Dobermann Dog Breeds
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Height at the withers: Males 68 – 72 cm, Females 63 – 68 cm
Average weight: Males 40 – 45 kg, Females 32 – 35 kg
Dobermanns are proud, impressive looking dogs and there is no mistaking them for any other dog. They are well balanced with an athletic appearance that shows they have a lot of power and strength. Their heads are well proportioned in relation to their body with a long, clean cut muzzle and a slight stop.
The colour of their nose matches their coats with solid black Dobermanns boasting black noses, dark brown dogs having brown ones while blue dogs have solid grey noses and fawn dogs have light brown ones. Their eyes are almond shaped and set moderately deep with dogs boasting an alert, lively expression. The colour of their eyes matches a dog’s coat colour.
Ears are neat and small being set high on a dog’s head which Dobermanns either carry upright or dropped. Their jaw is strong and well developed with a perfect scissor bite where the upper teeth neatly overlap their lower ones. Their necks are quite long and lean which adds to the Dobermann’s noble appearance and which dogs hold slightly arched with the nape being extremely muscular.
They boast strong, well developed shoulders with perfectly straight, well-muscled and sinewy front legs. A Dobermann’s body is square with a well-developed forechest and short, firm back and strong topline that slopes gently to the croup. Females often have slightly longer backs than their male counterparts. Ribs are well sprung and deep with Dobermanns boasting a nicely tucked up belly. Hindquarters are powerful, well-muscled with a well filled-out croup and strong back legs.
Their feet are compact and well arched being very cat-like. Tails are set level to a dog’s spine which they carry slightly raised both when a Dobermann is standing still or moving.
When it comes to their coat, the Dobermann boasts a short, hard, thick, smooth and close-lying coat. The accepted breed colours for Kennel Club registration are as follows:
- Black & Rust Red
- Black with Red Rust (Tan)
- Blue & Red Rust
- Blue with Rust Red (Tan)
- Brown & Red Rust
- Brown with Rust Red (Tan)
- Cream & White
- Fawn & Rust Red
- Fawn with Red Rust (Tan)
- Isabella & Rust Red
- Isabella with Rust Red (Tan)
A Dobermann’s markings are well defined and seen above each eye, on their muzzle, their throat and forechest as well as on all four legs, feet and under their tail. Although not considered a fault by the Kennel Club when it comes to acceptable colours for KC registration, dogs with solid white coats are predisposed to specific health issues, namely hereditary deafness and other health issues as such most breeders avoid producing Dobermans with solid white coats. Also, if there is any white ancestry within a Dobermanns pedigree then their offspring will be registered with ‘White Ancestry’ at the end of their registered colour.
Gait/movement
When a Dobermann moves, they do so with a free and well-balanced gait showing a lot of vigour and covering a lot of ground and with a tremendous amount of drive coming from their hindquarters. When a Dobermann trots, they have a strong drive from behind with their backs remaining firm and strong.
Faults
The Kennel Club frowns on any sort of exaggeration or departure from the breed standard and would judge any faults on how much they affect a Dobermann’s overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.
Male Dobermanns should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that some dogs can be taller or shorter as well as being lighter or heavier than set out in the breed standard, bearing in mind that many Dobermanns are often bred to be taller these days.