Breed Overview

The Doberman Pinscher is a dog that’s hard to miss. With their glossy and athletic yet compact bodies and powerful stance, these dogs have an imposing presence but underneath, they’re often big softies. There’s a reason Dobermans have such an aura of authority about them—it has a lot to do with the way they were developed.

Fawn (Isabella) and rust is one of four AKC standard color combinations and is one of the less common Doberman colors. The fawn color is the result of the dilute gene which gives the coat a sort of beige or light brown color instead of red. Fawn and rust Dobermans’ coats even appear to have an almost silvery tint.

In this post, we’ll explore the history of the fawn and rust Dobermans. We’ll also share some unique facts and what they’re like as family dogs.

Doberman Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Fawn Dobermans in History

Dobermans originated in Germany in the 19th century when they were developed by a tax collector and breeder named Louis Dobermann from Apolda. Hoping to deter potentially aggressive citizens from taking their anger out on him when he knocked at their doors, Dobermann decided to take physically imposing dogs with him on his tax collecting rounds for protection.

The result of Dobermann’s breeding efforts was what later became known as the Doberman—a breed similar to but larger than a German Pinscher. The German Pinscher, Rottweiler, black and tan Terrier, Weimaraner, and old German Shepherd are said to be the breed combinations most likely responsible for the development of the Doberman.

And so, this explains why Dobermans are known for their “intimidating” appearance—they were bred to look fierce!

How Fawn Dobermans Gained Popularity

Dobermans were first exhibited at a dog market in Apolda, Germany in 1863, where they were the center of intrigue for their powerful appearance and distinctiveness in comparison to the lap dogs they were surrounded by.

They continued to garner attention after Dobermann passed away in 1894 and others persevered with the breed’s development by crossing it with the Manchester Terrier and Greyhound. They came to be known for their hardworking natures and for being capable guards and watchdogs due to their fearlessness and natural alertness. For this reason, they have been popular police and military dogs for many years.

The first Doberman Pinscher club was founded in 1899 by Otto Göller and soon enough, the Doberman began to be exported outside Germany.

Formal Recognition of the Fawn Doberman

The American Kennel Club first officially recognized the Doberman in 1908, though the German Kennel Club recognized the breed a few years earlier in 1899. Dobermans were accepted “on a definitive basis” by the FCI in Europe in 1955.

The breed standard varies by club. The AKC recognizes four standard colors—black and rust, blue and rust, red and rust, and fawn and rust. The Kennel Club in the UK, however, recognizes eight standard colors and the FCI recognizes only two—black with rust red and brown with rust red with “clearly defined and clean markings”.

Top 3 Unique Facts About Fawn Dobermans

1. Dobermans Are Typically Affectionate Dogs

Despite their reputation for being “tough” or “intimidating”, Dobermans are typically family-friendly, affectionate dogs as long as they’ve been socialized properly. If raised with children, the Doberman is often a sweet and gentle companion and fun-loving playmate.

2. Dobermans Are Sensitive to the Cold

You might want to kit your Doberman out with a jacket for winter walks or windy days because they’re sensitive to the cold. This is because their bodies don’t carry much fat and they have very short coats.

3. The First Doberman Club Was Founded in a Pub

Otto Göller, a liqueur manufacturer, founded the first Doberman club in a pub. The club was founded during the annual Apolda dog market in 1899.

Does a Fawn Doberman Make a Good Pet?

Fawn and rust Dobermans, like Dobermans in any color, are often great family dogs due to their affectionate natures, loyalty, and patience with children if properly socialized and trained. They are a high-energy breed that needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy—the PDSA recommends 2 hours of exercise per day at a minimum, split into two walks.

Dobermans are especially suited to active families and homes with gardens as they enjoy free time off-leash in a secure area to help burn off some of their abundant energy. They have a strong prey drive and so should be socialized with other pets from as early an age as possible to curb their chasing instincts.

Grooming-wise, they’re not very high-maintenance due to their short coats, so you can expect to brush them once per week for maintenance purposes. That said, they do shed more in spring and fall.

Conclusion

To recap, Dobermans were originally developed as protection dogs by a German tax collector, and they later became valued as working dogs in the military and police force. Today, they’re loving family dogs in many homes around the world and were ranked at number 16 in the AKC’s 2021 list of most popular dogs, just behind Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and ahead of Great Danes.

Featured Image Credit: Just Julie, Shutterstock