Can a dog with scars be shown?

I'm pretty sure only hunting dogs are allowed to have scars in shows as they are "honorable wounds".

Dobermans are not hunting dogs so I don't think this applies to them. Don't know 100% though.

Several breeds have a section in their standard that specifically allows "honorable scars" - the only one I can recall specifically is the Vizsla - it is not mentioned in the Doberman Pincher Standard specifically, but there is no general or specific rule against showing a dog with a scar, unless it is the result of a cosmetic procedure or certain types of medical procedures. Things like surgically removing a mismark or surgical correction for hip dysplasia are no-nos in the show ring.

You might contact a local Doberman fancier through the national breed club or a local Doberman or all-breed club, a owner-breeder-handler of quality dogs will be able to tell you if, in practice, a scar will hurt your dog's chances in the ring and also help you assess if your dog has potential to do well in the ring.

Good luck!

Scars aren't a DQ for any breed that I know of. I don't know of any breed where scars are listed as a fault. Some breed standards (primarily terriers and hounds) specifically say honorable scars should not be penalized. However as the do not alter the structure of the dog or the genetics behind them they technically shouldn't be punished at all (that doesn't mean some judges won't but they shouldn't be) The only time a judge should look twice at a scar is if it possibly indicates cosmetic alterations to the dog.

its more of a UKC thing, than AKC, but within the UKC, working/hunting breeds and some terriers can be shown if they have scars that appear to obviously have come from their type of work.

For example, even though American Bulldogs generally wear protective gear when catching wild hogs, those suckers can put a hurtin on a dog, and hog hunting scars are very obvious, that would be forgiven in a show, as long as the rest of your dog was correct, clean, etc.

This can apply to any breed, but few "working" breeds today do anything that would result in scars. The only "work" dobies are doing now a days is are things like therapy work, possibly detection, limited SAR, and some are doing manwork(protection work).

SAR is about the only one of those that could possibly result in some scarring.

There is nothing in the Doberman breed standard specifically faulting scars, so I would think that a judge would overlook it (or maybe ask what happened, if it's obvious/large).

http://www.akc.org/breeds/doberman_pinscher/

I have seen Goldens go in the ring with bald spots on them which were caused by eczema (very common thing that happens to long haired show dogs in my country) & the judges had no problem with it. Those dogs still won ribbons. I have also seen Dobes, Boxers & other short haired breeds with scars on them & they still won.

Some breeds are permitted to have coat imperfections. Terriers and some hounds and sporting dogs, for example, are permitted to have "honorable wounds" and scars.

Scars have nothing to do with a dog's quality, or lack thereof. Unless the competition is very close, your dog should not be penalized for having a scar.