Doberman Colors

[obbanner]

Kunnar is Red and he is a goofy fun loving dog as well! He is really smart so that gets him into trouble at times...The most recent thing he has taught himself how to open up doors My personal preference would be Red I love how they look next up would be a blue maybe but I really think I will always have Reds

Here's my goofy redhead opening the back door! I have a key on the string on the inside of the back door so I can pull it outside and lock the door to keep her outside.

 

[iceman]

I really like this brown coloration here. Can anyone tell if this photo is touched up or filtered? I don't see many browns like this.
View attachment 31298

That photo has been touched up with software...Well bred brown dogs in Europe are a rich dark brown colour..
It's a fact brown dogs from colder climates keep the rich brown colour better than those that live in hotter climates with plenty of sun.. Darker the colour, less skin problems..

I don't know how/why the term "red" came into use to describe brown dogs in the states but that's how they are defined over there..

FCI standard defines the accepted colours as black or brown with rust markings..The markings are clean and well delineated. The markings are on the muzzle, as spots on the cheeks and above the eyebrows, on the throat, as 2 spots on the forechest, all around the metacarpals and the metatarsals, the feet, on the inside of the thighs and over the perineal region and the ischiatic tuber region.

As can be seen on the above definition, even the size and placing of the rust markings play a significant part as they are not desirable to deviate from the above standard..

ie..chest markings are described as "spots", so having these markings too large is not desirable.
or the spots on cheeks, these are preferred to be clearly defined spots rather than be a part of the markings on the muzzle..
This also applies for the markings on the legs...

One point not written in the standard, but is important when judging the dog, is the tone of the rust markings..very light colour or muddy rust markings not desirable at all..dark but clearly defined preferred..

 

[JanS]

I don't know how/why the term "red" came into use to describe brown dogs in the states but that's how they are defined over there..

The AKC has a bunch of different color combos for the Doberman, rather than keeping it simple like the FCI.
Colors
DescriptionTypeCode
Black & RustS015
Blue & RustS042
Fawn (Isabella) & RustS316
Red & RustS145
WhiteD199
Black & TanA018
Blue & TanA044
Brown & RustA302
Brown & TanA262
Fawn (Isabella) & TanA317
Red & TanA250

Color and Markings
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. White patch on chest, not exceeding ½ square inch, permissible. Disqualifying Fault: Dogs not of an allowed color.

 

[Archer]

Ive had "Browns" so dark that inside it was sometimes difficult to tell the Brown pups from the Black ones unless they were side by side..

Totally know what you mean! Aria is such a rich and dark red, that in the right, err, wrong light she looks black. Archer, now that he has been treated for his Addison's has gotten his rich dark color back too. I think the NA reds have a far richer mahogany toned red than the Euro bred Dobes who tend to be more brownish. I do love a deep red color. The reds also DO get lighter with sun exposure and tend to be a lighter in the spring and summer months. At least my kids do and I have read this is typical.

I have two reds. Did not plan it that way. Went in both times thinking I wanted a black female. Glad to have my red kids. Just shows what you wish for isn't what you always want I would not trade my kids for anything. Temperament and health are far more important than color

 

[MelissaP.]

My red doberman Ozzy also has learned to open doors. I think the cat taught him, lol. Dobermans are very smart for sure.

Kunnar is Red and he is a goofy fun loving dog as well! He is really smart so that gets him into trouble at times...The most recent thing he has taught himself how to open up doors My personal preference would be Red I love how they look next up would be a blue maybe but I really think I will always have Reds

 

[Judith]

Buddy is more brown than red

 

[MelissaP.]

Does this mean that there IS a difference between a red and a brown and the red is an accepted color but the brown isn't in competitions? I am very confused.

The AKC has a bunch of different color combos for the Doberman, rather than keeping it simple like the FCI.
Colors
DescriptionTypeCode
Black & RustS015
Blue & RustS042
Fawn (Isabella) & RustS316
Red & RustS145
WhiteD199
Black & TanA018
Blue & TanA044
Brown & RustA302
Brown & TanA262
Fawn (Isabella) & TanA317
Red & TanA250

Color and Markings
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. White patch on chest, not exceeding ½ square inch, permissible. Disqualifying Fault: Dogs not of an allowed color.

 

[JanS]

Does this mean that there IS a difference between a red and a brown and the red is an accepted color but the brown isn't in competitions? I am very confused.

Don't feel bad - the AKC doesn't make it as simple. I believe anything brown/red is accepted and the other colors are too as per the guidelines above. No whites, or no white patches over 1/2 a square inch. I think (but not sure) the AKC just refers to different shades of colors and markings to identify them more easily.

Someone else most likely has a better explanation than me though.

 

[Cariboo Country]

Opening doors must be a Doberman trait. I have to lock my door every time Kris goes outside or she jumps up, turns the round knob and lets herself in. She has done it ever since she was big enough to reach the door knob.

 

[Ingrid H]

I don't know how/why the term "red" came into use to describe brown dogs in the states but that's how they are defined over there..

I don't know either, but here in the states we do tend to describe dogs by the color of their nose. Brown is a better description of the Doberman coat color.

 

[Liberty & Justice]

I prefer the Black and Tan which is why I have two laying on me now. The photos I remember as a child only portrayed blk/tan so that image just stuck with me.

 

[FredC]

I don't know either, but here in the states we do tend to describe dogs by the color of their nose. Brown is a better description of the Doberman coat color.

I think we call them Reds here because in comparison to their European counterpart they are Red. I think Iceman did a good job in explaining how they went from Brown to Red and was a point id never considered..

 

[Max1mus]

Does anybody else notice the color of their doberman's rust/brown markings changes from darker or lighter depending on the day? On some days, I notice my dog's markings can be a rich dark mahogany color and sometimes its a lighter shade. Anyone know what causes this?

 

[beckers]

Does anybody else notice the color of their doberman's rust/brown markings changes from darker or lighter depending on the day? On some days, I notice my dog's markings can be a rich dark mahogany color and sometimes its a lighter shade. Anyone know what causes this?

Kunnar's colors change when he is outside. It depends on what the day is like.

 

[JanS]

I don't think the colors really change, but they just look a little different shade to us depending on the lighting.

 

[mandym]

I don't think the colors really change, but they just look a little different shade to us depending on the lighting.

Kind of like my hair..looks red in the sun but brown inside

 

[Ingrid H]

Does anybody else notice the color of their doberman's rust/brown markings changes from darker or lighter depending on the day? On some days, I notice my dog's markings can be a rich dark mahogany color and sometimes its a lighter shade. Anyone know what causes this?

No, not really... But I have noticed that Hans' rust markings vary depending on the location on his body. His face has the darkest rust, ans his butt has the lightest.

 

[Max1mus]

No, not really... But I have noticed that Hans' rust markings vary depending on the location on his body. His face has the darkest rust, ans his butt has the lightest.

Maximus is the same. Darker rust markings on face and chest. Butt and legs are lighter

 

[dobelover419]

I wanted a Black Male or female but was young and impatient and found someone that had one red girl left so I took her. She was very sweet and affectionate, I have more pictures of her but the quality is quite bad, I'll scan them and brighten them up and post them before too long it's just a little time consuming.

 

[Archer]

Does anybody else notice the color of their doberman's rust/brown markings changes from darker or lighter depending on the day? On some days, I notice my dog's markings can be a rich dark mahogany color and sometimes its a lighter shade. Anyone know what causes this?

Do you notice it more in the summer? Lighter in the summer and darker in the winter? The reds get sun bleached when the sun's intensity has increased, esp if they spend a lot of time outside when the weather is warmer. My reds always seasonally change color.

Also, red is a color that is multifaceted and ranges from light to dark. Sometimes the lighting in the room or outside will catch certain facets of the color and make them appear to be different tones. You can relate their hair coat color to a person with auburn hair. In the right light it looks red. In a different light it could be anywhere from brown to black.