Doberman Pinscher
BreedDog
Elegant working breed known for intelligence and loyalty. Sleek, powerful build.
Trait profiles
Heritable traits and their typical frequency in this breed population.
Agouti (ASIP)
A
All standard Dobermans are at/at (tan points, ky/ky). Tan points are a defining characteristic of the breed.
Black (CBD103)
K
All standard Dobermans are ky/ky at K locus. Required for Agouti (tan point) expression.
Spotting (MITF)
S
Dobermans are typically S/S or S/si (solid to minimal white chest mark). Piebald (sp) is non-standard.
Dilute (MLPH)
D
dd produces "Blue" Dobermans. AKC standard. Carries Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) risk.
Extension (MC1R)
E
Em allele present. ee produces albinistic "white" Dobermans (Z-listed by DPCA; AKC DQ).
Brown (TYRP1)
B
bb produces "Red" Dobermans (called "red and rust" with tan points). 8.1K monthly searches for "red doberman."
Intensity (MFSD12)
I
Intensity involved in the albinistic white Doberman phenotype. Otherwise minimal role in standard coat colors.
Merle (PMEL)
M
Merle introduced via crossbreeding. Not in AKC Doberman standard.
Harlequin (PSMB7)
H
Harlequin locus absent in Dobermans.
Long Hair (FGF5)
L
Dobermans are short-coated. Long hair locus absent.
Morph names & registry status
Breed-specific naming conventions and recognition status across major registries.
Red and Rust
Commonbb + at/at + ky/ky. In Dobermans this is the "Red and Rust" standard color.
Blue and Rust
Commondd + at/at + ky/ky. The "Blue and Rust" standard Doberman color.
Black and Rust
CommonThe classic Doberman color. Black body with rust/tan points on face, chest, and legs. AKC standard.
Red
CommonIn Dobermans, "Red" = bb (brown/chocolate) genotype with rust points. AKC standard.
Blue
Commondd on black base, always with rust (tan) points. AKC standard. Carries CDA risk. "Blue doberman" drives 8.1K monthly searches.
Fawn
CommonIn Dobermans, "Fawn" or "Isabella" = bb dd with rust points. AKC standard as the fourth Doberman color. Carries CDA risk. "Fawn doberman" drives 8.1K monthly searches.
Unknown
Not in AKC standard. Produced via crossbreeding.
White
Albinistic/white Dobermans. AKC DQ. Tracked on the DPCA "Z-list." Health concerns including photosensitivity.
Merle
Not in AKC Doberman standard. Produced via crossbreeding in non-registered lines.