Learn All about the Magnificent Doberman Pinscher

WHY ARE DOBERMANS SPECIAL?

As the only breed of dog specifically developed as a personal protection dog, the Doberman is unique in the dog world. It is a beautiful, high energy, highly intelligent dog that thrives on its relationship with its human family and that one special person in its life, the one that trains and works with it every day. A Doberman lives to be with its master, and will protect you with its life.

There is nothing extra on a Doberman that can begrabbed by an attacker (no loose skin or flews, no long tail, hair or ears). They are wonderful family dogs, devoted to the members of their "pack" and not happy working for just any stranger. The partnership you develop with your Doberman will be there for life, strong and unshakable.

Dobermans are incredibly "tuned in" to theirhandlers. A good understanding of the dogs character and drives will make training quick and easy. Dobermans require fair treatment and will reward you with a spirited attitude and strongdesire to please. They are often described as the dog with the human brain!

This is a versatile breed, excelling at many disciplines: conformation events, search & rescue, police K-9, Schutzhund, French Ring Sport, obedience, drug detection, personal protection, tracking, therapy work, seeing eye work, etc. When you have a well trained Doberman, you have a dog that is a benefit to you personally as well as to society--a dependable, noble, watchful, fearless and loyal companion who truly has a heart of gold.

OFFICIAL AKC STANDARD OF THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER

(Adopted February 6, 1982)

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 1/2 inches; Bitches 24 to 26 inches, ideal about 25 1/2 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 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 1/2 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 handier, 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.

THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER MOUTH

Our Doberman Standard states that the teeth shall be "strongly developed and white" and there shall be "42 correctly placed teeth: 22 in the lower, and 20 in the upper jaw." The location of teeth in a Doberman's mouth is logically divided into groups. Memorizing each group will facilitate the development of a technique of rapidly observing groups at a glance, thereby precluding the necessity for actually counting the teeth, except in rare instances. The development of this technique is particularly advantageous to judges. These groups are as follows:

Twelve Incisors -There are 6 upper incisors and 6 lower incisors which comprise the bite.

Four Canines -Two fangs or canines are on either side of the incisors, top and bottom.

Sixteen Premolars -The upper jaw has 3 small premolars plus I large premolar (4 to aside) located behind the canines totaling 8 premolars. The lower jaw has 4 small premolars located behind the canines totaling 8 premolars.

Ten Molars - The upper jaw has 2 small molars (2 to a side) located behind the premolars totaling 4 molars. The lower jaw had I large molar plus 2 small molars (3 to a side] located behind the premolars totaling 6 molars.

If four or more teeth are missing, the Doberman shall be disqualified from the breed ring. Also, there are two bite disqualifications, "overshot" more than 3/16 of an inch or "undershot" more than 1/8 of an inch.

What is overshot? The front teeth {incisors) of the upper jaw overlap and do not touch the front teeth of the lower jaw when the mouth is closed.

What is undershot? The front teeth (incisors) of the lower jaw overlap or project beyond the front of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Boxers and Bulldogs are good examples of this bite.

The proper bite is a "true scissors" -lower incisors upright and touching inside of upper incisors.

At certain times during the formation of permanent teeth, pups may be ill or have to receive certain medication for diseases. Either of these can cause a yellowish discoloration and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. These distemper teeth shall not be penalized" according to the current Standard.

BELOW IS A CHART OF 42 CORRECTLY PLACED ADULT TEETH

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Doberman Pinschers can make very devoted and loyal companions if one is willing to put time and effort into the training and socialization of a Dobe. With a firm and loving owner, a Doberman will make a wonderful pal and protector for children, an obedient companion and loyal friend, and a loving member of the household. Unfortunately, not every person has the time or commitment necessary to properly teach the very intelligent Doberman what is expected and required of him. There are many things to carefully consider before choosing a Doberman as the breed for you.

Owning a Doberman, or any dog, requires a lengthy time commitment. A dog is for life, not just until it is inconvenient. Whether your Dobe is a puppy purchased from a breeder or a mature adult from a rescue or SPCA, there will be many learning experiences and obstacles to go through in the course of ownership.

Dobermans require firm yet loving training and guidance. Many Dobermans have dominant personalities and will try to "boss" around a permissive owner. To own a Doberman you must be one step tougher and smarter than your pet. Do not equate tough with harsh or abusive. Harsh owners need to look for another breed because Dobes are very sensitive and will not deal well with rough treatment. Abusive treatment will quickly result in a Doberman with a broken spirit and, quite often, aggressive temperament.