Adopted by the DPCA and approved by the AKC on October 14, 1969.
Source: American Kennel Club.
General Conformation and Appearance:
The appearance is that of a dog of medium size, with a body that is square; the height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, equaling the length measured horizontally from the forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh. Height: at the withers–dogs–26 to 28 inches, ideal being about 27 1/2 inches; Bitches–24 to 26 inches, ideal being about 25 1/2 inches.
Length of head, neck and legs in proportion to length and depth of body. Compactly built, muscular and powerful, for great endurance and speed. Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient.
The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Doberman.
Shyness: A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and unusual noises to a marked degree.
Viciousness: A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either the judge or its handler, is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed viciousness.
Head: Long and dry, resembling a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. When seen from the front, the head widens gradually toward the base of the ears in a practically unbroken line. Top of skull flat, turning with a slight stop to bridge of muzzle, with muzzle line extending parallel to the top line of the skull. Cheeks flat and muscular. Lips lying close to the jaw. Jaws full and powerful, well filled under the eyes.
Eyes: Almond-shaped, moderately deep set, with vigorous energetic expression. Iris of uniform color, ranging from medium to the darkest brown in black dogs; in reds, blues and fawns the color of the iris blends with that of the markings, the darkest shade being preferable in every case.
Teeth: Strongly developed and white. Lower incisors upright and touching inside of upper incisors–a true scissors bite. 42 correctly placed teeth, 22 in the lower, 20 in the upper jaw. Distemper teeth shall not be penalized. Disqualifying Faults: Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch. Undershot more than 1/8 of an inch. Four or more missing teeth.
Ears: Normally cropped and carried erect. The upper attachment of the ear, when carried erect, is on the level with the top of the skull.
Neck: Proudly carried, well muscled and dry.Well arched, with nape of neck widening gradually toward body. Length of neck proportioned to body and head.
Body: Back short and firm, of sufficient width and muscular at the loins, extending in a straight line from withers to the slightly arched croup. Withers: pronounced and forming the highest point of body. Brisket: reaching deep to the elbow. Chest: broad with forechest well defined. Ribs: well sprung from the spine, but flattened in lower end to permit elbow clearance. Belly: well tucked up, extending in a curved line from the brisket. Loins: wide and muscled. Hips: Broad in proportion to body, breath of hip being approximately equal to breath of body at rib cage and shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulder blade: Sloping foreword and downward at a 45 degree angle to the ground; meets the upper arm at an angle of 90 degrees. Length of shoulder blade and upper arm are equal. Height from elbow to withers approximately equals the height from ground to elbow. Legs: seen from the front and side, perfectly straight and parallel to each other from elbow to pastern; muscled and sinewy, with heavy bone. In normal position, and when gaiting the elbow should lie close to the brisket. Pasterns: firm, with almost perpendicular to the ground. Feet: well arched, compact and cat like, turning neither in nor out.
Hindquarters: The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. Hip Bone falls away from the spinal column at an angle of about 30 degrees, producing a slightly rounded, well filled out croup. Upper shanks: At right angles to the hip bones, are long,wide and well muscled on both sides of the thigh, with clearly defined stifles. Upper and lower shanks are of equal length. While the dog is at rest, hock to heel is perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the legs are straight, parallel to each other, and wide enough apart to fit in with a properly built body. Dewclaws if any, are generally removed. Cat-feet, as on the front legs, turning neither in or out.
Gait: Free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. When trotting there is a strong rear-action drive. Each rear leg moves in line with the foreleg on the same side. Rear or front legs should be thrown neither in or out. Back remains strong and firm. When moving at a fast trot, a properly built dog will single track.
Coat, Color and Markings. Coat: Smooth haired, short, hard, thick and close-lying. Invisible gray undercoat on neck permissible. Allowed colors: Black, red, blue and fawn (Isabella). Markings: Rust, sharply defined, appearing above each eye and on muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and feet, and below tail. Nose: Solid black on black dogs,dark brown on red ones, dark gray on blue ones and dark tan on fawns. White patch on chest not exceeding 1/2 square inch, permissible.
Faults
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Doberman Pinscher. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch; undershot more than 1/8 of an inch. Four or more missing teeth.