Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
- Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Swedish Vallhund
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Swedish Vallhunds?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund? 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.
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 Swedish Vallhund
Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund is a medium-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 Swedish Vallhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Swedish Vallhund 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 | Swedish Vallhund |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 22 to 35 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $2500 – $2500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 155 |
*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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Swedish Vallhund is a better pet than the Doberman Pinscher. So, you should get the Swedish Vallhund!
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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund
The Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund.
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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Doberman Pinscher.
| Doberman Pinscher | Swedish Vallhund | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1910 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $2500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 147 |
| 2014 | 14 | 158 |
| 2015 | 14 | 155 |
| 2016 | 15 | 163 |
| 2017 | 16 | 149 |
| 2018 | 17 | 169 |
| 2019 | 19 | 159 |
| 2020 | 18 | 147 |
Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Swedish Vallhund.
6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Swedish Vallhunds.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.
Swedish Vallhund Health Problems
Swedish Vallhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Doberman Pinschers and Swedish Vallhunds
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:
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 Swedish Vallhund Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Swedish Vallhund ranks 38 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 217 Swedish Vallhunds, 6 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Swedish Vallhunds, and how common these diseases are in Swedish Vallhunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Doberman Pinscher and in Swedish Vallhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Swedish Vallhund:
| Disease | Doberman Pinscher Rank | Swedish Vallhund 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 | 38 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 133 out of 144 dog breeds | 106 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 147 out of 198 dog breeds | 112 out of 198 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 Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
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.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?
Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Swedish Vallhund
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Swedish Vallhunds?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Swedish Vallhunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Swedish Vallhund?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Swedish Vallhunds 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher and how the Swedish Vallhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher and of the Swedish Vallhund to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Doberman Pinscher versus Boxer Doberman Pinscher versus Golden Cocker Retriever Doberman Pinscher versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Doberman Pinscher versus Chihuahua Doberman Pinscher versus Icelandic Sheepdog Doberman Pinscher versus Bloodhound Doberman Pinscher versus Brussels Griffon Doberman Pinscher versus Tibetan Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Finnish Lapphund Doberman Pinscher versus Chihuahua
Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Swedish Vallhund versus Pug Swedish Vallhund versus American Eskimo Dog Swedish Vallhund versus Silky Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Cesky Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Cavapoo Swedish Vallhund versus Neapolitan Mastiff Swedish Vallhund versus Kooikerhondje Swedish Vallhund versus Dachshund Swedish Vallhund versus Yorkshire Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Irish Setter
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.