Brown and rust vs Black and rust - Page 4

**lolonurse** · 07-03-2008, 12:14 AM

I've seen that article on the silver foxes, too. Well, here's my 2 cents. We had 3 black/rust, and 1 red/rust - as many of you know, Alex, our sweetheart, died in April. So now we have 2 black and 1 red. Willie, the red, acts more like a German Shorthair Pointer than a Dobie. He points, flushes, it's really hysterical. And their lineage is one of those famous Doberman ones, so he's 100% "real". Melody - well, she's squirrely - I think she's doggie-autistic, and maybe doggie-ADHD or ADD - she's just a bit off her rocker - but total Doberman. And Rocky is Willie's full brother, black, and much more typical (?black) Dobe personality. Until Willie, I'd never had a red, so it could just be Willie, and not his color. He's a total sweetheart - but then, they ALL are!! As far as thin coats, Melody wins the prize - she has just one layer, and on her belly, almost nothing. Especially in the summer.
Although reds are absolutely gorgeous, I find I am really drawn to the blacks - when they are shiny, they look like porcelain figures - they are so dramatic and compelling, I just drool. (or is that senility and droopy muscles?)
Last, but not least - You ain't seen nothin' in the way of hair, until you've lived with a couple of German Shepherds in San Diego!!! They could have used the balls of shed fur in old Western movies, as tumbleweeds! Lois

v320 · 07-03-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryAndDobes

There are a lot of people that swear that there are behavioral differences between the colours.

I was reading an article last night on this very topic, only not relating to Dobermans per se. The topic was about coat colour being tied to specific behavioural traits. There have been studies done on certain animals linking the two. One was on rats, and to make a long story short, the finding was that agouti rats are more prone to biting / being spooky and/or upset with being handled. They apparently will, as a rule, bite more quickly and more intensely.

The article talked about melanocyte stimulating hormone and how it affects colour/pigment as well as its presence in the brain where it affects serotonin which ties into mood, anxiety and aggression.

Apparently, the agouti rats also were found to have larger adrenal glands which may also affect colour and behaviour.

Another example was silver foxes. When they were bred specifically for the trait of tameness, white spots started appearing on their coats to a greater and greater degree. (This wasn't mentioned in the article but I think it was silver foxes that also lost their prick ears over time as they were bred for tameness.) They went on to duplicate the results of that study in rats.

There has also been some study into cocker spaniels and coat colour on which are more aggressive, more docile, more dominant, etc in particular contexts.

The article mentions other studies on minks, gerbils and cows that suggest links between coat colour and behaviour.

The article also points out that environment and socialization plays a big part.

Intriguing…
As far as rats go, you are absolutely right – many researches chose very specific lines of rat, depending on what they are trying to study. Some of the more docile rats are the Sprague Dawleys, when compared to many other strains.

I also remember watching a documentary on the evolution of the dog, and they mentioned something very similar to your comment on the fox. Their coat color actually changed as they became more tame.

I completely agree - environment and socialization will definitely have a role in over all disposition!

**Blitzkreig** · 07-04-2008, 01:01 AM

I couldnt decide so i got one of each.

reisende · 07-04-2008, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megs

I have a black male. One day, far, far down the road, I would like a red female

heh me too!! not just a red female, but a natural eared one. am indifferent to long tail or docked.

Reds · 07-04-2008, 06:47 AM

I've had both colours, and reds are my favorites hands down. I think one of each is a great way of solving this issue!

JavasMom · 07-04-2008, 06:55 AM

I have one of each. I haven't found any differences re: disposition, health, etc based on color, but there is a diff in disposition based on gender. Rexx is def 'all boy' - anyone who deals with children will know what I'm talking about. Rexx is going to be my sweet, smart, goofy red boy. Java is very easy-going, that is unless she suspects that the perimeter has been compromised and then she is on full alert, pacing - takes her 'protection' duties very seriously!

Bottom line is that I am crazy about the both of them!

Dobes&Hounds · 07-04-2008, 10:33 AM

The only thing I have noticed about Reggie's brown/red whatever coat, is when he is getting ready to shed, the dead hairs turn lighter before they fall out. I use a rubber curry-comb to gently pull the hair out.
He does seem goofier than my black dobermans. However he is only my 3rd dobe, so it's not a big sampling of the population.

Rauschund · 07-12-2008, 05:50 AM

I have had both, and love my black girls....but there is really something about a red male...my friend used to call it RDS, Red dog syndrome.....maybe it is just the way we react to them, but I have got to say they are the sweetest

faber · 07-12-2008, 06:14 AM

family has a black...i've had 2 reds...like reds

**lyngr** · 07-12-2008, 10:27 AM

I LOVE my red girl!