Several years ago a friend had a doberman that he raised from a pup in the house with his wife and 2 kids. One night they were watching tv and the kids were lying on the floor, between the couch and tv, coloring in coloring books. The now grown dog, walked thru the living room, and without any provocation, bit the young girl in the head. Took about 10 stitches to sew up the wound.
Had a doberman and have done a great of investigating into them. They seem to be one of the better "family dogs" that I have ever been around or learned about.
In addition to reading, I always consult a couple friends that are vets to ask their impression of breeds. When I rescued the dobie we had, I read multiple places that they are phenomenal family dogs. My vets affirmed.
The doberman I rescued had been abandoned at a shelter because he nipped a guy when the guy came quickly up behind the doberman's owner, a woman in the midst of a divorce. Totally acceptable in my book
Once I got him home and gave him a week to decompress, he got used to us very quickly and he genuinely loved and cared for every member of the family from my wife to both kids. A lot of alpha type dogs seem to tolerate the family and only really bond with the master. This dog bonded deeply with everyone in the family. He nipped a kid that we had repeatedly asked to stay clear of us while we were in a park. The kid came racing up to my buddy that had my dog leashed and the dog nipped the kid when the kid came racing right at my friend. He also backed a guy up tight to his car that came into our property and drove back by our shop unannounced and unescorted.
One of our mastiffs is in a speedy downward spiral. Probably doesn't have but a month or so left. After she is gone, I will have another doberman. Absolutely the best dog I ever owned.
