Congrats to Spaw and John for taking on dumb*** breeding policies. You are so right. The American penchant for breeding for "pretty" only, is why all the serious working dogs are from imported bloodlines. And I'll second (and third and fourth) Spaws recommendations for breed rescues.

My first Rottweiler was a pound puppy. Fortunately the shelter was a reputable one and required me to enroll him in obedience training as a condition of adoption (should be required of all dogs IMO, but don't get me started on that one). It had been on my agenda anyway, since he was to be a working dog, but I was really glad to have professional support and guidance in civilizing a sweet but pushy and pig-headed adolescent male. He was not the first dog I had trained, but there is a world of difference between a submissive female spaniel mutt and a dominant male guard dog.

My current Rottie came from a rescue group, and it was a wonderful experience. I had long discussions with two different rescue groups about my plans for the new dog, my training theories, my lifestyle etc., etc. The dogs were all temperment tested before being accepted into the rescue program: and the Rottie-only group strongly advised the shelters they worked with to put down the ones that flunked the test, thus making more room/time for non-problematic dogs. The dogs then spent at least a month in foster homes, being observed with men, women, kids, cats, other dogs etc. and being taught the rudiments of manners. They made a real effort to match the right dog with the right owner, and at least in my case they hit the nail on the head!

And all the advice to spay and neuter...the only way to go. (Fortunately, most shelters and rescues won't let unaltered dogs go home till they've been fixed).