Which is Better Between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher?

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American Foxhound Versus Doberman Pinscher: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Foxhound and for the Doberman Pinscher. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Foxhound or the Doberman Pinscher.

American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher: Overview

A very important difference between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Foxhound is a medium-sized dog while the Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Foxhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound to the Doberman Pinscher based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher

FactorAmerican FoxhoundDoberman Pinscher
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Life Span12 to 13 years10 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Easygoing4/51/5
Easy To Train2/55/5
Height21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Weight40 to 60 pounds60 to 80 pounds
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Dog Friendly5/51/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
General Health5/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan12.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$460$1910
Price Range$400 – $500$1100 – $2500
Temperament Score100.0 percent79.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)465

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Foxhound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Doberman Pinscher. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Foxhound is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the American Foxhound. So, you should get the Doberman Pinscher!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher

    Below is a list of where the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are most different:

    • American Foxhounds do not have the tendency to drool. However, Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
    • American Foxhounds are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Doberman Pinschers are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • American Foxhounds are not easy to train. However, Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
    • American Foxhounds can tolerate cold weather. However, Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • American Foxhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • American Foxhounds get along well with other dogs. However, Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
    • American Foxhounds are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Doberman Pinschers have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • American Foxhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher

    The American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are most similar:

    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are very easy to groom.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher.

    American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Doberman Pinschers weigh 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Doberman Pinschers are 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher

    The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Doberman Pinschers is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Doberman Pinschers is 11.5 years.

    American Foxhounds live longer than Doberman Pinschers.

    Temperament of the American Foxhound Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The American Foxhound has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 2 American Foxhounds and 1780 Doberman Pinschers.

    Price of American Foxhound versus Price of Doberman Pinscher

    The average price of the American Foxhound puppy is $460. The price of the American Foxhound typically ranges from $400 – $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 American Foxhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the American Foxhound.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Foxhound and Doberman Pinscher. For different price points, the charts show how many American Foxhound puppies or how many Doberman Pinscher puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Foxhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Foxhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Foxhound puppy or the Doberman Pinscher puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the American Foxhound versus the Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher

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    American Foxhound Doberman Pinscher
    Intelligence Rank 46 out of 130 dog breeds 5 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the American Foxhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Foxhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Foxhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Doberman Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 5 out of 130 dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Doberman Pinschers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more intelligent than the American Foxhound.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher

    American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Foxhounds shed more than Doberman Pinschers?

    American Foxhounds shed moderately.

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the Doberman Pinscher

    American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about Doberman Pinschers?

    American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. Doberman Pinscher

    American Foxhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Foxhound or the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about Doberman Pinschers?

    American Foxhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Foxhounds and Doberman Pinschers?

    American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Foxhound or the Doberman Pinscher?

    American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Foxhound versus Doberman Pinscher. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Foxhound and the Doberman Pinscher better suits you and your family.