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ILLUSTRATED STANDARD
AKC Standard NECK, TOPLINE, BODY Neck proudly carried, well muscled and dry. Well arched, with nape
of neck widening gradually toward body. Length of neck proportioned to body and
head. Withers pronounced and forming the highest point of the body. Back short,
firm, of sufficient width, and muscular at the loins, extending in a straight
line from withers to the slightly rounded croup. Chest broad with forechest well
defined. Ribs well sprung from the spine, but flattened in lower end to permit
elbow clearance. Brisket reaching deep to the elbow. Belly well tucked up,
extending in a curved line from the brisket. Loins wide and muscled. Hips broad
and in proportion to body, breadth of hips being approximately equal to breadth
of body at rib cage and shoulders. Tail docked at approximately second joint,
appears to be a continuation of the spine, and is carried only slightly above
the horizontal when the dog is alert. Commentary
The
neck should enable the dog to hold his head high, thus crowning a posture of
nobility, pride, alertness, power and confidence. “Well muscled and dry”
means the neck should be strong and firm without being thick or bullish and has
no loose skin. The
standard asks for "Length of neck proportioned to body and head." As
a guideline in determining correct proportion, the head and neck should be
about equal in length. The length of
the head should be about half the length of the topline as measured from the
withers to the onset of tail. This proportion can be verified
by comparing the length of head, neck, and topline of the ideal Doberman
Pinscher in the pictures in this Illustrated Standard. Good
length and a well-defined crest contribute greatly to the appearance of proud
neck carriage. The natural arch along the nape of the neck should flow
gracefully from the rear of the backskull downward, tapering smoothly into the
withers. The front of the
neck
should flow from the throat downward in a smooth,
gradually widening line to the forechest. The
standard asks for the neck to be proudly carried and also to be well muscled and
dry. “Dry” means the neck and
throat should have no loose skin..
A ewe or concave neck is evidence of weak ligaments and should be
penalized.
The
topline includes the withers, back, loin and croup, with the withers marking the
highest point of the topline. Efficiency of gait demands an almost level,
straight back and a well-muscled loin. There should be no roach, hump or sag.
Since efficiency of gait is imperative for the working Doberman, the
exaggerated "ski-slope" topline sometimes seen is a deviation from the
standard, as it significantly reduces efficiency. A short, strong back and
muscular loin are necessary for the proper transfer of power from the
hindquarters to the forequarters and for the flexibility and agility that
enables the Doberman to do his work. Typical
topline deviations
The
underline is formed by the brisket reaching to the elbow, flowing back parallel
to the ground to the base of the ninth rib where the ascent of the ribcage
begins. At that point, the underline gradually rises into a marked tuck-up that
flows into a short loin. If the brisket line sweeps up at the fifth or sixth
rib, the dog is herring gutted, which is a deviation from the standard, since a
herring gut can diminish a dog’s stamina. The depth of the brisket, length and
shape of the ribcage, and shortness of the loin and tuck-up all contribute to a
correct underline and the desired appearance of power and endurance. Typical
underline deviations
The
ribs are well sprung from the spine, although the first four or five ribs will
not have as much spring or curve. This allows the shoulder blade to have greater
freedom of motion. It also allows for proper elbow clearance as well as maximum
heart and lung capacity, which enable the Doberman to work without becoming
exhausted. Viewed
from the front, the chest must be broad; and the elbows are tucked in close to
the brisket. The space between the forelegs is filled. The bottom of the brisket
line between the elbows appears rounded. Viewed from the side, the forechest is
well defined but not exaggerated. The depth of chest reaches to the elbows. When looking straight down on the dog, the breadth of body across the shoulders, the widest point of the ribcage, and the breadth of muscles over the hips should all be approximately the same width. The loin should be wide, muscular and strong. It should curve inward slightly from the width of the ribs and flow back to full width again in the hindquarters. The overall picture from the top is one of a solid dog.
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