Fawn Doberman: Facts, Appearance, Genetics & Pictures

If you want to own a Doberman Pinscher that is unique and a complete head-turner, then you might want to consider taking home the rare and intriguing fawn Doberman Pinscher.

The fawn Doberman, which is also referred to as Isabella Doberman, is the rarest color of the intelligent and loyal Doberman Pinscher breed. Though astonishing, this color may not be for everyone as it has its pros and cons.

In this guide, I will talk about everything you need to know about this breed before you take one home, from its appearance, genetics, and health issues, to the cost of owning one. Let’s begin!

What Is a Fawn Doberman?

The fawn Doberman is one of the four standard colors of the popular Doberman Pinscher breed. This color is considered to be the rarest among all of the Doberman coat colors. Canine enthusiasts also refer to this coloration as Isabella.

Though uncommon, the fawn Doberman is recognized as a standard color of the breed by the American Kennel Club, along with blue, red, and black.

However, as far as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Doberman breed standard is concerned, the fawn Doberman is not a standard color for the breed.

This is because the fawn Doberman is considered to be the diluted version of the red Doberman.

Since the Doberman breed has two variants, the American and European Doberman, the former adheres to the AKC standard while the latter complies with European kennel clubs’ standards.

Nonetheless, the physical attributes of a fawn Doberman are similar to that of other Doberman color variations.

Are Fawn Dobermans Rare?

Although fawn Dobermans are recognized by various canine clubs, they are rarer than other Doberman colors. In fact, only 6% of the total Doberman population exhibits this coat coloration.

This unique color is rare because it is a result of dilution caused by a recessive gene. More on this will be discussed in the latter section.

Breeders tend to avoid breeding this color since some dog shows often disqualify fawn Dobermans. This also explains why they are rare and hard to come by.

In a nutshell, a fawn Doberman can be quite hard to find because it requires specific breeding. You must go through a bit of dog hunting to find a professional breeder that caters to this rare-colored Doberman.

Fawn Doberman Appearance

A fawn Doberman bears every physical trait as the other Doberman variants. It has a very robust build with a large, square-shaped head and a lean body, much like all Dobermans.

Naturally, the fawn Doberman has long and hanging ears. However, since most Dobermans undergo ear cropping, you can expect to see adult Dobermans with erect ears.

Like their ears, a Doberman’s tail is normally long at birth. But with the goal of making them look fiercer, some breeders perform tail docking on puppies around 1 to 5 days old.

Fully grown male fawn Dobes can grow up to 26 to 28 inches in height and weigh around 88 to 99 pounds. 

Females, on the other hand, are quite smaller, with heights ranging from 24 to 26 inches and weigh around 70 to 77 pounds.

To have a visual idea of what a fawn Doberman looks like, you can watch this video.

Aside from the solid fawn Doberman, other types of fawn Doberman exist, such as the fawn and rust, blue fawn, red fawn, and fawn and tan, which we will discuss further below.

Here are the other variations of the fawn Doberman Pinscher:

Fawn and Rust Doberman Pinscher

The fawn and rust Doberman is the only fawn-colored Doberman with markings approved and recognized by the AKC. This dog features a light brown coat color with a less reddish undertone, similar to milk chocolate.

Faw and rust Dobermans also have rust markings on their ears, muzzles, chests, legs, bottoms, eyebrows, and under their tails, just like many Dobermans do. 

However, their markings can be hard to see since the contrast is minimal.

Blue Fawn Doberman Pinscher

Blue fawn Doberman Pinschers appear silverish with fawn markings above the eyes, muzzles, ears, chests, feet, and under their tails. Though not always, they may also have rust-colored paws and noses.

This type of fawn Doberman is the most susceptible to suffering from a dry coat and hair loss because of two recessive gene pairs that dilute black and red.

Red Fawn Doberman Pinscher

Red fawn Doberman Pinschers are just like regular Dobermans but with a mainly red coat. They have fawn markings in the usual areas like eyebrows or above the eyes, muzzles, chests, and feet.

Like red Dobermans, the coat colors of red fawn Dobermans can come in varying shades such as light copper, brown-red, and even dark chocolate.

Fawn Doberman Coat Color Genetics

Genetics plays a huge role in determining the coat color of Dobermans. The fawn color in Dobermans is the result of a mutation of a gene called melanophilin (MLPH) in the D locus that causes the color dilution.

Before going any further, it’s crucial to understand that the Doberman’s basic color is either black (B) or red (b), and each parent passes one of their two color genes onto their offspring.

A black Doberman is produced when it inherits two black genes (BB). On the other hand, a Doberman will acquire a red coloration if it receives two red genes (bb). 

If it gets one of each gene (Bb), it will still remain black since black is dominant over red.

However, the second set of genes, also called the dilution factor genes, can modify colors and alter hues. This recessive gene produces dilute colors such as blue and fawn.

In a nutshell, in order to produce a fawn-colored Doberman, a red (bb) Doberman must carry both dilution genes (dd). That said, a fawn Doberman’s genotype is (bbdd), and it is the only genotype combination they can carry.

Do Fawn Doberman Puppies Change Color as They Grow?

No, fawn Doberman puppies do not change their coat color as they grow old. However, as their puppy coats shed, they may exhibit a lighter or darker color.

There have been reports of owners noticing this subtle change in their Doberman’s coat color which is mainly a result of genetics.

Likewise, given the fact that Dobermans lose their puppy-like traits as they mature, you may also notice some fading of facial marks as they age.

Additionally, there could also be other factors for the change of coat color in fawn Dobermans, including nutrition, medication, and exposure to sunlight.

Fawn Doberman Temperament and Personality

A fawn Doberman’s looks can be very intimidating, and you might immediately misjudge them for being aggressive and mean. However, these dogs are actually very soft, sweet, and cuddly, making them suitable as family dogs.

Needless to say, Dobermans have a very strong personality and are very protective of their owners. That said, they would go to great lengths to make sure their owners are safe.

Although their protective trait is advantageous, untrained fawn Dobermans may exhibit biting problems when they become overprotective.

That is why it is important for owners to start obedience training and socialization while their Dobermans are still young to correct misdemeanors.

If your Doberman is well-socialized, it won’t have problems living comfortably with other animals, including cats.

Additionally, fawn Isabella Doberman Pinschers are people-oriented dogs. They will most likely get along with your kids, especially if raised with them.

However, as always, it is still important to always keep an eye on them when playing to avoid accidents.

Fawn Doberman Lifespan and Health Issues

Despite being susceptible to skin and coat problems, fawn Dobermans can live between 10 and 13 years, especially when given tender love, care, and routine veterinary check-ups.

As with any other fawn-colored dog breed, your fawn Doberman may be predisposed to several health problems. They are also at risk of developing health problems common in other Doberman variants.

Here are some of the most common health problems of fawn Isabella Dobermans:

• Color Dilution Alopecia: Color dilution alopecia is a recessive genetic condition that causes itchy, flaky skin and hair loss. This skin problem is common in dogs who carry the dilution gene or those with blue or fawn coats. Dogs with this condition appear to be normal at birth but will start showing symptoms such as hair thinning at six months old.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid hormone deficiency that is very prevalent among Doberman breeds. This is usually caused by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland that affects the function of other body parts.
• Von Willebrand Disease: Von Willebrand Disease is a genetic bleeding disorder that is caused by an abnormality of the blood-clotting system. While this disease can be diagnosed with a special blood test or with a DNA test, the disorder is often detected when unusual bleeding after major or minor surgeries occur.

As mentioned, fawn Dobermans are prone to skin problems such as canine acne, hair loss, and skin allergies, so it is best that you always take them to a licensed veterinarian for a regular check-up.

By doing so, you will be able to prevent serious complications that may require more medical treatment later on.

How Much Does a Fawn Doberman Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

A fawn Doberman usually costs around $1,500 to $2,500. However, since this is the rarest color of the breed, expect to pay more, especially if you are after a fawn Doberman with a champion bloodline.

The costs, however, do not end there. You also need to consider other expenses such as vitamins, vaccines, vet visits, and supplies that your new puppy will need.

Below is a summarized table of the initial expenses of owning a fawn Doberman:

It is also highly advisable that pet owners set aside an emergency fund or invest in pet insurance to help lessen the expenses in case their puppy gets sick.

Places to Find Fawn Doberman Puppies for Sale and Adoption

While there may be a lot of Doberman breeders out there, you might still have to go on a hunt to find fawn Dobermans. Another challenge would be finding reputable and responsible breeders that adhere to strict breeding policies.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely impossible for you to find a fawn Doberman. With intensive research, you will surely take home this rare gem in no time.

To start your hunt, here are places where you can find fawn Doberman puppies for sale:

• AKC Marketplace – AKC Marketplace is affiliated with the American Kennel Club and exclusively lists puppies from AKC-registered litters. That said, you can be assured that the breeders of fawn Doberman you will find on this platform have followed strict breeding practices established by the AKC. 
• Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is an online pet advertising website that has been connecting healthy puppies with caring families since 2000. If you are lucky enough, you may be able to find a fawn Doberman through this platform. 
• Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies is another pet advertising website with over 10,000 listings of pure and mixed breed dogs available. They have strict breeder protocols to guarantee that no puppy mills can advertise on their website. You can check their site from time to time to see if they have fawn Dobermans up for sale. 

If you still haven’t found a fawn Doberman Pinscher from the places above, you might want to consider adopting it from your neighborhood animal shelter. 

Here are some places you can check out to see if they have fawn Doberman for adoption:

• Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus – This Northern Illinois-based non-profit organization rescues Dobermans of all colors, including fawn Dobes who are in need and places them into responsible homes. Prior to adoption, rescued Dobermans are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, tested for heartworm, and microchipped.
• Doberman Rescue of North Texas – This organization in the North Texas area has been rescuing unwanted and abandoned Doberman Pinschers for 27 years. However, they might not always have a fawn Doberman available, so it’s best to check with them first.
• Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue of Arizona – DHBRA is the first Doberman organization in the state of Arizona founded in 2009. They are committed to rescuing purebred Doberman Pinschers in Arizona and placing them in qualified homes. If you are lucky, you might chance upon a fawn Dobe for adoption.

While there may be a lot of Doberman Pinscher rescues around the United States, finding one with a fawn Doberman may still require a tiring and time-consuming search.

Best Dog Names for Your Fawn Doberman Puppy

While it may seem easy to name your dog, this can actually be really overwhelming for first-time dog owners. 

Even though it is important that you name your dog something that you like, this is something that owners should not stress over. 

Here, I have narrowed down the names you can choose for your fawn Doberman to make it easier for you to name your pup.

Here are some name ideas for your male Fawn Doberman Pinscher:

• Zeus
• Bart
• Loki
• Thanos
• Izo
• Marcus
• Thor
• Finn
• Iver
• Jojo
• Mojo
• Blake
• Blu
• Buddy
• Tobi
• Prince
• Frank
• Rocky
• Alpha
• Max
• Draco
• Apollo
• Cooper
• Pablo
• Bruno

Meanwhile, here are some name ideas for female fawn Dobermans: 

• Izza
• Belle
• Luna
• Bella
• Lila
• Mocha
• Lucy
• Waffle
• Stella
• Becka
• Zoey
• Chloe
• Chewy
• Ava
• Ruby
• Daisy
• Roxy
• Nala
• Princess
• Alice
• Candy
• Pumpkin
• Leila
• Pepper
• Fiona

It is important to note that while you should pick a name that you will enjoy calling your dog for the rest of its life, it is practical to give your dog a short and simple name that it can easily remember.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Fawn Dobermans Bad?

No, fawn Dobermans are not bad or aggressive dogs. They exhibit the same temperament as more common colors like red or black Dobes.

Fawn Dobermans are considered “softies” but can be very protective of their owners. They can be cuddly but are also very powerful. That said, they need to be trained and socialized while still young.

What Color Eyes Do Fawn Dobermans Have?

Almost all Dobermans, including fawn Dobes, are born with blue eyes. However, at around 4 to 16 weeks old, their eye color will start to change to brown or your puppy’s permanent eye color.

Full-grown fawn Doberman features a medium to dark brown eye color. The shade of their eye color usually matches the color of their rust markings.

However, do not be surprised if you come across Dobermans with blue or amber eyes, as this is common among cream or white Dobermans. 

Do Fawn Dobermans Shed a Lot?

Dobermans shed but not excessively. Surprisingly, blue and fawn Dobermans tend to shed less than the other Doberman variants. This is because Dobermans with diluted colors have less hair.

If you noticed that your fawn Doberman is shedding more than usual, regular grooming could help reduce this, along with daily brushing. 

Still, be prepared to see dog hair around your house all year round, as these dogs are moderate shedders.

Are Fawn Dobermans Hypoallergenic?

Fawn Dobermans are not hypoallergenic. Although Dobermans have short hair and are just moderate shedders, their dander, shedding, and drooling can still cause allergic reactions.

Another factor that adds to why fawn Doberman frequently triggers flare-ups is that this dog breed is prone to skin allergies that cause dry and flaky skin that can be deposited around the house.

That said, people with dog allergies should reconsider their choice of taking home a fawn Doberman.

Final Thoughts

Needless to say, fawn Dobermans can be a great addition to the right family. They may not be as common as the other Doberman colors, but they sure will provide the same amount of love, joy, and protection to your home.

However, the fawn Doberman is not for everyone as it requires an owner who is not just financially capable but also physically able to commit to the needs of this rare gem. 

Are you the right owner for the fawn Doberman? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.