There are multiple facets of the Doberman Pinscher price. Doberman Pinschers can be pricey—not only to acquire them, but also to keep them happy and healthy.
If you are thinking about adding a Dobie to your family, this article will help you determine if you can afford the Doberman Pinscher price tag.
We will cover what Doberman Pinscher price to expect from a reputable breeder—and why you should avoid buying a cheap Doberman.
We will also explore Doberman rescue, as well as the yearly cost of Doberman health care.
Is a Doberman Right For You?
Your first consideration is whether the Doberman Pinscher breed is a good match for your lifestyle.
Dobermans are undeniably beautiful dogs, but they are not for everybody.
Understanding the Doberman Pinscher Temperament
Doberman Pinschers are energetic and athletic—especially when they are young. They may calm down in their golden years, but if you own a young Doberman, you must provide plenty of daily exercise.
Dobermans make excellent companions for avid walkers, hikers and joggers.
Doberman Pinschers are highly intelligent and they thrive with constant training and mental stimulation.
They are loyal, and they can be protective, so they need diligent socialization to prevent this trait from getting out of hand.
Dobies make outstanding competitors in canine sports such as obedience, agility, nosework, rally, and more.
If you are looking for a smart and energetic exercise companion, a Doberman Pinscher could be the perfect pet for you.
If you want to learn more about Doberman Pinscher temperament, check out this article for additional information about Doberman Pinscher personality traits.
How Much Does a Doberman Cost? The Price of a Doberman Pinscher Puppy from a Reputable Breeder
If you work with a high-quality breeder, expect the Doberman Pinscher puppy price range to be between $1500 and $2500.
“Pet quality” Dobermans will be closer to $1500 and “show quality” Dobermans will be towards the higher end of the spectrum.
Champion bloodlines or European bloodlines can be even higher than $2500.
Why You Should Avoid Cheap Doberman Pinscher Puppies
Be very wary if you see a Doberman Pinscher puppy for sale for less than $1000.
Contrary to what you might assume, a cheap Doberman puppy is not a bargain.
If you purchase a very inexpensive Doberman Pinscher puppy, you are probably acquiring a dog from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill.
These types of breeding operations do not screen for health issues or undesirable temperament traits (such as aggression).
If you think you are getting a bargain, you will probably end up paying higher costs later for medical bills or behavioral modification.
It is worthwhile to invest the extra time and money to make sure that your Doberman comes from a good breeder.
Buyer Beware: Albino Dobermans and “Designer Dobies”
The Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) strongly cautions buyers against paying more money for a White Doberman.
White Doberman Pinschers (also called albinos or partial albinos) were created by inbreeding. They are prone to blindness, deafness, and numerous other health concerns.
The DPCA issued this statement regarding White Dobermans: “The DPCA strongly opposes the breeding of Dobermans by those who do so without regard for the dog’s health and welfare which includes, without limitation, breeders who breed albino Dobermans.”
Likewise, responsible breeders also recommend avoiding “Designer Dobermans” such as “King” or “Warlock” Dobermans.
These extra-large Doberman Pinschers are produced with questionable breeding practices.
Whenever an animal is bred for a single physical trait, health and temperament invariably suffer as a result.
How Much Does a Miniature Pinscher Cost?
The AKC does not recognize any kind of miniature Doberman Pinscher variety. However, there is a distinct breed called a Miniature Pinscher.
A Min Pin is not a mini Doberman Pinscher. A Miniature Pinscher is a completely separate breed.
Min Pins are fun and feisty little dogs. They are part of the Toy Group.
Miniature Pinschers can cost anywhere between $1000 and $6000 depending on the breeder and the bloodline.
How to Find a Good Doberman Pinscher Breeder
It is important to take your time to find the best possible Doberman Pinscher breeder.
You can contact the DPCA for a referral for a high-quality breeder in your state or region.
However, the club cannot guarantee the quality of any breeder, so you will still need to do your own research to make sure the breeder is ethical.
Plan a Visit to the Breeder
The most important thing to do is to make arrangements to visit the breeder in person. This is the only way to make sure that your Doberman comes from a responsible breeder.
When you visit the breeder, you can meet the breeding dogs, view health records, view the results of health screenings, and see paperwork documenting AKC registration.
A good breeder will be happy to have you visit. They will most likely want the chance to meet you and ask you questions as well. If a breeder does not allow you to visit, this is a major red flag that you may be dealing with an unscrupulous breeder.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
The Cost of Adopting a Doberman Pinscher from a Rescue Group or an Animal Shelter
If you love the Doberman Pinscher breed, but you are looking for a way to save some money, adoption or rescue might be the perfect solution for you.
There are many perks of adopting a dog. First of all, you get to save a life, which is extremely fulfilling.
If you do not have the time to exercise and train a puppy, adoption is an excellent way to find an adult or senior Dobie that might be a better fit for your household’s activity level.
Finally, adoption is much more cost-effective than buying from a breeder.
How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Doberman?
Adoption fees vary depending on the organization, but they are usually between $100 and $300.
The adoption fee almost always covers basic veterinary care such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, and heartworm testing.
Visit your local animal shelter or humane society to put an application on file for an adoptable Doberman.
You can also check out the DPCA’s rescue page to find a list of rescue groups that specialize in the breed.
You can also find available Dobermans through online resources such as Facebook, Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com, and Getyourpet.com.
The Yearly Cost of Doberman Pinscher Care
The annual cost of dog ownership can be pretty expensive, especially if you own a large breed dog such as a Doberman.
In this section, we will break down the annual cost of Doberman Pinscher's care.
The Cost of Feeding a Doberman Pinscher
Talk with your vet about the best nutrition for your Doberman Pinscher.
Your vet will likely recommend a high-quality (i.e. expensive) brand of dog food that provides excellent nutrition for a high-energy working breed.
Feeding your Doberman an excellent diet will probably cost around $50 a month, or roughly $600 per year.
The Cost of Training Your Doberman
Obedience classes are a big investment, but they are worth the cost.
This is especially true for such a large, imposing breed like a Doberman.
It is imperative that your dog is well trained and well socialized.
If you get your dog as a puppy, you should sign up for a puppy socialization class. This will cost between $100 and $200 for a couple of sessions, and it is the best way for your puppy to learn crucial social skills.
After that, you can continue with basic obedience classes, and you can even graduate to advanced classes!
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
The Cost of Doberman Grooming
Luckily, this is a breed that requires very little grooming.
Most owners can bathe and brush their Dobermans at home to save money.
If you are not comfortable trimming nails, you might have to pay a professional to this a few times a year, but it only costs about $20.
The Cost of Doberman Veterinary Care
Without a doubt, one of your largest yearly expenses will be veterinary care for your Doberman Pinscher.
Routine Care
Like all dogs, your Dobie will need to visit the vet at least once a year for an annual checkup and vaccinations. The cost of an annual wellness visit can cost anywhere between $150 and $400.
You will also need to budget about $50 per month, or $600 per year, for monthly flea, tick and heartworm preventatives.
Medications are dosed by weight, so any type of medication such as antibiotics or joint supplements will be more expensive for a Doberman than for smaller breeds.
Emergency Care
Dobermans are prone to some health conditions that can be extremely expensive to treat.
Talk with your vet about the warning signs of the following conditions:
- Bloat
- Hip Dysplasia
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (heart condition)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease (clotting disorder)
- Hypothyroidism
Treatment for these conditions can easily exceed $1000.
You may want to discuss the option of pet health insurance with your veterinarian to see if it would make sense for your Doberman.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Conclusion: Can You Afford a Doberman?
When you are deciding to bring a new pet into your family, it is important to take many things into consideration—including the financial responsibility.
As we have seen, Doberman Pinschers can be very expensive to obtain from high-quality breeders.
Adoption is an excellent way to keep costs more manageable.
However, still make sure that you can provide ongoing care for your Doberman’s whole life. With luck, your Doberman Pinscher will be your constant companion for 11 or 12 happy years.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.
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