*whoa* girls...

I have worked with dogs for the past 10 years. I have specialised in behaviour as a nurse for the greater part of my career, including working with a behavioural specialist.

There are some broad statements being made, and mostly with personal experience. The problem with that is dog behaviour is 1/3 genetic, 1/3 environmental and 1/3 based on the first 6 weeks of the dogs life.

So most labs are goofy personified. I whole heartedly agree! Most staffys are noisy, most boxers are goofy as well for the first few years, most terriers are nippy.... etc etc these are "most" and it is generalised.

However, there are some statements here which I definately disagree with. I think if anyone wanted to choose a dog, it should be done in person with a vet check prior to purchase and with research from... um... how should I say.... objective information? Most posts I've read here are biased.

My biase is towards dogs that have a low bite hibition. So dogs which over and over and over again have proved themselves to not bite. The best way to get a guarantee that your dog will be that way is to : a) get a dog from the RSPCA or animal shelter which does behaviour testing prior to adoption (it is manditory that the RSPCA does this!) b) take a dog trainer to test the parents of the dog c) have a health check done on the parents as well as the pup prior to buying.

If you are spending lots of $$ on a dog, its worth doing your research. I mean if anyone told me they wanted a Shar Pei, I'd tell you to save at least $5000 for your first 2-3 years. Thats without the purchase of the dog.

ETA: sorry Katones but I totally disagree on the cross bred thing....