Just as a breed has a written history, it also has a physical history. Form changes over time, hopefully always improving. As new things become understood, the standard also evolves, hopefully improving. No standard revision is ever undertaken lightly and revisionists must take care never to write in a trend as a requirement. The Doberman Pinscher standard is one of the most perfect of all the AKC breeds, and we must honor it by adhering to it, understanding it, and if necessary, fighting for it.
American Doberman Pinscher Educational Foundation