Guys - I want to make a couple points here - First is 70% of the dogs today fail the WAE. So not all dobermans will step up if a threat presents itself - Dogs react by either fight or flight regardless of training, love etc.
The second point is that both these dogs are well trained and socialized. Paint has taken Drake to everything you can imagine and works him with lots of children. My point is that by failing to socialize you can make even a good dog bite but for the wrong reasons. Just because a dog is socialized doesn't mean if threatened he will not protect if he has the correct temperament. A Doberman should fight not flight. Defense drive does not mature til 2 years of age so especailly proud of Drake who is only a year old and a social butterfly like his sire and grandsire.
Fortunately or usually at least just the presence of a doberman would steer people clear. This idiot learned a very good lesson. Don't mess with the Doberman's!!!
It is a story of heros who stepped up to the plate and saved their master. I see nothing sad about the story since Paint is safe - were it the other way around we would all be very sad for sure if she were seriously injured or worse.
The is not the world we grew up in. It is violent - and crime is high - A crime was prevented by their quick actions - faster than a speeding bullet - safer than a loaded gun that can be taken from you and used on you.
The only sad thing about this story is I did not feel like I could share the story of my heros with the world. I had to save it until I covered my bases. I had no wittnesses and all I could think about was I had to get them out of there to protect them from thier heroic actions coming back on them. I could see the guy saying that they just attacked him out of nowhere. My word against his....would the doberman win?? Who knows, it was not worth the risk to me. All three of us have worked hard to try to become therapy dogs. I want to go to schools and work with childern in a reading program and help shed this horrible stigma our dogs have. It has become more than that for us. We are now volunteering at Petco with all dog socializing to help promote responsible dog ownership.
I got Drake as a puppy, so I was able to prevent any bad habits from forming by training and socializing from the begining. But poor Greta is a rescue that needed lots of work. She was even attacked by a dog that busted our fence to get to her in her own backyard. But the girl is still willing to work with me to try to overcome some of her issues. I did not want this incident on thier record that could perhaps kill our dreams. the bigger cause had to win here. Drake, Greta and I are going to do our part to help childern learn to love to read and to understand all that being a dog owner is. Maybe if more people could learn to accept the responsibility and share the heart of a well trained and socialized dog, we might not have the high crime rates they we do. I know I have set our goals high, but my dogs have taught me they can do anything!
to your brave dogs!
!!! I just caught up with your thread, Paint, and I can't believe you went through this! How freaking scary was that??? Just the thought of him grabbing your arm, takes my breath away! But your dogs!! OMG, how amazing were they!? In all the world, all I would hope for is that in a similar situation, my dog would react the same!!! 
I quickly pointed out to him she had met his own brother not 3 weeks before and loved on him like she does to me. And heck,half the shop was mexican.
He wasn't amused.