Although it’s fairly common to see Dobermans in black and rust coats, there are other Doberman colors that look equally regal and elegant. They’re all worth knowing if you plan to get the Doberman breed.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 5 of these colors as standard, while the other four are tagged as non-standard due to genetic rarity.
Ready to learn more about all the Doberman colors? Check out the rest of this blog! We’ve included some pictures, too, so you can visualize how your next pet will look!
How Many Doberman Colors Are There?
Overall, there are nine existing Doberman Pinscher colors. 5 of which are recognized by the American Kennel Club as standard, while the other four are considered rare and non-standard.
Note that an albino Doberman with blue eyes is not recognized as a color variety because it lacks any pigment.
Here are the five Doberman Pinscher colors recognized by the AKC breed standard:
- Black and rust Doberman
- Blue and rust Doberman
- Red and rust Doberman
- White Doberman
- Fawn (Isabella) and rust Doberman
Meanwhile, here are the four non-standard and rare colors for Dobermans:
- Melanistic black Doberman
- Melanistic red Doberman
- Melanistic blue Doberman
- Melanistic fawn Doberman
Since the four latter colors aren’t standard, they aren’t allowed to compete in conformation shows. However, they can still compete in dog sports agility competitions.
5 Doberman Pinscher Colors
As mentioned, there are only five acceptable colors for the Doberman Pinscher, as per the AKC. These hues may exhibit a small white patch on their chest according to the breed standards. Read along to learn more.
1. Black and Rust Doberman
The black and rust Doberman Pinscher, also called black & tan Doberman, is the most common among all the breed’s color varieties. This is the color that we often see in television shows and cartoons.
As its name suggests, a black and rust Doberman or black and tan Doberman is a dual-colored dog with shiny coats.
It has a sleek and shiny black base coat and sharply defined rust markings on its muzzle, throat, and forechest. Furthermore, these markings may also appear above each eye, on the legs and feet, and below the tail.
It is believed that black and rust Doberman Pinschers are more prone to overheating because their black coats absorb more heat. This also means they’re more at risk of heat exhaustion than lighter-colored Dobermans.
Check out this video to see a black and rust Doberman in a national dog show:
2. Blue and Rust Doberman
Blue and rust Dobermans look fairly similar to the black and rust, with rust markings appearing on the same spots as the latter. However, their base color looks like a diluted black and is considered rare.
The base coat of blue and rust Doberman Pinschers may appear charcoal gray or silver. In some cases, they also exhibit a purple tone in their blue color.
Blue and rust Dobermans are known to suffer from color dilution alopecia like other blue dogs. This is a condition that causes dry and itchy skin and hair loss in dogs.
They are also at risk of developing other health problems even when bred by reputable breeders.
This is why the blue and rust color variant is only accepted in the American Doberman variety of this dog breed.
Other kennel clubs, especially those exclusive to the European variety, are more stringent, and they disqualify this coat coloration.
3. Red and Rust Doberman
The red and rust color variant is another common color combo seen in the Doberman Pinscher breed. They’re also relatively easier to source and inexpensive, like the black and rust.
The coat of red and rust Dobermans can range from a light copper to a dark chocolate shade.
In some cases, they also appear brownish-red. The rust-colored markings are found above their eyes, muzzle, throat, legs, feet, forechest, and tail.
As per many owners, the red and rust Doberman is more able to withstand the summer heat. However, this does not mean it isn’t susceptible to skin allergies.
A colleague of mine who specializes in breeding Dobermans has been very vocal about him favoring this color over the rest. He describes the shimmer of the red and rust color under the sunlight as something very remarkable.
Aside from this, having an active lifestyle and spending most of his time outdoors, he prefers the company of his red and rust Dobermans, as he has observed that they can last longer outside.
4. White Doberman
The white Doberman Pinscher is considered a partial albino Doberman or leucistic since they only produce limited melanin pigmentation. Some breeders also call the white Doberman tyrosinase-positive albinoid.
White Dobermans have light-colored coats and markings. They aren’t entirely white. The nose, eye rims, and lips of white Dobermans are typically pink, and they have blue eyes.
The very first known white Doberman or partial albino was Queen Sheba. She was born in 1976 to two black and rust parents.
Note that it’s possible that Queen Sheba was not the first white Doberman to have existed, but she’s the very first who was not euthanized due to health problems.
Moreover, Queen Sheba was initially categorized as an albino Doberman, not a white Doberman.
But many geneticists argued that her light-colored cream fur indicates she doesn’t entirely lack pigmentation and cannot be considered albino.
Many people also questioned Sheba’s lineage, believing that she was a mixed dog breed, but 11 years after she was born, her owner proved that she was indeed purebred.
Today, all of the white or cream Dobermans we see are descended from Sheba and are already distinguished from true albino Dobermans.
However, the white Doberman is still one of the rarest Doberman colors.
5. Fawn (Isabella) and Rust Doberman
Among all the standard Doberman colors recognized by the AKC, the fawn and rust variant is the least common.
Their base coat is dilute red which can appear in various shades of fawn color — light brown, soft tan, light reddish brown, or yellowish brown.
The rust markings of the fawn and rust Doberman are found to be similar to the black and rust, blue and rust, and red and rust.
Fawn and rust Dobermans are also prone to color dilution alopecia, even those bred by reputable breeders.
Rare Doberman Colors
Aside from the standard colors that are typically combined with rust, the Doberman breed can also come in rare solid colors accepted by the Doberman Pinscher Club.
These melanistic Dobermans are disqualified from most shows since they’re believed to be attained through inbreeding.
The following are the different melanistic Doberman colors:
- Melanistic Black Doberman: Melanistic black Dobermans are caused by excessive melanin production. All black Dobermans appear as such because their markings also appear black.
- Melanistic Red Doberman: A melanistic black Doberman appears similar to the red and rust but without visible rust-colored markings. They’re believed to be crossbred.
- Melanistic Blue Doberman: The melanistic blue Doberman, also known as the all-blue Doberman, has a genetic mutation and dilute gene. This explains why they have a solid gray or silver coat.
- Melanistic Fawn Doberman: Melanistic fawn Dobermans have a solid fawn coat due to a recessive red gene. It almost looks similar to a deer with its yellowish-brown hue and is considered the rarest color.
There is no solid proof that the rare non-standard colors above are more susceptible to certain health issues or that their temperament differs from that of the standards.
Nevertheless, if you plan to join shows, purchasing one of these rare colors may not be a great idea. For shows, it is recommended to stick to the ones included in the breed standard.
Do Doberman Colors Affect Behavior and Health?
Some coat colors of the Doberman breed may cause certain health issues, according to many Doberman breeders and veterinarians.
For instance, a black and rust Doberman may be prone to heat exhaustion due to its black coat.
Meanwhile, blue and rust and fawn and rust are more susceptible to color dilution alopecia and other health issues because of their diluted coat.
White and cream Dobermans, on the other hand, are at risk of poor eyesight, sunburns, skin tumors, and other skin issues due to less pigmentation.
As for behavior, there’s no scientific study that links it to the Doberman’s coat color. Moreover, the breed standard does not mention any correlation as well.
However, many Doberman owners notice that red and rust Dobermans are the sweetest dogs. They’re also the most easygoing, less territorial, and light-hearted compared to all the other coat color varieties.
Do Doberman Puppies Change Colors as They Grow?
Dobermans are not known to change drastically in color as they grow. Their shade, however, may subtly change as they mature. For instance, red and rust Dobermans may turn reddish brown eventually.
Similarly, blue and rust-colored Dobermans may turn from charcoal to silvery gray. It’s all possible depending on their dilute gene, sun exposure, and health condition. In most cases, though, they turn darker when they grow.
What Color Will My Doberman Puppy Be?
Dobermans are typically born with a hint of their final coat color according to the breed standard. This makes color identification a lot less easy compared to other breeds.
For instance, rust red colored Dobermans, as well as black and rust Dobermans, are already born exactly how they are described.
Their tan markings are already visible on the top of their eyes, muzzle, throat, forechest, legs, and feet.
If you still want to be 100% sure regarding the color of your Doberman puppy, responsible breeders suggest DNA testing.
This test usually costs $50 to $150. Blood samples and cheek swabs would be taken from your Doberman in order to identify their possible genotype.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Blue Dobermans Rare?
Yes. Blue Dobermans are rare, regardless if they are solid-colored or with tan points across their body. A blue Doberman is only a result of a diluted black color and isn’t preferred in dog shows; hence, they are quite rare.
Are Fawn Dobermans Rare?
Yes. The fawn Doberman or Isabella is rare. Solid fawn Dobermans are also a lot less common than fawn and rust because they require a genetic mutation and a dilute gene to exist.
Which Doberman Color Is the Best?
There’s really no best Doberman color, as each dog is unique. But if you want to join dog shows, the more common coat colors such as black and rust and rust red Dobermans are much preferred.
What Is the Rarest Doberman Color?
The rarest Doberman Pinscher color is fawn. The fawn coat can either be yellowish brown, soft tan, light brown, or light reddish brown. Technically, it is a dilute red coat color, so it’s hard to come across.
What Is the Most Common Doberman Color?
The most common Doberman color is black and rust or black and tan. That’s why it’s how we typically picture Dobermans in our heads.
Black and rust Dobermans and black and tan Dobermans are known for their silky black base coat and rust markings found throughout their body. Their deep black coats also appear shiny and regal.
Final Thoughts
All Doberman colors are equally stunning and regal-looking. You can never go wrong in choosing any of them if you just want a doggo for the company.
However, if you are concerned about possible health issues, steer clear of fawn and blue Dobermans. These dogs are at risk of color dilution alopecia which is a major skin and coat problem in dogs.
You may also want to cross out the white Doberman from your list due to Possible poor eyesight and skin issues.
Did you find this blog helpful? Share with us your thoughts about the different Doberman colors in the comments below!
