DogsIndia Logo
     

 


            Dobermann - Breed Standard (American)

General Appearance:

The appearance is that of a dog of medium size, with a body that is square. Compactly built,
muscular and powerful, for great endurance and speed. Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage,
reflecting great nobility and temperament. Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and
obedient.

Size, Proportion, Substance:

Height: at the withers: Dogs - 26 to 28 inches, ideal about 27� inches. Bitches - 24 to 26 inches,
ideal about 25� inches. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the
withers, equaling the length measured horizontally from the forechest to the rear projection of the
upper thigh. Length of head, neck and legs in proportion to length and depth of body.

Head:

Long and dry, resembling a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. When seen from the
front, the head widens gradually toward the base of the ears in a practically unbroken line.
Eyes: almond shaped, moderately deep set, with vigorous, energetic expression. Iris, of uniform
color, ranging from medium to darkest brown in black dogs; in reds, blues, and fawns the color of
the iris blends with that of the markings, the darkest shade being preferable in every case.
Ears: normally cropped and carried erect. The upper attachment of the ear, when held erect, is on a
level with the top of the skull.
Top of skull: flat, turning with slight stop to bridge of muzzle, with muzzle line extending parallel to
top line of skull. Cheeks flat and muscular.
Nose: solid black on black dogs, dark brown on red ones, dark gray on blue ones, dark tan on
fawns. Lips lying close to jaws. Jaws full and powerful, well filled under the eyes.
Teeth: strongly developed and white. Lower incisors upright and touching inside of upper
incisors a true scissors bite. 42 correctly placed teeth, 22 in the lower, 20 in the upper
jaw. Distemper teeth shall not be penalized.
Disqualifying Faults: Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch. Undershot more than 1/8 of an
inch. Four or more missing teeth.

Neck, Topline, Body:

Neck: proudly carried, well muscled and dry. Well arched, with nape of neck widening gradually
toward body. Length of neck proportioned to body and head.
Withers: pronounced and forming the highest point of the body. Back short, firm, of sufficient
width, and muscular at the loins, extending in a straight line from withers to the slightly rounded
croup.
Chest: broad with forechest well defined. Ribs - well sprung from the spine, but flattened in lower
end to permit elbow clearance.
Brisket: reaching deep to the elbow. Belly - well tucked up, extending in a curved line from the
brisket. Loins - wide and muscled.
Hips: broad and in proportion to body, breadth of hips being approximately equal to breadth of
body at rib cage and shoulders.
Tail: docked at approximately second joint, appears to be a continuation of the spine, and is
carried only slightly above the horizontal when the dog is alert.

Forequarters:

Shoulder Blade: sloping forward and downward at a 45-degree angle to the ground meets the
upper arm at an angle of 90 degrees. Length of shoulder blade and upper arm are equal. Height
from elbow to withers approximately equals height from ground to elbow.
Legs: seen from front and side, perfectly straight and parallel to each other from elbow to pastern;
muscled and sinewy, with heavy bone. In normal pose and when gaiting, the elbows lie close to the
brisket.
Pasterns: firm and almost perpendicular to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet: well arched, compact, and catlike, turning neither in nor out.

Hindquarters:

The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters.
Hip Bone: falls away from spinal column at an angle of about 30 degrees, producing a slightly
rounded, well filled-out croup.
Upper Shanks: at right angles to the hip bones, are long, wide, and well muscled on both sides of
thigh, with clearly defined stifles. Upper and lower shanks are of equal length. While the dog is at
rest, hock to heel is perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the legs are straight, parallel
to each other, and wide enough apart to fit in with a properly built body. Dewclaws, if any, are
generally removed.
Cat feet: as on front legs, turning neither in nor out.

Coat:

Smooth-haired, short, hard, thick and close lying. Invisible gray undercoat on neck permissible.

Color and Markings:

Allowed Colors: Black, red, blue, and fawn (Isabella).
Markings: Rust, sharply defined, appearing above each eye and on muzzle, throat and forechest,
on all legs and feet, and below tail. White patch on chest, not exceeding � square inch,
permissible.
Disqualifying Fault: Dogs not of an allowed color.

Gait:

Free, balanced, and vigorous, with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the
hindquarters. When trotting, there is strong rear-action drive. Each rear leg moves in line with the
foreleg on the same side. Rear and front legs are thrown neither in nor out. Back remains strong
and firm. When moving at a fast trot, a properly built dog will single-track.

Temperament:

Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. The judge shall dismiss from the
ring any shy or vicious Doberman.
Shyness: A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks
away from the judge; if it fears an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and unusual noises
to a marked degree.
Viciousness: A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either the judge or its handler, is definitely
vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed viciousness.


Faults:

The foregoing description is that of the ideal Doberman Pinscher. Any deviation from the above
described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch, undershot more than 1/8 of an inch. Four or more missing
teeth. Dogs not of an allowed color.