Doberman Colors

[Kelly22790]

How did you choose the coloring of your Doberman? For those that have had experience with different colors, do you notice a personality difference? I sometimes think there must be a genetic link with personality and coloring in animals (not sure if there is any research on this...just based on my experience with horses, cats, and dogs). What do you think?

 

[Dragonborn]

I don't think personality is really based on the coloring of the dogs imo... Its more about disposition, their parents, genetics, male or female, how there raised, etc etc. All dogs have different personalities of course

And I had a blue dobe... why did I pick her? Because she stared at me the whole time I was there and acted just how I wanted her to act when we played with her and held her. She was special from the start...

 

[FredC]

Black and Tan then Red and Rust.. I personally try as hard as possible to only breed to BBDD Dominant black dogs to produce all black litters. However i'm not opposed to Red/Brown Dobermans but i personally dont care for the other accepted/recognised colors.. They all have unique personalities so it would be difficult to determine if color is an indicator of personality or temperament..

 

[Judith]

, I know it is not an exact science but these red boys are real goofballs I know Dragonborn is right about it being genetic as to personality but so many of our members have reds that are real clowns, I have a black and tan girl who is brighter than most people she is far more independent than my red boy Buddy, it's like having an extra limb with him, we are joined at the hip but he is just the funniest dog I have ever owned, they will enjoy your lifestyle for sure , and you will never have a better friend it's the brain and heart of the Doberman that makes them so unique, just make sure you check out a really good breeder and start looking early. Nice to meet you we are in Cumbria UK.

 

[JanS]

Black and Tan is my preferred color, and next I like red so we have one of each. I wouldn't want any of the other accepted color varieties (even though they're beautiful) just because of some of the skin and coat problems they have.

For me it's the opposite and Della (our red girl) is all dignified and serious, while Albert (our black boy) is the big clown and a goofball.

 

[mandym]

I wouldn't want any of the other accepted color varieties (even though they're beautiful) just because of some of the skin and coat problems they have.

I have a fawn and she definitely has some skin/coat problems. It isn't anything serious (thank goodness) but it is something I have to keep an eye on and treat occassionally.

But as far as personality..she is the sweetest most cuddly dog I have ever seen or owned. She is also a very big goofball and needy. I don't really think color affects personality but I do believe the fawns/blues are more susceptable to health issues.

 

[Gelcoater]

For me it's the opposite and Della (our red girl) is all dignified and serious, while Albert (our black boy) is the big clown and a goofball.

Same here,although Daisy does have her clownish moments.In my(our) case I think a lot if it has to do with their age difference.

The blue female I knew as a teenager was also quite dignified,with a touch of clown.

Of our two,the red girl's coat isn't nearly as soft or dense,and seems to have more skin issues.I should point out Rocky has only been here a few months so...

 

[Ingrid H]

I wanted a black male, but the only one in Hans' litter died soon after birth. I'm glad to have a Doberman of his temperament even if he's not black

 

[Cariboo Country]

I wanted a red female as the other Doberman I had years ago was a red. Kris was the last female in the litter and she was a red. Her mother was a blue and her father was black and tan.

 

[Chelsi7911]

I have no experience as I haven't owned a Doberman, but when it comes time for me to buy one, I will opt for the Black & Rust male. And if I then choose to get a female down the line, she will probably be Red and Rust.

There is just something about Black Dobermans that just make me melt inside!

The Blue and Isabella aren't my cup of tea but, like Marmite, you either like those colours or you don't. Sadly, I am the latter.

And as for whites, excluding the discussions of aggressiveness being linked to white Dobies, and just as a colour, I think they look a bit odd. I am sure there are wonderful white Dobies out there that live happy and fulfilled lives, but they are not for me.

Also, with every dog of every colour, size, gender and breed, there are good and bad. But that is a different discussion.

 

[Gelcoater]

Wait for it.....

 

[JanS]

Wait for it.....

LOL Gel.

And as for whites, excluding the discussions of aggressiveness being linked to white Dobies, and just as a colour, I think they look a bit odd. I am sure there are wonderful white Dobies out there that live happy and fulfilled lives, but they are not for me.

The whites aren't an accepted color so they aren't even one we refer to here, but they do have a lot of health issues and the longevity isn't great. We do have some members who have rescued them and they're every bit as sweet, but they just shouldn't be purposely bred. I've never heard of aggression issues with them since it appears their personality is the same as the rest.

 

[Doberman Gang]

I would Reccomend getting a black if this is your first Doberman, they have a thicker coat and less likely to have skin issues. Reds are reds, you know what they say about redheads, it is true in dobermans. Lol
Blues are a dilution of Blacks and Fawns are dilute from Red, there coats are the thinnest and require more work. White dobermans are not an accepted color and should not be breed, blindness and many other
health issues are possible.

 

[Marinegeekswife]

I've never heard of aggression issues with them since it appears their personality is the same as the rest.

There are many reports of aggression issues with albinos and can be traced to their health issues. For example, blindness makes them more likely to lash out from fear.

 

[FredC]

Poor temperament can also be attributed to the close inbreeding meant solely to increase the likelihood of producing more albino puppies.

 

[obbanner]

I sometimes think there must be a genetic link with personality and coloring in animals (not sure if there is any research on this...just based on my experience with horses, cats, and dogs). What do you think?

Temple Grandin wrote several books, and I can't remember which one said that when you change something outside, you also change something inside. I think the red gene comes with personality and disposition qualities. I heard the same thing about the red gene in labs - "There's labs, and then there's chocolate labs..."

, I know it is not an exact science but these red boys are real goofballs I know Dragonborn is right about it being genetic as to personality but so many of our members have reds that are real clowns, I have a black and tan girl who is brighter than most people she is far more independent than my red boy Buddy, it's like having an extra limb with him, we are joined at the hip but he is just the funniest dog I have ever owned, they will enjoy your lifestyle for sure , and you will never have a better friend it's the brain and heart of the Doberman that makes them so unique, just make sure you check out a really good breeder and start looking early. Nice to meet you we are in Cumbria UK.

I had four blacks and two reds. The blacks were very much alike, and the reds were very much alike. And the reds were much goofier than the blacks!

I never had a choice of color. I took what was offered. I don't have an opinion on fawn or blue, as I only know what I read about them.

 

[obbanner]

I have no experience as I haven't owned a Doberman, but when it comes time for me to buy one, I will opt for the Black & Rust male. And if I then choose to get a female down the line, she will probably be Red and Rust.

There is just something about Black Dobermans that just make me melt inside!

The Blue and Isabella aren't my cup of tea but, like Marmite, you either like those colours or you don't. Sadly, I am the latter.

I started liking only black/rust Dobies and thought I was pretty adamant about not getting any other color. Then I met a certain red/rust 2 month old male that was the clown of the litter. I went to look at a different puppy that I thought I was getting, and a week or two later, I was told I was getting the clown instead. I was thrilled! I no longer care what color my dogs are. I realized that my dogs find me, not the other way around.

 

[Gelcoater]

I realized that my dogs find me, not the other way around.

this is exactly the way it happened with Daisy.
I went seeking a black and rust male(as I am outnumbered by females here)but a red female is who chose us.I had spoke with the breeder before going over there,she had an idea what I wanted and said she had 3 of them that were probably going to fit us.She failed to mention 2 of them were females though
When I made the decision she smiled and said she was her #2 pic.I wonder at times what happened to the one with the green collar,(#1)he was completely uninterested in us.
You cant always get what you want,but you get what you need.
:shakinghead:Now I'm rambling and quoting the Stones,time to go to bed.

 

[ivandobe]

i have a chart to share about colour.. hope is useful.

 

[Panama]

I have had both blacks and reds, males & females. To me, the reds are much more clownish and the blacks more serious. The blacks were "ok, what do you want me to do for you next" while the reds were more "ok, what do you want me to... oh, hang on, be right back... ok, what now?" My blacks were so much more intuned to me, or maybe my body language (?) then the reds. Don't get me wrong, I love my red goober boy, but if I ever get another male, it will be a black/rust.

(I'm not allowed to discuss albinos as per Dr. Hubby's orders... sends my BP through the roof.)