Dobermans and Rottweilers are both strong, independent dogs, that have endured something of a bad reputation in the past. They are both used as guard dogs, share a similar lineage, and have the same brown and black coloring. They also both need socializing and training from a young age. However, while they are similar in some ways, they also differ in a lot of respects. The Doberman is taller and more slender, while the Rottweiler tends to be bulkier. The former tends to be cuddlier with family and while the Rottweiler is caring and loving, it usually prefers its own space. Despite their unfair reputation, both dogs can make excellent family pets, but one might be more suitable to your living conditions than the other. Read on to find the differences between these breeds and to determine which you think will make the more suitable pet for your home.
Visual Differences Image Credit by Left: Doberman, Pixabay | Rottweiler, McCann-Michelle Shutterstock At a Glance Doberman
Average height (adult): 24–28 inches
Average weight (adult): 70–100 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Not usually
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Rottweiler
Average height (adult): 22–27 inches
Average weight (adult): 80–130 pounds
Lifespan: 8–11 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Occasionally
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Doberman Overview Image Credit: Yama Zsuzsanna Márkus, Pixabay The Doberman was first bred as a protector, by tax collector and dogcatcher, Louis Dobermann. He used a selection of stray dogs from his rescue shelter and created a dog that would protect him while on his rounds. This history means that the breeds used to first create the Doberman are not certain but most experts believe that the list included the Rottweiler, Pinscher, and a Terrier. Having first shown his canine creation in 1876, Dobermann passed away in 1894. Enthusiasts continued breeding the Doberman and they attempted to further improve the protective toughness of the dogs. Numbers dwindled during both world wars, and a fearsome reputation has likely put a lot of potential owners off buying one of this breed, but modern breeders have done well at rounding off some of the sharper and potentially more aggressive genes. Personality / Character Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock The breed does not tend to be stubborn but can remain immature for the first two or three years of its life, with most examples reaching maturity at three years. This, despite only having a life expectancy of approximately 10 years. They tend to be cuddly and loving dogs with family, including children and adults, but they do need proper socialization to ensure this is the case. The Doberman can be wary of strangers, although, with good socialization and ongoing training, this shouldn’t prove a problem. Training First and foremost, the Doberman is a highly intelligent dog. It can learn commands quickly and because it is eager to please its humans, it will do very well responding to those commands. Enroll in puppy classes because these will give you the basics but also because they will enable you to socialize your dog in a sympathetic environment. This socialization is very important. Without socialization, Dobermans can be very wary of strangers and reluctant when approached. Take yours to the dog park and introduce the dog to visitors to your house. Image Credit: Piqsels Health & Care As well as being a tough breed, the Dobie is a generally healthy breed. However, you will need to look for signs of Von Willebrand’s Disease as well as the hip dysplasia that can plague larger breeds. Insurance can help cover the cost of any unexpected problems. Generally, the breed benefits from having plenty of outdoor time, including in his own yard as well as down at the park or on walks. This means that he does better in a house, rather than an apartment where his size may also be an issue. He will need plenty of exercise every day, so expect to spend an hour walking, running, and playing games. The Dobie does have a hearty appetite and can eat three cups of dry kibble a day. Grooming The short coat of the Doberman does not require much in the way of grooming or brushing. They do not usually smell of dog, either. While the coat is minimal fuss, you should brush it every week to help remove dead hair and stop it from becoming knotted. Image Credit: 1790316, Pixabay Suitable for: The Doberman does appreciate plenty of room and needs a lot of exercise. He is also a strong breed, which means that he is not necessarily a good choice for young children to walk, or for seniors. Active families with plenty of time for exercising, training, and socializing the Doberman, will do best. Pros
An intelligent breed that is easy to train
Loving and cuddly with family
Minimal coat maintenance is needed
Cons
Needs socialization to avoid aggression
Won’t always get along with other dogs or animals
Rottweiler Overview Image Credit: Ricantimages, Shutterstock The Rottweiler is also a German breed and was bred from giant Molossus dogs. In Germany, they were used to pull heavy carts, usually containing dead animals and meat, to markets. As well as pulling the meat, they were also entrusted with protecting the cart and its contents. Like the Doberman, the Rottweiler nearly became extinct. First, with the advent of rail travel: dogs were no longer necessary for pulling carts because trains were quicker and could carry more load, while also being generally safer. The breed became popular again in the 20th Century. As well as being used as a guard dog, the Rottie was kept as a pet and companion dog and was also used for police and armed services work. Today, the breed is still used for public service work and as a guard dog, but a well-raised Rottweiler makes a loving and loyal companion dog that is suitable for families. Personality / Character Image Credit: PhotoDOGraphy, Shutterstock The Rottweiler is, above all, a confident dog. It is not worried by strangers and will never back down if confronted or even attacked. This does mean that the Rottie can take time to make friends with people. With family, however, he is affectionate and loving, as well as protective. He will follow his humans around the house but is more likely to sit close to you than on your lap. Even as a puppy, the Rottweiler is not overly excitable. Males are known to be watchful guardians while females are more family orientated and are considered the better choice as family companion dogs. Exercise Don’t let the sheer size of the Rottie fool you. Some can be fast and agile dogs, and all require a decent amount of daily exercise, especially because the breed is prone to weight problems. Consider enrolling in a canine sport, if you cannot provide enough structured and vigorous exercise. The breed tends to excel in strength-based sports like cart pulling; it was what they were initially bred for, after all. Image Credit: Srqntrz, Shutterstock Training As well as providing exercise, you should also provide adequate training. He requires a firm, but not physical or aggressive, hand during training. Very intelligent, the breed will learn commands quickly, but you will usually do better if you can training sessions shorter and inject some fun into it. The Rottweiler is considered a relatively easy breed to train, although the efficiency of the Doberman means that training sticks more easily. Health & Care The breed is a healthy one but the Rottie can suffer from weight problems so you will need to make sure that you weigh food carefully and do not overfeed your pup. Other common health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia; aortic stenosis, which is a common heart complaint; and osteosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of the bones. The Rottie is a family-loving breed and can become destructive and show other negative attributes if they are left alone for too long. You will have to feed around 5 cups of food per day, although the exact amount depends on age, exercise levels, and general health. Image Credit: Roberto Mares, Pixabay Grooming The short double coat of the Rottie needs weekly brushing. This removes dead hairs which can otherwise become knotted and uncomfortable. Brush teeth twice a week and conduct a regular check inside the ears and mouth to look for any early signs of infection. Suitable for: The Rottweiler is a loyal family dog. The breed needs to be around its people, which means that it can struggle with separation anxiety and may become destructive if there is nobody at home all through the day. The Rottie does need exercise, although some prefer walks to cart pulling and running, so you will need to be able to dedicate a good 45 minutes a day. Their size means that they can accidentally knock very young children over but will do well with older children that are calmer and more respectful. Image Credit: Piqsels Pros
Calm and level-headed
Generally healthy breed
Accepting of strangers, with early socialization
Cons
Prone to weight problems
Can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long
Which Breed is Right For You? The Doberman and Rottweiler breeds share a lot of similarities. They have similar markings, both come from Germany, and were both highly revered working dogs. However, as well as their obvious appearance differences, the two breeds are different in other ways, too. The Dobie tends to be cuddlier than the Rottie, while the Rottweilier is a callmer dog even when it’s a puppy. Both breeds require a decent amount of exercise, and both benefit from early and ongoing socialization to ensure that they are not too apprehensive and cautious around strangers. In terms of training, both are intelligent and can be trained quite easily, but it is the Doberman that is considered the more willing to accept training. Whichever breed you choose, you can expect it to live around ten years, and although both breeds are healthy, they are both prone to some genetic conditions according to their breed.
Featured Image Credit: (Doberman) Anna Mogilevtseva, Shutterstock (Rottweiler) Dolores Preciado, Shutterstock See also:
Do Rottweilers Shed? Rottweiler vs Pit Bull: What’s The Difference?
Dobermans and Rottweilers are both strong, independent dogs, that have endured something of a bad reputation in the past. They are both used as guard dogs, share a similar lineage, and have the same brown and black coloring. They also both need socializing and training from a young age.
However, while they are similar in some ways, they also differ in a lot of respects. The Doberman is taller and more slender, while the Rottweiler tends to be bulkier. The former tends to be cuddlier with family and while the Rottweiler is caring and loving, it usually prefers its own space.
Despite their unfair reputation, both dogs can make excellent family pets, but one might be more suitable to your living conditions than the other. Read on to find the differences between these breeds and to determine which you think will make the more suitable pet for your home.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
Doberman
Average height (adult): 24–28 inches
Average weight (adult): 70–100 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Not usually
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Rottweiler
Average height (adult): 22–27 inches
Average weight (adult): 80–130 pounds
Lifespan: 8–11 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Occasionally
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Average height (adult): 24–28 inches
Average weight (adult): 70–100 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Not usually
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
- Average height (adult): 24–28 inches
- Average weight (adult): 70–100 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–13 years
- Exercise: 1 hour a day
- Grooming needs: Moderate
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Not usually
- Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Average height (adult): 22–27 inches
Average weight (adult): 80–130 pounds
Lifespan: 8–11 years
Exercise: 1 hour a day
Grooming needs: Moderate
Family-friendly: Yes
Other pet-friendly: Occasionally
Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
- Average height (adult): 22–27 inches
- Average weight (adult): 80–130 pounds
- Lifespan: 8–11 years
- Exercise: 1 hour a day
- Grooming needs: Moderate
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Occasionally
- Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train
Doberman Overview
The Doberman was first bred as a protector, by tax collector and dogcatcher, Louis Dobermann. He used a selection of stray dogs from his rescue shelter and created a dog that would protect him while on his rounds. This history means that the breeds used to first create the Doberman are not certain but most experts believe that the list included the Rottweiler, Pinscher, and a Terrier.
Having first shown his canine creation in 1876, Dobermann passed away in 1894. Enthusiasts continued breeding the Doberman and they attempted to further improve the protective toughness of the dogs. Numbers dwindled during both world wars, and a fearsome reputation has likely put a lot of potential owners off buying one of this breed, but modern breeders have done well at rounding off some of the sharper and potentially more aggressive genes.
Personality / Character
The breed does not tend to be stubborn but can remain immature for the first two or three years of its life, with most examples reaching maturity at three years. This, despite only having a life expectancy of approximately 10 years. They tend to be cuddly and loving dogs with family, including children and adults, but they do need proper socialization to ensure this is the case. The Doberman can be wary of strangers, although, with good socialization and ongoing training, this shouldn’t prove a problem.
Training
First and foremost, the Doberman is a highly intelligent dog. It can learn commands quickly and because it is eager to please its humans, it will do very well responding to those commands. Enroll in puppy classes because these will give you the basics but also because they will enable you to socialize your dog in a sympathetic environment. This socialization is very important. Without socialization, Dobermans can be very wary of strangers and reluctant when approached. Take yours to the dog park and introduce the dog to visitors to your house.
Health & Care
As well as being a tough breed, the Dobie is a generally healthy breed. However, you will need to look for signs of Von Willebrand’s Disease as well as the hip dysplasia that can plague larger breeds. Insurance can help cover the cost of any unexpected problems.
Generally, the breed benefits from having plenty of outdoor time, including in his own yard as well as down at the park or on walks. This means that he does better in a house, rather than an apartment where his size may also be an issue. He will need plenty of exercise every day, so expect to spend an hour walking, running, and playing games. The Dobie does have a hearty appetite and can eat three cups of dry kibble a day.
Grooming
The short coat of the Doberman does not require much in the way of grooming or brushing. They do not usually smell of dog, either. While the coat is minimal fuss, you should brush it every week to help remove dead hair and stop it from becoming knotted.
Suitable for:
The Doberman does appreciate plenty of room and needs a lot of exercise. He is also a strong breed, which means that he is not necessarily a good choice for young children to walk, or for seniors. Active families with plenty of time for exercising, training, and socializing the Doberman, will do best.
Pros
An intelligent breed that is easy to train
Loving and cuddly with family
Minimal coat maintenance is needed
Cons
Needs socialization to avoid aggression
Won’t always get along with other dogs or animals
An intelligent breed that is easy to train
Loving and cuddly with family
Minimal coat maintenance is needed
- An intelligent breed that is easy to train
- Loving and cuddly with family
- Minimal coat maintenance is needed
Needs socialization to avoid aggression
Won’t always get along with other dogs or animals
- Needs socialization to avoid aggression
- Won’t always get along with other dogs or animals
Rottweiler Overview
The Rottweiler is also a German breed and was bred from giant Molossus dogs. In Germany, they were used to pull heavy carts, usually containing dead animals and meat, to markets. As well as pulling the meat, they were also entrusted with protecting the cart and its contents.
Like the Doberman, the Rottweiler nearly became extinct. First, with the advent of rail travel: dogs were no longer necessary for pulling carts because trains were quicker and could carry more load, while also being generally safer. The breed became popular again in the 20th Century.
As well as being used as a guard dog, the Rottie was kept as a pet and companion dog and was also used for police and armed services work. Today, the breed is still used for public service work and as a guard dog, but a well-raised Rottweiler makes a loving and loyal companion dog that is suitable for families.
The Rottweiler is, above all, a confident dog. It is not worried by strangers and will never back down if confronted or even attacked. This does mean that the Rottie can take time to make friends with people. With family, however, he is affectionate and loving, as well as protective. He will follow his humans around the house but is more likely to sit close to you than on your lap.
Even as a puppy, the Rottweiler is not overly excitable. Males are known to be watchful guardians while females are more family orientated and are considered the better choice as family companion dogs.
Exercise
Don’t let the sheer size of the Rottie fool you. Some can be fast and agile dogs, and all require a decent amount of daily exercise, especially because the breed is prone to weight problems. Consider enrolling in a canine sport, if you cannot provide enough structured and vigorous exercise. The breed tends to excel in strength-based sports like cart pulling; it was what they were initially bred for, after all.
As well as providing exercise, you should also provide adequate training. He requires a firm, but not physical or aggressive, hand during training. Very intelligent, the breed will learn commands quickly, but you will usually do better if you can training sessions shorter and inject some fun into it. The Rottweiler is considered a relatively easy breed to train, although the efficiency of the Doberman means that training sticks more easily.
The breed is a healthy one but the Rottie can suffer from weight problems so you will need to make sure that you weigh food carefully and do not overfeed your pup. Other common health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia; aortic stenosis, which is a common heart complaint; and osteosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of the bones.
The Rottie is a family-loving breed and can become destructive and show other negative attributes if they are left alone for too long.
You will have to feed around 5 cups of food per day, although the exact amount depends on age, exercise levels, and general health.
The short double coat of the Rottie needs weekly brushing. This removes dead hairs which can otherwise become knotted and uncomfortable. Brush teeth twice a week and conduct a regular check inside the ears and mouth to look for any early signs of infection.
The Rottweiler is a loyal family dog. The breed needs to be around its people, which means that it can struggle with separation anxiety and may become destructive if there is nobody at home all through the day. The Rottie does need exercise, although some prefer walks to cart pulling and running, so you will need to be able to dedicate a good 45 minutes a day. Their size means that they can accidentally knock very young children over but will do well with older children that are calmer and more respectful.
Pros
Calm and level-headed
Generally healthy breed
Accepting of strangers, with early socialization
Cons
Prone to weight problems
Can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long
Calm and level-headed
Generally healthy breed
Accepting of strangers, with early socialization
- Calm and level-headed
- Generally healthy breed
- Accepting of strangers, with early socialization
Prone to weight problems
Can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long
- Prone to weight problems
- Can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long
Which Breed is Right For You?
The Doberman and Rottweiler breeds share a lot of similarities. They have similar markings, both come from Germany, and were both highly revered working dogs. However, as well as their obvious appearance differences, the two breeds are different in other ways, too. The Dobie tends to be cuddlier than the Rottie, while the Rottweilier is a callmer dog even when it’s a puppy.
Both breeds require a decent amount of exercise, and both benefit from early and ongoing socialization to ensure that they are not too apprehensive and cautious around strangers. In terms of training, both are intelligent and can be trained quite easily, but it is the Doberman that is considered the more willing to accept training.
Whichever breed you choose, you can expect it to live around ten years, and although both breeds are healthy, they are both prone to some genetic conditions according to their breed.
Featured Image Credit: (Doberman) Anna Mogilevtseva, Shutterstock (Rottweiler) Dolores Preciado, Shutterstock
See also:
- Do Rottweilers Shed?
- Rottweiler vs Pit Bull: What’s The Difference?
