Are All-Black Dobermans Rare?

Pure Black Dobermans is a sight you don’t get to see every day. Many people have claimed to see pure black Dobermans, but these dogs are very rare in reality. The Black Doberman is not a separate breed from the standard Doberman Pinscher; instead, it is simply a color variation. However, some people debate that pure black Dobermans are rare and not recommended to buy or breed.

Pure black Dobermans have numerous health risks. Therefore, it is advised not to buy a pure black Doberman by many experts. The pure black Doberman is also not recognized by the American Kennel Association, stating that pure black Dobermans aren’t a standard breed or a true Doberman.

Let’s discuss this in detail:

What Exactly is a Pure Black Doberman?

These Dobermans go by another name called, Melanistic Dobermans have very light rust marking like other Dobermans, but it’s almost invisible unless you take a closer look. This unusual hue is caused by a genetic fault rather than a color change and is generally brought on by the K dominant black gene or the E lotus prominent marking gene. Many believe the solid black coat is linked to as many health issues as the pure white variety, and this hue is not formally acknowledged. Others claim that melanistic animals are “healthier and longer-lived,” for example, the melanistic wolf has greater resistance to distemper and a better chance of scoring a successful kill because it’s more challenging to spot.

All Black Dobermans Are Rare

People debate that pure black Dobermans are rare and not recommended to buy or breed. However, in the American Kennel Association, the pure black Doberman is not regarded as a formal breed or a genuine Doberman. Pure black Dobermans are prone to numerous health issues, including blindness and deafness. Many experts, therefore, advise against acquiring a pure black Doberman due to their high risk of suffering from these problems. On rare occasions, you may find black dogs in a shelter, or they might be born from a reputable breeder. If you come upon a litter with numerous all-black Dobermans pups, though, be wary; these are probably not pure-bred Dobermans, or some inbreeding may have produced so many all-black puppies in one litter.

They Are Mostly Not All Black and Pure-Bred

Though some people have noticed an entirely black, they have a faint shade of rust color if you look closely. There is a possibility that a black Doberman bred with another all-black dog could have resulted in an all-black or pure black Doberman. However, these dogs aren’t called pure-bred Dobermans, even though they are look-alikes. As the American Kennel Association stated, these dogs are unrecognized and are not real Dobermans. However, these Dobermans have been labeled all-black Dobermans by non-ethical breeders, stating that these Dobermans may look alike but are not exactly pure-bred like the other Dobermans.

Avoiding Pure Black Dobermans

Why Should You Avoid Pure Black Dobermans? The straightforward explanation is that pure black Dobermans are more susceptible to illness than other color variants. The gene that creates eumelanin, the pigment responsible for color, in pure black Dobermans is absent. Black Dobermans are more likely to suffer from skin problems and sunburn and are also

more prone to hearing loss. Furthermore, black Dobermans are more likely to be born with heart defects. The incidence of these issues is directly linked to their hair color.

Dog Breeders not only require their dogs to conform to the Doberman standards but also want to produce healthy dogs that will abide by these standards for generations to come. To do this, Doberman breeders need to be aware of the health concerns specific to their breed and work to avoid them.

Some ethical breeders do work on all-white or black Dobermans. However, they go under extensive health check-ups and avoid inbreeding their dogs. Black Dobermans are more susceptible to various health problems, which is why many breeders choose not to produce them, and the same goes for all-white Dobermans.

Controversies on Pure-Black Dobermans

There have been debates where people have supported alternate color Dobermans (all-black), and some have been against it. Some experts have argued that black Dobermans are more resistant to disease, while others claim they are more prone to health problems.

Here are two theories:

Pro-Alternative Colour Argument

In response to the question, “Are all-black. Dobermans unhealthy?” Those in favor or at least not opposed will say that it’s incorrect to judge a dog as “unhealthy” simply because of

its hue. They’ll also pull up a list of alternative color breeders who go to significant lengths to guarantee that their stock is fit and conduct thorough health investigations. They may also refer to one of the many studies demonstrating that all-black dogs are typically healthier than others. They maintain that the idea of non-standard Dobermans being unhealthy is a myth.

Anti-Alternative Colour Argument

On the other side of the spectrum, those who are against alternative colors will say that while it’s true that all-black Dobermans aren’t automatically unhealthy, they’re more likely to suffer from health problems compared to other colored dogs. They’ll also mention that Black Dobermans have a higher incidence of deafness and skin issues, which are directly linked to the eumelanin pigment. They’ll point out that responsible breeders avoid producing all-black Dobermans, as they want to have healthy dogs that conform to the Doberman standard.

How is Colour Determined?

When two Dobermans of different colors mate, the puppies inherit a mix of the parent’s alleles (genetic information). The alleles responsible for color are located on the B locus, which has two positions, B and b. The allele at the B locus is responsible for eumelanin production, while the allele at the b locus is responsible for phaeomelanin production. Eumelanin is responsible for black, blue, and Isabella colors, while phaeomelanin is responsible for the red, cream, fawn, and dark shades. Black and red dominate all other colors, meaning that a Black Doberman can mate with any other color and produce Black offspring. A Black Doberman mating with a fawn Doberman will produce Black offspring because Black is dominant to fawn. However, two Black Dobermans mating will have Black, Blue, Isabella, and red offspring because they are both Black and carry the alleles for those colors.

Colors of Dobermans

Dobermans have seven approved colors, Black, Blue, Fawn, Red, Cream, and Isabella. However, Black is the most common color, followed by red, and the other colors are much less common.

The Black Doberman

The Black Doberman is the most popular color among other Dobermans. They are striking dogs with jet black coats and bright red rust markings. They have all-black noses, lips, and eye rims. And they are the only color of Doberman that can have Black nails. Black is a very dominant & common color, so Black Dobermans can be produced by mating any two Dobermans of any color.

The Blue Doberman

The Blue Doberman is a Black Doberman with a dilute gene. The Blue Doberman has a black coat with a blue hue. Like black Doberman, they have all-black noses, lips, and eye rims. Blue Dobermans can have Black or blue nails. However, they do have lighter markings above the eyes, on the chest, and below the tail. Blue is a recessive color, so two Blue Dobermans must be mated to produce blue offspring. These dogs are also prone to Color Dilution Alopecia. It is a condition where the hair of the Doberman can get brittle and break easily.

The Fawn Doberman

The Fawn Doberman is a Doberman with a diluted beige-brown gene. The Fawn Doberman has a Black coat with a fawn (light brown) cast. Fawn Dobermans have Black noses, but their lips and eye rims may be flesh-colored. Fawn Dobermans can either have Black or flesh-colored nails. Some fawn Dobermans have their ears cropped or are naturally let down. They can also have markings of rust or white colors on the chest, below the tail, or even sometimes above the eyes. These dogs resemble their Weimaraner ancestors.

The Red and Rust Doberman

The Red and Rust Doberman has a liver or chocolate color look. This Doberman has a Black coat with a reddish tint. Red Dobermans have Black noses, but their lips and eye rims may be liver-colored. Red Dobermans can have Black or liver-colored nails. They also have a tan color spread over their eyes, chest, muzzle, legs, and tail. Though all Dobermans are susceptible to health risks, red or rust Dobermans are more prone to skin problems like acne, either when puppies or as adults.

The White Doberman

The White Doberman has a cream gene. The white Doberman has a White coat with a cream-colored cast. White Dobermans have flesh-colored noses, along with their lips and eye. White Dobermans can have flesh-colored nails. These Dobermans also tend to have poor eyesight and common problems with photosensitivity and develop behavioral issues. White Dobermans are also banned in some countries.

Conclusion

Yes, all-black Dobermans without rust markings are considered rarest of all Doberman breeds. However, all-black Dobermans are not recognized by the American Kennel Association as a breed of Doberman. Ethical dog breeders prefer to avoid all-black Dobermans as they have much more health risks and maintenance as compared to any other colored Doberman and they do not conform to the Doberman standards, instead, they prefer to opt for healthier Doberman breeds.

See Also: How much does a Doberman Shed?

FAQs

What are the different colors of Dobermans?

There are a variety of colors in Doberman, such as Black, blue, fawn, red, cream, and Isabella.

What color is the most popular Doberman?

Black Dobermans are considered to be the most popular among other Dobermans.

What color is Doberman most prone to health issues?

Pure Black Dobermans are more prone to health risks. The AKC does not recognize them.

What is the difference between a Black Doberman and a Blue Doberman?

A Black Doberman has a black coat with rust markings, while a Blue Doberman has a black coat with a blue sheen and is more prone to health risks like Color Dilution Alopecia.

What is the difference between a Black Doberman and a Red and Rust Doberman?

A Black Doberman has a black coat with rust markings, whereas Red Doberman has a black coat with a reddish tint. Red and Rust Dobermans have skin problems, especially acne. Black Dobermans are overall healthy dogs.

What is the difference between a Black Doberman and a White Doberman?

A Black Doberman has a black coat with rust markings, while a White Doberman has an entirely white coat and flesh-colored nose, lips, and toenails. White Dobermans are banned in some countries compared to black Dobermans.

What are some of the health issues Black Dobermans are prone to?

Black Dobermans are more prone to hip dysplasia, deafness, von Willebrand’s disease, and

thyroid problems.

How do I find a reputable Black Doberman breeder?

You can start by contacting the American Kennel Club or searching for Black Doberman breeders online. Make sure you visit the breeder’s facility and meet the puppies’ parents before deciding.

When is the best time to buy a Black Doberman?

Black Dobermans are available year-round, but in Spring or Fall is the best time to buy one.