[Babybags]

I've actually found a great breeder, after lots of research and I've visited her at her part-time job to see her male dog that she occassionally takes to work with her. I've pretty much had some kind of communication with her (about 2 months) after starting my research. She wasn't sure about me at first (not because of the guard dog thing, which I didn't say to her), but because I was very nervous of her dog. I told her I hadn't been a round a dog in over 15 years and the last one I had were two Yorkshire Terriers (which by the way acted like guard dogs), they really just did a lot of barking. After being around her dog, which is a wonderful 135 pound male, I truely have gotten used to the breed. Soon she'll be coming to our house to see everything and then we'll be going to her house so see her pack. The GUARD DOG part was only mentioned between my husband and myself. I did ask the breeder about temperment and how generally the breed is with a ferret (since we have one and children, she took the time to tell me. She also mentioned she might not have a puppy for me, so she give me the information to another breeder. This isn't about being macho or having some type of dog outside in my backyard. I've loved dogs all my life and still do, I'm just getting used to them again. After going to so many dog shows and starting up again this year I fully enjoy the breed and many other breeds, including a Tibetan Mastiff, just not all that hair. My two girls are starting to enjoy them also, we have a neighbor who has a Rottie, unfortunately; I'm thinking the dog was bought from a puppy mill, but we go to see him about every weekend so my girls can get used to a puppy.

My MAIN question was how do you feel about the breed itself, as in temperment, shedding (I've heard different views on this), socialization, obedience training (which places are better for this), etc.