Doberman head and body shapes?

[NikiL02]

She definitely has a more typey head than Nero. Her lines are parallel and has that blunt wedge shape from the side. Body wise, maybe her tail set it is a little low? But head wise, from the side, she's quite lovely. Perhaps a bit more fill below the eyes and a cleaner marking at the top of her muzzle. Honestly though, her head is way more ideal than Nero's. She is quite pretty to me too.

 

[JanS]

She's almost 14 months and has started to fill out. She's scheduled to be spayed in May so if she could make it big in the show ring, we need to know now! <- totally facetious. How's she look?

She's a pretty girl and I really like her head. I'm not great at critiquing overall conformation but you could still title her in the altered class if you show in the UKC venue, if you don't have a chance to show before she's spayed.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Think I got a good profile view of the Dingo. She's almost 14 months and has started to fill out. She's scheduled to be spayed in May so if she could make it big in the show ring, we need to know now! <- totally facetious. How's she look?

She looks good! Topline pretty nice. Neck long and nicely arched. Tail set on level with topline back there. No gay tail – it's carried above horizontal, but not sticking up too much. Her chest is deep to the point of reaching the elbow – good – but does look shallow. Nice thigh muscling. Seems too leggy though. She's displaying a nice alert, assertive carriage there.

 

[GennyB]

Think I got a good profile view of the Dingo. She's almost 14 months and has started to fill out. She's scheduled to be spayed in May so if she could make it big in the show ring, we need to know now! <- totally facetious. How's she look?

If you are interested in showing there is few things you can do. First find a local club and see if they offer conformation classes. They are usually offered by someone in the know like a handler, breeder or even a judge. Take her there and have her elvaluated. We can all offer our opinions but pictures are deceiving. I think someone that knows what they are talking about needs to get their hands on a dog to give you a true elvaluaton.
Remember there is no perfect dog and IMHO, judges are looking for the least amount of faults or the faults that are the least offensive.
In the AKC circles not much value is put on other venues. Like UKC or IABCA for example which I don't understand because in most cases it's the same judges so go figure. At any rate, both venues are great places for newbies to learn all about the show world in a less harsh environment. Nothing against AKC but it is definitely a more competitive venue.
I think the 2 venues I mentioned are wonderful because you handle your own dog which will teach you more about conformation than watching someone else. Obvisiously great for someone interested in learning more. And of course it is yet another bonding/ training experience to share with your dog.

Just some food for thought....

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Yeah. This critiquing is just for fun and information. If someone disagrees, or thinks I don't know what I'm talking about then that is an opportunity for me to learn at the same time!

 

[LifeofRubie]

Thank you for the feedback, everyone! @Oh Little Oji could the 'leggy' look be because she's still young? And yes, I do agree that this is very informational! Like I said, of course I think she's the prettiest lady but her parents are show dogs and some of her siblings are too it's very cool to hear how she would fair.

@GennyB and @JanS That's good information! Rubie has a tough time focusing on us in regular obedience class so I'm not sure she would handle a show ring very well. She's very interested in saying "hi" to other dogs I didn't realize you could still title after getting them altered! The breeder we got her from is technically in Arkansas but he was working with a local breeder who is still very accessible and active. Maybe when the Dingo calms down a bit, it's an avenue we can explore to keep her occupied.

Again, thank you all for your honest feedback

 

[JanS]

could the 'leggy' look be because she's still young?

Yes definitely. They all keep filling out after they stop growing taller even thought the females don't take as long as the males.

I didn't realize you could still title after getting them altered!

You can't in the AKC ring but UKC and a few others have altered classes for conformation. Della earned her champion title altered.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Thank you for the feedback, everyone! @Oh Little Oji could the 'leggy' look be because she's still young? And yes, I do agree that this is very informational! Like I said, of course I think she's the prettiest lady but her parents are show dogs and some of her siblings are too it's very cool to hear how she would fair.

@GennyB and @JanS That's good information! Rubie has a tough time focusing on us in regular obedience class so I'm not sure she would handle a show ring very well. She's very interested in saying "hi" to other dogs I didn't realize you could still title after getting them altered! The breeder we got her from is technically in Arkansas but he was working with a local breeder who is still very accessible and active. Maybe when the Dingo calms down a bit, it's an avenue we can explore to keep her occupied.

Again, thank you all for your honest feedback

Yes, like Jan said, they can tend to look leggy when young.

I'll just throw out there one more disclaimer: I don't mean to suggest I'm an expert in assessing conformation. I was hoping lots of other folks would join in and participate and it could be informational for all.

I still want to put up a pic of Oji for consideration.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Allright, here we go: Ever hear that Bible verse that says like "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?" I assessed a Dobe or two, now, I give you Oji.

First shot: Aged 6 months, 1 week.

• SNIPEY! Lack of underjaw (in fact, his lower – and upper – canines are actually shorter in length than what I've ever seen in a Dobe. Seems jaw area is just underdeveloped. This remains the case to this day.
• Looks downsnouted in this pic, as he sometimes does.
• Decent forechest in this position.
• I will brag on his nice cat-like paws.
• Eyes too round and not deeply enough set (this is maybe my biggest beef with him, and he has actually bumped the semi-bulging eyes on things, which is antithetical to being an effective working dog)
• I do fairly well like his marking coloration – fairly rich rust. I like his separated "kiss mark" or "clown mark" on cheek.

Below: Aged 9 months, 2 weeks: A strange side-note here: This appears to be when he was about 70 lbs., or even his pinnacle of 72 lbs. – before he dropped in weight well into the 60s. This, while he was supposed to be increasing in weight!! Now he is 2 1/2 years old and has just recently achieved 70 lbs. again.
The body:
• Topline takes an upward turn just before about 1/2 way toward the back.
• Tail set on way too low!
• Chest too shallow – not reaching the elbow.
• Not much forechest to speak of
• I like the thickness of the neck here. It also can have the long, arched look sometimes.
• Thighs muscled fairly well
I will note on the head in this pic: It actually looks good, though overall smaller than I'd like. Amazing what panting does.

 

[Beerswimmer]

Sheesh. I should post a pic of my puppy. He's turning out to be....."interesting". VERY long hair, small lower jaw, no rust markings except his B-hole area, huge tail, etc....

He was not the pic of the litter for sure!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Sheesh. I should post a pic of my puppy. He's turning out to be....."interesting". VERY long hair, small lower jaw, no rust markings except his B-hole area, huge tail, etc....

He was not the pic of the litter for sure!

Maybe you can post a pic when you get a chance. I'd like to see what you're talking about. Only if you want to.

 

[Beerswimmer]

I will. I'm at work on a 24 right now. I'm pretty positive the breeder flat out lied about Vader's lineage. I should have suspected something when his litter had red, black, and blues in it. The father could have been a different one than the one I was shown. I'm getting suspicious that his family tree isn't all Doberman. His mother IS very healthy, and looked great to me though. He has a thick tail like a Lab, waaayyy too long of hair on his back that is wavy, and a very "wet" mouth too. I'm happy, he's a pet. If I had paid a load of $$$ with hopes of showing him, yeah I'd be pissed. My wife says he's perfect....

Here's some from yesterday, I'll take some more tomorrow when I get home. His back is straighter than in the pics, he didn't like being up on those very much.

 

[Archer]

I don't think I said snipey had to do with snout length. Maybe somebody else did.

I wasn't implying you claimed that. Was just sharing info

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I will. I'm at work on a 24 right now. I'm pretty positive the breeder flat out lied about Vader's lineage. I should have suspected something when his litter had red, black, and blues in it. The father could have been a different one than the one I was shown. I'm getting suspicious that his family tree isn't all Doberman. His mother IS very healthy, and looked great to me though. He has a thick tail like a Lab, waaayyy too long of hair on his back that is wavy, and a very "wet" mouth too. I'm happy, he's a pet. If I had paid a load of $$$ with hopes of showing him, yeah I'd be pissed. My wife says he's perfect....

Here's some from yesterday, I'll take some more tomorrow when I get home. His back is straighter than in the pics, he didn't like being up on those very much.

View attachment 70513

Vader looks cool! By your description I was thinking some of those traits sound Rottie-like – longer hair, thicker tail; but seeing those pics, I don't see that.

If his tail was docked shorter, it would look better.

I forgot that Vader was the one who had so much black on him. That doesn't bother me all that much. I'd sure rather see that than overly light and especially overly large markings.

 

[Beerswimmer]

I'll get a pick of his tail tomorrow. Almost as big around as a Redbull can. And the long hair that is wavy on his spine. I'm not sure if any of it will change as he grows, his legs are long and gangly right now, but I hope it does.

 

[NikiL02]

do you have pics of his parents?

 

[Beerswimmer]

do you have pics of his parents?

No I don't. The mother was a red, the father I was shown was black and tan. Both completely normal.


Maybe my guy is just a throwback to the originals? They were hairy, almost all black, and snipey.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I'll get a pick of his tail tomorrow. Almost as big around as a Redbull can. And the long hair that is wavy on his spine. I'm not sure if any of it will change as he grows, his legs are long and gangly right now, but I hope it does.

I do see that the tail is notably thick. I was just saying that it would be less of a visual concern if it were docked shorter. I'd much rather see a thick tail than one too thin.

My first Dobe had a tail on the thicker end of the spectrum. I had a theory back then, and I'm not sure that it's untrue, that a thick tail means thick vertebrae and thick bones. Anyone have thoughts on this theory?

 

[GennyB]

@GennyB and @JanS That's good information! Rubie has a tough time focusing on us in regular obedience class so I'm not sure she would handle a show ring very well.

I think if you found a club with conformation classes and worked with her on stacking it would help with her focus. I know it helped Drake.

Amazing what panting does.

That's a fact. I was looking for pics of Drake to post in this thread. In most he is panting and has slobber on his face from playing with Greta and GiGi....not a good look. He was laying on the floor while I was looking with his mouth closed and I couldn't help but notice what a difference it made.
Also wanted to mention I came across a pic that @JanS took of him in Denver. I'll find it and post it later. I think you will see why I say Oji reminds me of Drake.

 

[JanS]

Here's some from yesterday, I'll take some more tomorrow when I get home. His back is straighter than in the pics, he didn't like being up on those very much.

If you try to get him in a stacked position with the hind legs out more it would help get a better visual.

Also wanted to mention I came across a pic that @JanS took of him in Denver. I'll find it and post it later. I think you will see why I say Oji reminds me of Drake.

Here are a couple from Bemidji but I can't remember what I titled the ones in Denver.



Oh I found what I think is the one from Denver.