Explore the Doberman! On this page, you’ll find everything from the official AKC Breed Standard to insights on coat color inheritance, dentition, and temperament – all the details that make this breed unique.
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.
You can view the entire illustrated standard on the Judges Education Committee website here.
Doberman Pinscher Color Inheritance Chart
This chart has been arranged by Mr. W. Donald Thompson, Middletown, Delaware, based on the studies of Iljin* and of Whitney**. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America wishes to express appreciation to Mr. Thompson for his permission to reproduce this color chart.
Key to Chart colors
= Black (with rust-colored markings)
= Blue (actually gray, with rust markings)
= Red (various shades of red-brown with rust markings)
= Fawn (called “Isabella;” about the color range of ‘camel’s hair’ with rust markings)
B is the factor for black; it is dominant over b, the red factor.
D is the ‘nondilution’ factor; it is dominant over the dilution factor, d.
The numbers (6.25 – 100) are percentages of each color type to be expected.
CLICK ON THE COLOR CHART FOR A HI-RES VERSION
Color Inheritance in the Doberman Pinscher
It is to be noted that the proportions of the various color combinations as listed above are theoretical, with the exceptions of those where 100% (or all) of the get are expected to be of one type. If it were possible to observe 1000 or more pups from a breeding which would theoretically produce pups of three or more genetic formulas, then the proportions noted would be very nearly those which are expected by theory.
In relatively small litters (with from 6 to 12 pups for example) the probabilities of the predicted ratios actually being observed would be very remote indeed. This chart and its contained percentages are therefore meant to serve only as a guide to color inheritance in the breeding of Dobermans.
*N. A. Iljin, “Über die Vererbung
der Fuuml;chter, 3,. 370-6 (1931)
**L. F. Whitney, I “Color Inheritance in the Doberman Pinscher”,
The Dog News, Aug. and Sept., 1934;
“How to Breed Dogs”, Orange Judd Publishing Co., 1947
Doberman 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 1 large premolar (4 to a side) 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 1 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.
Bite Definitions
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.
Distemper Teeth
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.
Adult Doberman Teeth Chart
Below is a chart of 42 correctly placed adult teeth.
Doberman Temperament
By: John T. Brueggeman
Although Doberman temperament has undergone a gradual but steady decrease in overall sharpness during recent years, today’s Doberman is still a dog that requires intelligent handling and offers good protection for his owner, family, home, auto, and business. However, due to his energetic nature and super intelligence, many people do not make good owners—although he isn’t nearly as difficult to own as he was in the earlier days when the Doberman earned his reputation as “the sharpest thing on four feet!”
The uneducated public still harbors a pronounced fear of the Doberman Pinscher, and strangely enough, this has been a lasting blessing for the breed. But how can a breed with such a reputation be one of the ten most popular breeds in the United States today?
Loyalty & Trustworthiness
The answer is simple. The Doberman has always been, for the most part, extremely loyal and very trustworthy to his master—often to a greater extent than most other breeds. He naturally becomes an important and enjoyable part of the family, requiring close association with those he loves. When this bond is present, his temperament makes him a natural protector.
- Trustworthy around his owner’s children, friends, and guests (when treated with reasonable respect)
- Medium-sized, short-haired, and clean-cut—making him an ideal house dog
- More adaptable than in the past, as his sharpness has mellowed, allowing him to reach his current popularity
Choosing the Right Doberman
It must not be assumed that all Dobermans have the same temperament. Prospective owners should meet the parents of any puppy or grown dog before purchasing. On the whole, present-day breeders are doing a good job producing sound temperaments, but there are still some shy or overly aggressive Dobermans in existence.
To make the best choice, seek guidance from a reliable breeder or breed authority. Once you experience a well-bred Doberman Pinscher, you’ll be spoiled for life!
Selecting the Right Breeder
We are pleased that you are considering joining the ranks of many happy Doberman owners! Here are a few important tips for selecting the right puppy and breeder:
- Meet the Breeder & See the Environment – If possible, pick up the puppy yourself, even if it requires a long drive. This allows you to:
- Meet the breeder
- See the dam (mother)
- Assess the conditions in which the litter was raised
- Schedule an Appointment – Breeders are often busy and have many visitors, so always arrange a time in advance.