A Detailed Comparison of the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher.

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Bull Terrier Versus Doberman Pinscher: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier or the Doberman Pinscher.

Bull Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher: Overview

A very important difference between the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bull Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Bull Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher

FactorBull TerrierDoberman Pinscher
Tolerates Cold Weather1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/55/5
Life Span10 to 15 years10 to 13 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Height21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Weight35 to 75 pounds60 to 80 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/51/5
General Health4/51/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT chew on things2/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/55/5
NOT Rambunctious2/53/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/53/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan12.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$1800$1910
Price Range$1300 – $2000$1100 – $2500
Temperament Score91.6 percent79.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Kidney Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)665

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier is 80 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 Bull Terrier. 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher

    Below is a list of where the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are most different:

    • Bull Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Bull Terriers get along well with other dogs. However, Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Bull Terriers 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.
    • Bull Terriers 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.
    • Bull Terriers 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher

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

    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher 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.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are very easy to train.
    • Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bull Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher.

    Bull Terriers weigh 35 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Bull Terriers are 21 to 22 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 Bull Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher

    The lifespan of Bull Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bull Terriers 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.

    Bull Terriers live longer than Doberman Pinschers.

    Temperament of the Bull Terrier Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bull Terrier is 91.6 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 91.6 percent, the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 83 Bull Terriers and 1780 Doberman Pinschers.

    Price of Bull Terrier versus Price of Doberman Pinscher

    The average price of the Bull Terrier puppy is $1800. The price of the Bull Terrier typically ranges from $1300 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 131 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bull Terriers. 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher

    `
    Bull Terrier Doberman Pinscher
    Intelligence Rank 66 out of 130 dog breeds 5 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Bull Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 66 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bull Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bull Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Bull Terrier.

    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.

    Health Problems of Bull Terrier versus Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bull Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Bull Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Bull Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Doberman Pinscher.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bull Terriers and in Doberman Pinschers.

    Bull Terrier Health Problems

    Bull Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bull Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bull Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bull Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bull Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Kidney Disease
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bull Terriers here.

    Doberman Pinscher Health Problems

    Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Doberman Pinschers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bull Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher

    Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bull Terriers shed more than Doberman Pinschers?

    Bull Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Bull Terrier or the Doberman Pinscher

    Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bull Terrier or the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers 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 Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Doberman Pinschers?

    Bull Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Bull Terrier vs. Doberman Pinscher

    Bull Terriers 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 Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bull Terrier or the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Doberman Pinschers?

    Bull Terriers 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 Bull Terriers and Doberman Pinschers?

    Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Is the Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bull Terrier or the Doberman Pinscher?

    Bull Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher better suits you and your family.