The appearance
... is that 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 withers:

• Dogs 26-28 inches ideal 27.1/2
• Bitches 24-26 inches ideal about 25-1/2

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. To be powerful and compactly built, a dog must have adequate bone and substance; but to have speed also, it must not be heavy or cumbersome. A Fined-bone, spindly animal would be equally unacceptable.

The Head
... should be long and dry and resemble a blunt wedge from both front and side views. Eyes should be almond shaped, moderately deepset, and the darker the better. Ears should be small and neat, set high on the head and not low on the skull.

What we must remember
... is that the Dobermann is a short backed galloper. A square dog with a well defined forechest. Forequarters should have shoulder blade and upper arm approximately equal in length, the back is straight, firm and wide rather than lean and narrow, which extends in a straight line from the withers to the croup with a slight slope.
The ribs are well sprung from the spine but flattened in the lower end to permit elbow clearance. The brisket ends deep in the elbow. The belly is well tucked up. The angulation in the hindquarters is to balance the forequarters...
The hip bone should drop away from the spine at an angle of 30 degrees....the croup should be well filled up, with the tail appearing as a continuation of the spine.
Hindquarters should be muscular and well developed with well turned stifles and a well indicated second thigh.
Upper and lower shanks should be of equal length with hocks vertical to the ground turning neither in nor out.
The feet should be well arched, compact and cat like. Movement should be free, balanced and vigorous with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the rear.
When moving at a fast trot a properly built dog will single-track. The coat is smooth, short, hard, thick and fit like a glove. Markings should be sharply defined and a strong rust red.

The standard lists 4 coat colours Black, Red, Blue and Fawn.

Character and Temperament are of Paramount Importance.
The Dobermann is bold and alert, a loyal and devoted companion, and a confident, steady dog with sure reactions.... They are an energetic, intelligent dog, and make wonderful family pets. Shyness or viscousness are NOT exceptable in any form. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs is not classed as viciousness but should not be encouraged.

The History of The Dobermann
Written by Sam Attwell
(My daughter wrote this school speech at age 10yrs)

THE TAX MAN!!!!
Probably disliked as much today as he was 120years ago. Back in 1880 Herr Louis Dobermann was the local Tax Man, from the town of Apolda in Germany. He had to go door to door to collect the taxes and as you can imagine this could be quite dangerous. So Louis who was also the local pound keeper and with the help of friends decided to breed himself a dog that would protect him.

What he needed was a medium sized dog, with a short coat, stamina, intelligence, alertness and a willingness to please. He found this by breeding together a mixture of Rottweiler, German Pincher, Manchester Terrier, and some say a bit of Pointer and Black Greyhound.

During the 2nd WW many countries used Dobermanns as War dogs. The US Marine Corp adopted them as their official breed. The best of these were known as Commandos, they could attack by, voice, whistle or touch. Were trained to advance through fire and water, climb ladders, hold at bay and retrieve. They could also track, scout and do sentry duty.

Scout Dogs led patrols and were trained to find the enemy, booby traps, weapons, mines and the wounded. When on scout duty they were never allowed to attack or bark they alerted their handler by taking hold of his arm or pointing (like a gundog) The British used them as ambulance dogs, they were trained to go up along the front lines taking first aid equipment to the wounded. Many soldiers owed their lives to these brave dogs.

Today Dobes are used in Search And Rescue, as seeing Eye dogs and as Truffle dogs. But first and foremost they are family dogs or to be exact house dogs.

We Have Several !!!

They fit in well with all our other animals and stock. They love to play with my little brother Karl and keep him out of trouble, that is except of my pup Spice who helps him wreck my room. They sort of respect Mums garden. They take the job of protecting us very seriously, although being country dogs, this usually means scaring off the odd farm bike or slow moving tractor. Sleeping outside is a definite NO NO. They love to ride in the car, and sleep by the fire. At least that is what we think. Actually it is their car we ride in ....it is their fire we sit by, and for that matter their house we live in. It's this sense of ownership that makes the Dobermann such a Neat Dog.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE OWNED BY ONE?