Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Doberman is a relatively young working breed created in late 19th-century Germany by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. The foundation of the breeding program included Rottweilers, Pinschers, shepherd dogs, and other working breeds, from which the Doberman inherited strength, endurance, guarding qualities, and high trainability. The breed was formed as a reliable protector and companion, capable of working in difficult conditions and reacting quickly to threats. In the early 20th century, Dobermans became popular in police, military, and security work thanks to their combination of intelligence, energy, and manageability. Over time, the breed’s temperament became more balanced while retaining its working qualities. Today the Doberman is valued as a working, sporting, and family dog with a noble appearance.
General Appearance
The Doberman is a medium to large-sized dog, strong, muscular yet dry and elegant, with a distinctly aristocratic outline. The format is slightly elongated, the body harmonious, emphasizing strength and agility. The topline is straight and firm, the chest deep, the ribs moderately curved, creating good volume. The head is elongated, wedge-shaped, with clean lines and an expressive look. The limbs are straight, strong, providing precise, energetic movement. The tail is set high and carried naturally. The Doberman gives an impression of a collected, fast, determined dog capable of sustained work. The appearance highlights balance between strength, flexibility, and intelligence, making the breed highly functional.
Important Proportions
The Doberman must be harmonious and balanced in all parts. Height at the withers is only slightly less than body length, forming a lightly rectangular outline. Chest depth is about half the dog’s total height. Head length is about 40% of the height at the withers and must match body proportions. The neck is long, dry, merging smoothly into the shoulders, creating the breed’s characteristic profile. Limbs are long, straight, well-angled, providing power and maneuverability. The loin is short and strong, the croup slightly sloping. All proportions aim to create a dog capable of quick movement, precise reaction, and prolonged physical work.
Behaviour and Character
The Doberman is a confident, energetic, attentive dog with pronounced intelligence and a developed protective instinct. He must be balanced, reliable, manageable, capable of switching tasks quickly. The breed is highly trainable, quick to learn, and eager to work closely with humans. With proper upbringing, the Doberman is loyal, attentive, stable, and not prone to unprovoked aggression. He retains courage and determination while remaining controlled and disciplined. Nervousness, insecurity, or excessive excitability are unacceptable. The Doberman requires regular mental and physical activity to fully develop his potential.
Head
The Doberman’s head is elongated, dry, wedge-shaped, with clean lines emphasizing a noble type. The skull is flat, moderately broad, the stop smooth but noticeable. The bridge of the nose is straight, the lips dry and tight. The bite is scissor, the jaws strong, even, the teeth large and robust. Cheeks are moderate, not protruding. Overall expression is intelligent, determined, attentive. Nose pigment must be complete: black in black dogs and dark brown in brown dogs. Coarseness, short muzzle, weak jaws, or an overly rounded skull are unacceptable. The head must retain correct geometry and dryness.
Facial Region
The facial region is long and dry, with a straight nasal bridge and strong jaw structure. The muzzle narrows gradually toward the nose, forming a clean wedge without pinching. Lips are tight, non-pendulous, fully pigmented. The chin is defined but not coarse. Cheek areas are smooth, emphasizing the clean outline of the head. The nose is large with wide nostrils, ensuring good air intake during work. The facial part must convey determination and focus while preserving proportion to the cranial section. Excessive heaviness, coarseness, or narrowing disrupts breed type.
Eyes
Eyes are oval-almond, medium-sized, with an attentive, energetic, confident expression. The set is moderately deep, highlighting a strict, noble look. Eye color is dark in black dogs and dark hazel in brown dogs. Light eyes are undesirable as they distort expression. Eyelids are tight, well-fitting, fully pigmented. Entropion and ectropion are unacceptable. The Doberman’s gaze must be lively, quick, evaluating, reflecting intelligence and working concentration. The eyes must not be bulging or overly deep-set — balance is essential.
Ears
Ears are set high, naturally dropped, triangular, lying close to the cheeks. In countries where cropping is permitted, erect cropped ears are allowed, but their shape and set must match head lines. Natural ears must not be overly long, thick, or turned outward. Ears must emphasize the dryness and nobility of the head without weighing down expression. Ear mobility reflects attentiveness and reactivity. Low set, excessive heaviness, or poor carriage are faults. Ear shape must harmonize with the head and overall silhouette.
Neck
The Doberman’s neck is long, dry, muscular, slightly arched, blending smoothly into the withers. Skin is tight, without folds or dewlap. The neck must emphasize elegance and strength, allowing free forelimb reach and stable body balance. Excessive bulk or a short neck breaks proportions. Musculature is dry, defined, not coarse. Correct length and carriage create the breed’s characteristic proud, confident, collected profile. The neck plays a key role in the Doberman’s functionality, especially in movement, ensuring precision and agility.
Body
The body is strong, slightly elongated, with dry, well-defined muscles. The withers are pronounced, the back straight and firm, the loin short and broad. The ribcage is deep, reaching the elbows, with long, moderately curved ribs. The chest is broad but not heavy. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing the breed’s dryness and athletic form. The croup is slightly sloping, muscular, providing effective power transfer from the hindquarters. The body must be stable, strong, yet elegant, emphasizing the working type. Softness, looseness, weak musculature are unacceptable.
Tail
The tail is set high, natural, of medium length, carried in line with the back or slightly above. It is straight, tapering to the end. In motion it is active but not excessively lifted; it must not curl or lie on the back. Where docking is allowed, a short tail is permissible, but set and harmony must remain. The natural tail emphasizes the Doberman’s balance, athleticism, and strength. Low set, kinks, thick base, or excessive length disrupting the silhouette are faults. The correct tail supports movement dynamics and completes the harmonious outline.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, strong, with dry musculature and firm bone, emphasizing working type. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, close-fitting, forming correct angles for wide reach. Shoulders are strong, proportional to the blade. Elbows point straight back, neither turning in nor out, fitting close to the body. Forearms are long, straight, stable. Pasterns are strong, slightly sloping, absorbing shock during running and jumping. Feet are compact, round, with firm pads and strong nails. Faults include incorrect set, weak pasterns, toeing-in/out, or weak musculature.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong, muscular, with well-defined angulation, providing powerful drive and maneuverability. Thighs are long, broad, with dense musculature. Lower thighs are also long, strong, matching the thigh and supporting strength and smooth movement. Hocks are firm, low-set, forming stable support. Metatarsi are short, vertical, neither turning in nor out. Feet are oval, tight, with firm pads. Movement must be parallel, without crossing or swinging. Poor angulation, cow hocks, instability, or weak musculature are serious faults.
Gait and Movement
The Doberman’s gait must be free, energetic, springy, with good forelimb reach and powerful rear drive. Movement is straight, light, precise, reflecting the breed’s functional purpose. The topline remains stable and level at all gaits. With increased speed the stride lengthens, showing strength and coordination. Short stride, stiffness, side movement, paddling, toeing-in, toeing-out, or crossing are unacceptable. Correct movement demonstrates stamina, confidence, and working potential. The Doberman’s gait must be economical, stable, collected, maintaining dynamism and precision.
Coat
The coat of the Doberman is short, smooth, dense, and close-lying. It must be even, glossy, without bare patches or undercoat excess. The texture is firm, providing protection without softness or woolliness. Coat should not be trimmed, altered, or modified. Excessive thinness, sparse areas, or soft texture are faults. The coat must emphasize the Doberman’s dry, athletic outline.
Permissible Colours
Permissible colors are black with rust markings and brown with rust markings. Markings must be rich, well-defined, sharply bordered, and placed in typical areas: above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, throat, forelegs, hindlegs, and beneath the tail. The base color must be deep, even, without lightening, spots, or admixture. Pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids corresponds to color: black in black dogs, brown in brown dogs. Blue, fawn, white, or diluted colors are unacceptable. Faded markings, blurred borders, or incorrect placement are faults.
Size
The Doberman is a medium to large breed with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers for males is 68–72 cm, for females 63–68 cm. Weight is proportional to height and build, usually 40–45 kg for males and 32–36 kg for females. Size must combine dryness, elegance, and strength without lightness or excessive mass. Significant deviation from height or loss of body harmony lowers evaluation. The Doberman must appear athletic, strong, functional, maintaining balance between power, agility, and working endurance.
Faults
Faults include any deviations affecting harmony, function, or breed type. Minor faults include weak musculature, insufficient chest depth, soft pasterns, narrow hindquarters, insufficient angulation, or loose body. Softness, weak pigmentation of eyelids or nose, light eyes, sparse markings, or incorrect markings are faults. Behavior faults include overexcitability, shyness, insecurity, or poor manageability. Movement faults — toeing-in, toeing-out, short stride, weak drive — significantly reduce evaluation. Severity depends on functional impact.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include serious defects of structure, behavior, or color. Complete depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; blue or heterochromatic eyes; white patches on the body; non-permissible colors such as blue, fawn, or white; serious bite faults; multiple missing teeth; limb deformities; severe movement disorders; unprovoked aggression or extreme fearfulness. Congenital defects, orthopedic disorders, or genetic abnormalities also result in disqualification.
Important Notes
Evaluation must consider the Doberman’s working purpose: the dog must be active, brave, confident, yet manageable. Signs of weak nerves, fearfulness, or excessive aggression are unacceptable. Clean body lines, dry muscles, correct limb set, and balanced anatomy are essential. The coat must remain natural, without trimming or alteration. Markings must be clear and correctly placed. Special attention is given to movement: it must be energetic, precise, functional. Maintaining working qualities, stable temperament, and breed type is the priority of breeding.
Conclusion
The Doberman is a harmonious, energetic, and intelligent working breed combining strength, endurance, and noble appearance. He has high trainability, strong working potential, and a balanced character with proper upbringing. The Doberman suits active owners capable of providing discipline, exercise, and stable contact. The breed remains a reliable protector and sporting partner, distinguished by loyalty and attentiveness. Proper breeding and care reveal the best qualities of the breed and preserve its functionality and stable temperament.
