Originally Posted by Julie W

The doberman breed was specifically developed and selectively bred to guard it's owner. Also, as was already mentioned here, dogs read their handlers emotions and act accordingly to them. A strong confident handler is going to create a much stronger, more confident dog.

And as far as this comment:

I can't disagree more. Not only am I quite trained and practiced with firearms and a very talented shot, I would rather protect myself than have my dog do it for me. In todays litigious society you can get sued and your dog euthanized if he/she bites somebody, even in self defense. A burglar can sue you because he injured himself on broken glass that he created himself breaking and entering into your home. If somebody is posing a serious personal threat to me I'm willing and able to stop that threat, permanently. Hard for somebody to sue you if they are no longer in existence.