If you love the Doberman Pinscher but want a dog that has a different trait, there are other dogs that look like Dobermans you can choose from.
The Doberman is an intelligent, cautious, and persistently devoted guard dog who can also make a good companion.
Different Doberman dogs tend to exhibit distinct characteristics according to how their human owners train and care for them.
However, they are generally likable and athletic, with minor signs of occasional stubbornness.
You may love the overall physical appearance of this breed but may want traits that are pretty different from the ones it possesses.
Here’s a list containing brief details of the dogs that are similar to Dobermans.
Some of these Doberman lookalikes appear as if they are offsprings of the Doberman but with different personalities.
Adorable Dogs That Look Like Dobermans
1. German Pinscher
- Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
- Weight: 25 to 45 pounds
- Height: 17 to 20 inches
- Features: Medium-sized, athletic square structure, short coat
- Country of Origin: Germany
German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog breed that has recorded a persistent increase in its population since its recognition by the American Kennel Club in 2003.
It looks similar to the Doberman from the shape of its face to its ears, legs, coat color, and are both traced back to the same country of origin.
Its origin was traced back to a Ratter named dog who was known to have guarded farmhouses in Germany around the 15th century.
Its existence was made known to United States breeders in the 1980s and the Pinscher Club of America began years after.
Deutscher Pinscher is a very playful, confident, devoted, and cautious dog that can make a good companion if bred right.
They have high energy and require regular exercise sessions in a big fenced environment.
Early socialization is important also to be familiar with the area and be able to keep their impulse under control.
2. Beauceron
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 66 to 100 pounds
- Height: 24 to 28 inches
- Features: Short double-layered coat, dropping or upright ears,
- Country of Origin: France
Beauce sheepdog as nicknamed is a French breed used for herding sheep and cattle in the western part of Europe.
Its existence dates back to centuries and has existed alongside its long coat breed version.
The Beauceron possesses a similar appearance as the Doberman. They are strong, devoted, and gentle.
Their guarding instinct makes them quite hostile to strangers and is not at all shy like the Doberman breed.
Although an intelligent breed, their mental and physical abilities take time to advance. Hence, training should be done with time rather than rushed.
This sheepdog is however a very helpful breed, always enthusiastic about learning, and can be good helpers around the farm.
They are also able to survive harsh weather conditions and make great friendly pets.
3. Miniature Pinscher
- Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
- Weight: 7 to 11 pounds
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Features: Small size, smooth coat, well built
- Country of Origin: Germany
Nicknamed Min Pin, the Miniature Pinscher is one of the small dogs that look like Dobermans.
Documentation for this breed started about 200 years back, although they’re speculated to be amongst one the oldest dog breeds in the world.
Notably, the Miniature Pinscher Club of America has been in existence since the year 1929.
Min Pins are characterized as self-dependent, active, and full of energy.
Although a smaller-sized breed compared to the Doberman, they tend to live longer than the latter, which may interest you to get them as a close substitute.
You may just have to get them well trained so they can be less stubborn.
They are easy to groom having a short coat that needs less brushing.
However, they are sensitive to cold weather and must be paid attention to during this time.
4. Jagdterrier
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 17 to 22 pounds
- Height: 13 to 16 inches
- Features: Medium size, often short tail, coarse coat
- Country of Origin: Germany
The Jagdterrier is an intelligent and highly adaptable working dog breed.
This breed with an intense prey drive is used for chasing boars, rabbits as well a tracking wounded games like a bear.
Jadgterrier is not only great at hunting but also versatile and willing to please or impress its human companion, making it one great choice for lots of hunters.
5. English Toy Terrier
- Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
- Weight: 6 to 8 pounds
- Height: 10 to 12 inches
- Features: Almond eyes, small size, candlelight shaped ear
- Country of Origin: England
The English Toy Terrier is a small-sized dog breed that belongs to the group of toy dogs.
It is a loyal and rare breed classified as a vulnerable canine.
It has a striking resemblance to the Doberman’s similar square-shaped body and long legs.
Having such a breed is having a lap dog that is well suited for apartment living and good with children, provided they exhibit a gentle and respectful personality.
These canines do not enjoy playing rough.
If you need a Doberman lookalike with a great companion personality, minimal grooming requirements, with the ability to survive harsh climatic conditions, then this breed might just be the one to steal your heart.
6. Australian Kelpie
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 29 to 42 pounds
- Height: 15 to 20 inches
- Features: Double layered coat, medium size
- Country of Origin: Australia
Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog breed primarily used to gather and walk livestock over a long distance.
It possesses similar physical features as the Doberman and exists in two variants; the working Kelpies and the show Kelpies.
Neither of both Kelpie variants is recognized by the American Kennel Club.
However, Kelpies are generally recognized and allowed into competitions by the United Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club.
Barb, as the Australian Kelpie is nicknamed, is intelligent, complies with training, and is good with kids, other dogs, and pets.
They enjoy being active with lots of exercises to help stimulate them. Else they can become unruly, displaying signs through digging and excessive barking.
Barbs are prone to mild health issues, easy to groom, and adaptable to harsh weather conditions.
The Australian Kelpie might be one of the best substitutes if you’re looking for a dog that looks like a Doberman.
7. Black and Tan Coonhound
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Weight: 40 to 75 pounds
- Height: 21 to 27 inches
- Features: Brown eyes, long ears, short coat
- Country of Origin: United States
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed whose raccoon hunting ability is solely dependent on its scent detection.
It is a Doberman lookalike breed, having similar physical features which include its black and tan color markings.
They are stubborn, athletic, and are independent in nature.
However, they make excellent apartment companions with their friendly nature with other dogs and pets.
Although they require above average grooming need as they drool a lot and may need their faces cleaned often, they shed less and bark when necessary.
8. Prague Ratter
- Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
- Weight: 3.3 to 7.7 pounds
- Height: 7 to 9.1 inches
- Features: Small size, upright ear
- Country of Origin: Czech Republic
This breed often mistaken for a chihuahua due to its small size is classified as a toy breed and happens to have certain resemblances to the Doberman breed.
Also known as Prazsky Krysarik, it is a very intelligent, obedient, and loyal breed that responds well to training.
However, they might require early socialization to avoid the “small pup syndrome” that makes them act aggressively.
Prazsky possesses a properly developed sense of smell, backed up with a high prey drive that makes it always ready to go after rodents and other very small animals.
It is independent, quite confident, and requires less grooming attention and this may be a good reason to adopt a Prague Ratter.
9. Indian Kanni Dog
- Lifespan: 14 to 16 years
- Weight: 35 to 49 pounds
- Height: 25 to 29 inches
- Features: Medium-sized, dropping ears, partially curved tail, short coat
- Country of Origin: India
The Indian Kanni dog breed, also known as the maiden beastmaster, is undoubtedly among the dogs that look like Dobermans from the similar face it possesses.
They are known for their shy nature that can be defensive of their home and human family.
They have a gentle attitude, devoted, and are very easy to train but can act as independent canines during scent hounding.
This rare breed is known to have been in existence in a region called South Tamilnadu.
Indian Kanni was originally bred for hunting hares, and their excellent scenthound skills make it very easy for them.
They feed on grains and other nonvegetable-related meals. Urban life isn’t suited for this breed as they love space and free territory.
This breed can withstand hot weather conditions and is very easy to groom.
FAQs
What are the two types of Doberman?
The two types of Doberman are the European Doberman and the American Doberman. Both variants have distinct features.
Is Beauceron a Doberman?
These two breeds are extremely different having different origins and functions, although their looks can be mistaken for each other.
Both breeds possess similar active nature, size, and strength. While the Beauceron is known to be a sheepdog with a France origin, the Doberman has German history.
What is Warlock Doberman?
Warlock Doberman is a phrase used to refer to a good Doberman. It revolves around a myth of a very famous American Doberman named Ch Borong the Warlock used by lots of breeders to breed their females.
Over 25 American Kennel Club recognized breeds are said to have come from this male Doberman who lived from January 1955 to August 1966.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the list of dogs that look like Dobermans with diverse temperaments and behavior with striking resemblances.
Lots of persons may love the Pinscher’s appearance yet want a smaller size breed, a less hairy breed that does not shed, or even a pup that’s not aggressive.
Some of the above-mentioned breeds can meet your requirements while maintaining the Doberman looks.
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