Sounds like he is well worth the effort, for sure! Is terribly pretty.
My Delta is typically shy, and she will bark and bark but likes to hide behind Mom, too. I do think if she thought I were in danger, things would be different, but when I am calm and a lil dog comes running at her chattering, LOL she's a baby!
Awwww Delta is sweet. She doesn't know she is supposed to be a big tough doberman, eh? Most dobes I have met are real sweet dogs, even the ones in schutzhund...off the field they love everybody.
My sweet old chow mix girl was real shy too. But I think if I was truly in danger she would have tried to protect me...maybe a bite and dodge, bite another place....etc I did a lot of work socializing her and she went from hiding behind me from people to actually wagging her tail and letting them pet her. She had an attitude with other dogs but only when they got in her face, she was arthritic so I don't blame her.
My dog was half chow the other half setter. Her coat was real thick but more silky like the setter. Her coat was heavier around her neck and she had the softest ears
That thing I have now thinks he is a hyena! He has soft ears too.