The Doberman: Feet

Yup, feet.

See, conformation standards cover everything, from the head to the tippy toes.

Dobermans are supposed to have cat feet, according to the AKC standard, meaning "well arched, compact...turning neither in nor out." Why, what did you think it meant?

The Doberman: American and European

There's apparently a hot debate in the Doberman world, American Dobermans versus European Dobermans. It's a strange debate, muddled even further by this: there are American show line Dobermans, and American working line Dobermans. There are also European working line Dobermans and European show line Dobermans.

I also bring this up because on Monday, some lady thought I had a Greyhound mix and not a Doberman at all, because her historic Doberman wasn't "like that".

So. Uh. What?

The Doberman: Size Matters

A lot of advertisements for Dobermans list their puppies and dogs as "oversized", "king Dobermans", "superior size" and even "warlock". These things are meant as selling points, suggesting that bigger is better, suggesting a certain quality comes along with such things. A lot of people buy into the notion of having a "big scary Doberman" as more intimidating, stronger, etc.

There is a breed standard for a reason, though. The making of the breed took years, and size was certainly a consideration when it came to the Doberman's athletic and working ability.