How Much Is A Doberman Pinscher Puppy To Buy And Raise?

Doberman puppy prices vary a lot, which can be confusing to new puppy buyers. On average you can expect to pay anything from $1500 to $2500 for an American Doberman Pinscher from a licensed and reputable breeder. A show quality Dobie is nearer to $2500, but anything under $1000 is a red flag. A European Doberman Pinscher is far more expensive and can cost over $3000. But the upfront cost of a new pet is nothing in comparison to what you’ll need to budget for over their lifetime.

The cost of good breeding
Backyard breeders and puppy mills
What about rescue dogs?
The lifetime cost of raising a Doberman

The Cost of Breeding Puppies

First there is the expense of buying a quality female dog who adheres to the breed standard and is from good bloodlines. Along with that, there is the cost of registration fees and show fees if she is a show dog.

Next there are stud fees which is around $500 per attempt for the services of a stud animal along with transportation costs. Genetic health screening tests specific for the Doberman Pinscher are carried out on both breeding stock and puppies, costing breeders around $200 per dog.

Other expenses that a Doberman Pinscher breeder incurs are:

Birthing supplies
Medical costs
Feed, supplements and vitamins for both mother and puppies
Vaccinations and de-worming for puppies
Puppy accessories, e.g. toys, teething rings
Microchipping of puppies
Advertising sale of puppies
Veterinary check-ups for mother and puppies
Registration such as AKC in the USA
C-Section if there are birth complications

So a good, ethical breeder has already spent thousands of dollars on a litter before they are even born.

Optional Expenditures

In the USA, where it is legal, a Doberman Pinscher puppy has their tail docked and dew claws removed between three and five days old. Their ears are cropped no later than nine weeks after the birth. This is an additional expenditure for the breeder if they decide to go ahead with these procedures. So it affects the price of a puppy.

Many people believe there is a profit made from selling puppies. But as you can see, the costs of producing a litter are incredibly high and many breeders are lucky if they break even.

Expensive Puppies Vs Low Price Puppies

An expensive Doberman Pinscher puppy is usually well-bred and healthy with a good temperament. So he will be worth the price you pay. Plus, you are issued a guarantee should there be anything wrong with the animal after you have bought it.

A responsible breeder has a good understanding of genetics to ensure the health and safety of their puppies. If a puppy is sold at a low price, it is highly likely it is not that healthy and may cost you more in the long run with vet bills.

Backyard Breeders

The backyard breeder is easily described as the opposite of a reputable dog breeder and usually has little knowledge or experience.

Their primary goal is to make as much money as possible, paying minimal costs to gain a profit. Most have no interest in the welfare of animals and end up producing poor quality puppies as a result.

These types of breeders usually breed from dogs they already own without considering their history or genetic health issues.

They often charge less than a responsible breeder. Most to take back a puppy if there is something wrong with it. The sale is very much a “sold as seen” type of agreement.

Sometimes a backyard breeder doesn’t deliberately set out to sell puppies but does so when their female dog becomes pregnant.

Puppy Mills

A puppy mill is a large, factory style dog-breeding business that mass-produces puppies of different breeds. The animals live in cramped, unhealthy conditions, usually in cages, having little exercise or socialization with other dogs or humans.

Breeding dogs are repeatedly bred from their whole lives until they are no longer useful. They are then often destroyed.

Puppy mills sell their puppies at a slightly lower price than responsible breeders so they can attract buyers. Many are sold to pet stores unvaccinated and with diseases when they are only six to eight weeks old, or advertised online.

Many people do not wish to pay top dollar for a purebred dog. Unfortunately, when they discover one that is cheaper, they don’t always realize it is a red flag.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. Sadly, many of these dogs develop behavioral or health issues and end up abandoned or euthanized. These places want to make easy money to the detriment of animal welfare.

Doberman Pinscher Rescue

If you love the Doberman Pinscher breed but cannot afford reputable breeder prices, you may wish to consider adopting one from a Doberman rescue center. A shelter will inspect your home, meeting everyone who lives there. They usually requires three references to ensure their dogs are going to the right owners.

The advantages of having a dog from a rescue center are that they are usually house trained as well as fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered before you adopt. They would also have had veterinary examinations along with behavioral assessments, giving you peace of mind.

Often you can choose a puppy, an adult, or a senior dog. You’ll also usually have the option to foster first to see if they are a suitable fit for your family and lifestyle before making the final decision to adopt. You also receive ongoing support from the shelter in case you encounter any problems or for some reason are unable to keep the dog anymore.

When adopting a Doberman, you pay a donation to help support the shelter’s costs which can be anywhere from between $50 to $300.