Doberman Pinscher vs Sarplaninac

A Doberman Pinscher
Photo: Stonda
A Sarplaninac
Photo: Sakal33

Side by side

Doberman Pinscher
Sarplaninac
Adult weight
Males 40–45 kg (88–99 lb); females 32–35 kg (71–77 lb)1
Males 35–45 kg (77–99 lb); females 30–40 kg (66–88 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 11.2 years3
No sourced figure
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids1
Pinschers & molossoids2
Coat
Short coat1
Long coat2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
Plenty
A moderate amount
Health
Underactive thyroid (far more likely); Bone cancer (much more likely)5,6
No sourced figure
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog

Which suits you

Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Doberman Pinscher sheds through the year, the Sarplaninac moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Sarplaninac needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Doberman Pinscher needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Doberman Pinscher, and a moderate amount with the Sarplaninac.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Doberman Pinscher: a lap or leaning dog; Sarplaninac: likes its own space) and on independence (Doberman Pinscher: keen to work with you; Sarplaninac: decides for itself).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 38 kg (84 lb) for the Doberman Pinscher and 38 kg (83 lb) for the Sarplaninac.
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Doberman Pinscher
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

In temperament the Doberman is alert, energetic and quick to learn, closely attached to its household and typically reserved with strangers.

Sarplaninac
Pinschers & molossoids · Large

In temperament it is calm and devoted to its own people and animals but distinctly wary of strangers, and it readily defends its ground. It is also independent-minded.

The Doberman Pinscher page →The Sarplaninac page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Doberman Pinscher
Sarplaninac
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Needs daily brain work
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Doberman Pinscher
Sarplaninac
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Decides for itself
Around the home
Doberman Pinscher
Sarplaninac
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 38 kg.
Doberman Pinscher
Sarplaninac
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More comparisons

Compare the Doberman Pinscher with
Doberman Pinscher vs German ShepherdDoberman Pinscher vs RottweilerDoberman Pinscher vs German PinscherBelgian Malinois vs Doberman PinscherBeauceron vs Doberman PinscherDoberman Pinscher vs Great DaneAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·