Black Doberman: features of color and rules of care

Dobermans are large, short-haired service dogs. The author of the book "Intelligence of a Dog" S. Koren identified this breed in the group of the most capable of training dogs. Dobermans, with the right upbringing, have a good docile disposition. At the same time, in a critical situation, they can stand up for themselves and for their master.

At the end of the 19th century in Germany, Karl F. Dobermann bred a breed of large guard dogs, which were named after the creator Dobermans. In 1894, after the death of the breeder, the word "pinscher" was added to the name "Doberman". In 1949, during the editing of the standard, it was removed, returning the breed to its original name. Karl Friedrich Dobermann did not keep records of the selection, so no one knows about the true origin of the dogs. It is believed that breeds such as Pinschers, Great Danes and Rottweilers may have been involved in creating the population.

Initially, individuals of this breed were more stocky, without much grace, with an aggressive character.Later, breeder Otto Geller, breeding Dobermans, removed ferocious puppies from the litter, thereby softening the character of the breed. Today they are obedient, docile dogs, easily amenable to education, but have not lost their guarding and detective qualities. The first show of representatives of Dobermans took place in 1897 in Germany. Literally from that day, the breed gained popularity, which has not been lost to our time. The ICF recognized the population in 1960.

The next breed standard was adopted at the end of 2015. According to him, animals should look a certain way.

• If you look at the pet from above, then the head has the shape of a wedge, ending with a blunt nose.
• On the flattened forehead there is a slight but clearly marked transition to the muzzle.
• The jaw is long with a scissor bite, with white teeth.
• The eyes are of standard size. For a black Doberman, a deep dark brown iris is acceptable.
• Large erect ears with sharp ends are located on the highest part of the head, with the base adjacent to the cheeks.
• The neck is strong, muscular, of medium length.
• The raised, elongated withers are high.
• Strong back with elastic lumbar spine.
• The slightly oval chest is of a standard width.
• The tucked up belly forms a beautiful flowing line.
• Legs are thin, muscular, long.
• The tail is often docked. If retained, it appears as a small upward arc.
• The short, shiny coat is close to the skin. A soft curly coat with a visible undercoat is considered a vice.
• The dog has a beautiful graceful silhouette, but at the same time a strong bone skeleton and well-developed muscles. The combination of elegance and power is characteristic of this particular breed.

The days of the first ferocious Dobermans are long gone, breeders have tried to obtain peaceful, friendly dogs through selective selection. Moderate malice in them is brought up on purpose only as necessary, if the dog is to perform guard functions. Dobermans are considered smarter than European shepherds. They are easy to train... If you pay a lot of attention to the dog, seriously engage in training, he will acquire the qualities necessary for the owner. The animal can be raised moderately aggressive to protect the territory. In this case, the dog will not rush at everyone in a row: it understands the relationship "friend or foe". He will not pester the host's guests with his zealous protective actions, but he will not let the thief out of the yard.

Families that do not need a guard raise a good-natured outgoing friend who loves all family members. For young children, he can become a caring nanny. In the police service, the dog is well trained in detective work, as it has a heightened sense of smell. With proper training, it flawlessly searches for any object, as well as people and animals. Whatever responsibilities are assigned to the Doberman, he will always be a loving and devoted pet for his master.

Black color without markings was inherent in the first Dobermans. Today it is included in the breed standard and is valued quite highly, as it is obtained through biological processes, which are rather the exception than the rule. Genetically, a dog should have a tan coat, but a phenomenon such as melanism allows the animal to have a completely even black color. These are hereditary changes in which the genes responsible for the production of melanin are stronger.

Dobermans have several types of black color.

• Anthracite - beautiful uniform color with a shiny sheen.
• Deep black. It has a slight red tint that can be seen in bright sunlight. The dog has a beautiful shimmer on the black coat due to the presence of the gene responsible for the red tint.
• Black and tan - natural color of the Doberman. But the tan should not be arbitrary, chaotic. The standard only allows it to be worn on the muzzle, withers, chest and limbs.

When puppies are born, black color is determined immediately. It is more difficult with dogs of other colors. It is difficult to understand whether the baby in the future will have an isabella or blue color: these shades are acquired over time.

Caring for a Doberman with a black coat is the same as for other animals of this breed. Fur color is not affected by food, medication or shampoos. For the dog to be healthy and cheerful, certain activities are needed.

• Dobermans need an active lifestyle, they need walks, training, physical and mental stress. Without them, the pet will wither before our eyes.
• Most often, the dog's tail is docked, some owners also have ears.
• The claws are cut off the dog as it grows up. With an active lifestyle, they grind off on their own.
• You can bathe your pet once a month.
• The ears are cleaned several times a month, and the eyes are washed if necessary.
• After the walk, they check the pads of the paws: the dog could get hurt or rub the calluses.
• In winter, a dog with short hair is uncomfortable. Walking should be shortened in length or clothing for the dog should be purchased.
• As a food, you can use ready-made, balanced premium feed. They are diversified with a small amount of natural food. You can completely transfer your pet to a natural diet: develop a menu that contains lean meat, boiled fish, cereals, vegetables, yogurt. Vitamins and minerals are added to the food as needed.

When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to its appearance. It should be well-groomed, with clean mucous membranes, without swelling and foreign odors. A bloated stomach can indicate the presence of worms or a digestive problem. A healthy puppy is active and cheerful, he himself will run up to sniff a person who has approached him.

The patient will hide behind his mother or sit without moving. He may whine when picked up. Before making a choice, you should observe the puppies.

If the color of the coat is important, the color of the parents should be checked in the documents. Kids of black tonality are usually guessed right away. The tanless black puppy has only 2 shades: shiny and reddish. If others are present, it is better not to choose such a baby. When buying a Doberman, take into account the tasks that will be assigned to it, and price opportunities.

• Dogs worth 100-270 dollars may have slight deviations from the standard. Such animals do not participate in exhibitions. But this does not affect their character and mental abilities. Depending on their upbringing, they can become guards, guides, nannies, or just kind and loyal friends.
• Puppies worth 270-400 dollars can participate in exhibitions and are suitable for breeding.
• Dogs worth over $ 400 have an ideal pedigree, it is they who take prizes at all exhibitions.

In the next video you will find additional information about this breed.