The Doberman Pinscher is compactly built, with great power and musculature. He has impressive endurance and speed. He is graceful in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting outstanding dignity, and temperament. He is known world wide as a police dog for his dedication to duty on the German Front during World War I. The Doberman Pinscher (Also known as a "Dobie") is constantly alert and is a superb companion or guard dog, shyness or timidity is a serious fault. He makes an admirable obedience and conformation show dog or a wonderful family member. An excellent breed for a jogger to own, he could be be a challenge for the elderly or disabled because of his domineering tendencies .
Temperament in the Doberman Pinscher
The Dobermann is often used as a protection dog, due to its intelligence, loyalty, and ability to physically challenge human aggressors. Dobermanns are even now, and once more extensively, used in police work and in the military. The breed was used extensively by the U.S. Marines in World War II, and 25 Marine War Dogs died in the Battle of Guam in 1944: there is a memorial on Guam in honor of these Dobermans. In these roles, they inspire fear. They are often stereotyped in such roles in movies (where they are trained to exhibit seemingly "aggressive" behavior), and video games, consequently many people are afraid of the breed. A related problem is the misunderstanding of their legitimate roles; because guard dogs are trained to neutralize unwelcome intruders, many people mistakenly believe that Dobermanns are vicious.
However, Dobermanns are, in general, a gentle, loyal, loving, and highly intelligent breed. Although there is variation in temperament, a typical pet Dobermann attacks only if it believes that it, its property, or its family are in danger. According to a study done by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control, the Doberman is involved in human dog bite-related incidents less frequently than many other dog breeds.[6] Those familiar with the breed consider well-bred and properly socialized Dobermanns to be excellent pets and companions, suitable for families with other dog breeds, excellent with young children, and even cats. Dobermans are often called "Velcro" dogs because of their desire to be constantly in the presence of their human companions.
Formal Breed Standard for the Doberman Pinscher
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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