Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Boerboel: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
- Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel
- Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
- Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel
- Temperament of the Boerboel Versus the Doberman Pinscher
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Boerboel
- Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Boerboel
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Boerboel
- Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Boerboel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Boerboels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel?
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Boerboels?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Boerboel?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Boerboels?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boerboel?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Boerboels?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boerboels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Boerboel
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boerboels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Boerboel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel? 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel 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 Boerboel. 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 Boerboel.
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 Boerboel.
Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Boerboel is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel are Working Dogs. This means both the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel 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.
Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Boerboel 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 Boerboel
| Factor | Doberman Pinscher | Boerboel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 110 to 200 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | $2540 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $2000 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 79.5 percent | 94.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 116 |
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 Boerboel. 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 Boerboel is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Boerboel. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
The Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel.
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 Boerboel weighs 110 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Boerboel is 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel
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
Boerboel Colors
The Boerboel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Brindle
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Golden
- Brown / Chocolate
The Boerboel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel
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 Boerboel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boerboel is 11.0 years.
The Doberman Pinscher live longer than the Boerboel.
Temperament of the Boerboel Versus the Doberman Pinscher
The Boerboel has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.
This is because the temperament score for the Boerboel is 94.7 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 94.7 percent, the Boerboel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 57 Boerboels.
Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Boerboel
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 Boerboel puppy is $2540. The price of the Boerboel typically ranges from $2000 – $3000. However, the price of the Boerboel can be as low as $500 and as high as $7000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 151 Boerboel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Boerboel is more expensive than the Doberman Pinscher.
| Doberman Pinscher | Boerboel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1910 | $2540 |
| Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $2000 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Boerboel. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Boerboel 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 Boerboels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Boerboel 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.
Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Boerboel
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many Boerboels 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 Twinkie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Twinkie on pefinder.com.
Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Boerboels are also available for adoption. For example, Jabbar is a Male Boerboel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boerboels like Jabbar that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Oliver is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Atlas is an adorable Male Boerboel on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Boerboels that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Boerboel
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 Boerboel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Boerboel. 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 Boerboel is 116 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Boerboel
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Boerboel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | no data |
| 2014 | 14 | 64.0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 126.0 |
| 2016 | 15 | 131.0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 124.0 |
| 2018 | 17 | 121.0 |
| 2019 | 19 | 127.0 |
| 2020 | 18 | 123.0 |
| 2021 | 16 | 118.0 |
Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Boerboel
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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Doberman Pinscher.
6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 6 tests are recommended for the Boerboel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Boerboels.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.
Boerboel Health Problems
Boerboels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Boerboel 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 Boerboel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Boerboel 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 Boerboels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Boerboels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Boerboels
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:
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 Boerboel Breed is Elbow problems.
This is because the Boerboel ranks 6 out of 144 dog breeds for Elbow problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 334 Boerboels, 111 of them had Elbow problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Boerboels, and how common these diseases are in Boerboels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Boerboel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Boerboel:
| Disease | Doberman Pinscher Rank | Boerboel 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 | 12 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 40 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 45 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 53 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 75 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 133 out of 144 dog breeds | 6 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 147 out of 198 dog breeds | 13 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 Boerboel
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Boerboels do not like to be left alone.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Boerboels?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Boerboels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Boerboels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Boerboels do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Boerboels?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Boerboels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Boerboel?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Boerboels are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Boerboels?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Boerboels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boerboel?
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.
Boerboels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Boerboels?
Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Boerboels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boerboels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Boerboels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Boerboel
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Boerboels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boerboels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Boerboels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Boerboel?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Boerboels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Boerboel?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Boerboels 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 Boerboel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Maltese Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet Doberman Pinscher versus Morkie Doberman Pinscher versus Pomapoo Doberman Pinscher versus Bedlington Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Labrador Retriever Doberman Pinscher versus Bearded Collie Doberman Pinscher versus Brittany Doberman Pinscher versus Rottweiler Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Wolfhound Doberman Pinscher versus Bluetick Coonhound Doberman Pinscher versus Goldendoodle
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel. 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 Boerboel better suits you and your family.