Red Doberman Pinscher — How Rare Is This Powerful Dog?

When it comes to the Doberman Pinscher dog breed, there is no mistaking that every Dobie color is breathtaking. But, the one that draws all the attention is the red Doberman color.

Most of us got used to seeing the standard black and rust Doberman, so seeing a red Doberman happens on rare occasions.

Are red Doberman dogs really that rare? What makes them different from other Doberman Pinschers? Do red Doberman Pinschers make better guard dogs?

Let’s find out what’s so special about the red Doberman!

What Is A Red Doberman?

A Red Doberman Pinscher is a medium-sized dog with a large head and a muscular build, developed and characterized by a reddish-brown coat.

To put it simply, the red Doberman Pinscher is a purebred dog that happens to inherit beautiful shades of red coat color.

However, the red Doberman is never solid in color like Miniature Pinschers that have their coats completely colored in a single shade of red.

The purebred red Doberman Pinscher comes with markings of different colors (usually tan or rust) that are located on specific areas of its body. Because of this, a better way to call a red Doberman is “red and rust Doberman”, which is also its name in the official breed standard.

The base color of a red Doberman is not exactly red. Coat of the red Doberman appears more brown or chocolate in color, with a reddish tint to it. Therefore, in most dog breeds, red is often used to describe brown, chocolate, or liver coat colors.

So, we see liver German Shepherds and red merle Australian Shepherds with completely different coloring, but the brownish shade to them is referred to as liver or red.

Is Red An Official Doberman Color?

Short answer — yes!

The red Doberman, along with its black, blue, and fawn (Isabella) counterparts found its spot in the official AKC Doberman Pinscher breed standard.

However, red Doberman Pinschers inherit distinct tan or rust markings so they are usually called red and rust Doberman Pinschers.

Other than that, Dobie owners and enthusiasts often call them chocolate or brown Dobermans.

The information we needed here was if the red Doberman is recognized by the American Kennel Club — it is. And yes, it can be registered with the AKC and participate in dog shows and other AKC events.

Red Doberman Markings

Purebred Doberman Pinschers of all coat colors inherit characteristic rust or tan/rust markings.

Red Doberman markings are usually tan or rust-colored. These markings are very specific for the Doberman Pinscher dog breed.

Both rust and tan markings are clearly defined and located above each eye. Sometimes, these tan markings spread down towards Dobie’s cheeks, making them look like tanned kiss marks!

Besides eyebrow and cheek area, tan markings can be found on the red Doberman’s muzzle, across its neck and chest. A red Doberman can be colored in tan markings across its whole abdomen. But, the most common area is the lower belly.

Finally, each Dobie’s leg is colored in tan from knee down to the paw.

Most Dobies get their tails docked like Rottweilers, but if their tails remain natural, a tan marking is visible beneath.

Red Doberman’s tan markings are similarly distributed as tan markings seen in short haired and long haired Rottweilers.

Read Next: Making Sense Of Doberman Tail Docking

How Rare Is A Red Doberman?

When compared to their black and rust/tan counterparts, red Dobermans are less likely to be seen, but they are not considered as rare.

While most Doberman Pinscher litters produce black and tan Doberman puppies, a single red Doberman Pinscher puppy may surprise breeders and dog owners.

The reason why the red Doberman is uncommon lies in the recessive gene that regulates the rust/red pigment of the Doberman coat color.

Despite that, red Doberman color is the second most frequent color of this breed.

The rarest of all Doberman Pinschers are fawn and Isabella-colored Dobie pups. White Doberman Pinschers (not to be confused with Albino Dobermans) are also pretty rare, but nowadays Dobie breeders are developing more white pups than ever before.

What Color Do Red Doberman Puppies Come In?

Red Doberman puppies can be born in a light brown coat color. This is why red Dobies are often called brown Dobermans.

The majority of Dobie lovers prefer to refer to this brown color shade as a deep red or chestnut. This is because such a beautiful red shade draws attention to the Doberman’s smooth and shiny coat. Moreover, the vivid shades of red color enhance the appearance of the red Doberman’s muscular body.

However, Doberman puppies can have a variety of colors that ranges from pale copper to dark chocolate. I had most Dobie owners come up to me and ask:

“Do Dobermans Change Their Coat Color As They Age?”

Most dog breeds, including the Doberman Pinscher dog change coats about three times before they reach twelve months of age. Due to the fact that red Doberman puppies have short coats, this change might be more visible than in other breeds.

But, this is an almost unnoticeable process because the coat change isn’t extreme. A red Doberman puppy will stay a red Doberman puppy!

What Causes The Red Color In Red Dobermans?

The red color of a red Doberman is caused by a red pigment that’s called pheomelanin. This pigment is in charge of coloring only the Doberman’s hair. Red Doberman’s eyes and nose are commonly regulated by the black pigment (eumelanin) which is dominant.

However, red Doberman are frequently seen with brown noses and brown paw pads.

This is due to the fact that red Doberman dogs belong to the red pigment family and they can carry brown alleles that are responsible for those cute chocolate noses!

The two pigments, black and red, are basic color pigments in the doggie world, and all dog colors originate from them. The perfect example of two basic canine coat color pigments are seen in Labrador Retrievers colors.

Now, the intensity of Dobe’s red pigment depends on color genes that regulate it. This means that, depending on the gene locus, the red Doberman color can be lighter or darker.

Dilution of this red pigment can lead to a very unique fawn Doberman color. On the other hand, dilution of black pigment results in a grayish blue Doberman Pinscher whose color resembles the Weimaraner dog breed.

Coat color genetics in dogs is a very wide and complex subject and it takes quite some time to get the hang of it. But, once you do, you start understanding how these incredible genes color the Doberman Pinscher in beautiful shades of red.

Red Doberman Coat Type

Red Doberman’s coat is short and fabulous!

Compared to other dog breeds, red Dobermans have shiny coats that look very healthy. They somewhat resemble those of purebred Rottweilers, black and tan Terriers, and smooth-haired German Pinschers.

Additionally, red Doberman’s short coat is single-layered, consisting only of an overcoat, just like in the Greyhound dog breed.

This means that your red Dobie might need a good doggie jacket to keep it warm during winter!

How Much Do Red Dobermans Shed?

Most people believe that because red Dobermans inherit short and single-layered coats, they don’t shed. However, Dobies shed moderately. So, prepare to clean up brown to reddish dog hair that flies around the house.

But, don’t worry! A red Doberman’s does not shed as bad as the German Shepherd.

When compared to this herding breed, Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds inherit completely different coat types, so they shed differently.

Comparison-wise, red Dobermans shed just as much as Greyhounds, Pitbulls, and other single-coated dog breeds.

Are Red Dobermans Hypoallergenic?

Most often than not, I stumble upon many paw lovers that suffer from dog allergies. Some of them really want to adopt a red Doberman Pinscher dog and they wonder: “Are Doberman Pinschers hypoallergenic?”

All purebred Doberman Pinschers, including red Dobies, are not hypoallergenic.

This means that this dog breed will have you sneezing all day long! But, if you decide to adopt a Doberman mix puppy, there might be a chance that it will have inherited the other parent breed’s low-shedding and hypoallergenic coat properties.

While I believe no dogs are hypoallergenic, meaning completely free of allergens, there are some dog breeds that produce less dander and saliva.

For instance, Poodles are considered hypoallergenic because they produce minimum amounts of saliva and dander, plus they also shed very little.

What Color Eyes Do Red Dobermans Have?

Like most puppies, red Doberman puppies’ eyes are blue when they first open them (in the first 10 days of life). However, their blue eyes are linked to nursing and they usually change color when red Doberman puppies reach 7 weeks of age.

As we previously mentioned, the red pigment is guilty of coloring Dobe’s nose and eyes. Red Doberman’s eye color is uniformly distributed along the iris, ranging from black, rust, to light brown and even hazel shades.

The thing about red Dobermans is that their rust/tan markings almost always match the color of their eyes. So, next time you see a red Doberman, pay attention to its tan markings and eye color!

Although it is allowed for red Dobies to inherit eye color in any shade of brown, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is more fond of red Dobermans with darker colored eyes.

While red Dobermans are almost never blue eyed dogs, their white counterparts often inherit crystal blue eyes.

What Is The Average Height Of A Red Doberman?

When it comes to their size, red Dobermans are not any different than other Dobies. Full grown red Doberman Pinschers stand between 24 and 28 inches tall.

Keep in mind that male and female red Doberman Pinschers are different in both height and weight. Normally, male red Doberman Pinschers reach the maximum height of 28 inches. Females Dobes are more petite and sleek, but their red coat color is as vivid as in males.

Red Doberman Pinschers can weigh anywhere between 60 and 80 pounds, depending on the ratio of quality diet and physical activity.

For more information on its development and size, you can check the Doberman Pinscher growth chart.

What Is The Difference Between A Red Doberman And A Black Doberman?

Well, one is red, and another is black. Simple enough!

Both red and black Doberman Pinschers inherit similar tan markings that are located on the same parts of their bodies. The biggest difference between the two can be in size and appearance — if one is an American, and the other European Doberman Pinscher.

Although the main difference is in color, there are many Dobie owners that claim these two have different personalities.

I was curious enough to scroll down a Doberman Pinscher forum where Dobie owners shared their experience with different colored Dobies.

Needless to say that I was pretty surprised! While most prefer the personality of a red Doberman, many still decide to get a black Doberman. How come?

This is what I found out. So, after reading these comments, it’s up to you to decide whether red Dobermans are better than black ones and vice versa:

• Male black Dobermans are more laid-back than female red Dobermans

• Red Doberman females are sneaky con artists

• Red Doberman males are goofy and funny

• Red Doberman females are always alert and ready to go

These are pretty much male vs. female Doberman Pinscher personality traits, rather than differences related to color.

As far as looks go, Doberman Pinschers with uncropped ears look different than those with cropped ears.

Are Red Dobermans More Aggressive?

Honestly, no one really ever said that red Doberman Pinschers are aggressive — every dog breed has the potential to develop aggressive behavior if not properly taken care of.

So the answer to this question is both yes and no.

Although no one has done conclusive research on it, red Dobermans are said to be more playful and less possessive than black ones.

Red Dobermans, just like Dobies of other colors, require early socialization and regular training. When lots of time is spent with red Dobermans, they will turn out into friendly and goofy adult dogs that are full of energy.

Besides that, red Dobermans are very curious and happy to meet new people and animal friends. But, only if they have been properly raised!

Due to the fact that red Dobermans are intelligent dogs, if acquired, their aggressive behavior can be corrected with proper socialization.

Are Red Dobermans Prone To Health Issues?

Red Dobermans are prone to congenital breed-specific health problems just as much as their black and white colored siblings.

The health problems that we are going to mention can have a great effect on how red Doberman Pinschers look. More precisely, these health conditions can cause red Doberman’s coat to lose its vivid color and even lose chunks of hair.

Here are some of the most common health issues affecting the whole Doberman Pinscher breed:

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Dobies with Von Willebrand’s Disease have quite a bleeding tendency due to lower activity (or absence) of a protein that’s responsible for blood clotting.

It is not proven that red Dobermans are more prone to this disease than any other Doberman dog. The whole Doberman Pinscher breed is at risk of inheriting this bleeding disorder.

Cardiomyopathy

Doberman Cardiomyopathy is a serious health condition that causes the heart’s muscle to lose its ability to contract. This can lead to heart failure and unfortunately, death.

It is a hereditary health problem that also affects humans. But, recent research shows that Dobermans with this genetic heart disorder may be a model for human treatments.

Finding treatment for human cardiomyopathy will also help the Doberman Pinscher dog breed.

Hip And Elbow dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common problem of almost all dog breeds. Especially medium to large ones like our red Doberman!

Again, Doberman dogs of all colors can inherit this developmental health problem. Doberman puppies grow very quickly during their puppyhood. Once they reach their adulthood and become more active, their joints carry their weight.

Sometimes, joints can develop an abnormal growth or due to a certain injury the ball dislocates from the socket. This causes the two bones to rub against each other, causing your Dobie pain and troubles walking.

Lipomas And Liposarcomas

Doberman Pinschers are probably among the most susceptible to lipomas and liposarcomas. These two health conditions are classified as skin tumors in dogs. Note that they mostly develop in older Dobies.

Whether it is a red, black and tan, white, or fawn Doberman Pinscher, it is quite prone to inheriting this skin condition.

Skin tumors in Dobies look like rough raised warts that are located alongside abdomen, hindlimbs, trunk, and sometimes head.

Wobbler syndrome

In Doberman Pinschers and giant dog breeds like Great Danes, Weimaraners, and Rottweilers. Wobbler syndrome develops as a hereditary condition. It is described as a neurological disease that affects Dobie’s spinal cord within the neck area.

Wobbler syndrome symptoms include uncoordinated body movements (especially of hindlimbs), neck pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, and thinning of the coat.

Out of all Doberman colors I have worked with, mostly red Dobermans suffered from a hereditary health issue known as canine Wobbler syndrome.

Investigating further I have found out that 5.5% Doberman Pinschers suffer from this condition. Perhaps it was just a coincidence that all of my patients were red Dobies.

How Do I Keep My Red Doberman Coat Shiny?

Here comes the fun part!

Keeping your red Doberman coat shiny is one of the most important things when owning this powerful dog breed.

And, I’m not only talking about brushing and bathing your red Doberman Pinscher! Before grooming comes care from the inside: a red Doberman Pinschers requires a healthy diet with quality protein, fatty acids (omega-3), vitamins, and minerals.

Investing in high quality Dobie dog food and supplements will keep your red Doberman’s coat as shiny as it can be!

Now for the brushing and bathing part.

Ideally, brushing your red Doberman every day will maintain shedding and evenly distribute skin oils through its coat, making it extra shiny and healthy-looking. Make sure to find the best brush for your Dobie!

Although bathing a red Doberman is not a necessity (unless it rolled on a dead animal and got really dirty), you can give it a wash once every month or two. Buying a high-quality Dobie shampoo is less likely to cause skin allergies. Moreover, a good shampoo will keep your red Dobie’s coat squeaky clean!

How Much Are Red Dobermans Worth?

Red Dobermans are usually worth as much as black and tan Dobies. Their price ranges between $1000 and $2500. This is, of course, the price for a purebred red Doberman.

Red Doberman mixes are usually lower in price, ranging from $500 to $800.

There might be some differences in price between American and European Doberman Pinschers. Most European Doberman Pinscher breeders in the U.S. value these purebred dogs from $3000 to $4000 — in some cases even more.

Reputable and ethical Dobie breeders won’t value red Dobermans more than black and tan ones. This is because responsible Doberman breeders put the puppy’s health first, then temperament, and appearance.

Fun Facts About The Doberman Pinscher Dog Breed

Let’s finish this fun article with some fun facts about this powerful dog breed. Perhaps some of these facts will secure you a first place in a dog quiz!

• The Doberman Pinscher (pronounced Doberman Pincher) is a German dog breed that dates back to the year 1880.

• Dobies were developed by a German tax collector also known as Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann who wanted a canine bodyguard.

•Dobies rank fifth on the smartest dog list! They show-off their intelligence by quickly learning tricks and over 50 words of human language!

• Dobies were loyal canine companions during World War II. With their strong work ethics and attentive personalities, Dobies serves as excellent watchdogs.