If you’re thinking about getting a Doberman, one of the first questions you’ll want answered is how much do these German dogs cost.
Well before you even think about purchasing a Doberman puppy, you should do thorough research to learn more about the wonderful breed.
Dobermans are highly intelligent, fiercely loyal and instinctively protective of their masters.
For that reason, not everyone is suited to owning a Doberman.
In this article, we’re going to look at the process of purchasing a Doberman, things to consider, and of course, the price of a Doberman pup.
Before we find out how much a Doberman puppy will set you back, let’s learn a little bit more about these noble dogs.
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What is a Doberman?
A Doberman is a German dog breed that is thought to have been created in the 1880s.
These working dogs are usually medium-sized, ranging from 24 to 28 inches and weighing between 60 and 100 pounds.
Doberman Pinscher are the 17th most popular dog breed in the United States of America, according to the American Kennel Club.
They’re often used by the military and the police given their high intelligence levels and famous obedience.
According to the Intelligence of Dogs, the Doberman is the sixth smartest dog breed in the world behind the Border Collie, the Poodle, the German Shepherd, the Labrador Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog.
Where do Doberman come from?
Dobermans are one of the famous German dog breeds alongside the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler.
They were thought to have been created by a German man called Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in the 1880s.
He was in charge of a dog pound in the German town of Apolda in the 19th century.
In preparation for his next job as a tax collector, Mr Dobermann set about creating a dog breed that would embody qualities such as stamina, strength and intelligence.
Mr Dobermann was thought to have used a number of different breeds to create the first Doberman. These could include Beauceron, German Pinscher, Rottweiler and Weimaraner. Other breeds such as the Greyhound and Manchester Terrier have also been attributed to playing a part in the Doberman breed.
Another German man called Otto Goeller continued Mr Dobermann’s work following the latter’s death. Mr Goeller created the National Doberman Pinscher Club in the 1890s.
Most of the world dropped Pinscher from the breed’s name but the United States of America and Canada still refer to these German dogs as Doberman Pinschers.
The American Kennel Club granted the Doberman Pinscher status in 1908.
How much do Doberman cost?
Red Doberman (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The Doberman is a purebred dog recognised by the American Kennel Club.
As a result, Doberman breeders should be developing these dogs to match both the physical and temperament traits set out in the AKC’s breed standard.
You should seek out a reputable Doberman breeder that is breeding AKC or UKC registered Doberman puppies rather than buying online or in a pet store.
The average price of a Doberman ranges between $1500 and $2500.
The price can fluctuate depending on a number of different factors.
Doberman Planet, who are a great source for information on Dobies, explain:
The average price of a Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder is between $1500 and $2500. Pet quality Dobermans will be closer to $1500, while a show quality Doberman will cost closer to $2500.
Of course, there are a variety of different Doberman colors. Some breeders might charge more or less depending on the color of each Dobie.
If you find a Doberman for sale that costs less than $1000 or more than $3000, you should approach with caution as you could be encountering a scam.
Where do I find a Doberman breeder?
If you want to find a reputable Doberman breeder, your first stop should be the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (or the Doberman club within your country).
The Doberman Pinscher Club of America have a code of ethics that breeders are required to sign up for. By doing so, breeders are agreeing to follow the guidelines set out by the DPCA.
The American organization offer some advice to potential Doberman owners:
Buyers should be certain to check all matters relating to registration, health claims, awards or certificates, Doberman quality (adult, puppy or otherwise), stud/puppy agreements with the breeders, sellers or stud owners before making any decision.
The Doberman Pinscher Club of America have 199 breeders in different states around the USA.
Other Doberman costs
Of course, the price of owning a Doberman doesn’t stop after the initial investment buying your pup.
You’ll have to think about immediate expenses such as dog food, dog crates, dog leashes and harnesses, poo bags.
In the first year of a Doberman’s life, there will be regular trips to the vet for vaccinations and boosters. There’s also preventative medicine to protects against fleas, ticks, lungworm, tapeworm, lyme disease and more.
You’ll have to consider pet insurance for your Doberman to protect against any unforeseen injuries or health conditions.
Some of the additional costs unique to Dobermans include ear cropping.
Although this doesn’t occur in Europe, it’s still commonplace in the USA. Breeders will sometimes do it before sending the puppy to its forever home. Ear cropping will be factored into the price.
Should I buy a Doberman?
Dobermans are smart dogs that can make great family pets.
However, you’ll need to do a lot of research and seriously consider whether they’re the right breed for you and whether you’re the right owner for them.
Dobermans require a lot of socialisation from a young age to get them accustomed to meeting people, dogs and other situations.
The AKC’s breed standard rules that Dobermans shouldn’t be shy or vicious.
A Doberman owner will bring their pup to puppy classes, socialization classes and work on training from a young age to give their dog the best possible chance of success.
Doberman rescue
The DPCA provide some insight into the process of rescuing a Doberman on their website.
Rescue is about finding happy endings for those Dobermans that fall upon hard times. Usually it involves the dog being a ‘foster’ in a volunteer’s home – where they receive necessary medical attention and behavioural evaluation before, hopefully, adoption into a new home – but sometimes Rescue is just about giving advice or assistance with those behavioral or medical issues and the dog then remains in its current home.
There are a number of Doberman rescue organisations throughout the USA, and even more throughout the world.
Doberman to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more about Doberman, you can always follow some members of the breed on Instagram or other social media sites.
This can prove to be a great educational tool as you see the daily experiences of current Doberman owners.
In our experience, people who own dogs on Instagram are more than willing to provide advice and tips.
Here are some Doberman accounts to check out:
The Dobie Team (@thedobieteam) – 115,000 followers
Cairo (@cairothereddoberman)
The Doberman Rescue crew (@amyeiler)
Anything else to consider
As we mentioned above, we don’t recommend purchasing a Doberman or any puppy online, at a pet store or through a third party dealer.
You should always go visit a breeder and ask to see the puppy interact with its mother.
It’s a good idea to ask to health certificates, proof of vet checks and the AKC numbers of the parents.
In Conclusion
Doberman relaxing in the woods (Photo: Adobe Stock)
So there you have it, we’ve reached the end of our article on Doberman price.
Dobie puppies will usually cost between $1500 and $2500. Some Dobermans could cost a little bit more if they’re being bred to be shown at dog shows.
If you see Doberman puppies advertised for less than $1000 or more than $3000, you should be cautious of a potential scam.
Of course, this is just the initial cost as Dobermans – like any dog – will cost a lot more throughout their lives at their forever homes.
