Doberman Pinscher vs. Rottweiler: Breed Differences & Similarities

There are many differences and many similarities between the Doberman Pinchser vs. the Rottweiler. Both breeds make great family pets, although each breed has distinct differences in what they were bred for as well as how they function.

Both breeds are fearless and obedient, as well as steady and aloof with strangers. But they were both bred for different reasons, and as a result, one needs more exercise, and the other is better suited for working dog activities.

When you welcome either breed into your home, you are making a 7 to 10-year commitment with a dog, so it’s important to know what you can expect from the new addition to your family. In this article, we are going to explore in more depth the differences and similarities between the Rottweiler and the Doberman, two formidable breeds.

If you are not certain of your dog’s genetic makeup, you can use an at-home DNA test kit to find out.

Key Differences

1. The biggest difference between Dobermans and Rottweilers is their physical size. Rotties are much larger. Dobermans weigh 100 pounds. Rottweilers can weigh up to 135 pounds.
2. Rottweilers are a large to giant breed. Dobies are medium to large.
3. Dobermans are leaner, while Rottweilers are stockier and thicker in build.
4. Doberman Pinchers are extremely high-energy. Rottweilers are average energy.
5. Dobermans are longer lived than Rottweilers.

Breed History

Whilst these two dogs are clearly different in appearance from one another, the Doberman was bred from the Rottweiler, and therefore they share the same DNA. Their history differs from one another, but they are both working dogs who are equally impressive in their protection and guarding abilities.

Looking at their histories and how they began their journey in the canine world is important to gain a better understanding of them both.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher was bred by a tax collector named Louis Dobermann in Germany around 1890. During the 19^th Century, certain areas were unsafe in Germany due to civil war, and the residents of those areas were particularly hostile towards the Tax Man. Louis Dobermann, who also had previous experience in dog breeding, sought to breed an imposing dog that would accompany and protect him whilst working in these antagonistic precincts.

To create such a dog, he took the Rottweiler, the Black and Tan Terrier, Old Shorthaired Shepherd, and the Smooth-Haired German Pinscher and cleverly engineered the Doberman that we know and love today. The Doberman was officially recognized as a breed in his own right in 1900. Because the Dobie is a working-class dog, it’s also often compared to the German Shepherd.

This ‘Tax Collectors Dog’ is a popular family dog today, ranking 16 out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Still, he is also one of the most popular working dogs used in military and protection services. Not only has he excelled in this field, but more surprisingly, he has shone as a therapy and assistance dog due to his loyal and caring canine traits. There are also many popular Doberman mixes.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest recorded breeds, descending from Mastiffs dating back to the Roman Empire. During the Roman Invasion of Europe, the lack of refrigeration meant that the soldiers had to take live animals with them on their quest, and the Rottweiler was used to herd the cattle and ensure their protection from robbers and wild animals alike.

So impressed by his herding and guarding abilities, the Rottweiler was then entrusted by traveling butchers in the town of Rottweil to protect the Butcher’s hard-earned cash by guarding money purses around the Rottweiler’s neck, hence Rottweiler “from Rottweil.”

Rottweil is where he earned his nickname, Rottweiler Metzgerhund, which in English translates to “Rottweil Butcher Dog.” Note that this is because he assisted the local butchers, as opposed to being a ferocious killing machine who butchered towns. A somewhat important difference to be aware of.

When the need to protect cattle ended due to the use of cattle cars, he found new employment as a police dog and other protection services, as well as being used for his sheer power in shifting large, heavy objects on farms and power stations.

Despite his abundance of roles, his traits and personality have changed little. He is now considered to be a great family pet and is currently ranked by the AKC as the 8th most popular dog in America out of 193 recognized breeds.

Appearance

The differences in appearance between the two breeds are probably the most significant. The Doberman is slightly taller and more slender in appearance, being up to 28 inches, compared to the Rottweiler, who is up to 27 inches and stockier.

The biggest difference between the two breeds is their weight. The Doberman is much lighter, weighing up to 100 pounds, whereas the Rottweiler is the heaviest at 135 pounds. To put that in perspective, 35 pounds is the equivalent of your average microwave, so that is a significant amount of extra weight compared to the Doberman.

In terms of their coloring, the two most popular colors in both breeds are black, with rust colors in several places across their bodies. Black is the only recognized main color for the Rottweiler, whereas the Doberman can also come in Blue, Fawn, and Red.

You may have also seen photos or descriptions of a ‘white’ Doberman; however, this is actually an albino dog or a genetic mutation rather than a color itself. The rust coloring on both breeds is usually placed above the eyebrows, snout, chest, and legs. Both breeds have short coats, but the Doberman’s coat is smoother.

The other difference in their appearance is that typically the Doberman has thinner and pointier ears that stand up due to ear cropping practices. Typically, the Rottweiler isn’t subject to this procedure, and therefore he has drop ears that are larger. The practice of ear cropping is subject to much controversy.

Temperament

Both breeds are of similar working backgrounds, particularly known for their protection and guarding abilities. They will patrol their yard, protect their family, and they can even anticipate threats and danger before they happen. Due to their guarding nature, both breeds must be properly socialized as young pups to ensure that this does not turn into over-protectiveness or over-aggressiveness.

It is often asked if Dobermans or Rottweilers are more aggressive. This brings us to another similarity. Both breeds have an unfair reputation. During a study of the public’s perception of canines, both the Doberman and the Rottweiler topped the chart when it came to the public perceiving them as aggressive. In truth, both these breeds are quite loving and not inherently aggressive. The environment they are raised in has a bigger impact on aggression than their breed. These breeds have been used as fighting dogs, and guard dogs, leading to the widespread perception that they are all aggressive.

An example of this misrepresentation of the Doberman can be clearly seen in the Award-Winning Film ‘Up,’ the ringleader of the bad dogs is a Doberman, and his character is inherently mean and stupid. In contrast, in reality, he is the complete opposite. These pups are quite loving and intelligent.

An example of the Rottweiler being misrepresented was in the original film ‘The Omen,’ whereby the Rottweiler dog is used to personify the Devil. Both breeds are actually very loving towards their families. With better education and knowledge, perceptions of these dogs have improved, but clearly, according to the above study, there is a long way to go.

One of the biggest personality differences between the two breeds is that while the Doberman is affectionate with his family, the Rottweiler is said to be more aloof and independent. This is a trait that the German Shepherd carries, which is why the Rottie is also often compared to the German Shepherd as well.

The Doberman is quite affectionate with his family and will happily jump on the sofa for a cuddle after a long day on patrol. Although the Rottweiler is still affectionate with his family, the Doberman needs companionship more so than the Rottweiler does.

As a result of this need for companionship, the Doberman is also known to suffer from separation anxiety, although relatively moderate compared to other dogs who suffer from it. There is a chance you won’t be able to leave him on his own for more than a few hours, so you need to take this into consideration. Dobermans are also thought to be a little more intelligent than Rottweilers and may need more mental stimulation, like puzzle feeders and interactive toys. Both breeds make our smartest dog list.

Exercise

Again, as they are both working dogs, they both require a significant amount of exercise to keep them healthy and entertained. Around 60 minutes a day is what you should expect to give them both at a minimum.

The Doberman is the more energetic and intelligent dog, and therefore he needs more mental stimulation than the Rottweiler. This can be achieved through more intense activities, such as tug-of-war, agility courses, or the use of puzzle toys filled with treats.

Both breeds tend to be highly destructive if they are left to their own devices. Due to their size and power, they can cause a significant amount of damage, so if you can’t commit to exercising them daily, then these dogs aren’t for you. Unless, of course, you like weekly repair bills. With that being said, if you can give these guys the exercise that they need, they will reward you for it with entertainment, protection, and love.

Training

Both breeds are similar regarding their training; they both like to be put to work and use their intelligence. They will thoroughly enjoy being trained by their master, and they seek to please, so this makes training relatively easy. They will both enjoy obedience training. Just be sure to be the dominant pack leader; otherwise, these guys will assume that position and dismiss you entirely.

Due to their protective nature, it is key to socialize these guys at a very early age to make sure that they are comfortable and confident in many different environments, both inside and outside of the home. They should be comfortable with humans of all ages and other animals of all sizes.

Positive reinforcement training is the best type of training for any dog, but it is particularly important with guarding dogs such as these. All training should be positive and never negative; otherwise, there is a chance that the dog will react negatively and become aggressive.

Health

Both the Doberman and the Rottweiler are generally healthy dogs considering their size, but as with any large dog, they can suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia, which is an abnormal formation in the elbow and hip sockets that, over time, can cause painful arthritis of the joints.

They are also both at risk of suffering gastric torsion, which is when the dog eats one very large meal a day, or eats immediately before or just after exercising, and the stomach twists. This can be a very serious life-threatening condition.

Additionally, the Doberman is more at risk of suffering from Von Willebrand’s disease, which is caused by a deficiency in the number of particular platelets in his blood, which means that his blood is unable to clot. This is a serious condition. If he were to suffer an injury and his body had no capacity for clotting, he would be at risk of losing a significant amount of blood.

Rottweilers are also frequently known to suffer from Dilated Cardiomyopathy, this is a disease whereby the heart walls are thin and dilated, and therefore the heart does not function as it should, and can result in heart failure.

Generally, the Doberman tends to outlive the Rottweiler by a few years. But it must be noted that both dogs have a life expectancy that is below that of the average pooch.

In order to keep your dog as healthy as possible, be sure to take him for regular veterinarian check-ups, as well as keep up to date with his vaccines. If you are going to buy a Doberman or a Rottweiler, then be sure to research the major diseases and their symptoms, so you are aware of them.

Could Pet Insurance Help?

If your pet insurance covers exam fees and your dog needs to be examined, there is a good chance your policy will reimburse those costs based on your policy details. However, if you are a new customer, vet expenses will not be covered until after your policy’s defined waiting periods, so signing up once you have an existing health concern is not going to help this time. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any current pet insurance plans.

This is why it is a great idea to sign up for a pet insurance policy when your pet is young and relatively healthy to ensure you will be covered when you need it most.

Nutrition

The Doberman requires around four cups of food per day, and the Rottweiler requires a similar amount. Both will depend on metabolisms and lifestyles. However, the Rottweiler is susceptible to weight gain and obesity more so than the Doberman, so this is something to watch out for.

Grooming

Both the Doberman and Rottweiler have short coats, and they are described as being moderate shedders, so both require little grooming compared to other dogs. A brush once or twice a week will help to keep your pooch’s skin looking shiny and healthy, as well as remove any dead hair or skin. Dobermans shed less than their Rottweiler cousins.

Puppy Price

If you buy a Doberman or a Rottweiler from a reputable breeder, then they are similar in price at around $1,500. For a puppy of either breed that is of show quality, you can expect to pay up to $4,000 for your pup.

It is not recommended that you buy a puppy from anywhere other than a recognized breeder. Otherwise, you risk that your puppy has not been looked after as he should, and you can expect health complications and seriously expensive vet bills.

As mentioned earlier, if someone is trying to sell a ‘white’ Doberman, then do not buy him. This ‘white’ is not a color, but albinism, which is a severe genetic mutation, and the canine is likely to suffer serious health complications.

Final Thoughts

The Doberman and the Rottweiler are similar dogs, who both excel in their guarding and protecting skills, and the Doberman is, in fact, bred from the Rottweiler, among a few other dogs. If you want a dog to protect you and your home, then either of these breeds would be perfect. Hopefully, we have helped to clear up some of the key differences between the Rottweiler and the Doberman and helped foster a better understanding of these two amazing canines.

The main difference between the two is their size. The Doberman is more athletic and slender in appearance, with the Rottweiler being bulkier and up to 35 pounds heavier than the Doberman.

The Doberman is more agile and intelligent, and as a result, he needs more exercise and mental stimulation than the Rottweiler. This pup isn’t a major fan of being kept at home on his own for extended periods of time. So, if you like a more active dog, then maybe the Doberman would be more suited to you if you do not have to leave him at home for long periods of time.

Both the Doberman and Rottweiler are similar in health and share certain health risks, but each has specific risks that the other does not. The Doberman, on average, has the higher life expectancy of the two.

Whichever breed you decide to go with, both are fantastic, fun, and loyal breeds that will protect and love you and your family for years to come.