Well said Evo. I am not a shy dog person either. I too am looking for that pup that takes charge and leads the way to the end of the run. I like the one who has to be the center of attention. I like structure as well. The bitch I had I had nothing to do with her as a pup or as a yearling. They told me in the box she was solid. I ended up with her as a five year old with three litters off her and winners in all three. I took her on a deal when her owner got out of the dogs. She produced some nice dogs for us and none of them were shy. Maybe her shyness was enviromentally induced vs. genetically. No clue.
It is another topic altogether but I have always been amazed at what people look for in a puppy and that decision making process. I remember years ago I use to hear they had to be separated at 6 weeks. I laughed. I seen the puppy stuff but had never seen a six week old with serious long lasting intent. I try to not use names but we bred a heavy bred redboy female (from the redb0y dogs that made Mr. Bulldog and Ch. Britches) to a buck bred male (the dogs that made the Boy and shybaby dogs) and I swear there were two males in that litter that at five to six weeks old would take hold like grown dogs and would not stop. It was like I got a three pound six week old puppy that is open to the world, and his brother too. Since then I put a little more credence into the separation eval. EWO