Nikki is a lovely lady! With that face I don't think I could ever be afraid! I was at the vet's office the other day and an elderly man was there with his dog. It was obvious they had a close bond; the man would talk softly to him and the dog seemed to listen to every word he said. I was trying to figure out what breed he was when the vet assistant said, "What a beautiful doberman". I was surprised. He hadn't been cropped or docked and what a difference. Normally a dobie would have seemed a bit intimidating. Sad thing to say, but that's the perception. Docking or ear cropping is not what makes a dog mean, sometimes it's the owners