How To Tell If A Doberman Is Full Bred

A Doberman pinscher should meet many very particular specifications to be considered a pure Doberman. This gentle, yet protective dog has been bred since the early 1900s to serve both the police and military as well as families in need of a great guard dog and playful companion. There are specific breed characteristics for every breed of dog that are laid out in the breed standard. However, to be absolutely sure your Doberman is a purebred dog, you can check the American Kennel Club registration papers or have a DNA test run.

Sven Meier / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages

Doberman pinschers are medium-sized dogs. Although many people consider them to be quite large, the Doberman stands tall at 26 to 28 inches (at the shoulders) for males and 24 to 26 inches for females. Male dogs weigh 75 to 100 pounds, while females typically weigh 60 to 90 pounds.

This is still considered medium-sized because of the dog's sleek, narrow-body frame. The height of a Doberman from the paw to the shoulders should be the same as the length of the dog from the front of the chest to the rear point of the upper thigh. Her head, neck, and legs are all in proportion to the rest of the body. The chest of a pure Doberman is broad with a well-defined forechest.

A short-haired coat is standard for full-blooded Doberman. The hair should lie flat and close to the body, and be thick all over. As far as coloring, the permissible colors are: black, red, blue, and fawn. Fawn is a dilution of the red color and blue is considered a dilution of the standard black, which is most common.

Doberman pinschers are also allowed to have tan markings when their primary color is black. These markings may only be above the eyes, on the muzzle, at the base of the tail, on the chest, and on the legs or feet.

Dobermans are recognized for the sharp features of the head. Among the most prized are pointed ears, which are a modification made by the owner during puppyhood with the purpose of forming erect ears by cropping them. The head of a purebred Doberman is long and square—it takes the shape of a blunt wedge whether viewed straight-on or in profile.

Her cheeks are flat and muscular, with permissible nose colors being black for black coats, dark brown for red, dark gray for blue, and dark tan for a fawn-colored Doberman. A Doberman's eyes are piercing and energetic, with an almond shape. The iris should be the darkest shade possible in correlation with the coat color.

Breed is not a reliable indicator of temperament, but there are some common characteristics among purebred Dobermans. No Doberman should ever be shy or display tendencies to be vicious as these are serious faults under the breed standard.

A true Doberman is generally energetic, outgoing, and attentive. When not in guard-dog mode, a Doberman is typically gentle with people and great with children. Her purpose is to be watchful and loyal, especially with her pack (whether that be human or canine), and extremely obedient and responsive to training. Fearlessness is also a common temperamental trait; a Doberman is usually willing to protect in times of danger.