Information on AKC Doberman Pinscher Puppies
Doberman Pinscher Breed Standard
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
27½ inches; Bitches 24 to 26 inches, ideal about 25½
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 ½ 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
