[Orangedog]

Doberman Pinschers

Bullsh*t! I grew up with one as a pet when I was 7 years old. There wasn't a viscious bone in that dogs body, at least not toward anyone who didn't try something foolish like breaking into the house or trying to harm anyone in the family.

One of my best friends has a German Shepard. It's big, dumb and loveable. Dogs behave in the manner that they are raised.

[Gabz]

Dogs behave in the manner that they are raised.

Exactly.

[Fred Hayek]

It's definitely how they are raised. I have run into examples of each of the above, and have found examples for each that were raised properly. One such pit bull did try to slobber me to death. I am surprised that malamutes are on this list. I have not run into a single nasty malamute. I have however run into some golden retrievers that had acquired either a mean streak or extremely distrustful of strangers. In those cases those dogs had been obviously mistreated.

[mylife]

I was also raised with dobes and they have a great demeanor.
I think dobes and german shepards have similar personalities.

[tapatio]

I agree on the German Shepard.I have a 6 year old female I bought from a sheriff.She is the best dog and they are great with a family.

[doberville]

Right on. Dobies. Got three of them. BUT, they are ALL protective. The trigger for the protectiveness is hard wired. It becomes a matter of where the trigger is set.

We had to send one back that was 6 MONTHS old (!) and already overprotective. He came that way. (He eventually went to a retired Federal judge who LIKES him that way!)

My 18 m.o. grandson plays amongst them every day. I would trust them way before any snippy terriers.

The vet swears that Doxies are the worst!

[7thson]

I house sat for someone who had two Doberman pups. The most clumsiest and stupidest dogs I have ever met.

[Lady Heron]

Doberman Pinschers

Bullsh*t! I grew up with one as a pet when I was 7 years old. There wasn't a viscious bone in that dogs body, at least not toward anyone who didn't try something foolish like breaking into the house or trying to harm anyone in the family.

No, it is very true about Dobermans. My grandfather raised them. Every once in a while one would just be mean and you had to take special precautions when friends and strangers came over. Nobody was allowed out of the car until that one dog was put up the rest were no problem and very friendly to everybody. He was afraid of what that dog would do even to us grandchildren, I think he finally put it down the second time it attacked somebody who came over to the house to see him.

[GraceCoolidge]

I think some dogs, like Dobies and German shepherds, tend to be more family oriented. They won't bite family, but are more likely to be aggressive toward someone they perceive as a threat. With a careless owner, a dog could bite in the mistaken belief that it is protecting the family (for instance, kids playing around that the dog mistakes for a real attack). That might account for some breeds on this list. Most people I know who have owned Dobermans and shepherds speak very highly of them.

[Balding_Eagle]

I think you may be confused about this list. They aren't talking about YOUR dog, they're talking about the breed. But you already knew that, and didn't want to admit it.

[Fred Hayek]

I concur with this. It really depends on how the dog is socialized. My boss has a doberman which he brings to the office. Just loves attention. Some of my neighbors have german shepherds, huskies, who have the ability to identify another person who likes dogs.