FCI Standard No. 143 (17.12.2015)

Dobermann

General Appearance

The Dobermann breed requires a medium-sized, powerful, muscular dog. Despite his substance, he shall be elegant and noble, which will be evident in his bodyline. He must be exceptionally suitable as a companion, protection, and working dog and also as a family dog.

General Appearance: The Dobermann is of medium size, strong and muscularly built. Through the elegant lines of its body, its proud stature, and its expression of determination, it conforms to the ideal picture of a dog.

Important Proportions: The body of the Dobermann appears to be almost square, particularly in males. The length of the body, measured from the tip of the breast to the point of the buttock, shall not be more than 5% longer than the height from the withers to the ground in males, and 10% in females.

Behaviour / Temperament

The disposition of the Dobermann is friendly and calm; very devoted to the family. Medium temperament and medium sharpness (alertness) are desired. A medium threshold of irritation is required, with a good contact to the owner. Easy to train, the Dobermann enjoys working, and shall have good working ability, courage, and hardness. The particular values of self-confidence and intrepidness are required, and also adaptability and attention to fit the social environment.

Head

Cranial Region: Strong and in proportion to the body. Seen from the top, the head is shaped in the form of a blunt wedge. Viewed from the front, the crown line shall be almost level and not dropping off to the ears. The muzzle line extends almost straight to the top line of the skull that falls, gently rounded, into the neckline. The superciliary ridge is well developed without protruding. The forehead furrow is still visible. The occiput shall not be conspicuous. Seen from the front and the top, the sides of the head must not bulge. The slight bulge between the rear of the upper jawbone and the cheekbone shall be in harmony with the total length of the head. The head muscles shall be well developed.

• Stop: Slight but visibly developed.

• Nose: Nostrils well developed, broader than round, with large openings without overall protrusion. Black in black dogs; in brown dogs, corresponding lighter shades.

• Muzzle: In proportion with the upper head and strongly developed. The muzzle shall have depth, with a wide mouth opening reaching to the molars. Good width must also be present on the upper and lower incisor area.

• Lips: Tight and close to the jaw, ensuring a tight closure of the mouth. Gum pigmentation dark; in brown dogs, a corresponding lighter shade.

• Jaws/Teeth: Powerful, broad upper and lower jaw, scissor bite, 42 correctly placed teeth of normal size.

• Eyes: Medium-sized, oval, and dark. Lighter shades permitted in brown dogs. Eyelids close-lying and covered with hair.

• Ears: Left natural and of appropriate size. Set at the highest point of the skull, ideally lying close to the cheeks.

Neck

Of good length and in proportion to body and head. Dry and muscular. Outline rises gradually and softly curved. Upright carriage showing nobility.

Body

• Withers: Pronounced in height and length, especially in males, determining the slope of the topline to the croup.

• Back: Short, firm, good width, well-muscled.

• Loin: Good width, well-muscled. Females may be slightly longer to allow space for offspring.

• Croup: Slightly sloping, hardly perceptible from sacrum to tail root, appearing rounded, of good width and well-muscled.

• Chest: Length and depth proportional to body. Depth about 50% of height at withers, with slightly arched ribs. Good width and well-developed forechest.

• Underline/Belly: Noticeably tucked up from breastbone to pelvis.

• Tail: Left natural, ideally carried high in a slight curve.

Limbs

Forequarters:

• General appearance: Viewed from all sides, almost straight, vertical to the ground, strongly developed.

• Shoulder: Lying close to chest, well-muscled, slanting at about 50° to the horizontal.

• Upper arm: Good length, well-muscled.

• Elbow: Close, not turned out.

• Forearm: Strong, straight, well-muscled, length in harmony with body.

• Carpus (wrist): Strong.

• Metacarpus (pastern): Strong bones, straight from the front, slightly sloping from the side.

• Forefeet: Short, tight, cat-like, with arched toes. Nails short, black.

Hindquarters:

• General appearance: Viewed from the rear, broad and rounded due to strong pelvic muscles. Hind legs straight and parallel.

• Thigh: Good length and width, well-muscled. Angulation to hip joint approx. 80–85° to horizontal.

• Stifle (knee): Strong joint formed by thigh, lower thigh, and kneecap.

• Lower thigh: Medium length, in harmony with hindquarter.

• Hock joint: Medium strength, parallel.

• Metatarsus (rear pastern): Short, vertical.

• Hind feet: Like forefeet, short, arched, closed toes. Nails short, black.

Gait / Movement

Of great importance for working ability and appearance. Gait is elastic, elegant, agile, free, and ground-covering. Forelegs reach far forward, hindquarters give strong, elastic drive. Opposite foreleg and hind leg move forward together. Back, ligaments, and joints stable.

Skin

Close-fitting with good pigmentation.

Coat

• Hair: Short, hard, dense, smooth, evenly distributed, no undercoat.

• Colour: Two varieties – black or brown with rust-red, clearly defined markings. Markings on muzzle, cheeks, eyebrows, throat, forechest (two spots), pasterns, feet, inside thighs, forearms, and under tail.

Size and Weight

• Height at withers:

  • Males: 68–72 cm (medium preferred)

  • Females: 63–68 cm (medium preferred)

• Weight:

  • Males: 40–45 kg

  • Females: 32–35 kg

Faults

Any departure from the above should be considered a fault, with seriousness in proportion to its degree and its effect on health, welfare, and working ability.

Examples:

• Lack of sexual dimorphism, too light/heavy, weak bones.

• Head faults: too heavy/narrow/short/long, wrong stop, weak jaw, poor eyes, bad ear set, loose flews.

• Back not straight, sway/roach back, insufficient chest, low tail set, poor croup, poor tuck-up.

• Faults in angulation, elbows, feet, nails.

• Faults in markings, coat quality, or colour.

• Size deviation up to 2 cm lowers grading.

• Unsound gait, especially pacing.

Disqualifying Faults

• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

• Any clear physical or behavioural abnormalities.

• Yellow eyes, different coloured eyes.

• Overshot, undershot, level bite, missing teeth.

• White spots, visible undercoat.

• Deviation more than 2 cm from standard.

Notes

• Males must have two normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs with typical conformation should be used for breeding.