Doberman Pinscher VS Golden Retriever: 19 Differences

One of the breeds is extraverted, goofy, and gentle, whereas another one is protective, reserved, and loyal. Can you guess which is which?

While golden retrievers and Dobermans have many distinctions, they also have some points in common, including high stamina, athleticism, and intelligence.

Choosing a dog based solely on online guides is tricky, so consider visiting kennels and interacting with both breeds to determine which one is a better fit for you personally.

Size & Weight

Golden retrievers are medium to large-sized dogs ranging from 21 to 24 inches in height and weighing 55 to 75 pounds. Females are typically shorter and leaner than males, and American golden retrievers are bulkier than English goldens.

Doberman Pinscher is taller but leaner, ranging from 27 to 29 inches in height and weighing 60 to 70 pounds. They have long necks and sleek, muscular bodies, whereas golden retrievers appear stockier.

Shedding

One of the most significant differences between Dobermans vs. golden retrievers is shedding intensity. Golden retrievers shed year-round but especially intensively in autumn and spring when they blow out their fluffy undercoat in a matter of weeks.

Goldens are among the worst shedding dogs and aren’t the best choice for allergic people. Doberman Pinschers are moderate shedders.

Like all dogs, they shed year-round, but they don’t have seasonal shedding phases, and their fur is less noticeable on clothes, carpets, and furniture because it’s short.

Personality

Golden retrievers are affectionate, loving dogs loyal to their owners and suffer when left alone. They are extroverts and prefer to be in a company. These confident dogs are friendly towards strangers and never aggressive.

Goldens are energetic, playful, and goofy, yet obedient and intelligent. Doberman Pinschers, too, are smart, loyal, and affectionate with the owner. These dogs are very protective of their favorite people and tend to be aloof towards strangers.

Contrary to a popular misconception, Dobermans aren’t born aggressive or dangerous but need proper socialization.

Child-Friendliness

Golden retrievers are among the best dogs for children. A golden and a child can become best buddies and favorite playmates because of the dog’s goofy, affectionate, loving nature.

Golden retrievers are gentle, patient, have soft bites, and don’t often bark, so they are great for kids of all ages, including babies. However, the high energy levels of golden retrievers may lead to accidents, so supervision is essential.

Doberman Pinschers can live with children, but they aren’t the best mix. These dogs aren’t as patient as golden retrievers and may be overprotective.

The child should know how to act around the dog, so they should be old enough to be aware of their actions.

Pet-Friendliness

Golden retrievers want to be friends with everyone. They won’t be aggressive unless another animal begins confrontation and have a low prey drive, so they won’t chase a smaller pet.

Doberman Pinschers can live with other pets if socialized since puppyhood. They typically have no issue with dogs of the opposite sex but may express aggression towards dogs of the same sex.

A properly trained Doberman can even get along with a cat, but these dogs have a high prey drive and may chase smaller pets.

Barking Level

Golden retrievers are moderate barkers. They were bred to retrieve waterfowl, and if they constantly barked, they would scare away all birds. Golden retrievers only use barking as a means of communication when necessary.

Dobermans were bred as guard dogs, so barking is instinctual for them. The good news is that Dobermans can be trained not to bark for no reason.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers are ranked fourth on the most intelligent dog breed list by canine researcher Stanley Coren, followed by Doberman Pinscher in the fifth position.

Both breeds quickly memorize commands, are highly obedient, understand human body language and facial expressions, can effectively communicate their own needs, and have excellent problem-solving skills.

Golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers learn new commands from only five repetitions and obey them with a 95% success rate. The average dog needs 25 to 40 repetitions to memorize a command and obeys it about half of the time.

Common Behavior Problems

Such energetic, intelligent dogs as golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers need regular physical activity and mental stimulation. Otherwise, they may develop behavior problems.

Goldens and Dobermans are prone to separation anxiety which results in destructive chewing, digging, howling, and barking. Sometimes, such behavior is caused by boredom.

Goldens often pull on the leash and jump on people out of excitement. Dobermans, in turn, are prone to aggression towards other animals and strangers if not socialized properly.

Exercise Needs

Golden retrievers aren’t low-maintenance dogs because of their high energy levels. They need at least an hour of exercise daily to prevent the development of health conditions and behavior issues.

Doberman Pinschers are even more challenging because they need at least two hours of physical activity daily. Puppies and old dogs need less exercise.

Grooming Needs

Golden retrievers require daily brushing to get rid of dead fur stuck in the undercoat and prevent tangling and matting. They need to be bathed regularly, but the frequency depends on a particular dog’s lifestyle and season.

Doberman Pinschers only need occasional brushing, so owners can focus on training and exercising the dog. Neither of these breeds needs haircuts.

Lifespan

Golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers have approximately the same life expectancy of 10-13 years, which is standard for purebred medium-sized dogs.

Note that a dog’s lifespan largely depends on its diet, lifestyle, and timely veterinary care. Some goldens and Dobermans are known to live longer than 20 years, but these are exceptions to the rule.

Health Issues

Golden retrievers are prone to specific health conditions because of irresponsible breeding and anatomic peculiarities.

The most common golden retriever health problems include thyroid disorders, hip dysplasia, obesity, cancer, ear infections, skin conditions, progressive retinal atrophy, and seizures.

Dobermans aren’t perfectly healthy either. They are susceptible to hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, gastric torsion, bone cancer, Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD), wobbler syndrome, and chronic active hepatitis.

Some of these diseases can be avoided with genetic screening and a healthy lifestyle, but owners must keep an eye on any abnormalities to provide their pets with timely treatment.

Price

Golden retriever puppies cost more than an average dog because breeders can’t keep up with the demand. The average price of a puppy from a reputable breeder is $1,000-$3,000, but champion bloodline puppies may cost significantly more.

Doberman Pinschers cost $1,000-$2,5000 on average, so they also lie in the higher price range. Show-quality puppies always cost more. Rescue dogs may be available for under $500.

Suitability for Inexperienced Dog Owners

Despite the high-maintenance coat and bursting energy, golden retrievers are among the best breeds for first-time dog owners. They are easy to train and unlikely to be aggressive.

Dobermans, too, are easy to train, but they may be too hard to handle for inexperienced owners. They are overly energetic and can be nasty towards strangers or other pets, so the owner must know how to calm down the dog.

Suitability for Apartments

Golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers aren’t born to spend their lives on a couch. They need plenty of activity, which may be challenging to provide in an apartment setting. However, it isn’t impossible.

If the owner can meet the dog’s physical activity and mental stimulation needs, it can happily live in an apartment. One point to be aware of is that Dobermans can be too barky, leading to arguments with neighbors.

Suitability as Service Dogs

Both golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers make fantastic service dogs. They have all it takes to become a perfect companion for an impaired owner – physical strength, intelligence, obedience, and loyalty.

However, Doberman owners may have to spend more time socializing the dog than golden retriever owners. Golden retrievers also make better emotional support animals because they are friendly with everyone, whereas Dobermans tend to bond with only one person.

Suitability as Guard or Protection Dogs

Dobermans were bred to be guard dogs. They are intelligent, obedient, strong, cautious with strangers, very protective, and have scary barks which they don’t hesitate to use. It’s the best choice if you’re looking for a dog to protect you or your property.

Golden retrievers can be trained to be guard dogs, but they are way too friendly and credulous. A golden retriever may not sense danger until it’s too late.

Suitability as Hunting Dogs

Golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers can both be helpful in hunting with appropriate training. However, they are used in different applications.

Goldens were bred to retrieve waterfowl. They rarely bark, are natural-born swimmers, and have evolved to have a soft bite.

Dobermans are too energetic and barky to retrieve waterfowl but can chase animals because they have a high prey drive.

Rarity

Golden retrievers and Doberman Pinschers are among the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., ranked second and 17th, respectively. They aren’t rare, so finding a puppy is easy.

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