I totally get where you are coming from. I grew up with a Doberman. She was the sweetest dogs around. She was also a little bit psychic. She knew when someone didn't like me, or the family. So, to them it was, "How can you have that mean dog?" But we knew she was warning her pack of their true colors.
Wow! I can relate to that. Lyric seems psychic that way too. Some people he's so comfortable with right off the bat and some he stands back and assesses for a while before making any commitment to be friends. He's reserved around most strangers, but never ever aggressive or nasty. That's correct Doberman temperament though....to be reserved and a little suspicious of strangers.
I had one aquaintence say to me when Lyric was a new pup..."You'll have to watch out that he doesn't lash out at someone when he's older." I'll never forget those words. The other day he asked me how my Doberman was turning out. (This is almost 2 yrs. later) I reminded him of what he said to me and informed him that Lyric is a sweet, well mannered dog and very, very use to all kinds of people, that he is turning out super. I take him anywhere and everywhere with me and he's always a real gentleman.
Yup...people can make me crazy sometimes. My Dad is also so stubborn and even though Lyric rested his chin on my Dad's forearm, looking up at him, lovingly, with his ears back in that affectionate way they do when he was on the computer, my Dad still said, "I just don't like Dobermans. You can't trust them." But he was patting him on the head and saying, "hello boy." LOL. (stubborn German!)
Ok....so now onto the Chihuahuas. Eh-hem! I'm coming to their defence.
My Chihuahuas are completely 180 degrees away from being nasty or snappy. They love everyone. They are so enthralled with meeting new people that they couldn't care less about sitting on my lap. They lick everyone and beg to be picked up. Chulita's tail, when on full throttle looks like two tails. She is the most cheerful, affectionate little tike I ever knew. And Jose is full of charm and character, sweetness, and love. And that is given freely to anyone within his reach. They have NOT ONCE shown one iota of aggression to anyone.
I've known big dogs, medium dog
and small dogs of various breeds who weren't well handled and who weren't of the best character. I believe there are certain tendencies in various breeds depending on their job that they were bred for, but if people would educate themselves on their breed before getting it and handling it right, there wouldn't be so many dog bites. Sooooo many people get dogs and don't have a clue about anything to do with dogs. I think a Doberman may be more apt to make a boo boo in his assessment and bite someone in the name of protecting than say...a Lab. A Lab wasn't bred for protection and has no real use for biting....other than plain ole dog behavior. They were bred to work closely with people and have very little added protection instincts. Of course this is a generalization. I'm just saying breed wise.......Then there are Chihuahuas. They were bred for companionship. They are small and perhaps some little dogs are worried about getting hurt and so are a little on the defensive side, but mine don't strike out if they're afraid of being stepped on. They just watch out for everything and move quickly. LOL.
People need to socialize their dogs. It doesn't matter what breed. And it's true, so many spoil those toy breeds, treat them like non-dogs.
i like bigger dogs better, i like to play rougher with them and have the extra protection. plus they are usually better tempered anyway
So, Mrose....don't give me any **** about big dogs being better tempered. Temperament has very little, if anything to do with size. It has to do with breeding, socialization, training and general, good handling. I know many people with toy breeds and their dogs also have LOVELY TEMPERAMENTS.
The bit about Labs and Goldens making the most bites is a misconception. The statistics from the studies that were done were very unscientifically carried out. They are vastly popular dogs....the highest, by far on the AKC registrations as well as unregistered. Labs have been for over 11 years. So, naturally, the number of bites from Labs will coincide with their number population wise.
At any rate, if a Chihuahua or toy Poodle bites, the damage caused is likely to be far, far less than a large dog's bite. Let's face it. Those little mouths can't possibly rip you apart like a big Doberman's teeth. They can't knock you down onto the floor and tear your throat out either.
People need to treat their dogs....any breed like dogs, not little porcelin dolls. I have seen people spoil their toy breeds and even their larger breeds, like give them their own way about everything...let them call the shots...act tentative around them. No wonder. G-r-r-r. And then the general, non - dog wise laymen, start saying that this breed or that breed is "better tempered" than another. Or that Pitbulls, Rottweilers, GSD's or Dobermans, Chihuahuas are untrustworthy, mean dogs. Ugggggg.