Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier
- Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier
- Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Harriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier?
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Harriers?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Harrier
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier? 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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier.
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 Harrier.
Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Harrier 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 Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Harrier 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 Harrier
| Factor | Doberman Pinscher | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 184 |
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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier, we still think that the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Harrier.
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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier
The Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier.
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 Harrier weighs 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The Harrier is 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier
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 Harrier is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Harrier is 11.0 years.
The Doberman Pinscher live longer than the Harrier.
Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many Harriers 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, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Stumps is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Stumps that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Ricky is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Blu (Cp) is an adorable Male Harrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Harrier
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 Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. 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 Harrier is 184 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 173 |
| 2014 | 14 | 181 |
| 2015 | 14 | 183 |
| 2016 | 15 | 186 |
| 2017 | 16 | 183 |
| 2018 | 17 | 189 |
| 2019 | 19 | 186 |
| 2020 | 18 | 190 |
| 2021 | 16 | 188 |
Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Harrier
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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Harrier.
6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Harriers.
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.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Harriers
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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Harrier:
| Disease | Doberman Pinscher Rank | Harrier 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 | 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 | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 147 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 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 Harrier
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Harriers?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Harriers?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
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.
Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Harrier
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Harrier?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK 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 Harrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher versus Norfolk Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Bolognese Doberman Pinscher versus Leonberger Doberman Pinscher versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Pomsky Doberman Pinscher versus Clumber Spaniel Doberman Pinscher versus German Longhaired Pointer Doberman Pinscher versus Canaan Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Pyredoodle Doberman Pinscher versus Rottweiler Doberman Pinscher versus Stabyhoun Doberman Pinscher versus Fila Brasileiro Doberman Pinscher versus Black Mouth Cur Doberman Pinscher versus Mastiff Doberman Pinscher versus Pomchi Doberman Pinscher versus Valley Bulldog Doberman Pinscher versus Skye Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Beagle
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Harrier. 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 Harrier better suits you and your family.