FCI Standard No. 143
Feb. 14, 1994
Translated by Britt Coffman
Dobermann
Origin:
Companion/Protection/Working Dog
FCI Classification:
Group 2:
Pinschers and Schnauzers
Molossers and Schnauzer Sennenhunde;
Section 1: Pinschers and Schnauzers with Working Test
Short Historical Overview:
The Dobermann is the only German breed, which bears the
name of its famous first breeders Friedrich Louis Dobermann (Jan. 2, 1834 –
Jun. 9, 1894). It is said that he was a tax collector, night watchman and also
the city’s part-time dogcatcher. He had the authority to catch any
free-running dog. From this reservoir, he bred some of the hardest dogs.The most important contribution to the making of the
Dobermann breed can certainly be attributed to the so-called "Fleischerhunde"
(butcher’s dogs), which even then were already a relatively
well-established breed. These dogs were a sort of forerunner to the Rottweiler
of today, mixed with a type of shepherd, which was black with rust colored
markings in the Thuringia area. Mr. Dobermann used a mix of these breeds in
his breeding program of the 1870’s.This gave him "his breed," in other words,
working dogs, which were not only protective and alert, but also
"man-sure." They were used heavily as guard and police dogs. In
fact, the frequent use in the police force earned them the nickname "Gendarmenhunde"
(police officer’s dog). In the hunt, they were used overwhelmingly to
battle predators. With the aforementioned suppositions, it was nearly
obligatory, that the Dobermann be already officially accepted as a police-dog
breed at the beginning of this century. The Dobermann breed aims to be of
medium size, strong and well muscled. Despite its substance, the lines of the
body show elegance and nobility.
He should excel as companion, Schutzhund and working dog,
as well as a dog for the family.
General Appearance:
The Dobermann is of medium size, strong and well-muscled.
He embodies the perfect picture of a dog, through his elegant lines, his proud
carriage, his spirited temperament and the look of determination in his eyes.
Important Measurements (Proportions):
The body of the Dobermann appears nearly square; this
applies especially to males. The length of the body (as measured from the
front of the sternum to the extent of the hip joint) should not exceed the
height of the dog at the withers by more than 5% in males and 10% in bitches.
Temperament:
The basic disposition of the Dobermann is friendly,
peaceful, highly attached to the family and fond of children. The Dobermann
must have medium temperament and medium sharpness. Furthermore, the Dobermann
must show medium stimulus threshold. Aside from good tractability and work
ethic, we also want to see working abilities, courage and hardness. Aside from
a normal level of reactivity, particularly desirable traits are
self-confidence and fearlessness.
Head:
Upper Head:
The upper head is powerful and proportionate to the rest of
the body. When viewed from above, the head appears to be a blunt wedge. Viewed
from the front, the line between the ears should be nearly straight and shall
not decline near the ears. The planes are nearly parallel and the upper plane
at the occiput blends into the neck in a moderate arch. The brow bones are
well developed without protruding. The frontal bone furrow is still visible.
The occiput should not be too obvious. When viewed from the front and the top,
the cheeks should not appear to project. The lateral arch of the upper jaw and
the cheek bones should be in harmony with the overall length of the head. The
muscles of the head are well developed and strong.
Stop:
The stop is modest, but distinctly developed and visible.
Nose:
The Nose edges are well developed, wider than round and
with large open nostrils, but overall not protruding. Black dogs have a black
nose; brown dogs have a slightly lighter colored nose.
Muzzle:
The muzzle must be in proportion to the upper head and
strongly developed. It is deep and the mouth openings should reach far to the
molars. Good width of muzzle must also be apparent in the area of the upper
and lower canines.
Flews:
Flews should be tight and lie close to the jaws, thereby
ensuring a tight closing of the mouth opening. The pigmentation of the flews
is dark, while brown dogs are slightly lighter.
Jaw/Bite/Teeth:
The upper and lower jaws are strong and wide. Scissors
bite. 42 teeth according to the tooth diagram, normal sized.
Eyes:
The eyes are medium sized, oval and of dark color. Brown
dogs may have slightly lighter coloring. Eyelids lie close and there is coat
to the edges of the lids.
Ears:
The high-set ear is carried erect and has been cut to a
length that is in proportion to the size of the head. The uncropped ear is
equally accepted and should be of medium size, with the inner edges lying
close to the cheeks.
Neck:
The neck should be in proportion to the head and body and
of good length. It is dry and well-muscled. The neck rises with a moderate
arch. Its carriage is upright and shows a lot of nobility.
Body:
Withers:
The withers should protrude in height and width –
especially in males – and thereby determine the rise of the topline.
Back:
The back should be short and hard, of good width and
well-muscled.
Loin-area:
Of good width and well-muscled. The bitch can be slightly
longer in the loin area, as this would be conducive to carrying puppies.
Croup:
The croup should slope slightly, but hardly visibly from
the hipbone to the base of the tail. It thereby appears well rounded, is
neither straight, nor extremely sloping. Good width and well muscled.
Chest:
The length and depth of the chest must be in proportion to
the length of the rump. It should reach in depth nearly half of the dog’s
height at the withers, with lightly arched ribs. The chest should have good
width and be particularly developed towards the front (forechest).
Tuck Up:
From the end of the sternum to the pelvis, there should be
an obvious rise of the abdominal wall.
Tail:
The tail is high-set and docked to the second vertebrae. A
natural undocked tail is also acceptable.
Limbs:
Front:
The front legs should appear nearly straight – in other words perpendicular to the ground, when seen from all sides and are well developed.
The shoulder blade is close to the ribcage, well-muscled on both sides of the bone and exceeds the ends of the ribs in height. It should be angled and well laid back, the angle to horizontal should be 50°.
Good length and well-muscled. The angle to the shoulder blade should be approximately 105° to 110°.
Close lying and not turning out.
Strong and straight, well-muscled. Length should be in harmony with the rest of the body.
Strong.
Bones are strong and appear straight when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side there should only be a moderate incline (no more than 10°).
The paws are short and closed. The toes are arched ("catfeet"); nails are short and black.
Rear:
When viewed from the rear, the Dobermann should appear broad and well rounded in the hip and croup area, due to his well developed pelvis muscles. The muscles, which run from the pelvis to the upper thigh and stifle, also give the upper thigh, knee area and stifle good appearance of breadth. The strong rear legs are straight and stand parallel.
Should have good length and width with strong musculature and good angulation at the hip joint. Angulation to horizontal should be approximately 80° to 85°.
The knee joint is powerful and supported by the upper thigh and stifle, as well as the knee cap. The angle of the knee should be approximately 130°.
Of medium length, and in harmony with the overall length of the rear leg.
The hock joints should be of medium strength and parallel. The stifles should meet the hocks at an angle of approximately 140°.
The hocks are short and stand perpendicular to the ground.
Rear paws should match front paws, with short, arched and tight toes. The nails are short and black.
Gait:
The gait is an especially important feature, both for the
dog’s working capacity as well as for the overall appearance. The gait is
elastic, elegant, agile, free and has good reach. The front legs reach as far
as possible. The rear legs reach far and elastic and afford the necessary
thrust. The front leg of one side and the rear leg of the other side go
forward at the same time. While gaiting, there should be good strength of the
back, tendons and joints.
Skin:
The skin is tight and well pigmented.
Coat:
Condition:
The coat is short, hard and thick. It is close to the body
and smooth and evenly distributed over the body. Undercoat is not permissible.
Color:
The color is black or brown, with rust-red, sharply defined
and un-mottled markings. The markings are located on the muzzle, as a spot on
the cheeks, on the middle legs and paws, on the insides of the thighs and
around the anus.
Size and Weight:
Height at the Withers:
Males: |
68 to 72 cm |
(approx. 26¾" to
28¼") |
Bitches: |
63 to 68 cm |
(approx. 24¾" to
26¾") |
Medium size is desirable. |
Weight:
Males: |
40 to 45 kg |
(approx. 89 to 100 lbs.) |
Bitches: |
32 to 35 kg |
(approx. 71 to 78 lbs.) |
Faults:
Any deviation from the above standard should be viewed as a
fault, whose valuation should be directly proportionate to the degree of
severity.
General Appearance:
Lack of sex characteristics, lack of substance, too heavy,
too light, high-set, weak bones.
Head:
Too strong, too narrow, too short, too long, too much/not
enough stop, rams-nosed, heavily sloping skull, weak underjaw, round or slit
eyes, light colored eyes, heavy cheeks, loose flews, open or too deep set
eyes, high or low set ears, open jaw/flew corners.
Neck:
Slightly short, too short; overdeveloped ("wet")
skin, too much dewlap, ewe-neck, too long.
Body:
Back not strong, sloping croup, dip in topline, rise in
topline, too much or too little spring of ribs, not enough depth or width of
chest, back too long, lack of forechest, tail-set too high or too low, tuck up
too pronounced or lacking.
Limbs:
Too much or not enough angulation of the front or rear
legs, loose elbows, length/position of bones not to standard, legs turning in
or out in front, rear legs cow hocked, barrel legged or standing too close,
open or soft paws, stunted toes, light colored nails.
Coat:
Markings too light or not sharply defined, muzzle too dark,
large black spots on the legs, hardly visible chest markings or chest markings
too large, long, soft, lackluster or wavy coat, bare spots or areas of sparse
coat, larger hair swirls especially on the body, visible undercoat.
Temperament:
Lack of self-confidence, temperament too high, sharpness
too high, stimulus threshold too high or too low.
Size:
Size discrepancies up to 2 cm (approx. ¾ inch) above or
below the standard are to be judged as a reduction in conformation rating.
Gait:
Wobbly, tripping, hindered gait and pacing.
Disqualifying Faults:
General:
Pronounced reversal of sex characteristics.
Eyes:
Yellow eyes, different colored eyes.
Bite:
Overshot, undershot, level bite and missing teeth.
Coat:
White spots, exceptionally long or wavy coated dogs,
exceptionally thin coats or bald spots.
Temperament:
Fearful, nervous and aggressive dogs.
Size:
Dogs which differ more than 2 cm (approx. ¾ inch) above or
below the standard.
Other:
Males must have two normally developed testicles, fully
descended into the scrotum.
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