Coat

[eklavya]

Hi,
My 12 weeks dobe has soft and smooth coat everywhere. But the coat on his back is very rough. Is it normal? Will the coat become smooth with age?

[Dobs4ever]

Posted from the DPCA web site on the coat standard of the Doberman

Commentary

The desired coat type is a short, hard, smooth, thick coat that seems to cling to the skin. Running your fingers backward through the coat, you will feel the hard texture; the length and tightness are evident. A good coat will return almost immediately to position with scarcely a hair out of place. The skin does not show through on a good coat. The blues and fawns (Isabellas) do not have the sheen of the blacks and reds, because of coat texture. The Doberman is a solid-colored dog with the specific "tan-point" pattern of rust markings.

While there is a considerable range of shades in each coat color, if the coat is not one of the four allowed solid colors, the dog must be disqualified.

Black is a defined black color. Blue (a dilution of black) is a bluish gray color. It is actually a medium-to-dark shade of gray and ideally has a definitely bluish cast. Red is really reddish brown, and the most desirable shade is the rich brown with a reddish glow.

Fawn (also referred to as Isabella, a dilution of red) is a silvery beige color. It should not be confused with the color of the fawn Boxer or Great Dane, as that is a lighter shade of fawn — more of a sandy color.

The desired color of markings is a deep rust-red but it may be somewhat lighter or darker. Sharply defined markings are preferable, as they enhance the characteristic look of the Doberman. The markings on the chest should be two small triangles, as opposed to a large unbroken banner.

Deviations to the standard include: Thin sparse coat, large splashy markings, light-colored markings, lack of markings, indistinct markings (melanism), markings that bleed into the solid color, absence of deep rich coat color, white chest patches larger than 1/2-inch square or white elsewhere on the dog.

[eklavya]

Yes his coat on back doesn't fall back to original place when I run my fingers in reverse direction. Is it a disqualification? Can you tell something by looking at his pics?http://orkutapp.x10hosting.com/images/DSC01903.JPG
http://orkutapp.x10hosting.com/images/DSC02290.JPG
http://orkutapp.x10hosting.com/images/DSC02234.JPG

[Dobs4ever]

If the coat feels wirey on the back that is not unusual and is actually more correct. I would not worry. He looks healthy and happy.

[OliveOil]

What a cute little boy!!

[tnsteelerfan]

I think he is absolutley georgous!!! I want a red dobe, I have a black and tan right now Brody my baby. Hoping to move in the spring to a bigger house then I am planning on getting one.