Difference between Doberman and Rottweiler

Difference between Doberman and Rottweiler.Some dog breeds have very similar physical and behavioral characteristics, making it difficult to distinguish them at first glance. A clear example is the Doberman and the Rottweiler: they are dogs with very notable physical power and a marked personality, but by carrying out a detailed analysis of both, differences can also be established.

Difference between Doberman and Rottweiler

Taking into account the importance of knowing the breed of a dog, or its mix of breeds, when adopting it to be completely aware of its needs and be prepared for its care, it is essential that you know what each one is like to distinguish them. and better outline the health care that you may need more specifically. If you are curious, if you have a Doberman and Rottweiler mix at home or if you have a dog of one of these two breeds, continue reading this unCOMO article and discover the difference between Doberman and Rottweiler and the physical and behavioral characteristics of both. .

Index

1. Main differences between Doberman and Rottweiler
2. What is a Doberman like?
3. What is a Rottweiler like?
4. Is the Rottweiler or Doberman better for guard duty?

Main differences between Doberman and Rottweiler

What is the difference between a Rottweiler and a Doberman? Despite the physical and temperamental similarities between the Doberman and the Rottweiler, the following differences between the two breeds can be established:

• Body:the Doberman has a slim body while the Rottweiler is more robust, with a more imposing appearance.
• Height:The Doberman is taller than the Rottweiler. It even surpasses other dogs considered large.
• Eyes:the Doberman has elongated oval-shaped eyes that are black or brown (depending on the tone of the hair). On the other hand, those of the Rottweiler are dark brown and almond-shaped or rounded.
• Coat:both breeds have thick, smooth and short coats, although in the case of the Rottweiler there are some that have some parts (mainly neck and tail) with slightly longer fur, but without being even semi-long or medium. Furthermore, the Rottweiler accepted as an official breed is always black with tan (golden brown) spots. For its part, the Doberman can also present these colors in the same way, but it can also have a completely black coat or a brown coat with tan spots.
• Lips:the Rottweiler’s lips are more droopy, but both breeds have pigmented and firm lips.
• Head:the Doberman has a thin and elongated skull, while the Rottweiler has a more robust and short head.
• Nose:It is wide in both breeds, but brown or black in the Doberman and always black in the Rottweiler.
• Trotting:the Doberman has an agile and elegant movement. For its part, the Rottweiler moves by trotting and with greater agitation, as it is heavier and more robust.
• Ears:they are actually quite similar and are bent forward or a little to the sides, but the Rottweiler has them somewhat shorter. In both cases they have ears of the dominant color of the coat, mostly black or possibly brown in the case of brown and tan Dobermans.
• Tail:the Doberman’s tail is thinner and longer and the Rottweiler’s tail is long but wider, especially at the base. Both breeds had their tails and ears trimmed for aesthetics and when used in dog fighting. Today it is still done in many places for both reasons, but luckily in many places it has already been modified by law and ear and tail trimming or other modifications not made for animal health reasons have been prohibited.

What is a Doberman like?

Knowing the physical characteristics of the Doberman will help you distinguish this breed from the Rottweiler. According to the FCI ⁽¹⁾ , it is a dog with a muscular and strong body. He has a height that ranges between 68 cm and 72 cm, with an approximate weight of 35-45 kg.

The Doberman’s skull is wedge-shaped, with a wide black or brown nose. Their bite is scissors and their lips are brown or black. The shape of its eyes is oval and the iris is brown or black (depending on the tone of the coat). In addition, he has ears that fall towards his cheeks. As for the coat, the Doberman’s is smooth, short and dense. It can have two colors: totally black and tan or chocolate or reddish brown with some tan spots.

The behavior of the Doberman is also important to analyze to understand the breed in depth. It is an obedient and loyal dog whose behavior is really good. He requires education from a puppy, but his good temperament makes him respond perfectly to what he is taught through positive reinforcement. He combines great intelligence with remarkable activity and agility. With some basic guidelines and avoiding shouting or punishment, you will ensure that your Doberman has excellent behavior.

Here you can learn some tips on How to train a Doberman and How to care for a Doberman . Also, below you can watch a video about this breed to learn a little more about it.

What is a Rottweiler like?

Delving into the physical characteristics of the Rottweiler also makes it easier to distinguish it from the Doberman. According to the FCI ⁽²⁾ , it is a robust dog with very powerful muscles. He has an average height of 63 to 68 cm and an approximate weight of 40 to 60 kg.

The Rottweiler’s head is medium-sized with an always black nose. Her lips are firm and black and she has a scissor bite. The eyes are dark brown and almond-shaped or somewhat rounded. In addition, it has triangular ears that fall forward. The fur of this furry dog ​​is hard and thick, with a predominant black color and tan markings on different parts of the body such as the chest, neck, face and legs.

The behavior of the Rottweiler differentiates it from the Doberman and other breeds due to its firm temperament, which makes it an ideal dog for surveillance and protection tasks. It is said that it has a behavior with aggressive tendencies and unpredictable attacks, but this is a legend, it is not a trait of the breed (neither this nor the Doberman, nor the pit bulls, nor the German shepherds or others that have been labeled with this stigma). With education and socialization from a puppy, these situations are prevented from happening, although we must always keep in mind that if the dog finds itself in a dangerous situation, it will first try to flee, but if it cannot, it will defend itself, like any animal.

The protective and surveillance instinct of the Rottweiler gives it the qualities to be an excellent guard dog, but these characteristics do not prevent it from being affectionate and faithful towards its family.