Quote Originally Posted by Giselle
Animal_rescue and EastJenn, I wasn't really getting the vibe that they were writing about Dobes in a derogatory manner. Can you guys point out the details that you think didn't do the dobe justice? I can see why you don't agree with the crop/dock issue, but I think Theresa Mullen was not incorrect when she said that uncropped ears gave a more "come hither" look, which isn't really the job of a Dobe. After all, they originally were (and still are) protection dogs. Louis Dobermann was famous for his dogs precisely because they were unapproachable and extremely vicious. That's a fact that nobody can deny. Although Dobes have softened down considerably, it's undeniable that they still do maintain a bit of that protective instinct.
Here's the big issue I have with the cropping section of the article -- Yes, Dobermans were originally bred to be protection dogs. However, many today aren't used for protection. Just like Rotties were once used as Roman herding dogs and Saint Bernards were once used as hospice dogs. Not so much the case today, in an ordinary household.

Uncropped ears may make a Dobie seem more approachable ... but really, what is wrong with that? When we selected our breeder, we chose one we knew would breed for sound temperment. Her dogs all love people. My dog loves people. I don't want people to be afraid of him. To me, that is not his job. His job is to be my friend and companion, plain and simple.

When you start to get into this Doberman=mean and protective mind set, you end up going down this huge slippery slope. Because that is what most people feel, there is only ONE insurance company in town who will insure our house (for quite a price, I might add). Because violent is how most people see Dobermans, I must pay $250 to register my dog instead of the usual $5 the city asks, although he has done nothing wrong. We will be moving in about a year, and we will most likely have to buy a house because the area we are moving to does not have any divisions that will rent to owners with Dobermans. Period. Just because of his breed. Strangers grab their kids and head the other direction sometimes when I walk him. People constantly ask me why I would want to keep an animal that is the equivilant of having a loaded gun, and what I will do when he one day "turns" on me.

It seems to me that the kind of information in that particular section of the article just furthers the propaganda that Dobermans are untrustworthy, unfriendly, vicious and dangerous. BSL 1, Dobies 0.