I have bred foo-foo dogs (Papillons) for many years, but I own at least one real dog, a Belgian Malinois. I got the Belgian over a GSD, as I was afraid of the problems, to tell the truth. The Belgian's parents were OFA excellent and good, and he's ATTS temperament certified, plus he has a certificate for herding aptitude. Unfortunately he forgot to quit growing, and so he's disqualified from the breed ring (too tall) and neutered.
Actually the Papillons may be little, but they are not nervous, shivering ankle-biters, as a rule. They are the most successful Toy breed when it comes to performance sports like obedience, agility and even tracking.
Yes I know Papillons are very smart and trainable. Of any small dog that was what you'd see at obedience rings.
What oh what are they doing to my breed that every1 - even those just for pets - are turning to a heretofore unknown, rare breed (the rarest of the 3 AKC Belgians in the '80s) to substitute for Shepherds??? (I have nothing against Belgians, but being a loyalist, it just disturbs me that Shepherds are going by the wayside. And it's all these American AND German a$$holes' faults!)