In this article, we will address all of the major similarities and differences between the German Pinscher and the Doberman so that you can fully understand both of these dog breeds as individuals. We will discuss their physical traits as well as their ancestries and temperaments in case you are interested in adopting either these two breeds. Let’s get started now!
Comparing German Pinscher vs Doberman
Key Differences Between German Pinscher vs Doberman
There are a number of key differences between the Doberman and German Pinscher. The Doberman grows far larger than the German Pinscher, in both height and weight. Additionally, the German Pinscher comes in more colors compared to the Doberman. While the Doberman was bred as a working or police dog, the German Pinscher was bred for hunting rodents. Let’s discuss all these differences in more detail now.
German Pinscher vs Doberman: Size
You can easily pick out a doberman from a German Pinscher based on their sizes alone. The Doberman is much larger than the German Pinscher, in both height and weight. But just how different are these two dogs when you compare their sizes alone? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now. Depending on gender, the Doberman reaches anywhere from 24 to 28 inches tall, while the German Pinscher only reaches 17 to 20 inches tall. Additionally, the German Pinscher only weighs 25 to 45 pounds, while the Doberman weighs anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds, depending on gender.
German Pinscher vs Doberman: Appearance
Unless you didn’t know any better, the German Pinscher and the Doberman look very similar to one another. Ironically, the Doberman was bred using German Pinscher DNA, which is likely why they have very similar coats and body structures, despite the German Pinscher being much smaller than the average Doberman. However, the German Pinscher comes in more colors than the Doberman does. Additionally, the German Pinscher can have either floppy or erect ears, while the Doberman typically only has erect ears. Finally, the Doberman has a much more muscular body compared to the average German Pinscher, though they are both powerful dogs overall.
German Pinscher vs Doberman: Ancestry and Purpose
There are many differences between the breeding and ancestry of both of these dogs. For example, the Doberman was originally bred in the late 1800’s, while the German Pinscher was bred sometime during the 1700s or 1800s. Given their sizes, the German Pinscher was originally bred for hunting rodents on merchant vessels, while the Doberman was originally bred for protective services and police or military work.
German Pinscher vs Doberman: Behavior
While both of these dogs make fantastic companions, there are some behavioral differences between the German Pinscher and the Doberman. For example, the German Pinscher displays more stubbornness overall compared to the even-tempered Doberman. Both of these dogs need a firm hand during training and puppyhood, though the German Pinscher tends to challenge its owners a bit more than the average Doberman does. Because of this challenge, the German Pinscher is less likely to enjoy living with young children compared to the family-friendly Doberman. However, with proper adjustment time and training, both of these dog breeds make great companion animals, capable of protecting the entire family, should the need arise.
German Pinscher vs Doberman: Lifespan
A final difference between the German Pinscher and the Doberman has to do with their life spans. Given their obvious size differences, the German Pinscher lives a longer life on average compared to the doberman breed. But just how much difference is there between these two dogs? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now. Depending on the overall health and breeding of the individual dog, the German Pinscher lives an average of 12 to 15 years, while the Doberman lives an average of 10 to 12 years. However, with adequate exercise and nutrition, both of these breeds can live long and healthy lives!
