Most American show Dobes are no longer able to perform their original function, whether it is due to conformational oddities or temperamental softness.
Case in point, “Fifi loves everybody”.
While this may be a politically correct and socially acceptable trait, it it not inherent to the original breed standard.
They are to be “sharp and circumspect of strangers. Fearless and bold, willing to protect their people without hesitation”.
That is why I have ‘gone Euro’.
They do not allow Dobes to breed unless one or more of the parents have at least one working title.
‘Halla is half ‘show pony lines’ and so far, loves everyone and looks incredibly beautiful and elegant.
Odin is out of Euro working lines and is solid, massive and suspicious of everyone, assuming the worst until proven otherwise.
He fell out of his mom ready to protect and serve.
She will probably need to be trained to do so, unless she ‘picks it up’ from him when she matures.
She is a typical giggly puppy.
He was born serious and focused.
American dog shows and Euro dog shows are different worlds.
Here, it’s around the ring and bring ‘em back.
Euro shows are a free for all and nobody disciplines the dogs for being aggressive because they’re *supposed* to be.
In the dim and distant past, Dobes in the US ring were penalized for -shyness- or attacking the handler or judge.
Then people got ‘concerned’ about the ‘reputation’ and bred passive dogs to passive dogs to ‘dilute’ their temperament.
Color dilutes such as Fawns and Blues are frowned upon over there.
Fawns, in fact, are not even allowed.
Here, “4 color litters” are “desirable”, despite their inherent weakness and flaws.
The AKC allows -Albinos- to be registered but not shown when they shouldn’t be allowed in the bloodlines _at all_.
[there’s now a “Z factor list” where you can see if your normal Dobe is carrying recessive Albinism due to creeps breeding recessives into the good lines]
The AKC “allows” _4 missing teeth_.
Euros allow NO missing teeth.
The purpose of the dog was to bite so the AKC is insane.
Guess what I think of all that.
Working dog lines are the answer I think - my Dobe comes from working lines and he is not “nice to everyone” for sure.
That reminds me of the '70s movie, The Amazing Dobermans, with Fred Astaire. I read that they fitted those dogs with false teeth to make them look more viscious! And, remember "The Boys" on Magnum PI?