Dobermann
GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Dobermann is of medium size, strong and muscular build. Through the elegant lines of his body, his proud bearing and his determined expression, he forms the ideal image of a dog.
Personality: Friendly, skilled and firm.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Seasonal.
Life Expectancy : 10-13 years old.
Bark level: Moderate.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Dobermann is the only breed that bears the name of its original breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann (02.01.1834-09.06.1894). It is assumed that he was a tax collector, slaughterhouse (gut) manager and, on a non-full-time basis, a dog catcher, legally entitled to apprehend all stray dogs. For his breeding, he chose from his reserve, dogs that were particularly aggressive. The so-called “butcher's dogs”, which were considered, at that time, a relatively pure breed, played a very important role in the origin of the Dobermann breed. These dogs were an ancient type of Rottweiler, mixed with a type of black shepherd with reddish-rust markings that existed in “Thüringen”. This breed mix was worked on by Mr. Dobermann in the 1870s. In this way, he obtained “his breed”: not only alert, but a highly protective working dog for home and family. They were often used as guards and police dogs. Its extensive use in police work has given it the nickname "Gendarme dog". They were also used in hunting to control large predatory animals. In these circumstances, it was clear that the Dobermann was officially recognized as a “Police Dog” in the early 20th century. The Dobermann breed standard calls for a medium-sized, powerful and muscular dog. Despite its substance, it must be elegant and noble, which is evidenced by its silhouette. It should be exceptionally suited as a companion, protection and utility dog, as well as a family dog.
Country of Origin: Germany.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: The Dobermann's characteristic is to be friendly and calm; very dedicated to the family. Medium temperament and aggressiveness (alertness) is desirable. A mean threshold of excitation is also desired. Easy to train, the Dobermann likes to work and must have good skill, courage and firmness. Values of self-confidence and fearlessness are required, as well as adaptability and attentiveness to adjust to the social environment.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION: Strong and in proportion to the body. Viewed from above, the head is shaped like a wedge. Viewed from the front, the skull line should be almost flat without falling towards the ears. The line of the muzzle extends almost straight to the top line of the skull, which falls smoothly rounded to the line of the neck. The superciliary arch is well developed, without being prominent. The sagittal sulcus is still visible. The occiput should not be prominent. Viewed from the front and from above, the sides of the head should not protrude. The slight bulge between the back of the upper jaw bone and the cheekbone should be in harmony with the overall length of the head. The muscles of the head must be well developed.
Stop: Light but visibly developed.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Well developed nostrils, rather wide than round, with ample openings, without being prominent. Black, in black dogs; in brown dogs, corresponding lighter tones.
Muzzle: Must be in proportion to the skull, strongly developed and deep. The mouth opening should be wide, reaching the molars. A good muzzle width should also be present on the top and bottom of the incisors.
Lips: They must be firm and smooth, close to the jaws, which provides a correct occlusion of the mouth. Dark pigmentation in brown dogs, a slightly lighter shade.
Jaws and Teeth: Powerful jaws, both upper and lower; scissor bite; 42 teeth correctly placed and of normal size.
Eyes: Medium in size, oval and dark in color. Lighter shades are allowed in brown dogs. Eyelids well adherent and covered with hairs.
Ears: Ears are left natural and appropriately sized; they are set on each side at the highest point of the skull and ideally fall close to the cheeks.
NECK: Of good length, proportionate to body and head. It is dry and muscular. Its outline is ascending and slightly curved. His bearing is erect and shows a lot of nobility.
TRUNK
Withers: Pronounced in length and height, especially in males, thus determining an ascending topline from croup to withers.
Back: Short and firm, of good width and well muscled.
Loin: Good width and well muscled. The female may be slightly longer on the loin as she requires space to nurse.
Croup: Slightly drooping, barely perceptible from the sacrum to the root of the tail, thus appearing well rounded, without being horizontal or drooping. Good width with strong musculature.
Chest: Length and depth should be well proportioned to the length of the body. Depth with slightly arched ribs should be approximately 50% of the dog's height at the withers. Chest of good width and especially well developed forechest.
Underline: From the tip of the sternum to the pelvis, the underline is noticeably tucked up.
TAIL: The tail is left natural and ideally carried high in a gentle curve.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS: The front legs, viewed from any angle, are almost straight, vertical to the ground and strongly developed.
Shoulders: Scapula snug against the chest, well muscled on either side of the edge of the scapula and extends beyond the apex of the thoracic vertebra, as inclined as possible and well laid back. The angle with the horizontal is approximately 50%.
Arms: Of good length, well muscled, the angle with the scapula is approximately 105° to 110°.
Elbows: Tightly fitted, without turning out.
Forearms: Strong and straight. Well muscled. Length in harmony with the entire body.
Carpals: Strong.
Pasterns: Strong bone. Seen from the front, straight. Viewed in profile, with a slight inclination, maximum 10°.
Feet: Short and closed. Toes well arched upwards (cats feet). Short, black nails.
HINDQUARTERS: Seen from the rear, the Dobermann looks, because of its well-developed pelvic muscles in the hips and croup, broad and rounded. The muscles running from the pelvis to the thigh and lower leg result in a well-developed width in the thigh region, knee joint and lower leg. The posterior forts are straight and parallel.
Thighs: Of good length and width, well muscled. Good angulation of the hip joint. Angle with the horizontal of approximately 80° to 85°.
Knees: The knee joint is strong and is formed by the thigh and lower leg as well as the patella.
Legs: Of medium length and in harmony with the total length of the hind limbs.
Hocks: Medium strong and parallel. The tibia articulates with the metatarsus at the hock joint (angle around 140°).
Metatarsals: They are short and remain vertical to the ground.
Feet: Like the forelegs, the toes are short, arched and compact. Short, black nails.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Of particular importance for both work and external appearance. Elastic, elegant, agile, free movement and good ground cover. The former reach as far as possible. The hindquarters provide the necessary impetus through the elasticity of their movements. The anterior on one side and the posterior on the other move at the same time. It should have good stability in the back, ligaments and joints.
SKIN: Well adjusted throughout the body and well pigmented.
COAT
Hair: Short, hard and thick. Very well seated, smooth and evenly distributed over the entire surface. Undercoats are not accepted.
COLOR: The Dobermann is bred in two color varieties: black or brown, with clearly defined and clean rust red markings. The marks are on the muzzle, on the cheeks, above the eyes, on the throat, two marks on the forechest, on the pasterns, metatarsals and paws, on the inner thighs, on the arms and under the tail.
SIZE: Height at the withers: Males: 68 - 72 cm. Females: 63 - 68 cm. Medium size is desired.
WEIGHT: Males: around 40 - 45 kilos. Females: around 32 -35 kilos. Skull: The skull should be flat and of moderate width, gradually decreasing in width towards the eyes and narrowing towards the muzzle.
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.