish-black coat color with a silvery sheen that appears to be blue.
As per their breed standard, the AKC recognizes the fawn, black and tan, white (albino), and Red Doberman colors.
These colors result from the breed’s genetics, which inhibits pigment production and dilutes the body’s melanin.
Even rust markings under the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest, and some areas of the legs, feet, and below the tail are acceptable.
Blue Dobermans possess this color dilution gene, so they have less pigmentation and are lighter in color than Black Dobermans.
While the Blue Doberman variation comprises only 8-9% of the breed, it’s not as rare as the White or Fawn Dobermans, also called Isabella Dobermans.
White Dobermans are the least common color of this breed.
This video shows all the Doberman colors that exist:
Temperament: Are Blue Dobermans good family dogs?
Yes! They’re loyal and adoring canines to their humans, even with children, making them excellent family pets.
They’re also fun-loving fidos that they’ll even relax with you in the pool on a hot day. They may get scared at first, but Dobermans love splashing in the water, and you can see them cutely do the doggy paddle once they build confidence.
Even if Dobies are sociable and good-natured, be cautious when they’re interacting with small kids. They’re still large dogs that can cause injury just by being playful, so we want to avoid accidents.
Is the Blue Doberman dog dangerous?
As long as you handle a Doberman with respect and due caution, especially if you’ve never met one before, you won’t be in danger. These dogs will only react aggressively to people who threaten them.
Dobermans can be fierce when needed. Trust me. You wouldn’t want to get on one’s wrong side. They have a high predisposition for protecting their family, so anyone who poses a threat will find a vicious enemy.

Blue Dobermans are alert and attentive, making them excellent guard dogs and watchdogs. They’re obedient and will follow your cues to a tee and protect you against any danger.
With that said, you can count on this pooch to be unfriendly towards strangers. Early socialization can help them adjust their behavior as they get used to new people, like when you have guests over.
Do Blue Dobermans have separation anxiety?
This breed is prone to separation anxiety when constantly left alone for long periods. 8 hours is more than enough for these fidos. Puppies can only deal with 4 hours max.
Being lonely and anxious can make any pet misbehave or develop destructive behaviors, which include barking.
Doby’s aren’t yappy, but if you hear your fur baby howling or barking a lot, it can be a sign of being vocal or wanting interaction. Basically, your doggo’s craving for your attention.
Can you hear how loud this Dobe barks?
Are Blue Dobermans smart?
Dobermans are highly intelligent dogs who follow orders of their person without protest, especially when trained as early as possible.
They love to please their owners, but they require consistency to ensure they’re disciplined fidos.
Are they naturally obedient? Yes. Are they smart enough to follow orders? Yes. Will they magically behave well without being trained? No. When it comes to training Blue Doberman puppies, you need to be assertive.
These sharp canines can quickly sense if you’re not stern and won’t take your commands to heart. You’ll need to be consistent, determined, and firm at every juncture when training your pooch.
All that applies to your verbal and visual commands. The clearer you are about reward versus punishment, the better you’ll get at eliciting the desired behavior from your Blue Doberman pup.
While we’re on the topic of teaching your pet, you can start potty training your Blue Dobe once he’s around 8 weeks old.
Expect some mistakes and accidents as your puppy adapts. Remember that any dog is trainable in the right hands.

It’s good to be firm, but don’t be too harsh either. Positive reinforcement is a tried and tested disciplinary method that will go a long way in training a happy dog.
Verbal cues like “Good boy” are great, but you’ll be better off with doggie treats as a reward for good behavior.
How to take care of your Blue Doberman

This breed may be low maintenance and easy to train, but Blue Doberman puppies can be too much to handle for some dog lovers – like when it comes to the expenses in caring for one.
Blue Dobes have a low tolerance to cold weather, so they cannot live comfortably anywhere. Anything below 55 degrees Fahrenheit and your Dobie will shiver outdoors.
As long as you know what to expect, you won’t be disappointed with this sweet and reliable breed. For this reason, we’ve outlined exactly how to maintain a Blue Doberman below.
Exercising your Blue Doberman
If Dobermans were humans, they’d be an Olympic team. These are athletic and agile dogs with high energy levels. If you don’t keep them entertained, they become destructive and disorderly.
It would be best if you took your Blue Doberman out to exercise every day. They love activities that are good for their mental and physical health, like hiking and dog sports.
An hour or two a day should keep your fur baby happy. If possible, give him an off-leash run for about 30 to 45 minutes.
If your Blue Dobe is raised in apartments, you can take him to a fenced-in park where he can get his kicks, and you can keep an eye on him.
Grooming: Do Blue Doberman dogs shed?
Blue Dobies are moderate shedders, so they’re easy to groom. However, their hair is NOT hypoallergenic.
You need to keep up with some essential routine grooming, especially when your Blue Dobies have bad skin conditions. You must brush their fur each day with a grooming mitt to keep their coat healthy and shiny.
You also need to clean their ears out at least once a week using a damp cloth or some wet gauze. Gently wipe inside their ears, then dry them off with another cloth. Also, visit a vet or a parlor for nail trimming at least once a month.
Luckily, Dobermans don’t need bathing often, as the brushing will keep them clean enough. The same is true with Blue Doberman puppies. They don’t usually smell bad, but you need to keep up with the daily brushing.
Don’t forget to brush your dog’s teeth at least every two to three weeks.
Feeding a Blue Doberman
On average, Blue Dobermans have to eat 2 to 5 cups of high-quality dog food divided into two meals. They’ll also need plenty of clean water throughout the day to replenish their energy.
Doberman puppies need 1 to 2 cups daily, but they need to eat more often, so spread that out into three to four meals.
A good rule of thumb to follow is sticking to a dog food recipe that’s appropriate for your dog’s size, life stage, metabolism, and health. After that, it’s a matter of following the recommended daily serving size.
The best food for Dobermans is a kibble that has high-calorie content to help your Dobie maintain his active lifestyle.
They also need food that digests quickly in the body, so high fiber content is good. Check for a healthy balance of meat and at least 25% protein content.
Not sure if your Doby dog is overweight or underweight? Do the hand test by feeling his ribs. If you can’t feel them, you’re probably overfeeding him.
When it comes to mealtimes, as long as your dog eats when prompted to, you’re doing a good job.
Do Blue Dobermans have more health problems?

As mentioned above, Blue Dobermans suffer from a skin issue called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), commonly known as Blue Doberman Syndrome.
This condition causes abnormalities in the hair follicles, which leads to hair loss and canine acne in the affected areas.
Your vet will recognize this problem immediately, and it is treatable if incurable. Some call this illness the Blue Balding Syndrome.
Other health issues that afflict Blue Dobermans are:
- Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Hypothyroidism
- Wobbler Syndrome
Once you adopt a Blue Doberman, be extra sure to test for skin problems and skin infections, as you’ll want to prepare for managing Alopecia if your pet does have it. Your vet can also test your pup for thyroid problems.
Blue Dobermans have an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. As long as you follow our detailed nutrition and exercise guidelines and consult a vet regularly, your Dobie will live a long and happy life.
If not old age, they usually die from cardiomyopathy.
How much are Blue Dobermans worth?

Red, white, or Blue Dobermans puppies are worth $1,500 to $2,500. Some can cost more, but the price will mainly depend on the breeder’s location, the pup’s gender, the kennel’s popularity, pedigree, etc.
Dobermans have a litter size of 6 to 8 puppies. If you buy a Blue Doberman puppy from a line of show ring champions, you could be in for upwards of $3,000.
Why are they expensive, you ask? Genetic screening tests, which are unavoidable, can cost $100 to $200 once-off. Whatever medical treatments take place after that, those costs are unpredictable.
Feeding a Doberman in the first year can cost around $80 per month if you’re using high-quality dog food. However, you can’t put a price on this loving companion.
And because the dilution gene in this particular Dobie is a recessive one, breeders often discourage owners from breeding Blue Dobermans. For this reason, they aren’t cheap despite not being rare.
Blue Doberman Breeders
You can check out the AKC Marketplace to see if they have Blue Doberman puppies for sale. They only allow reputable breeders who have Blue Dobies raised under ethical health regulations posted on their site.
When you choose a breeder, make sure you ask all the right questions. These include whether or not the dog has had health screenings, what the results were, and so forth.
You want to make sure that your dog is healthy or, if that’s not a dealbreaker, what to expect in the long run.
If possible, request to visit a Blue Doberman and his parents, or mom, in person. This way, you can also see the environment he was born and raised in.
This visit will give you plenty of opportunities to ensure that you’ll be getting a well-treated dog with a sound temperament.
Rescue a Blue Doberman
Many prospective owners are happy to adopt a Doberman in need of providing a home for an adult dog who may have trouble getting adopted.
You can find a list of Doberman Rescue organizations and Blue Dobermans up for adoption at Doberman Pinscher Club of America.
Who should get a Blue Doberman?

Dobermans are NOT suitable for first-time dog owners. It’s not only because of their size and how powerful they are, but they also have a reputation as a difficult breed.
They require plenty of exercise, which can be challenging to juggle amongst work and other obligations.
Blue Dobermans are risky and time-consuming to own, considering the health conditions they’re predisposed to.
Those are the cons, but there are also plenty of pros to owning this breed of dog. They have a big heart despite their intimidating appearance, and they’ll always try to keep you safe.
Throw in the family-friendly nature of the Doberman, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic pet.
If we’ve missed anything regarding owning a Blue Doberman Pinscher, please leave a comment on this post below. We’d love to hear from Blue Doberman owners out there.
Further reading: Similar breeds to the Doberman
- Weimaraner
- Vizsla
- Pharaoh Hounds
Reference
- https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/DobermanPinscher.pdf
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy#:~:text=Dilated%20cardiomyopathy%20is%20recognized%20as,small%20and%20medium%20breed%20dogs.
Cess is the Head of Content Writing at K9 Web and a passionate dog care expert with over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners.
When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events.