Doberman Pinscher

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

stability is the key to the breed.

perhaps we are just using different terminology. I like mals-- I like their drivey intenseness and bizarre mix of hardness and sensitivity, but I really wouldn't call them "in your face bold stable outgoing dogs".  When I think of outgoing, I think of your exuberant super-social labrador. When I think of stable, I think of a well-bred rottweiler, not a reactive sensitive mal.  The dobes I've met were probably not good representatives of the breed- no intense drive, rather nervous and sensitive.

I think each breed has its own definition of stability. A doberman was never meant to be, and should never be, a labrador or a golden retriever in a black and tan body. Quite frankly, if I wanted a dog that would go home with anyone, wags its tail nonstop, and is that happy-go-lucky, well - I'd have a lab! But I have a doberman - my dog is social with others (as long as they present no threat), *Extremely* affectionate with those that know him and that are in the "inner circle". He displays proper suspicion when the situation calls for it, but he isn't overly reactive. He demands to be worked, but at the same time he's a marvelous dog that at 12 months old started his career as my demo dog when I give girl scout tours each month. My dog would most likely bite if provoked and the situation called for it, but will not bite indiscriminantly. He will chase a ball nonstop for 3 hours, but has no problem curling up into bed with me under the covers each and every night.

In my opinion, he's the epitome of stability for the doberman breed! I'd love him to be a tad more sharp, but he is what he is, all 32 inches of him