Brown Doberman Pinschers are a less common sight than the black and tan variety. This breed comes in a range of colors, but brown doesn’t actually make the list of official shades. So, when you see a brown Doberman dog it’s actually likely that you’re seeing red instead. Red coloring on a Doberman will often look brown, but with a slight red tint or sheen. In fact, this coloring is also described as chocolate by some fans of the breed. Another potential way to find brown fur on a Doberman is by looking into Doberman mixes. However, mixing a purebred Doberman with another breed can change a lot more than just their fur color.
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No matter what their color, a Doberman will be a loyal, intelligent, and high energy dog. Training and socialization are a must from an early age. Though coat care is refreshingly easy! Could a Doberman with this interesting shade be perfect for you?
What Does a Brown Doberman Look Like?
Brown Dobermans have a short glossy coat. Since they are actually red in color, they will usually have a reddish tint to their fur. They will have the typical Doberman rust markings. These markings will be slightly lighter than the rest of their fur. They will appear above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, and feet, and below the tail. Some might also have some white markings, particularly on the chest.
Brown Doberman Genes
Brown/red Dobermans get their color from a recessive gene. This acts at the same locus as the gene required for black fur – the B gene. So, to express brown fur, a Doberman must receive a recessive copy from each parent (bb). If one or both genes at this locus are dominant (Bb or BB), your Doberman will have black fur.
However, this means that recessive genes needed for brown fur in Dobermans can go unnoticed for generations. So, brown Dobies can be a surprise when they emerge in a litter from two black Doberman parents. Despite this, breeders who are specifically trying to produce puppies with brown fur will usually stick to breeding two red Dobermans, since they cannot pass on the dominant B gene for black fur.
Are They Rare?
Brown coloring is caused by a recessive gene. So, brown or red Dobermans are less common than black and rust Dobermans. However, they aren’t the least common Doberman coloring out there.
Dilute Doberman shades include fawn/Isabella and blue. These shades require two copies of the recessive dilute gene (d) in order to show on your dog’s fur. And, since fawn is recessive red/brown, these puppies will need two copies of the d gene and two copies of the b gene. So, brown Dobermans can be hard to come across, especially compared to more dominant shades. But, they are not the most rare color available.
Are Brown Doberman Dogs More Aggressive?
Brown fur won’t change the traditional Doberman personality. They are an intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dog breed. Dobermans are known to get along well with all family members, from old to young. They are gentle and playful, particularly when with members of the family.
But, these strong bonds can lead to potential aggression and guarding behaviors. So, it’s vital to socialize your brown Doberman from a young age to all different types of people and animals, both inside and outside the home. On top of this, training is a must, particularly since this is a large adult breed.
Training will also provide some much needed exercise and mental stimulation. Dobermans are intelligent and energetic dogs. Interactive toys will be a great investment. And, you must be prepared to commit time every single day to exercising your dog. This breed is best in homes where they aren’t left alone for very long periods, as this can lead to anxiety and stress.
Color vs Health
Certain shades of Doberman are linked to health problems. For example, fawn and blue Dobermans are more likely to experience skin problems and color dilution alopecia. However, there is no current link between red Dobermans and certain health issues.
But, this does not mean that brown Dobermans are never going to suffer from health problems. In fact, they are prone to the same problems as any other Doberman. And, sadly, some of these can have a huge impact on your dog’s quality of life and overall lifespan.
Brown Doberman Puppies
If you have decided a brown Doberman will be a good fit for your home, your next step is to find one! You have two options here: buying a puppy from a reputable breeder or adoption. But, no matter which avenue you go down, you will likely have more luck searching for a “red” Doberman, as this is the official term for brown Dobies.
Reputable breeders will only breed the healthiest dogs. But, they will also get started on training and socialization early. And, they will have a very high level of care for the puppies and parent dogs. They will usually not make their income solely from breeding puppies. Puppies from backyard breeders and puppy mills are usually less healthy, less well cared for, and often show behavioral problems. So it’s worth putting in plenty of time and research before choosing a breeder.
Adoption is a great avenue to go down with the Doberman breed. The available dogs might be slightly older, but many will still make wonderful family pets. Work closely with adoption center staff to ensure you’re bringing home a Doberman that suits your lifestyle and family. For instance, let them know if you have other pets, young children, non-dog pets, and so on. All of this can impact which dog will be right for you.
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