American vs. European Doberman: They Differences (With Pictures)

The Doberman Pinscher has been a popular breed among households for decades now. However, many people don’t realize that there are actually two different types of Doberman Pinschers: the American Doberman and the European Doberman. These dogs look alike, but there are a few features that can help you easily tell them apart by sight. There are also personality and temperament differences to take note of. Let’s compare the American and European Doberman Pinschers right here!

Visual Differences

At a Glance

American Doberman Pinscher Overview

The American Doberman Pinscher is a loyal dog that loves to please their human companions. American Dobermans are active and require at least 1 hour of exercise each day to stay happy and healthy, but they also enjoy lounging around the house, especially when they have somewhere cozy to sleep, like the couch.

This is a dog that tends to stay on alert so they can protect their family members, but when well trained, they get along in social situations and don’t mind peacefully interacting with people and animals outside of the family home. These dogs get along great with children, as they tend to be a little goofy and love playing games.

Training  

The American Doberman Pinscher requires training to be a good family dog. Fortunately, these intelligent dogs take extremely well to obedience training. If started early, training can have a Doberman Pinscher ready to follow commands no matter what type of home or social situation they happen to be in. These dogs can and should start obedience training when they first go home with their owner for the first time. American Dobermans also tend to take well to agility training. This type of training helps build strong bones and muscles and ensures that Doberman Pinschers stay fit and healthy throughout their lives.

Grooming 

American Doberman Pinschers don’t require much grooming because they do a good job of keeping themselves clean. Their short coats don’t harbor dirt like longer coats do, and they only need brushing occasionally to keep their coats looking clean and shiny. They should get enough outdoor exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed. They rarely need baths.

Exercise

These dogs were bred to work, so they are athletic and yearn to move their bodies. They need at least 1 hour of exercise each day to stay fit, happy, and healthy for a lifetime. These dogs can easily do 2 or more hours of exercise each day if given the opportunity. Effective forms of exercise include agility training, walking, hiking, jogging, and fetch. Puzzle games, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek are acceptable types of occasional exercise if getting outside is not possible. 

Suitable for:

These dogs are suitable for families and adults who are willing to commit to regular training and daily exercise. Their loyalty and protective nature will help keep the house protected, and their goofiness will help keep the kids occupied. With proper training and care, they can be excellent adventure partners while hiking, camping, or driving cross-country.

European Doberman Pinscher Overview

European Doberman Pinschers are like American Doberman Pinschers but with a few important distinctions. First, this breed of Doberman is still bred as a working dog, while American Dobermans are more commonly bred as show dogs and pets. Therefore, they tend to have more stamina and drive. They are also usually more physically protective of their companions than the American variety.

These dogs are commonly trained as guard dogs and have been enlisted to work with the military in various capacities. They are naturally good at protecting large properties and human companions. Therefore, they are not as easily adaptable to a quiet family home life. They are not typically as sociable as American Doberman Pinschers either.

Training

It is essential to train the European Doberman Pinscher early. Most pups can start obedience training as early as 8 weeks old. Extensive obedience training should take place before considering the adoption of any other kinds of training. Only once complete obedience has been achieved should protection or guard training take place. Like the American Doberman, this dog is excellent at agility activities, and such training can provide some of the exercise that they need as time goes on.

Grooming

European Doberman Pinschers have the same type of coat as American Doberman have. Therefore, they require little grooming throughout their lives. Regular brushing is fine, but otherwise, this breed will take care of most of their grooming needs. An exception is if a European Doberman has the opportunity to adventure in dirt and mud, in which case, they might need a bath afterward.

Exercise

European Doberman Pinschers need more exercise than the American breed due to their intense working instincts. While the American Doberman Pinscher should get at least 1 hour of exercise each day, this breed of Doberman should get at least 2 hours. Without adequate exercise, these dogs can get bored, destructive, and even aggressive. A couple of long walks each day will do the trick, but these dogs also enjoy hiking, playing fetch, and running around in the yard, just like American Doberman Pinschers do.

Suitable for:

These dogs are most suitable for country and farm life, where they have plenty of room to exercise and there are many jobs that they can do. They are also suitable for people looking to train a guard or protection dog. If well trained from a young age, they can get along in a family environment, but everyone in the household should know how to manage control of the dog.

Physical Differences Between the Two Breeds

The first visual difference between the American Doberman and the European Doberman is their size. The European Doberman Pinscher tends to be a bit taller and bulkier than the American Doberman, albeit only slightly. The European Doberman stands at 29 inches tall, while the American Doberman is about an inch shorter. European Dobermans are usually about 5 pounds heavier too.

European Doberman Pinschers are typically more muscular than the American version, especially in the neck and chest areas, so they don’t look quite as thin. While the coat colors of both Doberman versions are the same, the European’s coat is thought to be “brighter” and more vibrant,” while the American’s coat is “dull” or “washed out” in contrast.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a family pet that is loyal and sociable, the American Doberman Pinscher is probably the best option to consider. If you want an intelligent companion that can be trained as a protection or guard dog, the European Doberman Pinscher might be right for you. The truth is that both dogs can be trained as wonderful family pets or as protection dogs, but the American version is bred more as a pet, while the European version is bred more for working and protection.

See also:

• Maltese vs Lhasa Apso: Key Differences & Similarities
• Coton de Tulear vs Maltese: Key Differences & Similarities

Featured Image Credit: (L) 1790316, Pixabay | (R) elis aksenova, Shutterstock