Dobermann

General Information - Dobermann

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History

The Dobermann is named after its creator Louis Dobermann. Dobermann was a German tax collector who also ran the local animal shelter in his area. A skilled breeder, he set out to create a medium-sized working dog that would accompany and protect him during the day on his travels. Most educated guesses suggest that crosses of the Rottweiler, the German Pinscher, the Manchester terrier and perhaps the Greyhound were used to perfect the breed by 1899. At first the breed was unpopular with most dog fanciers but did catch the eye of those interested in a medium-sized security dog. Further refinements were made and the breed was officially recognised in Germany and then shortly after in America in 1908. Americans are credited with developing the handsome and reliable Doberman we know today. The breed thrives well in both city and country if he is provided with daily exercise.

Temperament

The Dobermann is a highly energetic, intelligent dog breed. Initially suspicious of strangers, the Dobermann is a capable watchdog. Loyal, adventurous, likes a mental challenge. The Dobermann can be domineering.

Upkeep

This is an active breed that needs daily mental and physical exercise, least it becomes frustrated or destructive. Its exercise requirements can be met with a long jog or walk on leash, or a strenuous run in a safe area. The Dobermann can live outside in temperate climates, but it is a much better companion and effective guardian if it shares its human’s home. Coat care is minimal.

Dobermann

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Dobermann

General Appearance: Medium size, muscular and elegant, with well set body. Of proud carriage, compact and tough. Capable of great speed.

Characteristics: Intelligent and firm of character, loyal and obedient.

Temperament: Bold and alert. Shyness or viciousness very highly undesirable.

Head and Skull: In proportion to body. Long, well filled out under eyes and clean cut, with good depth of muzzle. Seen from above and side, resembles an elongated blunt wedge. Upper part of head flat and free from wrinkle. Top of skull flat, slight stop; muzzle line extending parallel to top line of skull. Cheeks flat, lips tight. Nose solid black in black dogs, solid dark brown in brown dogs, solid dark grey in blue dogs and light brown in fawn dogs. Head out of balance in proportion to body, dish:faced, snipy or cheeky very highly undesirable.

Eyes: Almond:shaped, not round, moderately deep set, not prominent, with lively, alert expression. Iris of uniform colour, ranging from medium to darkest brown in black dogs, the darker shade being more desirable. In browns, blues, or fawns, colour of iris blends with that of markings, but not of lighter hue than markings; light eyes in black dogs highly undesirable.

Ears: Small, neat, set high on head. Normally dropped, but may be erect.

Mouth: Well developed, solid and strong with complete dentition and a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Evenly placed teeth. Undershot, overshot or badly arranged teeth highly undesirable.

Neck: Fairly long and lean, carried with considerable nobility; slightly convex and in proportion to shape of dog. Region of nape very muscular. Dewlap and loose skin undesirable.

Forequarters: Shoulder blade and upper arm meet at an angle of 90 degrees. Shoulder blade and upper arm approximately equal in length. Short upper arm relative to shoulder blade highly undesirable. Legs seen from front and side, perfectly straight and parallel to each other from elbow to pastern; muscled and sinewy, with round bone in proportion to body structure. Standing or gaiting, elbow lies close to brisket.

Body: Square, height measured vertically from ground to highest point at withers equal to length from forechest to rear projection of upper thigh. Forechest well developed. Back short and firm, with strong, straight topline sloping slightly from withers to croup; bitches may be slightly longer to loin. Ribs deep and well sprung, reaching to elbow. Belly fairly well tucked up. Long, weak, or roach backs highly undesirable.

Hindquarters: Legs parallel to each other and moderately wide apart. Pelvis falling away from spinal column at an angle of about 30 degrees. Croup well filled out. Hindquarters well developed and muscular; long, well bent stifle; hocks turning neither in nor out. When standing, hock to heel perpendicular to the ground.

Feet: Well arched, compact, and cat:like, turning neither in nor out. All dewclaws removed. Long, flat deviating feet and/or weak pasterns highly undesirable.

Tail: Customarily docked. Docked - Docked at 1st or 2nd joint. Appears to be a continuation of spine without material drop.
Undocked - Appears to be a continuation of spine without material drop, or slightly raised when the dog is moving.

Gait/movement: Elastic, free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in forequarters and driving power in hindquarters. When trotting, should have strong rear drive, with apparent rotary motion of hindquarters. Rear and front legs thrown neither in nor out. Back remains strong and firm.

Coat: Smooth, short, hard, thick and close:lying. Imperceptible undercoat on neck permissible. Hair forming a ridge on back of neck and/or along spine highly undesirable.

Colour: Definite black, brown, blue or fawn (Isabella) only, with rust red markings. Markings to be sharply defined, appearing above each eye, on muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and feet and below tail. White markings of any kind highly undesirable.

Size: Ideal Height At Withers - Dogs 69 cms (27 ins); bitches: 65 cms (251/2 ins). Considerable deviation from this ideal undesirable.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jun 2003

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.