Differences and Similarities between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Doberman Pinscher Versus American Pit Bull Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Doberman Pinscher and for the American Pit Bull Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Doberman Pinscher or the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the American Pit Bull Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier

FactorDoberman PinscherAmerican Pit Bull Terrier
Tolerates Cold Weather1/52/5
Dog Friendly1/51/5
General Health1/54/5
Low Prey Drive5/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/53/5
Life Span10 to 13 years12 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Does NOT chew on things4/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/52/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds30 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years14.0 years
Average Price$1910$1140
Price Range$1100 – $2500$400 – $1200
Temperament Score79.5 percent87.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • No Data
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the American Pit Bull Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!

    Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, American Pit Bull Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Doberman Pinschers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, American Pit Bull Terriers are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, American Pit Bull Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier

    The Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier weighs 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. The American Pit Bull Terrier is 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Doberman Pinscher versus Size of American Pit Bull Terrier

    Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Doberman Pinscher Colors

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    American Pit Bull Terrier Colors

    The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Golden
    • Merle (Red)
    • Merle (Blue)

    The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Brindle
    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Golden

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of the American Pit Bull Terrier is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the American Pit Bull Terrier is 14.0 years.

    The American Pit Bull Terrier live longer than the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    Temperament of the American Pit Bull Terrier Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The American Pit Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 percent while the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 931 American Pit Bull Terriers.

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of American Pit Bull Terrier

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of the American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    Doberman Pinscher American Pit Bull Terrier
    Average Price $1910 $1140
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $400 to $1200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and American Pit Bull Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the American Pit Bull Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many American Pit Bull Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Doberman Pinscher named P2 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like P2 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Doberman Pinschers, American Pit Bull Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Bowl is a Male American Pit Bull Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more American Pit Bull Terriers like Bowl that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Donny is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Doberman Pinschers and American Pit Bull Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than American Pit Bull Terriers?

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about American Pit Bull Terriers?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and American Pit Bull Terriers?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about American Pit Bull Terriers?

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. American Pit Bull Terrier

    Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the American Pit Bull Terrier?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Doberman Pinscher versus Miniature Pinscher     Doberman Pinscher versus Whoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Doberman Pinscher versus Boxerdoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Doberman Pinscher versus Saint Bernard     Doberman Pinscher versus Field Spaniel     Doberman Pinscher versus Afghan Hound     Doberman Pinscher versus Australian Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel     Doberman Pinscher versus Chinese Crested     Doberman Pinscher versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Doberman Pinscher versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Doberman Pinscher versus Aussiedoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Chorkie     Doberman Pinscher versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Vizsla     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pit Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.