I have heard that Shepherds and Rotts are a more volitle breed than the Doberman. Is this true?

Hello, That is a good question and it really depends on the individual dog I have seen all of them and as far as the aggression goes if he does not have the fight in him you are not going to get it out of him ,but if the dog has the high fight drive to bring the fight to you it does not matter what breed you have it is in the fighting drive. THE SIZE OF THE DOG IS NO MATTER IT IS THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG!!!

There's different types of aggression.
It depends on the type of genetics, and what the breeder shoots for, etc.

You may want to PM different people you trust as experts because a lot of people aren't going to want to say what breed they dislike or like and the reasons for this, because no one wants to insult other breeds. Talk to many people that specialize in one specific or talk to trainers that work with all of the above.

It's hard to give cut and dry answer on this.

Hands down, GSDs are more aggressive. The good kind of aggressive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

this may be a bias opinion, but when you are looking for controlled aggression, there's good reason why you see shepherds more than any other breed on both departments and in the protection sports.

I agree with you kevin. That is a biased opinion <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bias doesn't mean wrong. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

chris, i'd have to say my opinion (bias or not) is backed up by the majority of working dog people.

I don't think the term aggresive can be seperated from any breed. Even toy poddles can be aggressive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> (full bite on big toe hurts) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I would be more concerned with CONTROLLED AGGRESSION. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Perimeter K-9's also are very AGGRESSIVE, Controlled most are NOT!!!

Nothing more dangerous then a Junkyard Dog who hates everyone and everything that moves.

JMHO, it's how the dog is BRED/RAISED/TRAINED/ that determines the level of of any Desirable or Undesirable traits we see. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

BTW here in Louisiana we have a CAJUN Yard Protector, the Alligator, Florida and other southeren states have them also.
These guys love to EAT any TYPE of K-9, no mater how Aggressive they think they are. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would say that your opinion is backed up by the majority of working German Shepherd people not the whole working dog world.
I'm sure if you ask the Malinois breeders and owners you will be told that the Mal is the best breed for police. Funny about that hey.
Getting back to the original question, Dobes are more civil than GSD's hands down. We own Czech GSD, old German Dobes and Malinois (linebred Joerie, Eik DDP, G'vitou).
GSD's are suitable for Police work than Dobes are though.