The Best Shampoos For Dobermans
March 3, 2022 2022-03-03 11:38Note: As an Amazon affiliate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we have tested and are using on our own dogs!
Dobermans are large dogs with short coats, so you might not think they require much grooming. That doesn’t mean they don’t still get stinky from time to time! When it’s time to corral your pup into the tub, you want a shampoo that’s going to get the job done right. It can be hard to pick from all the varieties on the market today, so we’ve gathered our favorite shampoos for Dobermans here. Browse through our selections to make bath time easier for both of you.
Our Best Shampoo For Doberman
The 2-in-1 Buddy Wash Shampoo & Conditioner contains hydrating oils and botanical extracts. You can get your dog clean in just one wash, which is helpful when you’re trying to bathe a Doberman that doesn’t want to stay still.
The formula is safe for use frequently, so you don’t have to limit your dog’s hikes or playtime at the beach.
The Buddy Wash company is well known for making natural products without harsh chemicals. The deodorizers in this shampoo leave your dog smelling fresh.
Ingredients like chamomile, sage, and rosemary work to nourish the coat and skin and reduce shedding. The conditioner works to reduce irritation and soothe skin.
Lavender and mint scents are added for a calming effect. Your Doberman will be left with a shiny, clean, velvety coat that smells great every time.
Table of Contents
Mini-Reviews of Shampoos for Dobermans
Looking for something a bit more specific? Check out our reviews below for some specialized choices.
Best Deshedding Shampoo
The FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo works to reduce shedding while keeping coats healthy.
It’s enriched with omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. This company is well known for its grooming tools to reduce shedding and remove dead hair from coats, and this shampoo is designed with that idea in mind.
Once this shampoo is applied all over your Doberman’s coat, it should sit for 5–10 minutes for best results before rinsing. It’s safe for use on dogs over 6 weeks old.
Best Oatmeal Shampoo
Oatmeal shampoo is helpful for Dobermans with dry or sensitive skin. The Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo is a great value, and it’s made with the same quality, natural ingredients as the company uses in its line for humans.
Oatmeal, honey, and beeswax combine in this gentle formula to moisturize your dog’s skin and keep their coats soft and fresh.
It nourishes dry, itchy skin to give dogs relief. The mild formula is also tearless and pH balanced for all dogs and puppies. It doesn’t include any sulfates, irritating fragrances, or harsh chemicals.
Best Deodorizing Shampoo
For the best odor elimination, we like TropiClean Dog Shampoo.
It can be used on dogs and cats that are over 12 weeks old, which is helpful if you live in a multi-pet household.
This formula does not contain any soap, parabens, or dye. The ingredients are natural and safe for your dog. The shampoo is suitable for frequent use.
Once your Doberman is clean, they will have the long-lasting scent of the tropics. A blend of aloe and coconut leaves them smelling great.
Best Medicated Shampoo For Dobermans
If your Doberman is suffering from a skin condition, a medicated dog shampoo can help. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Dog Shampoo can help treat symptoms of inflamed or itchy skin, waxy skin, rashes, crusty skin, and flakes. It can relieve bacterial and yeast infections.
The shampoo can be used with topical flea and tick treatments because it won’t wash them away. It contains coal tar, salicylic acid, micronized sulfur, and oatmeal to soothe infected and irritated skin and promote healing.
We suggest asking your vet first before using a medicated shampoo to treat any sort of skin condition.
Best Shampoo For Dobermans With Sensitive Skin
When your Doberman has sensitive skin, it can be even harder to find the right shampoo for them. The Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo is ideal for sensitive skin because the formula is gentle and delicate. They can still have a refreshing bath that cleans them and leaves them smelling good without any ingredients that further irritate their skin.
Moisturizing and nourishing components like oatmeal, aloe, and honey clean gently while leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated without any itchiness.
This hypoallergenic shampoo is safe for dogs of all ages.
Best Moisturizing Shampoo
The formula in Paws & Pals Moisturizing Dog Shampoo includes oatmeal, sweet basil, and turmeric to gently clean your Doberman’s coat and leave it soft and hydrated. Essential oils are added for a fresh scent and quality coat care.
This shampoo is ideal for dogs with hot spots, dry skin, itchy skin, or allergies. Aloe and pro-vitamin B5 work to protect the coat from damage and keep it smooth and sleek. It’s naturally tear-free and leaves behind a vanilla and almond scent.
Best Shampoo Bar
The 3.5-ounce WashBar Natural Dog Soap Bar is an ideal option if you have an extra-squirmy Doberman that just won’t cooperate during bathtime. It allows you to have one hand free to hold the dog while the other can soap them up with the bar. You can get their undersides and legs without having to struggle with a bottle.
The shampoo itself has a natural anti-itch formula and is suitable for dogs with allergies and sensitive skin. It can be used on other animals as well, including guinea pigs and horses. It’s gentle enough to be used on puppies.
Best Budget Option
For a budget buy, the Arm & Hammer Deodorizing Shampoo is our favorite.
It comes in a 20-ounce bottle so it lasts a while without breaking the bank. It can be used regularly. Made from all-natural ingredients, it works to eliminate odors and effectively clean your Doberman’s coat.
The shampoo contains baking soda for odor control and a deep clean.
It dissolves into tiny particles, reaching all areas of the coat to neutralize odors in areas you can’t easily reach, like between toes. It’s safe for use on dogs over 8 weeks old.
The deodorizing spray is another great bonus you get when deciding for this combo.
Best Shampoo For Doberman Puppies
The cornflower and aloe in Wahl Gentle Puppy Shampoo give it the unique scent and leaves coats feeling silky and smooth.
The shampoo contains no alcohol or parabens. It’s made specifically for puppies, but can be used on dogs of any age.
The 24-ounce bottle allows up to 70% more baths than other sizes. A little of this concentrated product goes a long way.
Best Flea & Tick Shampoo
Has your dog gotten himself into an itchy situation with a flea infestation? Don’t panic: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is up for the job of removing fleas and ticks and also leaving your dog’s fur soft and smelling nice. It kills fleas at all phases of the life cycle, from eggs and larvae to adult fleas and lice. It will also kill ticks that your dog might pick up after a jog through the woods or an overgrown lot.
This flea and tick shampoo is safe to use on dogs and puppies over the age of 12 weeks. If you have a younger dog with fleas, this is not the right shampoo for you; in that case, contact your veterinarian to find out which option would be safest. Another benefit is that this shampoo can also be used safely on cats and kittens over 12 weeks of age. If one of your pets has fleas, then chances are good that your other pets will also have fleas.
Best Citrus Shampoo
For dog owners who are sensitive to floral scents, the Bodhi Dog Citrus shampoo is made with citrus extracts and compounds found in lemon and orange peels for a scent that is different from the norm.
In addition to the great scent, this shampoo works to deep clean coats without stripping them of their natural oils and drying them out. With no alcohol or parabens, this vitamin-enriched shampoo leaves dogs feeling and smelling fresh and provides relief for itchy skin.
Best Aromatherapy Shampoo
This shampoo by Gerrard Larriett comes in 16 fl oz bottles and is made from 100% natural, biodegradable ingredients, like oatmeal and lavender for a relaxing, aromatherapeutic bath that leaves dogs smelling great. The rich, gentle formula lifts stains and smells for a clean, soft, shiny coat, and creates a natural barrier of protection against damage to the skin.
It’s ideal for dogs who hate baths and owners who like their dogs to smell great. There are no harsh chemicals like parabens, bleaches, or dyes, for a bath that is completely irritation-free. It’s also cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and made in the USA for ensured quality.
Best Waterless Shampoo For Doberman
Sometimes trying to get your Doberman into the tub for a bath isn’t convenient, but they still need to be cleaned.
When you don’t have time for a full bath, Earthbath Waterless Grooming Foam can help. Simply pump the product into your hand or on your dog’s coat directly, massage it in, and towel it off. It works to remove dirt, odors, and dander while leaving the coat soft and shiny.
The formula includes shea butter, aloe vera, and oatmeal. There are no alcohols, parabens, dyes, phthalates, or sulfates present.
It can safely be used on dogs over 6 weeks old.
Best Allergy Relief Shampoo
The Dermabliss Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Shampoo is a veterinary-strength shampoo that uses pramoxine to numb the skin temporarily. It provides relief to dogs suffering from skin allergies or severely itchy skin.
The formula includes oat extract to soothe the skin from irritants, including atopic dermatitis.
Even though this shampoo is soap-free, it provides a rich lather and rinses clean. Nourishing safflower oil promotes healthy, soft skin.
Best 5-in-1 Shampoo for Dobermans
True to its name, Honest Paws 5-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner provides five benefits during one bath: cleaning, deodorizing, detangling, conditioning coats, and moisturizing skin. It’s all you need to keep your Doberman smelling and feeling clean and fresh.
The plant-based shampoo is safe and non-irritating, using only natural ingredients like coconut and palm. This is suitable for dogs over 12 weeks old. It contains no dyes, sulfates, or parabens.
Best Vanilla-Scented Option
The Perfect Coat French Vanilla Shampoo contains oatmeal to calm dry, irritated, itchy skin. It includes encapsulated liposomes, including panthenol.
It leaves behind a long-lasting french vanilla scent that is great for dog owners who don’t like traditional dog shampoo fragrances.
The easy-rinse formula makes it simple to get the suds out of your dog’s coat without rinsing repeatedly. This cuts time off the bath so you can get your dog dried and back to their routine quickly.
Best Premium Shampoo for Dobermans
The MOD Hemp Pet Shampoo comes in a 34-ounce bottle so it can last a long time. It’s made with pure hemp seed oil which contains fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, and vitamins for healthy and soft Doberman coats.
Lavender oil is added for a pleasing scent that calms nerves.
It’s ideal for dogs who are stressed during bathtime.
This hypoallergenic formula works to cool and relieve irritated skin, stopping the itch associated with allergies and dry skin.
It leaves behind a long-lasting fragrance.
Best Coconut Shampoo
The creamy coconut scent in Kenn & Kitt Call Me Coco Shampoo for Dogs is combined with natural persimmon extract to deodorize your dog and keep them smelling fantastic.
Made for extra-stinky dogs, it works to moisturize skin and coats while it battles odors and dirt.
Fatty acids in the formula relieve itchiness from dry skin. The shampoo is hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about ingredients that will irritate your Doberman. There are no parabens, alcohols, dyes, or harsh chemicals in this product.
Best Wet Dog Smell Shampoo
The Nature’s Miracle Odor Control Shampoo contains a melon burst scent that is sure to be a favorite.
While it cleans your Doberman’s coat, it neutralizes odors. Instead of a dog that smells like melon and wet dog, they will just smell clean and delicious.
Aloe and vitamins provide shine and promote healthy skin. The company has been making products for odor control for over 40 years.
Nature’s Miracle products are made with quality cleaning in mind.
Best Avocado Product
The Healthy Breeds Doberman Pinscher Avocado Shampoo is made with Dobermans in mind. It removes crusty scales and dead skin without causing pain. The avocado extract works to moisturize and nourish coats and skin. The formula is even effective against flea infestations and can be used with topical flea products.
There are no harsh ingredients in this shampoo that will strip the coat of its natural oils. It can be used regularly to keep your Doberman clean and soft.
Best Berry-Scented Product
The mild, tear-less formula in Nature’s Specialties Berry Gentle Shampoo is safe for puppies but suitable for dogs of all ages.
It’s easy to rinse clean, leaving behind shiny, healthy coats. This shampoo combines aloe vera, panthenol, vitamins, essential oils, and light fragrances while being pH-balanced for dogs and cats.
This shampoo can be used directly on the coats or diluted with warm water first. The berry scent it leaves behind is long-lasting and sweet.
A Buyer’s Guide to the Best Doberman Shampoos
When it comes to choosing the best shampoo for your Doberman, here are some things to keep in mind.
Types of Shampoos
There are so many different types of shampoos on the market, but here are the most common ones:
- Deshedding: These shampoos are made to reduce shedding after the bath and help remove more dead hair during the bath. Deshedding shampoos are ideal for dogs that shed a lot — like Dobermans. While no shampoo can stop shedding completely, any help in this department is welcome.
- Medicated: Medicated shampoos include ingredients that work to treat skin conditions. If your dog is suffering from infections, mange, rashes, flaky skin, or other uncomfortable conditions, medicated shampoos clean their coats while relieving their symptoms. Of course, if your Doberman has severe skin problems, they should be seen by a vet. Over-the-counter shampoos may not be enough to treat them. They may need prescription shampoos and medication.
- Deodorizing: Shampoos should control odor, not just mask it. Deodorizing shampoos are made with ingredients to neutralize and eliminate odors. Be sure to pick a shampoo that has a fragrance you like since you’ll have to smell it on your dog for a while after the bath is over.
- Flea & Tick: Parasite control shampoos work to stop flea and tick infestations and prevent them from coming back. These shampoos shouldn’t be used as your regular dog bath shampoo. They have medication in them, so they should be used only when needed.
- Natural: Shampoos with all-natural ingredients are best. They are non-irritating and hypoallergenic. No harsh chemicals are in them that you need to worry about coming into contact with your dog. Some of these shampoos claim to be tear-less, as well. While they may be less irritating than others, you should always be careful to avoid getting shampoo in your dog’s eyes. If it happens, flush their eyes with warm water right away to remove the shampoo.
Dog Skin Types
Dobermans usually have either normal, sensitive, itchy, or dry skin.
For normal skin, any shampoo will do as long as it has quality ingredients and doesn’t include anything harmful. Pick a fragrance you like and it’s as easy as that.
For other skin types, though, you can be a little more choosy.
Dobermans with sensitive skin need shampoos that won’t irritate their skin. Itchy and dry skin types need shampoos with ingredients that moisturize and soothe. Some things to look for are:
- Oatmeal
- Aloe vera
- Jojoba oil
- Shea butter
- Lavender oil
- Argan oil
- Coconut oil
Ingredients
Harmful ingredients can dry out your Doberman’s skin by stripping their coats of the oils they need to keep it moisturized and healthy. If you’re currently using a shampoo and thinking about switching, check the ingredient list on your current bottle.
Here are some harmful ingredients to steer clear of in dog shampoos:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Polysorbates
- Phthalates
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium benzoate
Tips for Bathing Your Doberman
Start Young
If you can, start bathing your Doberman during puppyhood. Making baths fun and rewarding for your dog can make them associate bathtime with pleasant feelings, which is what you want. Instead of a dog cowering in fear at the sight of the tub, they can learn to enjoy the experience.
Dogs don’t understand what’s happening during a bath. They just know they’re being forced to endure something from which they can’t escape. A tub filling up with water or a running faucet can scare them.
If you start by bathing your Doberman in the sink when they’re a puppy, they can learn to feel safe in water that is in a much smaller area than a tub. Reward your dog with treats and praise to help them feel more comfortable. If you don’t get your Doberman when they are a puppy, start giving them baths from day one to get them familiar with the process.
Fill the Tub First
It’s best to call your Doberman into the bathroom after the tub is filled with water. Calling them in and then turning on the faucet can be stressful for them. The less time they have to fret over a bath beforehand, the easier the bath will be.
If you’re not filling the tub but rather using a handheld showerhead, get the water to the ideal temperature before helping your dog into the tub.
Gather Your Supplies Beforehand
Just like you should have the water ready before you call your dog in, you should also have your supplies. Shampoo, conditioner (if using), towels, and brushes are important to have ready before the bath starts. If you have to walk away from your dog while they’re in the tub to go grab towels, your dog may very well decide that’s their chance to escape.
Having everything at your fingertips will make the process smoother for you and your dog.
Rinsing
A good rule of thumb to remember when it’s time to rinse your dog is to rinse them as thoroughly as you can.
Then, when you’re sure that they’re completely rinsed, rinse them again.
This way, you’ll be sure to get all of the shampoo out of their coat. This is important because leftover shampoo can dry on the skin and become irritating. Shampoos are designed to be soothing and natural, but they are not meant to be left in the coat after the bath is over.
Use More Than One Towel
While this could mean two towels, it also means however many towels you need. First, your dog should have a towel to step on as they get out of the tub. Then you’ll need another to throw over them as you start to dry them.
If you just use one towel, it means your dog is either standing on the bare floor, dripping water all over it. Or it means they’re standing on a towel, but shaking water all over your bathroom. Be prepared with multiple towels to keep everything, including yourself, as dry as possible.
Use a Towel in the Tub
Is your Doberman struggling to keep their footing in the bathtub? Some tubs are too slippery for dogs to stand in comfortably. Even if your dog doesn’t mind water or a bath, they could be stressed out because they aren’t comfortable standing on such a slippery surface.
Laying a towel on the floor of the tub gives your Doberman something grippy to stand on and allows them to feel safer and more secure, reducing their stress.
The Bottom Line
Now that you know how to choose the best Doberman shampoo, we hope our list gives you some great ideas when it comes to bathing your dog. We like the Buddy Wash Shampoo & Conditioner as our best overall choice for Dobermans. It contains hydrating oils and a lavender scent for a calm feeling.
No matter which shampoo you like, be sure to check the ingredient list for any potentially harmful components. Choose a scent you enjoy. Using the right shampoo can help make bathtime much more pleasant for your Doberman and you.
Author: Jessica Rossetti
Jessica lives in Chicago with her husband, Dominic, and their rescued cat, Toast. She has lived with dogs for over 30 years and spends her days writing, caring for various animals, and enjoying her backyard that has become an oasis for wild creatures.
Her passion for animals began at a young age when she would bring home the lost dog or cat. As she got older, she went on to bring home an injured bird or raccoon. This love and desire to help all creatures led to her work as an adult with various animal rescues, where she saved the lives of many domestic and wild animals while learning the necessary skills to care for them.
Owning and operating a professional pet care service in Chicago for the past twelve years, Jessica cares for dogs in her home while writing full-time.
