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
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