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CKC CH PT Garshanagan's The Tallesman, TT - 25% Euro/75% NA
MULTI CH Dobereich's Bewitched, TT - 50/50 Euro/NA
CKC GCH Dobereich's Quite a Vivid Dream - 75% Euro/25% NA
CKC CH Dobereich's Made you Look, TT - Full European
American vs European Dobermans.... is there a difference?
There is so much misinformation online on this topic, mostly stemming from one person's opinion on a popular YouTube channel, and then being shared as fact.
The same questions come up a lot, so lets cover them in a Q&A manner,
Q: What is a hibrid Doberman?
A: One person referred to a Euro/NA mix as a hibrid on their YouTube channel, which is inaccurate. The Doberman breed originated in Europe, then became popular in North America. While the style of the breed divided somewhat based on the popular stud dogs used, the breed standard is nearly identical, with the FCI standard being the template for the breed. The breeding between American and European pedigrees makes for an open pedigree, or an outcross that brings different bloodlines together. It is the same breed, the same species, therefore cannot be a hibrid.
Q: Are American Dobermans better family dogs than European Dobermans?
A: The temperament of a dog is determined by many factors, genetics being one. However how a dog is raised, trained, and exercised plays a larger role in a dog's daily behaviour. Where a dog is born has little bearing on how they will behave every day in their home.
Q: Are European dogs working dogs and therefore more difficult to manage than NA Dobes?
A: There is a difference in drive with working lines, which exist in both Europe and NA. A working line means that these dogs were chosen to do a specific job, therefore the breeders are looking to capture and nurture the working side of the breed. The serious breeders of working lines will not sell a family home (also referred to as a pet home) one of their pups, they will only sell to owners who are experienced in their sport. Working sport is more supported in Europe, and since the breed was originally designed to work, I would say that there are more breeders of working lines in Europe. However the majority of Eueopean breeders will be looking to raise dogs that have the courage to protect, with the steady nerve to react appropriately when there isn't a threat. Without the nerve the breed is just as likely to bite from fear. So to remove that confidence is to increase the likelihood of inapropriate reaction. The only way to know that a dog has the ability to react appropriately is to put the dog to the test. In Europe the breed clubs require the dogs to pass this test in order to be considered "fit for breeding". This started with the DV (German Doberman club) when they established the "ZTP" (Zuchttauglichkeitsprüfung).
To pass the ZTP the dog must prove to have appropriate reactions to both friendly people and threatening sitiations, they must not be fearful or anxious, and they must conform to the physical breed standards. In short, they are examined from head to toe and undergo temperament testing.
In NA there is no requirement to prove temperament or health. Responsible breeders hold to their own practice to ensure that their breeding stock is fit for breeding, but they don't have to prove it for the CKC and AKC.
Q: Are European Dobermans healthier and live longer than NA?
A: No, where a dog is born makes no difference to their health. Responsible breeders test their dogs and research pedigrees to ensure that they are breeding healthy lines. The same sucess and failure is observed everywhere.
Q: Are American Dobermans more cuddly than European Dobermans?
A: This is an individual trait and you should specify to your breeder if you desire a Doberman that is more inclined to appreciate being held. The show of affection is not read by dogs the same way people view it.
Q: Which is bigger, Euro or NA Dobermans?
A: The breed standard between the breed clubs in Europe and NA are almost identical, because the breed was established in Europe and the standard therefore adopted by other breed clubs was based on the breed's oginal purpose. However the style of the breed has been affected by the dogs more commonly used (bred) in their area. The European Doberman is typically a little heavier built, but this is not always the case, and it should only be a slightly heavier dog.
Q: What are the main differences in appearance between the Euro and NA Dobermans?
A: As already covered in this section, these 2 registries are nearly identical. However some differences are observed between well bred lines. The European Doberman typically has darker rust markings, in Europe described as "mahogany" vs a lighter tan in NA. Euros are a little heavier and well-muscled throughout the thigh, and the Euro head a thicker wedge, broader througout the muzzle. However this is a stereotypical analysis and does not speak for all Euro and NA dobes. I have seen very finely built Dobes in both Euro and NA lines, as well as some very large and heavily built American Dobes.
This page will be updated as new questions arrise.