Last Updated on April 19, 2023
Dobermans (Dobies) are quite a sought-after breed of dog that can fetch a pretty hefty price tag.
These German dogs not only make excellent watchdogs but are also loyal, friendly, and sweet people-loving companions.
While they may have a fierce appearance, they are actually quite an affectionate breed, making them popular with a wide range of households.
If the Doberman Pinscher sounds like the right pooch for you, then you’re probably interested in finding exactly how much one of these dogs will cost.
It’s not only the purchase price of a puppy that you need to consider but all the factors that go into owning a dog, such as vet visits, food, supplies, and more.
In this article, we will look at how much it costs to have a Doberman Pinscher, from buying or rescuing a dog to looking after that pooch in the long run.
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How Much are Doberman Puppies?
Doberman puppies cost anywhere from $1000 to $2500, with prices varying depending on the dog’s quality.
The actual price you will pay for a Doberman puppy can vary significantly, with puppies from show dogs being at the top end of the scale.
Should you buy a puppy or an older dog?
While adopting an older Doberman can be cheaper than buying a puppy, it isn’t common to find them at rescue centers.
You may be lucky enough to find an older dog at a breed-specific rescue organization.
However, the history of these dogs is often unknown, and you will likely not know if your dog has any potential health problems or behavioral issues before you take him home.
Are small Dobies more expensive than large ones?
No, most people who want Dobermans want large, fearsome-looking dogs that make formidable guardians of the home or farm, thus, they are often more sought after than smaller ones.
That said, some breeders do create trendy miniature Dobies through breeding runts and smaller dogs.
These are not to be confused with Miniature Pinschers, an entirely different dog.
This tiny breed was created in Germany by crossing German Pinschers with Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds.
How much is a full-grown Doberman Pinscher?
Dobermans are considered to be fully grown at around two years old.
At this point, male Doberman Pinschers will stand between 26 and 28 inches (66 and 71cm) tall and weigh between 75 and 100 pounds (34 and 45kg).
On the other hand, fully grown females of this breed typically reach a height of between 24 and 26 inches (61 and 66cm) and weigh between 60 and 80 pounds (27 and 36kg).
As breeders typically sell puppies, it can be hard to find a Doberman that is already fully grown.
However, if you do find one at a rescue center, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1000, with these costs covering the shelter’s expenses as well as basic medical care for your pooch.
How Much Does a Doberman Pinscher Cost from a Breeder?
As mentioned, purebred Doberman Pinscher puppies from a breeder typically cost between $1000 and $2500.
Dogs sold for less than $1000 should be avoided as they likely come from puppy mills.
How to find a reputable breeder and avoid puppy mills?
Dogs being sold for less than $1000 or a couple of hundred dollars are inexpensive for a reason.
While the price may seem good, getting a pooch from someone who isn’t a reputable breeder can come with a whole host of problems.
These dogs could be from accidental litters or backyard breeders.
While these people may mean well, they often don’t know how to raise puppies and may skimp on vaccinations, vet visits, and proper health checks.
Even worse, these puppies could come from puppy mills where people just try to breed as many dogs as cheaply as possible with little regard for pedigree, living conditions, and the health of their animals.
These are definitely places you’ll want to avoid, and prices that seem too good to be true likely are.
To help you find a reputable breeder in your area, you can consult the website of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America or get started with the below list.
- Blackjack Dobermans, Chelsea, Alabama
- Ohana Dobermans, Concord, California
- Stedfast Dobes, North Stonington, Connecticut
Adoption Fee for a Rescue Doberman
Adopting a dog rather than purchasing one from a breeder can be very rewarding and save you quite a bit of money.
You can expect to pay as little as $300 or $400 when adopting a Doberman Pinscher.
This money doesn’t go to making a profit but is instead used to cover the expenses incurred by the rescue organization or dog shelter.
These dogs typically would have had complete vet checks done before going off to their new home, may have been spayed or neutered, and will likely be up to date with their vaccinations.
Once again, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America has a curated list of rescue centers they work with where you can find a dog looking for a new home.
Here are a few to get you started.
- Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue, Arizona
- Doberman Pinscher SOS, California
- Saving Dobermankind Animal Rescue, Colorado
Factors Affecting the Price of a Doberman Puppy
As you can see, the exact price that you will pay for a Doberman Pinscher puppy can vary significantly, with various factors having an influence.
These include your puppy’s bloodline, breeder reputation, health checks, age, color, gender, and more.
1. Bloodline and breeder’s reputation
Doberman Pinschers raised simply to be pets are the cheapest puppies with an average price of $1200.
On the other hand, purebred puppies sold by professional breeders to show or breed your dog can go for between $2800 and $5000.
Breeders with a well-known reputation for breeding champion bloodlines will also charge significantly more for their dogs.
You may also need to reserve these puppies for months beforehand as they are likely in high demand.
See what a show Doberman looks like in this video:
2. Registration papers and pedigree
Doberman Shepherds raised as companion animals may or may not come with AKC registration papers.
Those without papers are going to be cheaper than those that come with documentation.
Additionally, Doberman Pinschers that have been specifically raised as guard dogs or working dogs will likely be more expensive.
This is because they have been bred to have a certain temperament and muscle development and likely will have also undergone professional training.
These Dobermans typically fetch upwards of $3000.
3. Health screenings and medical expenses
Most reputable breeders will have taken your dog to their first vet check and had their first set of vaccinations done.
These costs are thus included in the price you pay for your puppy, so you don’t have to worry about them as soon as you bring your dog home.
These dogs are also often less prone to developing health problems later in life as they would have undergone numerous rigorous health screenings.
There are numerous health screenings that the Doberman Pinscher Club of America recommends, including tests for hip dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease, and progressive retinal atrophy.
It is advisable to ask your breeder what medical screenings and expenses are included before purchasing a puppy.
4. Age
As discussed, puppies are more in demand and thus more expensive than older dogs looking for a home. Most puppies will go to their new homes between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks.
Be wary of anyone advertising dogs for sale younger than this as any reputable breeder will not separate puppies from their mother before the first couple of months.
5. Gender
The difference in cost between a female and a male Doberman Pinscher puppy is not big. As these dogs are sought-after watchdogs, sometimes male puppies can fetch a higher price.
Males are also not at risk of falling pregnant and can grow to be bigger dogs which many people looking for a Doberman are after.
6. Coat color and markings
The Doberman’s coat is characterized as being short, close to the body, and easy to clean. These dogs come in two main colors, namely black and chocolate.
Black is the most common coat color and thus the cheapest. Chocolate Doberman puppies tend to fetch about $100 to $200 more.
Be careful of anyone selling rare colored Dobermans, such as spotted or white Dobermans as these dogs are likely not purebred.
Also read: Blue Doberman Dog Breed
7. Others
As discussed, the Doberman is a brave, loyal, and fearless dog known to be a terrific watchdog.
Some breeders will invest in initial training with their puppies to hone these traits from a young age. These dogs are highly sought after and can cost around $300 more.
Initial & Long-Term Costs of Pet Ownership
Aside from the cost of buying or adopting a Doberman, there are some other costs you’ll need to consider to get yourself set up as a new pet owner.
These costs include purchasing essential supplies for your dog, getting him microchipped and ID tagged and buying cleaning items like odor removal spray and shampoo.
You should look at spending at least $200 on these essentials on top of the price you’ll pay for your new dog.
As your pet grows, you will need to budget for a variety of expenses.
There are many costs that pet owners need to consider, among them veterinary bills and medical expenses, toys, entertainment, grooming, food, and essential supplies.
1. Veterinary Fees
You can expect to pay between $500 and $800 at the vet annually, to look after your Doberman Pinscher.
In the first year of your dog’s life, he will need about three visits to the vet for annual vaccinations and checkups.
You’ll also need to budget for regular medications to prevent ticks, fleas, heartworm, and other parasites. These monthly medications will cost between $10 and $20 a month.
You will likely also want to get your pet spayed or neutered which costs between $150 and $500.
Some common health problems associated with the Doberman breed are hip dysplasia and other joint diseases. These can affect mobility but can usually be caught early.
Hypothyroidism is also commonly inherited with Dobermans; however, it can be tested for with a routine blood test.
Treatment for this disease on the other hand can cost you between $350 and $800.
The bleeding illness von Willebrand’s disease is also inherited, and a test on your puppy’s parent dogs will reveal if they are, in fact, carriers of this ailment.
Progressive retinal atrophy, another common problem for Dobies, causes the eye’s retina to detach and can lead to blindness.
Again proper testing can ensure this disease is not passed on between generations.
Some other common ailments in this breed are Dilated Cardiomyopathy which costs between $600 and $2,000 to treat, Wobbler Syndrome which also costs around $500 to $6,000 to rectify, and Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus which costs between $1,500 and $3,000 to surgically fix.
2. Dog Food and Treats
Dobermans have high activity levels and need a good quality, high-protein diet in order to sustain their muscles.
They are also large dogs that eat quite a lot, in fact, they can consume between 25 and 35 pounds of food each month.
This type of food can be quite expensive and you may look at spending around $700 annually on feeding your dog.
Also read: Best Dog Food for Dobermans
3. Dog Grooming Service
Doberman Pinschers do not have high grooming costs.
These dogs do not need to be professionally cut but should have their nails trimmed, teeth and ears cleaned, and a good bath and shampoo every few months.
Getting these services done at a professional groomer will cost around $50 to $60 a session.
4. Pet Insurance Coverage
Pet insurance is an essential safety net that ensures that you can pay for any unexpected medical costs that may crop up.
The cost of pet insurance can vary significantly depending on what it covers but you can look to spend between $40 and $100 a month.
However, this small expense can actually save you a lot of money in the long run.
5. Environmental Maintenance
There are various diseases that can be transmitted from one dog to another through contact with feces, including the deadly parvovirus.
To avoid contact with these sorts of bacteria, you’ll want to keep your environment as clean as possible.
This includes scooping poop and buying stain and odor removal. These supplies will cost between $30 and $110 a month.
6. Chew Toys
Dobermans are strong dogs that need robust and quality chew toys.
These dogs can also assist with jaw and muscle development and prevent your dog from being destructive around the home.
Good quality toys can cost between $50 and $150 a month.
7. Pet Supplies
As you welcome your new puppy, you’ll need to invest in some new supplies to keep him comfortable.
These supplies include essential items like food and water bowls, a bed or cage, and a leash and collar. These essential supplies can cost in the region of $500 to $800.
Estimated Expenses for Owning this Breed
Some additional costs that should be factored in when buying a Doberman are training and daycare.
Basic behavioral courses for your Doberman will cost in the region of $300 to $500 while daycare can cost between $20 and $50 a day and is essential to keep your dog happy and socialized if you are away from home at work the entire day.
Some Doberman owners also decide to get their pet’s ears cropped. This procedure should only be done by a trained professional and can cost between $200 and $700.
Average Monthly Expenses
Owning a Doberman will cost on average between $350 and $670 a month.
The costs, however, will never be as much as in the first month when you had to pay for vaccinations, buy all your pet supplies, and pay for your puppy so as long as you budget correctly you will be able to afford pet ownership.
Annual Yearly Expenses
When you consider all of the above costs you can expect to spend at least $1000 a year on your dog. The majority of this cost will be in food and annual vet visits.
That said, in the first year alone, you could spend around $4000 on your dog when you factor in the expenses of buying your puppy, as well as buying supplies and additional vet visits.
Lifetime Expenses
Dobermans are large dogs with a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years. During the course of your dog’s life, you will likely spend around $21,725 on your dog.
As you can see, pet ownership is a big commitment and investment and not one that should be entered into lightly.
Doberman Pinscher Price Summary
| Doberman Category | Price Range |
| Purebred Puppy | $1000 – $2500 |
| Show-quality Puppy | $3000 – $5000+ |
| First-Year Total Costs | $4000 |
| First-Year Total Costs | $1000 |
| Adopting an older dog | $400 – $1000 |
Are they more expensive than other dog breeds?
Yes, Dobermans are sought-after working and companion dogs because they are known to be loyal and great watchdogs.
Their puppies, therefore, fetch quite a high price and they are also quite expensive to maintain due to the high food costs and training required with this breed.
Conclusion: Should You Buy a Doberman?
While Dobermans are likely not the best dog breed for first-time owners, these beautiful black dogs can make a good companion for someone willing to invest the time and money into training them.
If you are prepared to pay extra for high-quality food and proper training, you will be rewarded with a loyal pooch that will guard you and your home fearlessly.
Do you have a Doberman? Where did you get him and was he worth the price you paid? We would love to hear all about your dog in the comments below.
Janine is an experienced content writer and travel journalist based in Cape, Town, South Africa.
Raised by a bundle of botanists, researchers, and biologists, she is passionate about things related to the animal kingdom, including, our furry friends. However, as a terrible allergy sufferer, she is limited in her pet selection and so has grown up surrounded by curly-haired Poodles.