No promises that you'll be free and clear of skin problems with the blue you may end up with, just like any other colour in the doberman standards they can also have skin issues too.

I totally second what KevinK said. Most blue and fawn Dobermans suffer from what is called Color Dilute Alopecia for which there is NO cure, only management options. Some are managed very well on a premium diet while others require additional supplements and even medication. Dog with this condition if left untreated can develop secondary skin infections requiring anti-biotics, sometimes long term, to clear up the infection.

Here is a link to check out about color dilute alopecia in a nut shell

http://www.mckeevervetderm.com/media/a64feeb0eefd8b52ffff8087ffffd502.pdf

I chose a floppy fawn so we could travel incognito within the city without her getting bad/stereotyped vibes from all the encounters with strangers. That part has worked -- not only does no one know what breed she is but I've had more than a few other Doberman owners ask 'what kind of dog is she?'.

CDA will always be a concern for us but I chose to take the risk. We do however live in a very moderate climate, it never drops below freezing and rarely will it hit 90. Not sure I'd take the risk if I lived in extreme weather(her coat is is fairly soft but also fairly thin) she just doesn't have the insulation that even normal Dobermans have. I can deal with superficial and/or cosmetic issues but hopefully will not need to.

From my understanding, many if not most blue and fawns will have coat issues.  It might not be full on CDA but taking on a blue would surey increase your risk for health issues.  As far as the breeder is concerned, it is completely possible to know exactly what color puppies you will get in a litter.  By a simple DNA test you will know exactly what kind of puppies tha dam and sire can produce.  For example, each dog will carry the black gene, and some will carry the red gene.  Then there is the black dilute gene (blue) and the red dilute gene (fawn).  Both parents have to carry the gene to produce puppies of that color.  So for example if you have one parent that carries the black gene only and the other parent carries black, red, and both dilute genes, there will only be black puppies.  If both parents carry black and red genes then you will get black and red puppies.  I just had Sully tested (60$) and he carries the black and red no dilution.  So he can only produce black and red puppies.  Even though the breeder has been very helpful in getting you the owner information on the blues, I would be cautious of them.  If someone is producing high quality dobermans then they should know whether or not they are producing dogs of dilution.  This would be a little red flag, if they aren't doing this testing what other testing are they doind (vWD, hips, elbows, thyroid, ect.).

@Control_Freak- please tell me of the 'serious/long-term health effects' that are associated with CDA.

Don't worry about it dobbie man, Control_Freak was directing her comments at me.

You know, it takes a strong personality to raise a working breed so I'm not too surprized that people here have strong opinions. It does get annoying when others twist around someone else's post though.

I chose to get a fawn because that's what I chose to do. If anyone has a problem with that, feel free to not share your experiences with me on this forum. It's that simple.

dobbie man, if you're attracted to blue Dobermans get a blue. There, simple -- problem solved.

CDA not only poses hair loss issues but can also lead to secondary bacterial skin infections that can need long term antibiotics that can be harsh on their system.  In addition to that, the hair loss can become permenant which would therefore leave the dogs sensitive to the cold and very susceptable to severe sunburns and would require the use of sunscreen.  

D and Evie, my point was that I personally think that it is ridiculous to say "I choose a floppy fawn so we could travel incognito without the general stereotypes".  If you wanted a fawn then that is your choice, however, I feel much greater satisfaction having my two black and tan, cropped and docked dobermans being good members of the dog society.  I love seeing them in different situations, being well behaved and people commenting on how wonderful they are.  I try to change peoples perception of dobermans being "mean, vicious, man eating beasts".  But thats just me.

Dobie Man- I honestly gave you a heartfelt response.  While, there is nothing wrong with owning a blue/fawn doberman, they have a large possibility of developing CDA.  Most quality breeders will not produce puppies of dillution.  Being as your breeder has bred these two before and had blue puppies produced raises a red flag for me.  I am not saying this person is a bad breeder, just that I would be leery of them.  Ask a lot of questions, demand proof.  The most important health testing you can get is vWD, hips elbows, and PDK4 (which is fairly new).  Also, how often do they breed the dogs? And what enviroment are the dogs raised in? And what achievements have the parents received?  Remember dobermans are not cheap, and if they are there is probably a reason for it.