How to Tell the Difference of a Male & Female Doberman at Six Weeks

Dobermans are beautiful, devoted dogs. They are excellent watchdogs, yet still gentle with family and friends. Both males and females make excellent pets, but some people have a preference for one sex over the other. It's hard for an inexperienced person to tell males from females when puppies are very young. With a 6-week-old Doberman, your job is a bit easier because its coat is very short and sparse in the lower abdomen and groin area.

Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the puppy gently onto its back, either laying the puppy on a safe surface or holding it securely in your arms. It likely will be scared, so make sure it feels safe. Rub its tummy and talk softly to reassure it.

    • 2

      Check to see if the puppy has a penis, which will be very small and usually have a tuft of hair near the end. Location is what is important. The penis of a male puppy will be clearly visible in the middle to lower abdomen area, not between the back legs. If you don't see it, you're holding a female Doberman puppy.

    • 3

      Look down to the space between the puppy's back legs, just in front of the rectum, if you don't see a penis. A female Doberman puppy will have a small, fleshy vulva, close to the rectum. Many people mistake this for a penis, but the location identifies it as a female.