Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Doberman Pinschers Live. Doberman Pinscher Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Doberman Pinscher, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Doberman Pinschers
- How Old is Your Doberman Pinscher in Human Years
- How Long Do Doberman Pinschers Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Doberman Pinscher Live Long
- Conclusion on Doberman Pinscher Life Expectancy
How Long Doberman Pinschers Live. Doberman Pinscher Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is from 10 to 13 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 100 pet Doberman Pinschers lived.
From the study, it was found that Doberman Pinschers have a average lifespan of 10.5 years. Furthermore, the study found that Doberman Pinschers can live for as long as 16.5 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Doberman Pinschers.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Doberman Pinschers are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Metabolic Disease: Problems having to do with the storage or breakdown of nutrients
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Doberman Pinscher to make your Doberman Pinscher live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Doberman Pinscher have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Doberman Pinscher is in human years? Then, check out our Doberman Pinscher age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Irish Terrier Lifespan | 14.80 |
| Cairn Terrier Lifespan | 14.00 |
| Bedlington Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Norwegian Elkhound Lifespan | 13.10 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Collie Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Siberian Husky Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Border Collie Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Keeshond Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Afghan Hound Lifespan | 11.90 |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Alaskan Malamute Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Doberman Pinscher Lifespan | 10.50 |
| Hamiltonstovare Lifespan | 10.10 |
| Lowchen Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Estrela Mountain Dog Lifespan | 9.75 |
| Finnish Lapphund Lifespan | 7.33 |
| Miniature Bull Terrier Lifespan | 6.08 |
| Kooikerhondje Lifespan | 3.92 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux Lifespan | 3.83 |
Common Causes of Death in Doberman Pinscher, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Doberman Pinscher, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Doberman Pinscher.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 26.0 percent of all deaths in Doberman Pinschers.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Doberman Pinscher
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Doberman Pinschers (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Doberman Pinschers is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Doberman Pinschers is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Doberman Pinschers is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Doberman Pinschers with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Doberman Pinscher. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Doberman Pinscher`s gums look pale.
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Cardiovascular Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 17.2 percent of all deaths in Doberman Pinschers.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Doberman Pinscher
Heart disease in Doberman Pinschers may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Doberman Pinschers
You can prevent heart problems in your Doberman Pinscher by exercising your Doberman Pinscher regularly and feeding your Doberman Pinscher a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Doberman Pinscher. The supplement is not only good for your Doberman Pinscher`s heart, but it is also good for your Doberman Pinscher`s overall health.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 16.7 percent of all deaths in Doberman Pinschers.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Doberman Pinscher
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Doberman Pinschers are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Doberman Pinschers can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Doberman Pinschers
One way that you can help improve your Doberman Pinscher`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Doberman Pinscher joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Doberman Pinscher to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Doberman Pinschers a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Doberman Pinscher`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Doberman Pinscher eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Doberman Pinscher is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Doberman Pinscher is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Doberman Pinscher on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Metabolic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Metabolic problems can be caused by genetic or acquired storage diseases as well as issues with the production of important molecules, such as hyper- or hypoglycemia.
Metabolic Disease is responsible for 11.8 percent of all deaths in Doberman Pinschers.
Causes of Metabolic Disease in Doberman Pinscher
Metabolic disorders may be developmental (in the fetus) or may be acquired by eating certain toxic plants, such as American aloe plants.
How to Prevent Metabolic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
You can prevent metabolic problems in your Doberman Pinscher by making sure your Doberman Pinscher does not accidentally eat toxic plants and food.
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Neurologic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 11.5 percent of all deaths in Doberman Pinschers.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Doberman Pinscher
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Doberman Pinschers
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Doberman Pinschers
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Doberman Pinscher is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Doberman Pinscher`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Doberman Pinscher`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Doberman Pinscher offsprings by only breeding Doberman Pinscher that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Doberman Pinscher has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Doberman Pinscher for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Doberman Pinscher a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Doberman Pinschers for:
How Old is Your Doberman Pinscher in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Doberman Pinscher. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Doberman Pinscher is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 10.5 years.
Doberman Pinschers are large-sized dogs. Doberman Pinschers weigh 60 to 80 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Doberman Pinscher in converting Doberman Pinscher age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Doberman Pinscher`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Doberman Pinscher`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Doberman Pinscher`s human age. If you do not know your Doberman Pinscher`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Doberman Pinscher is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Doberman Pinscher`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Doberman Pinscher`s up-to-date human age.
Doberman Pinscher Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Doberman Pinscher age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Doberman Pinscher`s human age based on your Doberman Pinscher`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Doberman Pinscher`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Doberman Pinscher Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 |
| 2 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 34 |
| 5 | 39 |
| 6 | 43 |
| 7 | 48 |
| 8 | 52 |
| 9 | 57 |
| 10 | 61 |
| 11 | 66 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 75 |
| 14 | 80 |
| 15 | 86 |
| 16 | 92 |
How Long Do Doberman Pinschers Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 10.5 years. In human years, the Doberman Pinscher lives for 63 years.
How Old is 3-year-old Doberman Pinscher in Human Years?
A 3-year old Doberman Pinscher is 28 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Doberman Pinscher in Human Years?
A 6-year old Doberman Pinscher is 43 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Doberman Pinscher in Human Years?
A 8-year old Doberman Pinscher is 52 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Doberman Pinscher in Human Years?
A 9-year old Doberman Pinscher is 57 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Doberman Pinscher Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Doberman Pinscher live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Doberman Pinscher fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Doberman Pinscher does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Doberman Pinscher will have a shorter lifespan than a Doberman Pinscher that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Doberman Pinscher high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Doberman Pinscher. Check out our Doberman Pinscher feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Doberman Pinscher from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Doberman Pinscher existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Doberman Pinscher has access to clean water whenever your Doberman Pinscher needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Doberman Pinscher. See our Doberman Pinscher water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Doberman Pinscher.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Doberman Pinscher might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Doberman Pinscher.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Doberman Pinscher is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Doberman Pinscher’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Doberman Pinscher teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Doberman Pinscher Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Doberman Pinscher`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.