It is my personal belief and experice that genetics makes about 80% of the dogs nature and that is preset and predefined and will always underlie a dogs nature and actions.

However, in the same way as a person who might be genetically "artistic, or musical, or good with numbers, or positive or pessimistic" can have their personal traits or talents, influenced, developed or impeeded by social influences and personal experience, so a dogs tendencies can be enhanced, lessened or to some degree modified by socialisation and training experiences.

I deal with "aggression" cases most weeks and in my view, understanding WHY "aggression" occurs is a great starting point for anyone wishing to avoid it. it is my belief that most aggression is misunderstood.

Personally I believe that most "aggression" is not aggression at all, but normal dog communication which has been misunderstood or mishandled.

But where there are aggression instances (and by that I mean actual bites) in a dogs life, it is usually born of one of the following...

an attempt by the dog to indicate preference for personal space,

an attempt by the dog to indicate preference for possession of an item,

an attempt by the dog to "teach a younger or overly exuberant" other, that its behaviour is unacceptable,

an often hormone fuelled, attempt by an adolescent dog to "practice" its assertiveness on a smaller weaker animal.

an attempt by the dog to cease any behaviour from any other animal that is worrying it,

An attempt by the dog to save its own life under perceived threat,

An overly exuberant and innapropriate act, caused by and born of severe or prolonged frustration at being unable to mix with its own species.

An overly hard play bite where inhibition has not previously been taught by another dog.

With nearly all of these instances, regular appropriate socialisation with teaching dogs or other species will lesson the likelihood of occurance. With other defensive type instances, careful management of the dogs environment, training and special care taken not to inadvertently "teach" defensive behaviours, will also lesson the likelihood of later tendencies.

In short then, I believe most aggression can be avoided with careful upbringing and training.

But by far the biggest cause of "aggression", is misunderstanding and poor handling.

In the human world we're never surprised that siblings (even twins) can be so different in both looks & character, even when brought up in the same household, by the same adults, & given the same opportunities. Why would we ever think that it would be any different for dogs?!!

I guess because we the human race dont do incest, and our genetic make up we get from our parents is diluted to a much larger gene pool.

Unlike the Dog, that is bred to a much more condensed makeup!

I think both Nature and Nurture play a big part in a dogs temperament, but if i have to swing the scales, Nature will tip them.

I beleive we have to work with what the dog has got, enviroment can play a part on the dogs outlook in life, it is hugely important to socialise a puppy to all walks in life.

But if you have a good basic strong, unruffled, confident nature , the dog will pretty much take what life throws at it.

My belief is most aggression (apart from health) comes from a dog with a nervous disposition, the fight or flight is high on their agenda, and s in most cases they cant flight, they will fight!

When looking for a puppy or when peopel come for advice, its fundamentally one of the most important things we tell them, to look at the parents, to see their personalities.

Who would willingly buy a pup from someone who had bred a known aggressive/nervous dog

You get out of the mix, what you put in, if some of the ingredients are flawed, your cake will fail!!

Good, positive socialisation can certainly help however temperament is partly genetic. As Muddiwarx mentioned, our breed can have problems with aggression issues and for that reason there are some lines I simply will not touch. I have seen and heard of too many incidents with dogs from certain lines for me to risk having one in my home, one incident still sticks with me even though it happened about 5 years ago and I have avoided that line ever since.

People who don't really care about temperament, those who just want a dog that will win, either in the ring or in a particular working discipline ...

However some genuinely don't know, often it is hushed up and not spoken about, it might be big news for a while, but like eveything it dies down and the next piece of big news comes along

But how do you find out what lines are placid ? I dont think a breeder will tell ..

Ask the breeder for references form previous puppy purchasers. Go to the puppy buyers direct if you are able. ASk the bredder the golden question
"Why did you chose this pairing to breed from" and if the answer isn't quick, clear and obviously previpusly thought out - look elsewhere. And if disposition (and one which the breeder can clearly define and describe) isn't amongst the answers, then questions why. Methinks anyway

Lokis mum you are right being such a big fluffy bear of a dog everyone thinks he wants too be fussed.

He does like to be fussed but he has too like you, most of the people we have walked with since he was a pup he loves the odd few he will avoid and we have never been able too work out why.

So now we let him dictate who he will tolerate and the same with dogs. As I have said before he was very well socialised, has come from parents with brilliant temperaments we met some of his aunts too and no problems. I now believe very strongly they are like people some are confident and outgoing and others like Ollie are uncertain in their make up and nervous and no amount of socialising will help them you have too let them tell you what they can deal with and if you know they can't remove them from it or do not put them into the position in the first place.

We have stopped analysing who he is and why and just accept this is Ollie and love him for it and now we have far less problems with him because we do not expect from him what he cannot give.

I guess you need to talk to several people 'in the breed'... as opposed to just the breeder?

Of the 2 main lines in my boys, one is known for being more placid than the other. It looks like generally the more placid temperaments seem to calm down the higher strung qualities in my boys (except Max!)

Do you mind saying what lines ?