A Detailed Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen.

Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.

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 Lowchen

Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
General Health 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 13 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
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 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 60 to 80 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1910 $2870
Price Range $1100 – $2500 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 79.5 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 15 163

    *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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen

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

  • Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Lowchens get along well with other dogs.
  • Doberman Pinschers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Lowchens are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Lowchens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Lowchens do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen

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

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen

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

    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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Doberman Pinscher Versus the Lowchen

    The Doberman Pinscher has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 they 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 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher Lowchen
    Average Price $1910 $2870
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $1642 to $4500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Lowchen 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.

    The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Lowchen

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Doberman Pinscher

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 12 154
    2014 14 165
    2015 14 161
    2016 15 171
    2017 16 169
    2018 17 168
    2019 19 158
    2020 18 161

    Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Lowchen

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

    Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

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

    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.

    Lowchen Health Problems

    Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen 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 Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen 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 Lowchens for:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Lowchens

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Doberman Pinscher Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Doberman Pinscher ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 562 Doberman Pinschers, 37 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Doberman Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in Doberman Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 1 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 40 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 45 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 53 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 75 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 133 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 147 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Lowchen:

    Disease Doberman Pinscher Rank Lowchen Rank
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems 1 out of 3 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 1 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 26 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 26 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 40 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 45 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 53 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 75 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 133 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 147 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 19 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    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.

    Lowchens 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.

    Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Lowchen

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

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lowchen

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lowchen?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Doberman Pinscher versus American Foxhound     Doberman Pinscher versus Fila Brasileiro     Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Shiba Inu     Doberman Pinscher versus Airedale Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Frenchton     Doberman Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Gordon Setter     Doberman Pinscher versus American Foxhound     Doberman Pinscher versus Bluetick Coonhound     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lowchen versus Saint Bernard     Lowchen versus Lakeland Terrier     Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     Lowchen versus Boxer     Lowchen versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Greyhound     Lowchen versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lowchen versus Irish Terrier     Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.