What Judges Look for in Dobermans

When you see judges examining Doberman pinschers at dog shows and competitions, they are looking at the finer points of the dog̵7;s appearance in relation to the breed standard. This standard is a written set of specific criteria that has been determined by the parent club of the breed. For Dobermans, judges compare the height, coat quality, shape of the head and depth of the chest against the Doberman breed standard to determine the quality of the animal against others of his breed.

  1. Size

    • The judges look for a Doberman that is of medium size with a compact build. The dog must be muscular with strong bone structure and graceful lines. The ideal height is 27 1/2 inches, but it can vary from 26 to 28 inches high, according to the Doberman Pinscher Club of America website. Judges look for the length of the legs to be in proportion to the length and depth of the torso.

    Coat

    • The judge examines the dog̵7;s coat, which should be short, hard and thick to the touch. The colors allowed by the breed standard are black, blue, red and fawn. A white patch is allowed on the chest if it is under ½ inch square.

    Head

    • The judges will examine the head of the Doberman, as it one of the most significant characteristics of the breed. They look to see that the ears are cropped and held erect. The upper attachment of the ears should be on a level with the top of the skull. The top of the skull must be flat, turning with a slight stop to the bridge of the muzzle. The judges will also look to see that the jaws are full and powerful, with strong, white teeth. Lower incisors should touch the inside of the upper incisors in a true scissors bite. Faults in the jaw line or snout can be a reason to deduct points or disqualify the animal.

    Stance

    • The judge looks to see if the stance of the dog is strong, flowing and well balanced. The neck should be well arched with a good proportion to the head and body. The back must be short firm and of sufficient width. The judge looks for a chest that is broad and full with strong definition. The shoulder blades should slope down and forward at a 45-degree angle. Legs should be perfectly parallel when seen from the front and the side, with good muscle definition and heavy bones. Hindquarters should be rounded and well filled out. The overall lines of the dog must be smooth with no abrupt stops from the head to the tail.

    Temperament

    • As the judge approaches the animal, he looks for indications of the dog̵7;s temperament. Dobermans should be energetic and alert, but with no sense of shyness or aggression. It is important that the dog willingly stands for examination by the judge. Shyness or vicious behavior is a cause for dismissal from the show ring.