So, you’re thinking of getting yourself your very own dog, and the choices might just be between a Labrador and a Doberman. We don’t blame you; they’re both absolutely wonderful dogs to own.
Hi dog parents, I’m Katie. I’m a very proud owner of my very own black Labrador, although that won’t make me biased in any way throughout this article, I promise.
I’ve always had a dog in my life since I was a baby. They’re great companions, and truly are the best additions to a family.
They’ll fast become your best friend. This is especially true for breeds like Labradors and Dobermans.
What You Should Consider When Getting a Dog?
When bringing a new family member into your home, there are tonnes of things that you need to consider. Factors like your lifestyle, home-life and family size.
You see, some dogs need more walks than others. Some dogs need more sleep. Others lose their hair like crazy, and some you need to take them for regular fur cuts.
There are so many considerations, these include:
- How often will you be at home?
- How big is your space?
- What you schedule is like – kids, work etc?
- Costs
Below are some of the important factors, and a detailed comparison between both dogs. Hopefully, this information will help you decide which dog is the right one for you.
Labrador vs Doberman: A Brief Overview
I understand that you might be in a rush. So, here are the points in a brief style. If you want to know any of these factors in more detail, they’re all provided for you, too.
| Factor | Labrador | Doberman |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Coat | Short and dense | Short |
| Temperament | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Trainability | 10/10 | 7/10 |
| Shedding | Yes | Mild |
| Prone to obesity | Yes | No |
| Exercise requirement | Lots | Lots |
Overview of The Doberman
These dogs are powerful, and super energetic. They need a lot of exercise otherwise they might become aggressive.
Don’t worry, apartments are totally fine for them, as long as they are walked and exercised regularly. I will say, a bigger space is much more desirable.
Dobermans will also need obedience training, and socializing from a very early age. This is basically essential for the breed.
If social trained properly, they are definitely friendly with people, being sweet and affectionate. They are super loyal to their owners and would make the perfect family dog.
However, it has been known for some Dobermans to only bond to one person. This sometimes makes them better suited for small families, in big spaces.
Overview of The Labrador
Often Labradors are synonymous with family dogs. They’re very loving and super loyal.
Labradors have been bred to perform well in demanding jobs. That’s exactly why they have such a high amount of energy. They need at least 60 minutes of exercise every single day.
They’re large, and energetic making them better suited to big homes with plenty of areas to exercise in.
Labradors also have that desirable short, waterproof coat. However, this shreds all over, which could be something to consider when looking into buying your dog.
Overall, when trained and raised properly, they have a great temperament and are super intelligent. Perfect for owners or families that might want a “working” dog.
Labrador vs Doberman: The Size Difference?
Both of these adorable dogs are considered large dogs.
With Doberman’s averaging out at about 63 cm in height and 42 kg in weight, and Labradors averaging at about 60 cm in height and 32 kg in weight.
Basically, if you’re on the hunt for a big dog, both of these breeds would be perfect for you.
Dobermans tend to look a lot bigger and leaner, whereas Labradors look cuddlier. This is due to their fur and where the deposit their fat.
Notably, Labradors are notorious for their love for food. It doesn’t matter how much they eat, they’ll always want more. This makes them really susceptible to weight gain.
Trying not to cave into their big puppy eyes is something you should be mindful of. Don’t overfeed them – no matter how much they beg.
Labrador vs Doberman: What are Their Temperament’s Like?
Chances are you’ve narrowed it down to these two breeds because of their amazing temperaments.
Both of these dogs are great with children, adults, and everybody in-between. They’ll stay really loyal to you and your family.
Dobermans sometimes only bond to one person in a family. This could be something to be mindful of when choosing your perfect breed, especially if you have a big family.
Also, Doberman’s can sometimes find other pets intolerable. Meaning, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in the house too might not be the perfect match with them. They tend to be fine with other dogs, though.
Training both Labradors and Dobermans at an early age is essential to making sure they’re a delight to be around.
Labrador vs Doberman: What is Their Life Span
How long will you have your beloved dogs in your house?
They both have life-spans of around 13-14 years. Not as long as we wished they would be, but long enough to bring us joy and grow with a young family.
If you’re looking to carry on their genes for longer, neither of these dogs have any complications when breeding, and will give you a great litter of about 6-9 puppies.
Labrador vs Doberman: Do They Have Health Conditions?
As I mentioned briefly, Labradors are prone to obesity. Their eyes are bigger than their bellies. However, both dogs have certain conditions that you will need to look out for.
Dobermans are prone to:
- Wobbler’s syndrome (a disease of the cervical spine)
- Cervical vertebral instability
Cardiomyopathy- Canine hip dysplasia
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Gastric Torsion
- Osteosarcoma
Labradors are prone to:
- Patellar Luxation
- Canine hip dysplasia
- Eye disorders
- Osteochondritis
- Obesity-related conditions like heart problems and cancer
I haven’t mentioned these to frighten you in any way, it’s just an important set of facts to know. This way, you can jump on any problems as soon as they begin.
Regular health check-ups are vital for any breed.
Labrador vs Doberman: What do They Look Like?
Obviously, you’d be able to spot the difference between the two breeds from a mile away, but they do have some similarities.
For example, the both have folded ears, straight tails, no wrinkles or folds, and a scissor bite.
I don’t know if this will make any sense but compared with one another, Doberman’s are much more athletic looking, giving them that kind of sharp, strong look.
Labradors have a more stuff toy type appearance to them, giving them a cutesier appearance.
Obviously, both are adorable.
Labrador vs Doberman: Their Coats and Grooming Needs
Both Labradors and Dobermans have short hair, the difference is, Labradors have a dense coat, mainly formed by their undercoat which Doberman’s don’t have.
Labradors are waterproof, which is great for families which, for whatever reason, would love a waterproof dog.
This difference in coats means that Labradors need more baths, regular brushing, and trips to a groomer.
Doberman’s don’t shed as much hair, whereas hair will be everywhere if you get a Labrador. This might be something to be mindful of when you consider your furniture, carpet, and space.
The difference in coats, and hereditary factors also means that Labradors are better in cold weather, whereas Doberman’s bask in the heat.
So, what type of climate do you live in? Would your Labrador suffer from heatstroke? Would your Doberman be shivering in the snow?
Labrador vs Doberman: What Are They Like to Train?
Honestly, both Doberman’s or Labradors are amazing dogs to train, both are obedient.
If I have to be picky, Doberman’s a little bit harder to train, and for this reason, don’t make that great of therapy dogs. This is the exact reason why you see Labradors as guide and healing dogs.
That being said, Doberman’s make wonderful guard dogs. In fact, they’re one of the best.
Their headstrong personality, loyalty, and lower temperament will make you feel super safe, no matter where you are.
Both breeds can be trained for their own specific role. Whichever one suits you better is entirely personal to you.
If you are struggling to train your Labrador or Doberman we have created a great article which reviews Brain Training 4 Dogs an amazing programme that can teach your dog amazing tricks!
If you would like to see our review of this click here!
Labrador vs Doberman: What Are The Costs?
To be honest, neither one of these breeds is ridiculously expensive to look after.
They both need nutrition, exercise, health check-ups, toys, and grooming.
The most amount of money spent on both breeds will more than likely sit with the food that you buy.
Labrador vs Doberman: Final Thoughts
This isn’t a competition. I won’t sit here and say there’s a winner.
Firstly, they’re both amazing dogs, both with incredible qualities and the potential to make any home super happy.
Secondly, each dog will suit a type of family better than the other, it’s a very subjective choice.
If you’re looking for a playful, obedient dog that you can cuddle and incorporate into any family, a Labrador would be a great option.
If you’re in search for a strong dog with guarding like qualities. Why not choose a Doberman?
Most of all, I hope you have the best time parenting your dog. They’ll make you ridiculously happy, and provide you memories forever.
