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 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
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