Health comparison - GSD Vs Doberman

[Ranger_ayp]

My beloved GSD died last week due to some health issue. I wish to have a new GSD puppy but I have been advised to go for Doberman rather than GSD as GSD have more heath issues as compare to Doberman.

Is it to true????
Needs more information on comparison of GSD health Vs Doberman health.

[ShenzisMom]

IMO, and IME, GSD are a much healthier breed than doberman. You have to do research for doberman if its the right breed for you. DCM, VWD, wobblers, thyroid problems are a few issues many dobe owners are faced with. My old man Max, 8 year old doberman, fell over dead of heart attack on his morning walk. We were able to revive him, and give him 2 months of happiness. They are the 'heartbreak' breed.
They are amazing dogs however. I'll never be without a dobe by my side

[Angelina03]

I looked into this before we got Rocco. I was undecided between a GSD and Dobe. I decided on the GSD because a large percentage of Dobes die from a congenital heart disease common to the breed. It was a risk I was not ready to take.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

[llombardo]

I have a GSD, but I like Dobes. Just last week I said I wouldn't mind one of them. Years ago when I worked at the vet we had several Dobes come in to be put to sleep because they were going after their owners for no reason. Most people said it was like a switch went off in the dogs head and the dog all of the sudden didn't know who the owner was??? It was very sad and determined to be possibly something to do with interbreeding. I would definitely do research and find a good breeder if I chose a Doberman.

[ShenzisMom]

Llombardo, what you are describing sounds like sudden rage syndrome found most often in spanials. The temperament of a doberman is to walk forever by its parter, not go after them. If OP likes I can give links to several reputable dobe breeders. Are you looking for show lines or working lines?

[Kyleigh]

Llombardo, I heard the same thing about the dobes ... what I heard was the inbreeding was causing their brains to swell against their skull, causing them to "snap." Not really the poor dog's fault! Never looked into it as I am not interested in having one ... but it wouldn't surprise me if it was a result of bad / backyard breeding.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

2004:
CIDD - Dog Breeds List is a good place to start.

Rage Syndrome in Dogs - Whole Dog Journal Article

Certain breeds seem more prone to suffer from this condition, including Cocker and Springer Spaniels (hence the once-common terms – Spaniel rage, Cocker rage, and Springer rage), Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos. This would suggest a likely genetic component to the problem.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[ShenzisMom]

If the brain were to outgrow the skull cavity the animal would have seizures.

[Kyleigh]

ShenzisMom ... thank you for that info ... as I did say ... it was a rumour I heard ... and not something I followed up on or anything ... I was just mentioning to Llombardo that I had heard the same rumour, and it was LONG before the internet ... back in the late 80s

[Jax08]

dobermantalk.com is an excellent site to get info on dobe's.