Brushing a Doberman's teeth at 9 months

Nine months is genuinely the perfect time to start this — your Doberman's permanent teeth are all in, the gums have settled, and you're early enough that brushing can become just another normal part of life before any resistance sets in. Dental disease in dogs is extremely common and genuinely serious; it's not just about bad breath, it's a source of chronic pain that builds silently over years. The good news is that starting now, with the right kit, gives you the best possible chance of making this a non-event. Can I ask — has your vet mentioned anything about the teeth so far, and has your dog shown any sensitivity or wariness around having their mouth touched?

That's a really good starting position. A Doberman who's already comfortable with mouth handling and has a clean bill of health from the vet — you're not fighting any existing resistance or soreness. The key now is to introduce brushing in a way that keeps it positive so it stays that way. What I'd recommend is the Beaphar Toothbrush and Toothpaste Kit. It comes with a dual-headed toothbrush sized for medium to large dogs, a finger brush for the early getting-used-to-it phase, and an enzymatic toothpaste in a poultry flavour that most dogs genuinely find appealing. The enzymatic formula keeps working even if you don't get a perfect brush every time, which matters when you're still building the routine. Start with just the finger brush and a smear of paste for the first week — let him lick it, get used to the taste — then graduate to the toothbrush once he's unfazed. Two to three minutes, three times a week minimum, and you'll be doing more for his long-term health than almost anything else.

Great question. The outside surfaces — the cheek-facing sides — are where plaque builds fastest because that's where saliva flow is lower, so that's where your effort matters most. The tongue naturally helps keep the inner surfaces cleaner. Focus on the big carnassial teeth at the back (upper and lower) and the canines; those are the highest-risk spots for tartar accumulation in dogs. Once you're both comfortable with the routine, a quick pass on the inner surfaces is worthwhile, but don't stress about it early on. Keeping the outside clean consistently is far more valuable than a stressful attempt to do everything at once.

Not overkill at all — they work through a different mechanism. Brushing removes plaque mechanically; dental chews with the VOHC seal (Veterinary Oral Health Council) help slow plaque and tartar build-up through abrasion and in some cases active ingredients, on days when you don't brush or as a daily top-up. For a Doberman, a VOHC-approved chew like Pedigree Dentastix Large works fine as a daily extra layer. But I'd keep the brushing as the foundation — chews alone won't cut it for real prevention. Think of them as a useful supplement, not a substitute.