If you have narrowed down your search for a dog to a Rottweiler vs Doberman Pinscher, we’ll help you choose a loving pet that will be a great addition to your household.
While both dogs have a history as working breeds, they each have slightly different needs, temperaments, and ideal homes. Read on to learn more and discover the differences between Dobermans and Rottweilers and decide which is best for your family and lifestyle.
Origins and History
Both the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher have European origins. But they came about in different times and places.
Rottweiler origins
Rottweilers get their name from the region where they’re thought to originate—Rottweil, Germany. They date back to the days of the Roman Empire, when they served as all-purpose working dogs for a variety of tasks. Some of the jobs Rottweilers have performed over the years include drafting, guarding, herding, search and rescue, and more.
Doberman Pinscher origins
On the other hand, Doberman Pinschers were originally bred by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a 19th-century dog catcher. Dobermann crossbred street dogs from his dog-catching work to serve as companions and protectors for his side gig: tax collecting.
Their origins have made them ideal for guarding, police work, and even message delivery dogs.
iStock/alberto clemares expósito
Physical Characteristics: Similarities and Differences
Both breeds are medium-large dogs, but their overall builds differ.
Rottweiler appearance
The Rottweiler stands between 56 and 69 cm (22 to 27 inches) tall at the shoulder and generally weighs between 41 and 50 kg (90 to 110 pounds). They have a stocky build, with a broad chest and powerful legs.
Their coats only come in black with tan markings. Rottweilers also naturally have a long tail, but it’s sometimes docked to the first or second vertebrae (though, this is illegal in the UK except for a narrow set of circumstances)
Doberman appearance
Dobermans have a leaner build. They generally range between 61 and 71 cm (24 to 28 inches) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 27 and 45 kg (60 to 100 pounds). They’re elegant and sleek, but still powerful and fast.
Their coats can be black, red, blue, or fawn. Traditionally, Dobermans could often be seen with cropped ears and a docked tail—but both of these procedures are now considered mutilation under UK law and illegal.
Temperament and Personality
Rottweilers are confident and can be slow to warm up. But they can be incredibly loving and devoted to their families with a strong working drive. Rottweilers can thrive as family pets or, with a job to do.
Dobermans can also be aloof towards strangers, but they’re fiercely loyal to their families. They can be quintessential ‘velcro dogs’, who love to spend time with their families, says Nancy Barrett, Doberman breeder and owner of Magis Dobermans.
Exercise and Activity Needs
Dobermans need at least an hour of exercise every day. This can come in the form of walks, play sessions, or dog sports, like tracking or dock diving.
Rottweilers also need plenty of physical activity per day. Additionally, they excel at dog sports. “I always ask that folks get involved with things like rally or obedience, or fun stuff like dock diving,” says Jackie Payne, American Kennel Club (AKC) breeder of merit and owner of Big Beach Rottweilers.
Trainability and Obedience
Both Rottweilers and Dobermans are intelligent breeds who are eager to learn new tasks.
In fact, Rottweilers are one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, says Kimberly Cardona, vice president of the American Rottweiler Club, AKC judge, and owner of Vom Drakkenfels Rottweilers. So, they can easily learn new commands, but they need a strict training regimen to stay disciplined.
Dobermans also thrive on structure and training. However, because of their strong instinct to guard, most breeders emphasise the importance of training early in a Dobie’s life. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America says simply that Dobermans are “not for every person or family”, and that they are “a demanding breed [that] requires constant attention and guidance from the family”.
Barrett says Dobermans love to follow orders and for their day to be organised and regimented, so it’s important that anyone who is considering one to be capable of providing ongoing and regular supervision and instruction to avoid the dog developing potentially aggressive behavioural problems.
According to AKC breed standards, Dobermans have cropped ears and a docked tail. However, the procedures are medically unnecessary and in some places, illegal. iStock/Eudyptula
Grooming
“Rottweilers are what we call a wash-and-wear dog,” explains Cardona. Although their coat is slightly thicker than a Doberman’s, they only need baths once per month or so.
Dobermans are also fairly low maintenance in terms of grooming. They only need brushing once or twice per week with baths as needed.
Both dogs also need regular nail trims and tooth brushing.
Health Considerations
Rottweilers generally live for nine to 10 years. They’re particularly prone to osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. They’re also susceptible to hip dysplasia.
The Doberman Pinscher has a slightly longer expected lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They can also be susceptible to hip dysplasia. They may inherit health issues like hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Compatibility With Children and Other Pets
Rottweilers tend to adapt well to cats and other dogs if they’re raised together, says Payne. “All children in the household should be involved in training,” she instructs. That said, Rottweilers may be aggressive toward other dogs, especially strange or new ones.
Dobermans can also get along well with other household members, but they can play rough, so they’re best suited to older kids.
Living Environment and Space Requirements
The Rottweiler is an incredibly versatile dog that can adapt to different environments and living situations, Cardona says. They don’t necessarily need a garden and can do fine in a townhome or apartment with an outlet for exercise. At the same time, she says they can live as outdoor dogs, so long as they have access to a shelter, like a doghouse or kennel, and aren’t allowed to roam free.
In contrast, a Doberman’s short coat means they need to have indoor access, especially during winter in cold climates. Barrett suggests providing them with a puffy winter coat during cold winters and making sure they have access to air conditioning during the summer.
Additionally, Barrett says that Dobermans ideally need their own enclosed garden for activity. “Just walking the dog on the street is not enough exercise,” she says. “They love to be active, so if someone’s interested in a couch potato, it’s not a good breed for them.”
Adoption
Whether you are considering a Rottweiler or a Doberman, there are different avenues to adoption to think about.
A purebred puppy is the most obvious approach, however it will be the costliest, and it’s important to avoid puppy mills and choose a reputable breeder. The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeders scheme is a good place to start your search for a breeder in good standing.
In general, it’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder will have records of the parents’ lineage, too, can tell you more about the specific litter, and sometimes will not have any puppies—this is an indication that the breeder is not over-breeding their dogs.
A good breeder also screens their dogs for health issues and won’t breed dogs with known conditions that will affect their quality of life. Especially in the case of Dobermans, the breeder will not breed albino Dobermans.
If you’d prefer to adopt, ask about the dog’s history, so you can understand their individual needs. As with many breeds, Rottweilers and Dobermans can find their way to rescue centres for a variety of reasons, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owner was unable to care for them any longer, or that they just weren’t the right fit for that particular household.
A surrendered dog will be less expensive to adopt, and may have less energy than a brand new puppy. They may already be well-trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. However, as with many rehomed pets, there may be trauma or behavioural issues you should be sure to enquire about so that you can be prepared to help with the training or provide the right environment to help your pet thrive in new surroundings.
Conclusion
Both Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers are medium to large working breeds and are loyal, protective dogs who love their families. Key differences are in lifespan (Dobermans tend to live longer), environment (Rotties are more adaptable to different living environments), and temperament (both need to be supervised around other pets and children, but Dobermans need a high level of training to manage their strong guarding instincts).
With the right family, training, and environment, a Rottweiler or a Doberman would make a wonderful companion.
