Doberman Collie Dog Breed

As a mixed breed, the Doberman-Collie is not an official member of any breed group. Not much info is available about this hybrid's origin, but the Doberman-Collie has been in existence as a crossbreed for decades. Overall, these dogs are active, alert, and intelligent, and are best for owners willing to give the dog lots of daily activity.

Some Doberman-Collie facts: they're medium- to large-sized, averaging 25 inches at the shoulders in height and 65 pounds in weight; depending on inherited traits, they can have short, smooth coats or longer, thicker ones (or often somewhere in between); and they're highly energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Doberman-Collie:

The Doberman-Collie mix can be quiet, watchful, and protective, or noisy, affectionate, and hard-working--and sometimes all of these at any given time! Since both parent breeds are intelligent, athletic, and alert, you can expect your Doberman-Collie hybrid to possess those qualities as well.

A Doberman-Collie's individual physical and behavioral characteristics obviously depend on the dog's inherited traits. They can have short or long coats, they can be very muscular (or not so much), and they can be very protective or very friendly--and often one or the other depending on the situation. It's best if owners familiarize themselves with both parent breeds before bringing a Doberman-Collie home, as the dog can possess the traits of one or both breeds depending on luck of the genetic draw.

One thing's for sure, though: Doberman-Collie mixes are energetic! They are often strong as well, and will need a lot of physical activity on a daily basis; without enough exercise they'll become hyperactive, destructive, and even aggressive.

As a crossbreed, the Doberman-Collie doesn't have a detailed history. Though this hybrid possibly gained popularity during the mixed breed "explosion" in the U.S. in the late 20th century, no breeder or kennel club has claimed its origin.

Both parent breeds, however, have centuries of history:

The Doberman Pinscher was first developed in Germany in the 19th century by a tax collector named Louis Dobermann (hence the breed name) to be used as a companion and guardian dog. Dobermann crossbred various breeds including the Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, and German Pinscher, among others. The "Dobie," as it's sometimes called, grew immensely in popularity, and is currently 17th on the AKC's list of 196 registered breeds.

The Collie hails from the Scottish Highlands, where it has existed as a herding dog for centuries. At some point (probably in the 19th century), two Collie sub-types emerged: the Rough Collie (with a long, thick coat) and the Smooth Collie (a short, smooth coat). These days the Collie ranks 38th in AKC popularity.

As a hybrid, the Doberman-Collie will inherit physical characteristics of one or both parent breeds. Generally, though, you can expect these crossbred dogs to be medium to large in size, with fairly long bodies, muscular builds, and medium-length, slightly curved tails. The head will be narrow and wedge-shaped, with a long muzzle, ears that are erect or slightly hanging, and round, alert eyes.

The Doberman-Collie coat length and texture can vary. If the Collie parent is of the Smooth variety, the hybrid's coat will be short and smooth; dogs with Rough Collie parents can have coats that are short and smooth, long and thick, or somewhere in between.

The Doberman-Collie, as a mixed breed, can have some variation in individual physical features depending on inherited traits. The ears can be either erect or slightly drooping, and the muzzle, while long, can have some difference in thickness.

The main variety is with the coat. A Doberman Pinscher has a short and smooth coat, as does the Smooth Collie; the more common Rough Collie, meanwhile, has an abundant, long one. Depending on the coat of the Collie parent, then, a Doberman-Collie coat can be short, smooth, long, rough--or most often, a mix of those qualities.

Size is pretty consistent in these hybrids, and ranges from 22 to 28 inches in height and 50 to 80 pounds in weight.

Because of hybrid vigor (whereby a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of both parent breeds), the Doberman-Collie has an excellent health record. Some naturally occurring ailments might include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, gastric torsion (or bloat), and various allergies. It's a good idea for potential owners to ask breeders for health screenings, or owners can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 11-14 years.