Last Updated on February, 2025

Dobermans are natural guard dogs. They are tough, aggressive, and protective. Also known as the Doberman Pinscher, these dogs make excellent family pets. 

Doberman puppies are some of the cutest dogs. When considering the cost of BUYING a Doberman Pinscher or a Doberman Pinscher puppy, you have to consider the various factors that influence the price, allowing you to make an informed purchase regarding the cost. 

Now, you may just want to know, ‘How Much Does a Doberman Cost?’ But to understand the answer to this question, you have to consider the factors upon which the cost rests. 

This BUYER’S GUIDE has all the information you need to understand better how much it can cost to acquire a Doberman. We even provide direction to FREE sources from which you can get your hands on a DOBERMAN.

Further, we even consider the cost of raising a Doberman, which is essential if you consider a Doberman as your NEXT pet. 

The Doberman Pinscher breed is a VERY elegant breed of dog. Let’s learn more about the Doberman to understand better the factors that influence the cost. 

About the Doberman Dog Breed

Doberman Pinschers are known to make EXCELLENT guard dogs. Certain breeds of the Doberman have even served in the Police and MILITARY!

These dogs have some beautiful traits and features. 

Size and Appearance

A purebred dog or even one found at an animal shelter will grow to the same size. They can all have a height of about 24 to 28 inches. 

They are lean and muscular dogs with a thin body that isn’t fluffy; that is right, a Doberman is not a fluffy dog. 

They can weigh between 70 and 100 pounds, which means adult dogs are BIG! These are large dogs, which is why they make such great GUARD DOGS!

These are elegant creatures with regal appearance. They stand tall with long legs and have thin and muscular bodies. 

Depending on the breed type, the Doberman could have erect or floppy ears. However, their pointed muzzle is the same. Some Dobermans also have saggy cheeks. These are excellent breeds that will cost more money. (See, these were the factors we were talking about.) 

Doberman Pinschers come in various colors – black, white, fawn, blue, red, black and rust, blue and rust, red and rust, fawn and rust. 

The blue and red colors are INCREDIBLY rare. If you are after a rare Doberman, contact a reputable Doberman breeder. 

At a size of about half of an adult human, potential Doberman owners should know FAWN is the rarest color of a Doberman Pinscher. 

Lifespan

As a result, breeding dogs often have offspring, which are Dobie puppies with various health conditions. 

It is these health conditions which affect the lifespan of a Doberman. 

Hence it is essential that you consider the source from which you get the puppy. The lifespan of your pet will depend on how good the breeder is. A reputable breeder will produce healthy Doberman Pinscher puppies. 

Apart from a reputable breeder, you can also trust people with pets who have bred offspring. These naturally bred Doberman Pinschers also have a good lifespan due to health genetics and proper feeding and care. 

A Doberman Pinscher breeder will be able to tell you the puppy’s average expected lifespan. You can ask them and reverify; Dobermans live between 10 to 13 years, depending on various factors such as health and genetics. 

Temperament

However, their temperament is usually calm and alert, and these dogs are known to be SMART!

Yes, these are very intelligent dogs, which is why they have been used by Law Enforcement and the MILITARY.

Even a trained Doberman Pinscher can be aggressive toward strangers. This is a very protective dog breed with a very protective personality and temperament. 

Known to be aggressive when untrained, obedience training is an essential requirement for any adult dog. Doberman Pinschers are BETTER when adequately trained. Hence, training is a crucial aspect of temperament management with this dog.

Types of Dog Breeds 

The Doberman has two main variants, the American Doberman and the European Doberman. 

The American Doberman has a slimmer and more streamlined body, while the European Doberman has a more muscular body with a deep chest. 

Apart from these two main variants, it is worth noting that this dog was bred through various other breeds to get to the Doberman Pinscher.

This means a Doberman Pinscher is a mixture of a Rottweiler, German pinscher, Great Dane, German shepherd dog, Manchester terrier, and English greyhound shorthaired shepherd.

Apart from the two main variants, there are various types of Dobermans based on color, as mentioned. 

Black, white, fawn, blue, red, black and rust, blue and rust, red and rust, fawn and rust.

These are all variances in color, not breed; the breed is still the Doberman Pinscher, either American or European. 

Obviously, the American variant was bred in America, while the European variant was bred in Europe. 

How Much Does a Doberman Cost?

The cost of a Doberman Pinscher is dependent on a host of factors. We will discuss these factors in the NEXT section of this article. 

So how much does a Doberman cost? 

Doberman Pinscher Dog

Though you may be able to find a Doberman Pinscher at a lower cost, you should make it a point to ensure that you can TRUST the source. 

Doberman Pinscher Puppy

Always trust a reputable breeder. Reputable Doberman breeders rely on ethical standards of breeding. Like reliable pet owners, a reputable breeder will treat the breeding dogs well and ensure the puppies are in good health. 

Trusting a reputable breeder means getting better genetics, so it is the SAFEST to source from a reputable Doberman Pinscher breeder. 

Though the cost of buying a puppy from a puppy mill may be lower, puppy mills are known to breed unhealthy puppies. Do not trust a puppy mill unless you want to buy a SICK puppy!

Factors That Affect the Cost of a Doberman Pinscher

When considering the Doberman cost, you must understand why there is such a price difference. Primarily, the price difference is due to the class of the breed. 

With a pet Doberman Pinscher costing less than a show Doberman Pinscher, the breeder’s reputation will also influence the price. A reputable breeder can cost more than one that no one has ever heard of. 

Hence, the source from which you acquired the Doberman Pinscher puppy or dog will significantly affect the cost. 

With a puppy costing slightly less (occasionally), an adult dog from a well-recognized source will cost more. For instance, buying a Doberman puppy from an uptown pet store may cost more than purchasing a Doberman puppy from a family online. 

The source through which you hope to acquire the Doberman puppy will bravely influence the Doberman cost. 

The Doberman Pinscher breed also influences the cost. A European Doberman can often cost more than an American Doberman. While American Dobermans can go as high as $2500, a European can cost more than $3000.

Hence, the variant within the breed will also play a determinant factor in the cost. 

A backyard breeder will cost you considerably less than buying from a pet store. 

With an adult Doberman costing more, the cost is also affected by the color and rarity of the dog. The more rare the color, the more costly the dog. With some colors, such as the fawn being as rare as they are, a rare fawn Doberman Pinscher can easily cost you more than $4000. 

When owning a Doberman Pinscher, you have to consider the factors that affect the cost. 

Owning a Doberman can be more cost-effective if sourced through a pet owner. Let’s look into greater detail about where you can get a Doberman Pinscher. 

Where to Buy a Doberman Pinscher Dog?

When it comes to owning a Doberman Pinscher and the factors that affect the cost, where you get your Doberman puppy will determine how much the Doberman will cost. 

Hence, it is IMPORTANT that you understand the various sources through which you can acquire a Doberman Pinscher. 

Rescue Puppy

Now if you don’t want to spend any money and aren’t too fussed about a specific color, you could try getting a Doberman Puppy from an animal rescue. 

This is the first place to look when trying to get your hands on a Doberman. Check with every animal shelter in your locality to see if they have any Doberman puppies or dogs up for adoption. 

Who knows, maybe you could adopt a Doberman puppy at absolutely NO COST!

Rescuing a puppy can be a very rewarding thing. These animal shelters have limited space, and you would be doing a GREAT thing by giving a puppy or dog a NEW HOME!

So rescuing a Doberman puppy is the most cost-friendly means to get your hands on a Doberman puppy.

The Doberman Pinscher price doesn’t matter if you are LUCKY enough to find a puppy at a rescue. These shelters don’t charge you much to adopt a pet. You may incur a nominal processing fee, nothing compared to the thousands of dollars you would have to pay to BUY a Doberman puppy.

Breeders

If sourcing straight from a breeder, though it may cost you quite a bit of money, you can ask and inquire about specific colors. 

For instance, if you are looking to source a fawn Doberman Pinscher, the rarest type, then inquiring with a reputable breeder is the best possible way to find one. 

You will unlikely see rare types of the Doberman Pinscher for sale everywhere. Hence, in such cases, you will have to approach breeders. 

There are two types of breeders, those that are responsible and others that are not. Responsible breeders will use ethical standards, which include caring for and feeding parent dogs to ensure healthy puppies. These are the breeders you can trust. 

On the other hand, you have other breeders who run puppy mills. Obvious to state, due to unhealthy feeding and caring habits, the puppies bred are not in the BEST health. 

It is essential that you consider the health of the puppy when picking breeders. 

Though you can trust backyard breeders and people with pets who have bred offspring, you have to be CAREFUL. Backyard breeders do not GUARANTEE healthy offspring. Your most RELIABLE and TRUSTABLE source when looking for a Doberman puppy is a reputable breeder. 

It would not be difficult to get your hands on a list of reputable breeders in your locality. Just ask a pet shop; they will provide you with guidance. Otherwise, try searching online.

Online Website (Eg: Craigslist)

Websites like Craigslist are also great places to search for Doberman dogs and puppies. 

You can just about find anything online these days. Simply doing a Google search with your location and the tag ‘Dobermans for sale’ will bring back a host of leads from which you can source a Doberman dog or Doberman Pinscher puppies. 

The Doberman Pinscher price is lower on the internet, and you may be able to find a cheap source from which you can acquire a Doberman. 

However, the Doberman Pinscher price may be a warning. It is essential that you ensure that you can trust the source when buying online. 

Hence, it is essential that you ask all the questions from the seller. Do not hesitate to inquire about the breeder, the breeding dogs, the health of the parents, etc. The more questions you ask, the better. Ensure you trust the source because online sellers can be fronts for puppy mills. 

Finding a rare Doberman breed may be easier by relying on the internet. Simply leaving a Facebook post looking for a rare Doberman for sale may return with a lead that will direct you towards your next PET!

If the seller is a dog owner who bred the puppies at home, it is a trustworthy source. You want to avoid buyers who either say they don’t know the breeder or where the puppies were bred. This is vital information you must consider before buying a Doberman online. 

Steps to Adopt a Doberman Dog 

Adopting a Doberman dog isn’t difficult. What is difficult is finding a Doberman dog that is up for adoption. 

You can search to find Dobermans up for adoption in animal shelters, animal rescues, and, yes, online. Sometimes families have puppies and don’t want to sell them but instead put them up for adoption.

Hence, if you are LUCKY to find a Doberman up for adoption, you should most certainly consider bringing the Doberman home. 

The process and steps involved are simple. After you have located a Doberman up for adoption, speak to an animal shelter near you, which can register the pet under your name. 

Registration

All you have to do is place yourself as the dog’s legal owner. This registration process involves filling in and signing the adoption papers. These papers (dog licenses) are similar to the American Kennel Club (AKC) registration. 

Once you have filled in the paperwork and signed it, you will become the dog’s legal owner and would have effectively adopted the pup. 

Now, all that is left is to bring the dog home. 

The registration process is simple; however, you will need your basic information, and it is best to keep a copy of your ID or driving license. 

If you have adopted a Doberman from a person or family other than an animal shelter, speak to the closest animal shelter to carry forward the formality of pet registration so you can acquire a dog license.

Cost of Raising a Doberman Dog

Now that you have considered bringing a Doberman home, you have to consider the costs of raising a Doberman. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with the general cost guidelines to ensure that you are capable of adequately caring for a Doberman. 

Pet insurance, hiring a dog sitter, vet visits, high-quality dog food, hiring a dog walker, and dog supplies all cost money. Even if you don’t need a dog walker, you will still have to consider training costs to understand better how much a Doberman could cost.

Here is a breakdown of costs to help you better understand the cost of owning a Doberman. 

Meals

Considering at the puppy stage, a Doberman costs less to feed; you would still be looking to spend around $100 monthly to feed a Doberman puppy. 

Though you can consider low-cost dog food, these types of dog food aren’t the best for feeding a Doberman. The better a Doberman is fed, the better health it will be in.

Health and Vet Visitation

Vet visits can cost money, which is why it is crucial that you get some form of pet health insurance. Pet insurance can cost between $100 to $300 a year. Though it is a long-term cost, it is a worthwhile cost. 

Ear cropping, for instance, will require treatment by a vet. Hence when you consider Doberman ownership, you have to consider the cost of healthcare. Doberman ownership is made easier by simply investing in insurance.

This way, your pet is safeguarded against health problems, and you are protected from the costs of unexpected treatment (vet bills). 

What if your Doberman gets Von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder common in Dobermans? Ensuring that you have healthcare accessible for your pet is vital to ensure the proper well-being of your pet. 

Ideally, you should look at about three vet visits a year, which can cost you a few hundred dollars. The insurance only costs a few hundred dollars; hence, it makes more sense to consider insurance instead of paying for health problems (cost of owning a Doberman). 

Health problems can be common, and there is a good chance that your dog will catch something or the other in its lifespan. Hence, to protect your dog’s life, it is essential that you provide it access to frequent vet visitations and proper healthcare.

Grooming

Like all dogs, grooming is an essential part of well-being. Dobermans are social creatures who have to be cared for. 

Though you are more than capable of offsetting these costs by grooming your dog at home, if you choose to get your Doberman professionally groomed, it could cost you about $100 per visit. 

Since grooming can be a weekly thing, the cost of grooming can add up pretty fast. 

If you choose to groom your dog at home, all you will need is some good quality dog shampoo and supplies, and you will be good to go. 

Professional groomers can even cost more than $100 per visit, depending on the location and reputation of the groomer. 

Dogs bred as show dogs require more attention than those bred as pets. Hence, if you have a show-quality Doberman, it may benefit from being properly groomed, in which case, you may have to consider the costs of professional grooming. 

The average cost of grooming will vary based on your choices. 

Training

These courses have recently gained a great deal of popularity. Often developed by reputed dog trainers, these courses work to decrease the cost of training your Doberman. 

A senior dog will benefit from being properly trained. Hence, it is crucial that you consider the cost of training a Doberman. 

Dobermans are intelligent dogs and can take instructions very well. Compared to other dogs, you would have an EASIER time training a Doberman than most other dog breeds. 

Rely on a good online dog training program like “Holly and Hugo Online Courses.” This way, you can save money and train your doggo friend effectively yourself.

Overall Annual Expenses

Food expenses, the cost of dog walkers, and the average cost of training all impact the yearly cost of owning a Doberman. 

All in all, you could spend about $2000 (yearly cost). However, this figure is an estimate considering high-quality dog food, with the cost of health care, grooming, and self-training. 

The training costs are NOT considered in this annual expense, as stated. If you consider the cost of training, a professional trainer will cost you around $2000 for the training of your dog to basic commands and action. 

Training tools dog owners must have for their dogs:

• Top rated GPS dog fence
• Top rated dog crates
• Top rated dog GPS trackers
• Top rated dog bark collars
• Top rated shock collars

Other Dog Breeds Pricing Guides:

• German Shepherd Cost
• Weimaraner Cost

Final Thoughts

Dobermans are elegant dogs with some beautiful features and traits. 

When considering puppy prices, you must consider the puppy’s source. At the end of the day, puppy prices will be lower at puppy mills, but you may end up with a sick puppy. 

This BUYER’S GUIDE was intended to provide you with the information necessary to understand better the costs of acquiring a Doberman and raising one. 

We hope you have a good idea of the costs involved when considering a Doberman as a Pet. Dobermans are an EXPENSIVE breed of dog known to make AMAZING pets!

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