Doberman Prices in 2023: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

With their roots tracing back to Germany, Doberman Pinschers have earned a reputation as a gracefully agile breed celebrated for their extraordinary trainability. These vigilant guard dogs possess robust protective instincts while also being capable of immense affection, making them excellent companions.

However, Dobermans also tend to be on the more expensive side. Here, we’ll explore the exact Doberman prices in 2023, as well as all the expenses associated with owning this German-native dog. Before diving into the costs, let’s first quickly explore some of their key characteristics. They can help us understand why Dobermans cost as much as they do.

Key Doberman Characteristics

Doberman Pinschers were trained as police dogs in 19th-century Germany and later used as combat dogs in the Second World War. This should tell you a lot about this courageous, intelligent, and highly trainable breed, as well as the potential cost of purchasing a Doberman. Here are some other key characteristics of this breed.

How Much Does a Doberman Puppy Cost?

A Doberman puppy might cost a bit more than an adult or a senior dog, but the price will vary based on where you get it. If you’re purchasing a Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect the price to range between $1000 and $2500. The price of pet-quality Dobermans will be closer to $1500, while show-quality Dobermans will cost closer to $2500. However, some people decide to get Dobermans from other sources that are typically cheaper. Let’s explore all available options and the different prices below.

Doberman Prices: From A Reputable Breeder

As you might expect, buying a Doberman from a reputable breeder is the most expensive option. However, that doesn’t mean you should immediately rule it out, as it’s super important to trust the source you’re getting your puppy from. This can help ensure you get a pup that’s both mentally and physically healthy.

Responsible breeders will follow important breeding rules, treat their dogs well, and ensure the puppies are happy and healthy. Just like responsible pet owners, these breeders are kind and ethical in their practices. This can lead to lower costs of owning a Doberman in the long run, especially in terms of medical expenses.

As mentioned, a Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder can cost anywhere between $1000 and $2500, or about $1750 on average. Even so, the exact price can further vary based on many different factors. For example, Dobermans with detailed family histories and official papers could be even more expensive, ranging from $1200 to $2800 for regular lineage and up to $5000 for top-quality purebred Dobermans bought from respected breeding places.

Doberman Prices: Puppy Mills

The cost of buying a Doberman from a puppy mill will likely be lower, typically ranging between $300 and $600. However, while the initial price is more affordable, there’s a high chance you’ll face higher recurring expenses in the long run — especially since puppy mills are known to breed unhealthy puppies. They often breed and keep dogs in inhumane conditions, so you may need to invest more money into regular vet check-ups or proper medical treatment for your pup later down the line.

Also, if you don’t want to support puppy mills, which are (in)famous for the cruel treatment of dogs, then don’t even look for them. The price of those puppies is lower, but the conditions in which they are born may not always benefit their health and future life.

Doberman Prices: Rescue and Adoption

Adopting a Doberman is on the cheaper side, with prices varying between $300 and $800. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to adopt a Doberman for free! However, keep in mind that most dogs in shelters are around one and a half to three years old, so you may not be able to get a puppy.

Also, while adopting does come with lower initial costs, it also often entails certain risks and uncertainties. For example, shelters may not be able to tell you much about a dog’s history, so, just like with puppy mills, you may be surprised to learn that your pup has certain health conditions further down the line. With that said, adopting can be very rewarding and we encourage you to consider it.

If you do decide to adopt, you can expect responsible rescue groups to ask you lots of questions. Don’t worry; they’re just making sure that the dog is going to a good home, and that both you and your chosen Doby will be happy together for a long time.

Alternatively, you may also be able to find Dobermans in pet stores or through online ads. Such dogs will generally be cheaper than the ones bought from well-known breeders, but often come without any official papers. Make sure to consider if having those could be important later.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Doberman

While we did our best to provide accurate estimates above, the cost of purchasing a Doberman will vary based on many factors. These factors include:

• Type — American or European Doberman;
• Family background and genes;
• Breed category;
• Various colors like black, blue, fawn, white, red and rust, blue and rust, black and rust, fawn and rust;
• Age: puppy or adult;
• Gender: male or female.

American vs. European Doberman

As mentioned above, the type of Doberman you choose will also affect the price. European Dobermans are usually more expensive than American ones and can cost around or over $3000. American Dobermans, on the other hand, usually cost up to $2500, making them at least $500 cheaper.

This is so simply because European Dobermans are less common in the U.S. If you’re buying a Doberman in Europe, however, you can expect the prices to be reversed, with American Dobermans likely being a bit pricier.

Puppy vs. Adult Doberman

A Doberman puppy might be a bit more expensive than an adult dog, but where you get them also matters. As mentioned, a dog from a well-known place will cost more than one from a less reputable source. For instance, a dog from a backyard breeder is usually cheaper than one from a pet store.

On top of that, puppies may need some initial medical attention that’s not necessary with older dogs. For example, they may require spaying or neutering and a whole array of different vaccinations. These expenses can quickly add up to a pretty large sum — which you’ll need to pay on top of the initial purchasing price.

So, in terms of the costs, there’s no real reason to choose puppies over older dogs. Older dogs can, of course, require more extensive medical care if they’ve already developed some health problems. However, these expenses are to be expected with puppies too, just a bit further down the line. All dogs become more susceptible to health issues as they age.

Different Colors

The cost of purchasing a Doberman is also influenced by their color and how rare it is. The general rule of thumb is that the rarer the color, the more expensive the dog. For example, a very rare color like fawn may increase the price of a Doberman to over $4000.

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Doberman

Budget planning is important for pet owners, especially when it comes to maintaining their pet’s health or covering unexpected medical expenses. The cost of taking care of a Doberman’s health will differ depending on where you live and the healthcare plan you choose, but we’ll give you some ballpark estimates below.

Common Health Issues

Dobermans, like many dog breeds, can experience certain health issues as they age, but they’re generally of great health. Common health problems include hip issues, eye diseases, and stomach disorders. It’s essential to learn about these conditions, especially bloat, which can be serious.

Some of these issues, like parasites and ticks, can be prevented with regular vet visits. You can expect to spend between $50 and $250 pet a vet check-up, and you may need to pay more if your dog needs special treatment or medicine. With that said, Dobermans are a healthy and robust breed that rarely requires special care.

Even so, you’ll still need to keep up with vaccinations and deworming. If you include neutering or spaying, these expenses can add up to around $650. Microchipping, which is important for finding your dog if they get lost, is around $50-$75.

• Regular vet visit: $50-$250 (per visit)
• Vaccinations: $115-$250 (grand total for the first year)
• Microchipping: $50-$75 (one-time cost)
• Miscellaneous vet expenses: $100 (annually)
• Spay/Neuter: $150-$400 (one-time cost)
• Yearly veterinary service and medication total estimate: $415-$1000

Cost of Food and Supplies for Doberman

By now, you probably realize that getting a Doberman won’t be cheap, and the food will only further increase the costs of owning one. Dobermans are active and need a lot of protein, so your dog food expenses could add up to $350-$800 yearly. Of course, the exact cost will greatly depend on the quality of the food you get, as well as how much your pup eats.

An average Doberman puppy eats about 25 pounds of dry food per month, which can cost between $30 and $40. Adults eat more, around 35 pounds per month, which will cost between $30 and $70. Higher-quality food will likely be even pricier; these are conservative estimates.

Also, you may decide to feed your pup fresh food, which will surely cost even more. You may also want to buy them some treats; if not for anything else, then for training. Healthy treats are unfortunately not cheap, with small 10-ounce bags costing around $15 on average. You should budget for this cost, too.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Doberman?

The cost of insuring your Doberman will vary on several factors. Most commonly, it will depend on what the insurance covers, your pet’s age, and your location. On average, though, you can expect it to cost between $50 and $100 per month.

Pet insurance is an extra expense, but a useful one. It will help you pay unexpected vet bills and give you peace of mind — and that’s priceless. However, if you still decide against insuring your Doby, consider creating a dedicated emergency fund and putting some money aside each month. You’ll sleep more peacefully knowing you can help your pup in case of an emergency.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Doberman?

The price of Doberman training will also depend on several factors, including the training type, trainer’s skills (and/or reputation), and your location. It’s always best to start training your pup while they’re still young; preferably, in their first year. Puppy classes are great for teaching basic obedience and socialization. Average programs will last for a few weeks and usually cost between $100 to $300.

Older dogs can, however, also benefit from basic obedience classes that cover commands like sit, stay heel, and recall. These classes might cost between $150 to $500, depending on the duration and location.

Some trainers also offer board and train programs where your Doberman stays with the trainer for an intensive training period. As you can imagine, these programs can be quite expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 or more for several weeks of training. On the flip side, they may offer more tangible benefits and long-term results than less intense programs.

Alternatively, you can choose to train your Doberman yourself using books or online resources, such as training videos. This option can be cost-effective and provide a great opportunity to bond with your pup. However, it will require significant time and effort on your part. Try to objectively assess whether you can invest as much time as you’ll need to see some results.

Miscellaneous Expenses

You can expect the first year of getting your pup to be the most expensive one, as you’ll probably need to purchase a lot of additional “equipment” for your Doby. You’ll likely need to spend $200 to $800 on just the essential stuff, such as a cage, bed, bowls, and leashes. Of course, you may be able to save a few pennies if you already have some of these essentials, or if you can get them from friends and family.

But there are also some additional things you may need to purchase on a more regular basis, such as every month or every year. The list below should include all such expenses, together with those that are more one-time:

• Shampoo
• Leash/collar
• Poop bags, wipes
• Toys, games
• Dog treats
• Grooming tools (e.g., brushes, nail clippers)
• First-aid supplies (e.g., antibacterial cream)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Dog crate, bed, car seat/sofa covers
• Food and water bowls
• I.D. tag
• Urine odor removal spray
• Fun items (e.g., costumes, doggy decorations for parties)
• Camera monitoring (optional, recommended for safety)

Dog Care Services and Equipment

While Dobermans are generally low-maintenance in terms of grooming, some regular care is beneficial to keep them in good shape. Daily grooming will keep their coat shiny, while bathing doesn’t have to be as frequent. In general, it’s recommended to bathe Dobermans every six to eight weeks.

Monthly nail trimming, regular teeth brushing, and cleaning the ears every few days are all recommended and important activities for your pup. Your vet can demonstrate how to do it properly to prevent damage and address any potential problems. This is a cost-effective option, as you can find the necessary grooming tools and products for a pretty low price online.

If, however, you want a professional dog groomer to style your Doby while you drink coffee, you can expect to pay approximately $60. Finally, you may also need to pay someone to occasionally (or more regularly) watch or walk your dog. These expenses can also add up quickly.

• Daycare (full day, five times a week): $5,000
• Dog walking: $20 per session (frequency depends on personal need)
• Professional dog grooming: $60 per session

Summary of Doberman Prices in 2023

If you’re getting a Doberman puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to spend over $3,000 in the first year. This is a conservative estimate; it assumes you’ll be able to find alternatives that are on the cheaper side. It includes the cost of purchasing your pup, mandatory expenses, such as those related to dog food, as well as semi-optional expenses, such as investing in a basic training course.

With that said, the expenses in the first year of getting your pup will be the highest. That’s when you’ll probably need to cover the most medical expenses, as well as equip your pup with all the necessary supplies, such as bowls and leashes. So, the good news is that you probably won’t need to spend as much money in the following years, assuming that your pup will be in good health and won’t need extensive medical care.