Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome is a neurologic disease of dogs that affects their spine in the neck region. It is a very important and common cause of neurologic disability in large breed dogs. While rarely seen in small animals, wobbler syndrome most commonly impacts large and giant dog breeds as well as horses. The characteristic "wobbling" gait results from compression of the spinal cord and nerves in the neck.
Wobbler Syndrome may have a genetic component but this has not been proven yet. There is no prevention or cure. This is an intensely painful condition; it is very similar to spinal stenosis in humans (which I have and can attest is extremely painful).
Here I am in my mid-twenties when I was an animal control officer.
Hypothyroidism
Insufficient blood levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), due to disease of the thyroid glands, is a common condition of Doberman pinschers. The cause is unclear, but is thought, at least partly, to have a genetic basis. The welfare consequences may be relatively mild if the disease is diagnosed and successfully treated but diagnosis (and sometimes treatment) can be difficult. Thyroid hormone insufficiency has widespread effects in the body and, in cases where the disease progresses, welfare effects can be severe and prolonged; for example due to increased susceptibility to infections disease and to effects on various organs including brain and kidneys.
Doberman pinschers have long been recognised as being predisposed to the condition and dogs known to be affected by hypothyroidism should not be bred. To date no DanBar Dobermans have been diagnosed with hypothyrodism.