Doberman Cross Breeding Project

Finnish Kennel Club Board Approves Doberman Crossbreeding Project and Other Key Decisions

The Finnish Kennel Club Board met on May 7 and May 22, approving a number of initiatives affecting breeding, governance, education, and international activities.

One of the most significant decisions was the approval of a crossbreeding project for Dobermans.

The project aims to improve the breed’s overall health, expand the gene pool, and increase genetic diversity. The primary focus is reducing the impact of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart disease that affects approximately 60% of the breed population during their lifetime.

The approved outcross breeds are:

• Gordon Setter
• Hovawart
• Finnish Lapponian Herder
• German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Kennel Club has unanimously approved and expressed support for the project. Offspring produced through the program will be registered in the Finnish Kennel Club’s FIRR registry, a separate registry for crossbreeding projects.

The Board also approved the creation of a new official role to assist with behavioural evaluations of dogs subject to participation restrictions. Individuals appointed to the role must have advanced education in animal care, behaviour, or related fields, along with experience dealing with aggression-related behavioural issues.

Two new members were appointed to the Finnish Kennel Club Education Working Group as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen educational programming and training initiatives.

The Board approved a new advocacy and government relations strategy covering the years 2027 to 2031.

Among the international highlights:

• Finnish representatives were selected for several FCI and international championship judging assignments.

• Nordic kennel organizations agreed to begin work toward more unified anti-doping policies.

• Finnish officials received appointments within FCI committees, including agility and rescue dog activities.

The Board also approved several organizational changes, including recognition of additional breed organizations and breed clubs, along with multiple new member associations from across Finland.

The next meeting of the Finnish Kennel Club Board is scheduled for June 11.

Source: Finnish Kennel Club Board decisions from meetings held May 7 and May 22, 2026.

I would like to know their logic with the breed selections. I sure do like the Rhodesian Ridgeback in there and the Beauceron.

Wonder where this is going to go? Will it stay isolated to that region or will this be the final start to new beginnings with the Doberman and spread from land to land?

Ddski5 said:

I would like to know their logic with the breed selections. I sure do like the Rhodesian Ridgeback in there and the Beauceron.

Wonder where this is going to go? Will it stay isolated to that region or will this be the final start to new beginnings with the Doberman and spread from land to land?

Click to expand...

Me too, @Ddski5 in re: "i haz questions?"
and good idea to start a new thread dedicated to this project.

I too am very interested to learn "what exactly are they targeting as a trait, as a specific improvement to bring to the dobe breed?"

And how? What tools and methodology?
Genetics vs genomics?

I'm assuming there is something that speaks to health, specifically DCM, given how much attention its garnered over the years.

Comparing this FKC "Fix the Dobes" Plan to the now terminated DDP (that frankly to me looked like another attempt to justify hypertrope Bandoggery...)

And other debates (remember the squawking and clucking at the youtuber interview of Dr Sophie Liu on the Wade study) ...?

Speaking for myself here is a legit effort that at least allows this weird old fart in the peanut gallery to discuss ideas openly without the gatekeeping typical in purist show circles to shutdown the very mention of the elephant in the room.

One thing I find fascinating in tribal politics is how the various groups see themselves. Look up "suomi" as the key point of pride for the Finns national identity.

Its like the honey badger memes...on teh innertoobs.

PS: I really like the Beauce' looks and breed functional working characteristics. Not to go off on a tangent, but was re-reading this book on breed history (which is very detailed btw, written from a UK breeders perspective)



"Beaucerons dated back to the 1500s and were known to be in the region of Apolda at that time, having been left behind from the occupying forces of Napoleon’s army. The Dobermann shares many similarities with the Beauceron in the shape of its head, body and working characteristics. Beaucerons are known for their unique double hind dewclaws, and these occasionally surface in Dobermanns. (A litter born to the author in 2006 contained three puppies, each with double hind dew claws.)

And back to the point (I'm gettting there...)
Recalled a comment on teh other dobe forum i think, noting DCM is a key issue in the Beauces, as is mentioned also here:


So maybe the FKC is looking for breeds to that have low DCM to outcross for that, vs looks per se...

To everyone questioning the breeds they chose for outcrossing, I can only speculate that the people behind this have spent years studying DNA/Health issues etc etc in many breeds while retaining the working temperament and dedication to their humans as well as having a diverse array of genes to mix with the Dobermans extreme "same-ness". And then, amongst the breeds chosen I'm sure that the "working lines" vs "show lines" are looked at. For an example a Geman Shepherd as a breed has a high rate of hip dysplasia, but working GSDs are screened hard and lines with HD are never used by reputable WL breeders. I would assume that the group doing this outcross work knows what genetic diseases their 4 breeds are prone to and will seek out dogs that have low incidences in their genes or family history. Looking up those breeds on the AKC descriptions (yeah, yeah, grain of salt, but...) they seem like really good choices, and once again going deeper, get photos of the working lines of these dogs and you find a different animal! I did scent work with a friend with a Gordon Setter and she was an amazing dog - her coat was nothing like those show dog pictures.

In the brief out cross program done in the US, which was never an official thing that I know of, the photos of 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations showed how fast the Doberman standard can be brought back. You have 8 puppies in the F1 litter, you only use the best ones that most resemble the Dobe with the most desirable genetic components. I have faith they will be doing this carefully and wish them success, and the Dobermans of our future a healthier, longer life.

@Ddski5 to add to your OP as to the FKC "Fix the dobes health" project ...
There is a new German doberman breed club just announced as formed "to improve the genetics of the breed":


I wonder if its the same that @dobschroeder was referring to earlier, here:


Landgraf is well respected in DPCA as among top 20 Obedience
And is in the UDC breeder referral:


@Ravenbird to your point "can only speculate that the people behind this have spent years studying DNA/Health issues"

Looks like some critical mass is forming up in the global point of view of "total doberman", "dobermans that do", "functional dog" bred to original purpose