Is the Doberman Pinscher Better than the Japanese Spitz as a Pet? Answer…

Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz 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 Doberman Pinscher and for the Japanese Spitz. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz.

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

Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Japanese Spitz belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Japanese Spitz 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.

Factor Doberman Pinscher Japanese Spitz
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 10 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 16 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 80 pounds 11 to 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1910 $1600
Price Range $1100 – $2500 $1500 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher 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 Japanese Spitz. 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 a Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125.

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

    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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Japanese Spitzs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Japanese Spitzs get along well with other dogs.
  • Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Japanese Spitzs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz

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

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are very easy to train.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz.

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

    On the other hand, Japanese Spitzs weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Spitzs are 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Japanese Spitz

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Japanese Spitz puppy is $1600. The price of the Japanese Spitz typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of a Japanese Spitz can be as low as $800 and as high as $2200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Japanese Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Japanese Spitz.

    Doberman Pinscher Japanese Spitz
    Average Price $1910 $1600
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $1500 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Japanese Spitz 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz
    Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Spitz?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?

    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.

    Japanese Spitzs 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Japanese Spitz

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

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Spitz?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Spitz?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Japanese Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Spitz

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Spitz?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Doberman Pinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Doberman Pinscher:

  • Rottweiler (68 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs Rottweiler.
  • Schnoodle (67 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs Schnoodle.
  • Neapolitan Mastiff (67 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Spitz vs Neapolitan Mastiff.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Spitz

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Japanese Spitz that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Japanese Spitz:

  • Bergamasco Sheepdog (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs Bergamasco Sheepdog.
  • Bordoodle (81 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs Bordoodle.
  • Dutch Shepherd (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher and how the Japanese Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher and of the Japanese Spitz to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Doberman Pinscher versus Manchester Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Dogo Argentino     Doberman Pinscher versus Shichon     Doberman Pinscher versus Maremma Sheepdog     Doberman Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund     Doberman Pinscher versus Dutch Shepherd     Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel     Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen     Doberman Pinscher versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Doberman Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel     

    Japanese Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Spitz versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Japanese Spitz versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Japanese Spitz versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Japanese Spitz versus Spanish Mastiff     Japanese Spitz versus Sealyham Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Havanese     Japanese Spitz versus Weimaraner     Japanese Spitz versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Japanese Spitz versus Chi-Poo     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Spitz. 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Spitz better suits you and your family.