Size and Proportions: Breed Standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale
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priyankaSize and Proportions: Breed Standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale
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priyankaWorld Breed standards are published by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, or FCI (World Canine
Organisation), on the advice of the IDC (International Dobermann Club), which is the Dobermann breed's
governing council and has 36 countries in its member list. To become a world champion, dogs are judged to
FCI standards. The AKC has its own standards, as do some other countries, although most still adhere to FCI
standards. The breed standard describes the Dobermann as a dog of medium size that is also strong and
muscularly built. In order to be eligible to meet these standards, the body of the Dobermann should appear to
be almost square. It should also appear elegant and noble.
The dog was originally intended as a guard dog,[4][5] so males typically have a muscular and intimidating
appearance.[4][5] Females are usually thinner, but should not be spindly. The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed
standard differs from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standards, with the latter being an often
larger and heavier dog. This has led some to argue that Dobermanns and Doberman Pinschers should be
considered and evaluated differently.[4]
Size and proportions[edit]
Although the breed standards vary among kennel and breed clubs, most follow the standard set by the FCI,
which describes the size of male dogs as 68 to 72 centimetres (27 to 28 in) at the withers;[1] The Kennel Club in
the UK quotes 69 centimetres (27 in) as being ideal.[6] The size of female dogs, according to the same
standards, is 63 to 68 centimetres (25 to 27 in),[1] with 65 centimetres (26 in) being ideal.[6] The Dobermann has
a square frame; its length should equal its height to the withers and the length of its head, neck, and legs
should be in proportion to its body.[4]
The standards for the weight of the Dobermann are also described by the FCI. The ideal dog must be of a
sufficient size for an optimal combination of strength, endurance and agility.[6] The ideal weight of male dogs is
described as 40–45 kilograms (88–99 lb)[1] and the ideal weight of female dogs is described to be 32–35
kilograms (71–77 lb).[1]
Color[edit]
Two different color genes exist in the Dobermann: one for black (B) and one for color dilution (D). There are
nine possible combinations of these alleles, which can result in four different color phenotypes: black, blue, red,
and fawn (Isabella).[7] The traditional and most common color occurs when both the color and dilution genes
have at least one dominantallele (i.e., BBDD, BBDd, BbDD or BbDd) and is commonly referred to
as black, black and rust, or black and tan. The red, red rust, or brown coloration occurs when the black gene
has two recessive alleles but the dilution gene has at least one dominant allele (i.e., bbDD, bbDd).
The blue Dobermann has the color gene with at least one dominant allele and the dilution gene with both
recessive alleles (i.e., BBdd or Bbdd). The fawn coloration is the least common, occurring only when both the
color and dilution genes have two recessive alleles (i.e., bbdd). Thus, the blue color is a diluted black, and the
fawn color is a diluted red.
Expression of the color dilution gene is a disorder called Color Dilution Alopecia, a kind of canine follicular d
