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To learn more about if the
Doberman Pinscher is the right breed for you
go to the AKC's, American Kennel Club, Website by clicking here.
AKC Doberman Pinscher Standard
Breed Standard
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, equalling
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.
Approved February 6, 1982
Reformatted November 6, 1990
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