Differences and Similarities between the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Doberman Pinscher Versus Barbet: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet? 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 Barbet 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 Barbet.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet 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 Barbet. 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 Barbet.

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 Barbet.

Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Barbet 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 Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Barbet 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 Barbet

FactorDoberman PinscherBarbet
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Dog Friendly1/54/5
General Health1/54/5
Low Prey Drive5/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/53/5
Life Span10 to 13 years13 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds37 to 62 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years14.0 years
Average Price$1910No Data
Price Range$1100 – $2500No Data
Temperament Score79.5 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds15146
    *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 Barbet. 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 Barbet is 82 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Barbet, we still believe that the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Barbet.

    This is because Doberman Pinschers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Doberman Pinscher will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Doberman Pinscher :-). We are for the Doberman Pinscher. So get a Doberman Pinscher!

    Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Barbets can tolerate cold weather.
  • Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Barbets get along well with other dogs.
  • Doberman Pinschers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Barbets are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Barbets do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom. However, Barbets require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are most similar:

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are very easy to train.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet.

    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 Barbet weighs 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. The Barbet is 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Doberman Pinscher versus Size of Barbet

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    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 Barbet is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Barbet is 14.0 years.

    The Barbet live longer than the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    Temperament of the Barbet Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The Barbet has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the Barbet is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Barbet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 1 Barbets.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Barbet

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Barbet. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Barbet is 146 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Barbet

    Popularity of Barbet

    Year Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank Barbet Popularity Rank
    2013 12 no data
    2014 14 no data
    2015 14 no data
    2016 15 no data
    2017 16 no data
    2018 17 no data
    2019 19 no data
    2020 18 145.0
    2021 16 148.0

    Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Barbet

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Barbet.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Barbet.

    6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 5 tests are recommended for the Barbet.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Barbets.

    Doberman Pinscher Health Problems

    Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Doberman Pinschers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.

    Barbet Health Problems

    Barbets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Barbet puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Barbet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Barbet breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Barbets for:

  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Barbets

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Doberman Pinscher Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Doberman Pinscher ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 562 Doberman Pinschers, 37 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Doberman Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in Doberman Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 1 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 40 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 45 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 53 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 75 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 133 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 147 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Barbet Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Barbet ranks 69 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 106 Barbets, 2 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Barbets, and how common these diseases are in Barbets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 69 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 78 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 81 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 158 out of 182 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Barbet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Barbet:

    Disease Doberman Pinscher Rank Barbet Rank
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems 1 out of 3 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 1 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 26 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 26 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 40 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 45 out of 115 dog breeds 69 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 53 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 75 out of 182 dog breeds 158 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 133 out of 144 dog breeds 78 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 147 out of 198 dog breeds 81 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Barbets do not like to be left alone.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Barbets?

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

    Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Barbet?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Barbets require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Barbet?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Barbets get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Barbets?

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

    Barbets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Barbet?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Barbets are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Barbet

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Barbets?

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

    Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Barbet?

    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.

    Barbets have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Barbets?

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

    Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Barbet

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

    Barbets have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Barbets can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Barbet?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Barbet?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Barbets 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 Barbet. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher versus Catahoula Bulldog     Doberman Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus English Setter     Doberman Pinscher versus American Hairless Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus English Cocker Spaniel     Doberman Pinscher versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Doberman Pinscher versus Cairn Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Doberman Pinscher versus American Foxhound     Doberman Pinscher versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Doberman Pinscher versus Saluki     Doberman Pinscher versus Afghan Hound     Doberman Pinscher versus Dogo Argentino     Doberman Pinscher versus Pyredoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Dutch Shepherd     Doberman Pinscher versus Bull Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet. 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 Barbet better suits you and your family.