Rottweiler vs Doberman Pinscher
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Rottweiler | Doberman Pinscher | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Large | Large |
| Adult weight | 36.3 to 61.2 kg | 27.2 to 45.4 kg |
| In pounds | 80 to 135 lb | 60 to 100 lb |
| Adult height | 56 to 69 cm | 61 to 71 cm |
| Energy | High | Very high |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Lifespan | 9 to 10 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Germany | Germany |
The main differences
- The Rottweiler is the bigger dog: 36.3 to 61.2 kg against 27.2 to 45.4 kg for the Doberman Pinscher.
- The Doberman Pinscher needs more exercise: very high energy against high for the Rottweiler.
- Grooming is low for both.
- The Doberman Pinscher usually lives longer: 10 to 12 years against 9 to 10 years.
- With children, the Doberman Pinscher is rated reliably good and the Rottweiler fine with supervision.
Temperament
Rottweiler: Good natured, not nervous, aggressive or vicious, courageous and biddable with natural guarding instincts.
Doberman Pinscher: Alert, fearless and loyal, the Doberman Pinscher is a keenly intelligent protection dog that can also be a loving and affectionate pet.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Rottweiler
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be elbow graded by x-ray before mating
- Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP-2), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Doberman Pinscher
- Von Willebrand's disease, an inherited bleeding disorder
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Eye disease, screened by an annual ophthalmologist eye examination
- Bloat, a potentially fatal digestive disorder of the stomach
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Rottweiler or the Doberman Pinscher?
The Rottweiler. Adults weigh 36.3 to 61.2 kg, against 27.2 to 45.4 kg for the Doberman Pinscher, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Rottweiler or the Doberman Pinscher?
The published life expectancy is 9 to 10 years for the Rottweiler and 10 to 12 years for the Doberman Pinscher. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Rottweiler or the Doberman Pinscher better with children?
The Doberman Pinscher scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin