white spots on chest

Marilyn · 06-14-2008, 02:44 AM

Hello all, we have a new Doberman puppy "Dex" that is black and rust and 5 months old. We have had 2 other Dobermans in the past, a red and another black.

We knew full well when we got Dex that he had a white spot on his chest. So that is not a problem for us. I just want to know......where did the white spot originate from? Is it from the early breedings of Dobermans? I have read that it is an undesirable fault. We just love him for who he is and we don't want to show or breed him. Otherwise, Dex is a beautiful dog and is a purebred. I just want to know what causes this white spot.

**voodoolizard** · 06-14-2008, 03:26 AM

A bit of white on the chest is normal in some dobes. missy has a white spot on her chest.

if you are showing it is acceptable if the size( i think ) 1cm square.. but would have to check to be sure !! if its any bigger it is undesirable for showing.

some get a bit of white on the eyebrows as well.

Marilyn · 06-15-2008, 03:26 AM

thanks voodoolizard for your reply! I just wish more new where this white spot originated from.

TrexFanatic · 06-15-2008, 04:29 AM

Found this
"The primitive Doberman were more like the old Rottweiler. Many of them used to have white spots on the chest or on the paws and some of them even presented curly hair: nothing to do with the modern ones"
and this
"It says right in the standard that they are allowed to have 1/2" white spot on their chest. It's from one of the dogs that makes up the Doberman.. Comes out now and then, and has absolutely nothing at all to do with albino"
Hope that helps a little.

TrexFanatic · 06-15-2008, 04:36 AM

Also found this:
"It isn't uncommon at all in a number of lines of dogs. Usually you won't see it in particularly well bred dogs since it can be a disqualification if it is larger than about a quarter so breeders tend to not want to perpetuate spots on the chest like that but it is something that simply pops up sometimes and isn't perpetuated. Since it was mentioned in the breed standard as a disqualification, like missing teeth, you can assume it was something that in the past was a pretty big problem -- I recall seeing a number of dogs with spots on their chests and know of some fairly recent additions to the Doberman lines that have been known to through huge spots, unfortunately, but the only time I have seen white spots at all in otherwise good lines are the Helios toes - where white toes on puppies are apparent early on but they tend to disappear as the pup matures -- it is a recessive that sneaks up and is attributed to a dog waaaay back called Helios".

**voodoolizard** · 06-15-2008, 05:22 AM

Good answers trex..

prophecy · 06-15-2008, 07:47 AM

kane has white on him. a strip of white (very very thin) on his chest and 3 toes on one foot have ''partially white tips''.

Marilyn · 06-16-2008, 04:02 AM

thanks Trex and prophecy!

I appreciate everyone's input.

I have looked on Google and its very hard to find anything about the white spots.

Linda H · 06-16-2008, 07:53 PM

I had two litters of pups. The second litter was by an AKC champion and two of the pups were born with white chests. I mean a lotta white. I freaked and called the sire's owner. She said not to worry, they should disappear. They did by the time the pups were eight weeks old. One had a few white hairs left. Nothing to worry about, especially if you are not going to show.

workingk9s · 06-16-2008, 07:57 PM

Wait, wasn't there a breeder somewhere that advertised the "Tiger" gene

or something like that?