The Doberman is a breed of dog of powerful bearing and excellent capabilities. Although it is well known, the truth is that there are still doubts about the types of Doberman that exist, as well as myths about their character.
In this article on our site we will give the keys to this breed of dog and explain, according to the International Cinological Federation and the American Kennel Club, what the actually are. types of Dobermans that we can find if we are interested in adopting a specimen.
Basic Doberman Characteristics
Dobermans are dogs of German origin whose name comes from the surname of the person who is considered to be their first breeder, Friederich Dobermann, who started the development program for these dogs in the 19th century. I was looking for an animal that offered protection, while being affectionate The result was the Doberman, with such excellent qualities that it has also been able to be a police working dog.
Size medium-large, strong and well-muscled body and elegant lines, the Doberman has turned out to be a noble dog, suitable for both for the company and for work. Although its appearance can be intimidating to some people and it is even considered among the potentially dangerous dogs, the truth is that the Doberman is a dog ofkind nature and very attached to his family. Well cared for and stimulated, it will be peaceful and docile. But are there different types of Doberman? If yes, how many types of Dobermans are there? We explain everything in the following sections.
Types of Dobermans according to the International Cinological Federation
The FCI includes the Doberman in group 2, dedicated to pinscher and schnauzer type dogs, molossoids and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs. In addition to establishing the breed standard, that is, the set of characteristics that purebred Dobermans must meet, it speaks, not of types, but of varieties. The difference between them is in the color
Thus, it opens up the possibility that dogs of this breed are black or brown with rust red and burn marks located on the following places:
- Snout.
- Cheeks.
- Eyebrows.
- Throat.
- Chest
- Metacarpals.
- Metatarsus.
- Feet.
- Inner thighs.
- Perineal and iliac areas.
White spots are disqualifying.
Types of Dobermans according to the American Kennel Club
For its part, the AKC also collects a standard for the Doberman breed. This has led to the belief that there are two types of Doberman: the European Doberman, collected by the FCI, and the American Doberman, standardized by the AKC.
There are some differences between the two, as we will see in the next section. At the moment we can point out that, as for colors, the American association admits:
- Black.
- Red.
- Blue.
- Beige or isabella.
Also allows rust marks over:
- Eyes.
- Snout.
- Throat.
- Ledge.
- Paws.
- Feet.
- Under the tail.
It also accepts a white spot on the chest, as long as it is small.
Characteristics of the European Doberman
First of all, starting with physical appearance, the European Doberman is considered somewhat less stylized and rougher in shape. But it is also claimed that he has a stronger protective instinct and a stronger temperament.
Although there are some clearly observable physical differences as soon as we pay attention, the greatest change between the Doberman types will be in character, with the most balanced European As these differences are not limited to the aesthetic field, it is important to take them into account when deciding to adopt one dog or another.
This differentiation may be due to the requirement or not of the proof of work for the reproduction of copies. In Europe it is mandatory, while it is not in the United States. With the work test the temperament of the animal can be assessed. It is noted if this is balanced, but also the aptitude to work, as well as the skills in the social field. In the United States, the AKC accepts a simple online registration with the only requirement that the puppy's parents are previously registered there. Therefore, if you are looking for a Doberman to participate in events and activities, the European will be the ideal, although it also requires a more experienced handler.
Finally, due to different breeding programs, it should be noted that the most common genetic diseases may differ. For example, the European Doberman has more eye abnormalities von Willebrand disease and hypothyroidism are common in both types.
American Doberman Characteristics
The American Doberman has been selected with a focus on aesthetics and ease of handling. It's more stylized and doesn't exactly stand out for its drive toward protection, defense, or work. In other words, the qualities of a working dog that have been attributed to the Doberman since its inception in Europe, are, so to speak, blurred in the American dog, which will not be the most suitable to develop, for example, a work of defense or participate in dog trials.
In general, it is common for them to be more shy, even becoming skittish, which can be a problem in coexistence if the dog always reacts with fear to new situations and elements. Now, the American Doberman can be very good family dog, since, as a company, it does not need to excel in protection or work activities and can even be Easier to handle if it doesn't require as much stimulation as the European type. If this is the first time you are considering adopting a Doberman, we encourage you to read this other article on How to educate a Doberman?
Regarding he alth, Wobbler syndrome and skin and coat problems seem to affect American specimens more. In the following section we summarize the most important differences between the types of Dobermans.
Differences between the European Doberman and the American Doberman
These are the keys to differentiating between European and American Doberman types:
European Doberman
Some of the most outstanding characteristics of the European Doberman are:
- The European Doberman is somewhat less stylized and rougher in shape.
- He has a stronger protective instinct and a stronger temperament.
- The European is selected based on his qualities for the job, less present in the American
- For work or sports activities, the European is considered more suitable.
- The European requires a more experienced caregiver.
- It has a higher risk of suffering eye disorders.
American Doberman
Among the characteristics of the American Doberman, the following stand out:
- The American Doberman is easier to handle as it does not require as much stimulation.
- These tend to be more timid, compared to a more balanced European type.
- The American is best thought of as a family dog.
- Wobbler's syndrome and skin and hair problems would affect American specimens more.
