The wife and I had a Doberman we named Sadie; the smartest dog I’ve ever had. We took her training and socialization very seriously. We never tired of teaching her stupid pet tricks. She could master just about everything we threw at her in a single day. I still miss her.
She could swim better than any dog I’ve known. Six foot swells on Lake Michigan wouldn’t faze her.
Outside the home she was as friendly and sociable as you could imagine. When properly introduced to her you had a friend and protector for life.
God help you if you were a stranger (to her) trying to enter her residence, be it our home, her travel kennel or a hotel room. She had a protective streak a mile long and three miles wide.
We limit ourselves to “shelter” dogs now. I doubt I’ll ever have another dog as capable as Sadie.
One was named D’Artagnan and a young one Po Lo... The oldest one was very noble and protective - like his namesake. The young one was hell on wheels but both were very well trained and enjoyed being put through their paces.
We had friends who were hesitant to come into the house but after sitting at the table for awhile playing cards would find a large Doberman head in their lap begging for attention. One friend had an Afghan Wolfhound and swore it was the best dog ever until he made friends with the Dobies. We let them in - they had to be OK.
Must say tho’ that the oldest one HATED cats...who walked the redwood fence around our backyard and teased him UNTIL they made the mistake of jumping into the yard...Then it was time for a peace pipe with the neighbor over coffee!