Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Dobermann |  German Shorthaired Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Germany | Germany |
| Group | Working | Gundog |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Coat | Short, smooth, close lying coat | Short |
| Weight | 32 to 45 kg | 20 to 32 kg |
| Height | 63 to 72 cm | 58 to 64 cm |
| Lifespan | 10 to 13 yrs | 12 to 14 yrs |
| Exercise need | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Barking | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with children | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Trainability | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Prey drive | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Copes alone | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Drool | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Shedding | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Flat fit | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Running cost | €218 / month | €74 / month |
Dobermann verdict
A sleek, devoted guardian with a famously soft heart that needs a confident, present owner.
Get one if
- · Confident, experienced owners who enjoy structured training
- · Active households able to provide an hour or more of daily exercise
- · People wanting a dog that lives closely indoors as part of the family
Think again if
- · Owners wanting an outdoor only guard dog kept apart from the family
- · First time owners unwilling to commit to consistent reward based training
- · Households using harsh or forceful training methods
German Shorthaired Pointer verdict
The athlete who never sleeps in
Get one if
- · Runners, hikers and genuinely outdoorsy people
- · Active families with time for two hours of daily exercise
- · Owners interested in gundog work, canicross or dog sports
Think again if
- · Sedentary households or fair-weather walkers
- · Homes empty for long working days
- · Owners wanting a calm, low-exercise companion