Like A Boxer

I have a few questions that hopefully some of you can answer!

a.) I've seen different shades of the brown in blacks. It's hard for me to explain or find a picture but I've seen some who have really light, almost gold/tanish markings vs. what I normally see where the brown is darker, more coppery. Are the lighter markings non-standard or considered a fault? This is what I pulled from Google.. if I'm accidentally stealing anyone's pictures.. sorry!

Lighter


Darker



b.) I saw a black doberman the other day who had circles behind his ears, about the size of a dollar coin that were rust/brown. They were completely aligned with one another and stuck out like a sore thumb. Is that normal? I mean, I've seen a fair share of dobes, not a lot, but enough and I've never seen it.


If anyone could clarify that'd be awesome! Thanks as always.

-JB.

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reisende

not sure about (b), but for (a), from what I was told, the darker brown (as in second picture) is more common in european dobermanns, while the lighter brown (in picture one) is more common in american dobes.

disclaimer: I'm in no way starting a war of US vs European dobes!

but, based on what I was told, it seems that American breeders prefer lighter brown markings than the darker brown preferred by European breeders.

e.g. Moonshine comes from all-Euro lines. his 'tan' markings are indeed darker brown. I have seen some other Dobes here from the US or from US-lines, and their markings are lighter brown in colour.

tranquility

Great question. I never really noticed that. Just going by those 2 pix, I personally would prefer the darker shade. I wonder if one can request this from their breeder?

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Striving to become the most educated future 'yellow eyebrow dog' (aka Doberman) owner.

budnisa

The AKC standard clearly states rust as the color of the markings on all acceptable color dobes.

I have noticed that many Euro lines are deeper shades of rust and the black is much darker. I have seen a few dobes who are US bred that are very dark with deep rust markings.

It's all in the breeding.

voodoolizard

i think it also changes with age.. most puppys will have lighter markings and they darken with age !!

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Zeus,Missy & Clare

2gooddobes

Most of the European Dobes have more of a mahogany instead of tan markings. I have seen American lines with very dark markings. I am in no way an expert on this just putting in my two cents and if the price of gas reflects anything two cents isn't worth a thing.

Like A Boxer

LOL 2gooddobes!!!

Well, see this is where it's hard to explain. I know "rust" is the standard. But I have seen American Dobermans with lighter than usual markings (even lighter than the markings of the first one I posted) I was confused as to whether or not that was acceptable.

-JB.

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WorkingInSTL

I'm fairly certain that a lighter shade is not considered a fault. According to the FCI (international) standard, as long as the color is accepted it is fine, and they make nothing more than a statement that the "darker shade is preferred", with no mention of disqualification for lighter tones. Im not certain on the AKC standard, but I think it is along the same lines. There are plenty of people active in AKC conformation on this forum who I am sure can and will give more insight to this or correct me if I'm wrong.

As far as the markings behind the ears, I'm pretty sure that would be a disqualifying fault, because I don't think those are standard markings, just as a white patch on the chest (which I have seen from time to time) is a disqualifying fault if it is over the allowed size.

Any conformation people here want to chime in ? I'm curious myself.

velmadobe

darker rust is the more desired shade but you will find all shades of rust. The rust markings on other colors are usually lighter than on a black Doberman.

I see all shades of rust, but will say that most European lines do have a darker rust on a more consistent basis. I agree that sometimes it looks more mahogany to me than rust. The dark markings are pretty, but I do like to see a nice contrast between the coat color and the markings.... so IMHO they can be too dark.

That said - my Harvard looks to have dark rust markings, and his mothers rust markings are a medium rust.

Mother:


Son:


His father is a red and has nice rust also - but not as dark as a black dog:

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Dillon's Barclay Amy CD RN WAC CGC TDInc "Velma"
CH Cha-Rish A Moment Like This RN WAC CGC "Louise"
Fitzmar's Command A Minute "Harvard" (10 pts/both majors)
http://fitzmardobermans.freeservers.com/

Like A Boxer

Ooh Harvard!! That first picture of him is just to die for. I love his face!!!

-JB.

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