Of course being a loquatious Dobe person, I have to put in my two-cents <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I don't think Dobes are for everyone. I have a Dobe, my sis has a nice German working line GSD. Our dogs suit our personalities perfectly. My sister's GSD can do a wide variety of things, has a nice stable temperament and is easy to train. He does everything well and attentively, but it wouldn't make you go "Ooh and Ahh". My Dobe is quick, driven, intense and learns everything in a nano-second and performs with high-energy flash and pizazz. When I give him a command I can almost hear him say "yes MA'AM!" and he's doing it before I finish saying the word. Though my sister loves him, my Dobe's energy-level would put my sis right over the edge. Dobes also tend to want to be "barnacles" so their neediness can be off-putting. I don't mean clingy in a fearful way, more in a "you are MINE" kinda way. I think the different types of working dogs just suit different personalities better than others. One isn't neccesarily better than another. I need the attentiveness, speed and perfection that my Dobe gives me, so that's why I personally prefer the breed. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />