Staying up to date with common, let alone rare, health risks in susceptible dog breeds can be difficult. In this regular feature, our Educational Partner, the International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), signposts resources on a particular breed and highlights breed-specific diseases
Meet the Dobermann – Update Your Knowledge!
IPFD has published “Get a GRIHP! on the Dobermann” as an in depth examination of health and well-being of this breed. “Dobermanns are used by the police and serve as guards; today’s dogs make very nice companions for all kinds of work and dog sports hobbies.”1
According to Finnish statistics, the estimated life expectancy of a Dobermann is around 8 years.1 Main reason for this relatively low life expectancy is Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart condition that is particularly common and severe in Dobermanns. It is estimated that 20-50% of dogs are affected2.
As DCM is a polygenic disease, several different gene variants can be present in a breed. Two variants have been identified in the Dobermann3,4. The “golden standard” test for DCM is a cardiac echocardiography accompanied with electrocardiogram, preferably 24-hour (Holter). These methods can detect the condition at least two years before the onset of clinical signs. Medical treatment of dogs in the pre-clinical phase may delay the progression of the disease.
Other health conditions that may affect the members of the breed include:
- Tumours
- Spinal/vertebral conditions: spondylosis, wobbler syndrome (instability of the cervical vertebrae) and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LTV).
- Cruciate ligament ruptures
- Eye conditions, particularly persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), also known as persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis (PHTVL)
- Renal dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as bloat.
- von Willebrand disease
- Allergies and atopies
- Narcolepsy
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Dobermann hepatitis – now rare.
Vets should advise clients and prospective owners that, as intelligent, motivated working dogs, Dobermanns need time, activity, and training.
Prospective owners must choose the breeder and the litter carefully, as it is very important that the health challenges of the breed are considered when selecting dogs for breeding. Breeding dogs should be health tested before mating (see chart for requirements and recommendations in different countries).
Health strategies from various countries recommend or require screening to keep watch on conditions of interest:
References:
- Get a GRIHP on the Dobermann – https://dogwellnet.com/content/health-and-breeding/breeds/breed-specific-health-reports/get-a-grihp-on-the-dobermann-r808/
- Wess et al. 2010. Prevalence of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers in Various Age Groups. J. Vet. Int. Med. 24: 533–538.
- Mausberg et al. 2011. A Locus on Chromosome 5 Is Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers. PLoS ONE 6: 1-6.
- Meurs et al. 2012. A splice site mutation in a gene encoding for PDK4, a mitochondrial protein, is associated with the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in the Doberman pinscher. Human Gen. 131: 1319-1325.
The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) is a non-profit working for dog health, well-being, and welfare. This article has been prepared by its Business and Project Coordinator, Katariina Mäki, PhD (Anim Sc)
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