6 Best Shampoos for Dobermans in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

In general, Dobermans are pretty easy to groom due to their short, single coats that don’t shed very much and don’t need to be trimmed. And thankfully, you only need to bathe your Doberman once every couple of months, unless they get dirty sooner.  When bathing your Doberman, it’s important to use a shampoo that’s formulated for dogs so that you don’t strip the natural oils from their coat. Dobermans are prone to sensitive, itchy skin, so we searched for oatmeal and sensitive skin formulas when we were writing these reviews. When possible, we tried to avoid including shampoos with irritating agents such as added fragrances and sulfates. Here are our top six shampoos that seem to be the best match for Dobermans.

 

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

The 6 Best Shampoos for Dobermans

1. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner– Best Overall

We think your Doberman’s coat will thrive with this nourishing 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint is our overall best shampoo choice for Dobermans because of what it includes, and what it doesn’t. All of the ingredients are natural. Lavender, mint, and tea tree essential oils give this formula its rich herbal smell instead of synthetic fragrances, which can be possible irritants to your dog’s skin.

Unlike most dog and human shampoos, this formula is also free from sulfates and soaps which can dry out your dog’s skin. Since Dobermans are actually prone to dry skin, we like how this one is made differently. The shampoo base is crafted from coconut and aloe vera, which cleans and nourishes their coat.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and the price is decent. The only negative thing we have to say is we’re not sure if it’s puppy friendly since the essential oils might sting their eyes; it’s best to consult your vet first. Also, some pet parents don’t prefer the strong herbal smell. However, we like how the smell tends to linger since you won’t be bathing your Doberman very often.

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2. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs – Best Value

Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo is our choice for the best shampoo for Dobermans for the money. This sulfate-free formula gently cleanses your Doberman without stripping their skin of oils or your bank account of money. Oatmeal is the proprietary ingredient, and it’s supplemented with honeysuckle for an extra soothing effect. You might consider following up this shampoo with a conditioner, but it isn’t necessary.

The smell does fade after a few days, which some people prefer, but others lament since large breeds typically don’t get bathed as often. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo is designed for use in adult dogs only. It isn’t tear-free, so it isn’t recommended for puppies.

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3. Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle Pet Shampoo & Conditioner – Premium Choice

Our premium choice, Skout’s Honor Honeysuckle Pet Shampoo and Conditioner, supplements their shampoo with probiotics. These beneficial bacteria battle the bad bacteria that can build up on your pet’s skin, causing infections and foul odors. We like how this formula is free from sulfates and harmful parabens. The ingredients are 97% natural, but we did notice added fragrance, which may or may not have a natural source.

Unlike many shampoos we’ve reviewed, Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle is tear-free and formulated for all life stages. However, the directions do say that puppies need to be at least 8 weeks old to use this shampoo and be sure not to use this shampoo on any open sores. It’s a little more expensive than some, but it’s sold in a huge bottle that should last you and your Doberman for many more baths to come.

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4. Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo – Best for Puppies

Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo is a gentle formula that cleans and conditions with coconut oil, honey, beeswax, oatmeal, and buttermilk. The ingredients are 97% natural, and this shampoo is free from sulfates and fragrances, which make it ideal for your Doberman’s skin. Although it’s marketed as a puppy shampoo, you can use it on your adult dog, too.

Despite its label as a tearless puppy formula, the instructions still say not to use it around your pet’s eyes. We advise you to be careful while using this and any other product near your dog’s eyes, regardless of whether it’s “tearless” or not.

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5. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

Even though they may share similar spots in your heart and home, dogs and cats have vastly different health requirements that usually necessitate separate food and grooming supplies. However, this gentle soap-free oatmeal and aloe shampoo from Earthbath is safe to use on any cats or dogs in your household 6 weeks or older, including your Doberman.

Plant-based cleaners get the job done naturally, without harmful parabens. However, while we don’t see sulfates in the ingredients list, we’re not sure that it’s sulfate-free since it technically can be labeled as a plant-based cleaner. Still, most pet parents like the vanilla almond scent, and we appreciate how it’s sourced from food grade extracts instead of vague, synthetic fragrances.

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6. Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath

Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath is our top pick for when your Doberman needs a quick cleaning without the full commitment of a water and shampoo bath. A dry shampoo can be extremely useful for quick clean-ups or a bath alternative while you’re traveling. Some dry shampoos can dry out your pet’s skin, but we like this all-natural formula because it’s aloe and oatmeal-based, which are ideal ingredients for moisturizing. Additionally, neem oil is a natural pesticide that’s known to kill mildew, which can grow in your dog’s fur.

Some owners use this product as hot spot relief because of the soothing ingredients. The only negative comment they had was that sometimes the pump bottle breaks easily.

 

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Shampoos for Dobermans

What to Look for In Your Doberman’s Shampoo

Dobermans don’t need frequent baths. However, since they’re prone to sensitive, dry skin, it’s especially important to choose a shampoo that will improve the condition of their coat. Harsh, synthetic or even soap-based shampoos can strip the naturally produced oils on their coat, leaving them with dull fur and flaky skin. Here are some key factors we tried to find in the shampoos we reviewed:

Sulfate-Free

Sulfates are common in all types of shampoos for both humans and animals, but they over-strip oils on the skin, which can leave the skin dry and cracking. In some individuals, sulfates can actually have the adverse effect of creating a greasy coat as the body struggles to compensate by producing more oils. Most sulfates are listed as separate ingredients, such as “sodium laureth sulfate,” but they can also sneak in as “plant-based cleaners” since the compound can be derived from either petroleum or botanical sources.

Paraben-Free

Parabens are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in cosmetics for over a century. However, concern over possible cancer-causing properties¹ has grown in recent years, so we avoid this ingredient if at all possible.

Lifestage

While you can use puppy shampoo on any dog, some shampoos are formulated for adults or puppies over a certain age. Some adult dog shampoos aren’t tearless, which isn’t ideal for young pups who are still getting accustomed to bath time.

Oatmeal & Aloe

We try to find shampoos with oatmeal and aloe because they’re so nourishing, hydrating, and soothing to your dog’s skin and coat, especially in breeds such as Dobermans that are prone to skin problems. These ingredients are often sensitive on your dog’s skin.

Formulated for Dogs

Every animal species has a different skin pH, so for the most part, you can’t mix and match shampoos. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe is the only shampoo we reviewed that you could use on your dog or cat. Most times, it’s best to find a dog-specific shampoo that’s formulated to correlate to their skin pH. And remember to never use human shampoo on dogs because the two shampoos aren’t formulated the same way.

Conclusion

Out of all the products we reviewed, we think Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is the best choice for your Doberman’s bath. It’s an all-natural formula with a long-lasting scent, which is a plus since your Doberman only needs a bath every couple of months. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle is our best value choice for when we want to save a little money but still want to give our dog a good-quality bath. It’s inexpensive and free from sulfates, but unfortunately the scent doesn’t last.

Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle Pet Shampoo & Conditioner is our premium choice because probiotics are an ingenious way to combat bad bacteria that may lurk under your dog’s fur and create foul odors in between baths.  There are many different options for dog shampoo, but the best choices share a few characteristics. A sulfate-free shampoo with oatmeal and aloe ingredients are the basic components of a good formula for Dobermans that’ll clean and nourish their coat until their next bath time.

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Featured Image Credit: sommthink, Shutterstock