People interested in a working dog are looking for a good, healthy example of the traits for which a given breed was bred. They’re not looking for a pet, they’re not going to jump on the latest bandwagon as far as appearance, bone structure or what have you.
Several breeds have been severely set back or almost ruined by unscrupulout pet breeders. As a for instance, you’d be far better off with a Labrador Retriever bred from a field champion line. They’re smarter and healthier. What you get that might be a surprise would be a very high energy dog that remains that way well into adulthood. It’ll be a dog with an irrepressable urge to retrieve.
Such a Lab will not settle down into the happy-go-lucky, almost lazy loveable oaf that most people seem to believe is the predominant trait, until he is getting on up in years, close to a decade old. These traits are predominant in Labs bred for pets because that’s what pet owners think they want. What has come along with this, though, is hip problems, obesity and a general loss of intelligence and drive. The “block head” aesthetic preference has gotten so out of hand as to interfere with whelping as well, in some instances. People can be so stupid about this sort of thing, and the AKC isn’t necessarily helping matters.
I am a careful pet owner. I won't get an animal unless I'm 100% sure I'm ready for it. They take up a lot of time early on and if you spend that time with them when they are young you end up with a great dog.
Same thing for a high prey dog which are really good for police.