The Dobermann (alternatively spelled Doberman in many countries) is a breed of domestic dog. Dobermanns are among the most common of pet breeds, and the breed is well known as an intelligent, alert, and loyal companion dog. Although once commonly used as guard dogs, watch dogs, or police dogs, this is less common today. In many countries, Dobermanns are one of the most recognizable breeds, in part because of their actual roles in society, and in part because of media attention (see temperament). Careful breeding has improved the disposition of this breed, and the modern Dobermann is an energetic and lively breed ideally suited for companionship and family life.
The Dobermann Breed is the only breed which carries the name of it's first known breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann (02.01.1834 - 09.06.1894). He was reputed to have been a tax collector as well as municipal dog catcher with the legal right to catch all strays dogs. From this reservoir of dogs he bred with animals of especially high sharpness. The most important role in the creation of the Dobermann Breed was most certainly played by the so-called 'butcher dogs', which could be considered as relatively pure bred allowing for the circumstances prevailing at that time. These dogs were a kind of forerunner of todays Rottweiler, crossed with a type of Shepherd which existed in 'Thuringen' as a black dog with rust red markings. In the seventies of the last century Mr. Dobermann bred with this mixture of dogs. Thus he obtained 'his breed', i.e. working dogs, which were not only watchful but also had a very high protective instinct. They were often used as guard and police dogs. Their extensive use in the police service led to the nickname 'Gendarmen Hunde'. In hunting they were mostly used to control large vermin. Under these circumstances it was inevitable that the Dobermann was officially recognised as a police dog already at the turn of this century. Dobermann breeding strives for a medium sized, powerful and muscularly built dog, which in spite of all it's substance retains elegance and nobility. The Dobermann should to a high degree be suitable as a companion, protection and working dog as well as a family dog.
Description
The Dobermann is a medium sized dog, powerful and muscular. By virtue of the elegant lines of his body, the proud and upright stance, his alert nature and uncompromising expression, he corresponds to the ideal image of a dog of normal anatomy.
The conformation of the Dobermann appears almost square, especially in males.
The length of the body (breast bone to rear projection of the upper thigh) should not exceed the height at the withers by more than 5% in males and by more than 10% in females.
The basic disposition of the Dobermann is peaceful and friendly. In the family he is very affectionate and fond of children. Medium temperament and medium sharpness is desired, as well as a medium threshold of irritation. With good subordination and willingness to work, attention must be paid to protective instinct, fighting instinct, courage and toughness. Special emphasis is to be placed on selfassuredness and confidence. Appropriate alertness toward it's environment.
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Skull:
Powerful and in proportion to the body. Seen from above, the head resembles a blunt wedge. The transverse line at the top of the skull, as seen from the front, should run almost horizontal and not fall away towards the ears. The skull line is a parallel continuation of the nose line and falls away towards the nape of the neck in a slight curve. The eyebrow arches are well developed but not protruding. The skull furrow is just visible. The occiput should not be prominent. As seen from the front and from above the sides of the head are flat and not rounded. The slight lateral rounding of the upper jaw and the facial crest must be in harmony with the overall length of the head. The head muscles are powerfully developed. The stop is not too noticeable.
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Foreface:
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Nose:
The tip of the nose is well developed without being prominent, more broad than round and with large openings. In black dogs it is black. In brown dogs with corresponding lighter tones.
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Muzzle:
The muzzle should be powerfully developed and be in proportion to the skull. The muzzle is deep and the gape should reach as far back as the molars. Good width of muzzle must be present in the area of the upper and lower incisors.
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Lips:
Lips should be firm and lie close to the jaws and ensure a tight seal of the gape. Pigmentation dark, in brown dogs somewhat lighter tones.
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Jaws &Dentition:
Powerful, broad upper and lower jaws. Scissor bite, 42 teeth corresponding to dental scheme, normal size.
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Eyes:
The eyes are medium sized and oval and of dark colour. In brown dogs a somewhat lighter tone is permissible. Eyelids should be close fitting and have eye lashes.
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Ears:
The high set ear is carried erect and is cropped to a length in proportion to the head. In countries where cropping is prohibited the uncropped ear shall be considered equal (desirable is a medium sized ear with the front edge lying close to the cheeks).
Should be of good length and in proportion to head and body. It is dry and muscular. It's lines rise in a pleasing arch. It is carried upright and noble.
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Withers:
In males especially, the withers should be pronounced in height and length thus determining the rising top line from the croup.
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Back:
The back is short and firm. Back and loin are of good width and well muscled. In bitches the loin can be somewhat longer in order to accommodate mammary glands.
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Croup:
From the sacral bone the croup should fall hardly noticeably towards the tail set. The croup appears well rounded and it is neither straight nor falling away. It is of good width and well muscled.
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Chest:
The depth and length of the chest must be in correct proportion to the length of the body. The depth of the chest should be approximately half the height at the withers. Ribs should be lightly arched. The chest is of good width and especially developed towards the front (forechest).
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Underline:
From the end of the chest bone to the pelvis the underline is noticeably tucked up.
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Tail:
Set high and docked short. Two joints remain visible. In countries where the law forbids tail docking, the tail can remain natural.
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Testicles:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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Forequarters:
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General:
The forelegs stand almost straight as seen from all sides, i.e. vertical to the ground. They are powerfully developed.
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Shoulders:
The shoulder blade lies close to the rib cage and is well muscled on both sides of the shoulder blade ridge. On top it reaches beyond the projections of the thoracic vertebrae with as much incline as possible and set well back. The angle to the horizontal is approximately 50°.
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Upper Arm:
Of good length and well muscled. Angle to shoulder blade approximately 105 -110°.
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Elbow:
Lies close to the rib cage, not turned out.
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Foreleg:
Powerful and straight, well muscled. Length in harmony to body structure.
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Pastern Joint:
Strong.
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Pastern:
Strong bone, straight as seen from the front. As seen from the side only a suggestion of an incline (max. 10°).
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Front Paws:
The paws are short and tight. The toes are arched upwards (cat-like), toe nails are short and black.
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Hindquarters:
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General:
As seen from behind the Dobermann appears broad and
rounded on account of his well developed pelvic and croup muscles. As a result of the upper and lower thigh muscles good width is achieved in the area of the upper thigh, stifle and lower thigh. The powerful hindlegs stand straight and parallel.
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Upper Thigh:
Of good length and width, well muscled. Good angulation at the hip joint. Angle to horizontal approximately 80 -85°.
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Stifle:
It is formed by the upper and lower thigh as well as the patella. The stifle angle is approximately 130°.
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Lower Thigh:
Of medium length and in harmony with the overall length of the hindquarters.
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Hock:
Of medium strength and parallel. The bones of the lower thigh connect to the hock bone to approximately 140°
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Hock Bone:
It is short and perpendicular to the ground.
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Hindfeet:
As in forefeet, the toes of the hindfeet are short, arched and tight. The toe nails are short and black.
The movement is of special importance to the 'exterieur' as well as the working ability. The gait is elastic, elegant, agile, free and far reaching. The front legs reach well forward. The hindquarters provide the necessary driving power in an elastic and far reaching manner. The front leg of the one and the hind leg of the other side are moved forward simultaneously. The back remains strong and firm as well as the ligaments and joints.
The skin lies tight everywhere and is of good pigmentation.
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Characteristics of the Hair:
The hair is short, hard and dense. It lies tight and smooth and is evenly distributed over the body. Woolly undercoat is undesirable.
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Colour:
The colour is black or brown with rust red, sharply defined and clean markings. The markings appear on the muzzle, on the cheeks (small patch), on the upper eyelids, on the throat, two patches on the chest, on the pasterns and feet and on the inside of the thighs and below the tail.
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Height:
Height at the withers - Dogs: 68 - 72 cm, Bitches: 63 - 68 cm. Respective mean measurement desirable.
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Weight:
Dogs: Approximately 40 - 45 kg, Bitches: Approximately 32 - 35 kg.
