I think there are more breeds that I like than those that I don't like. Actually it's not that I don't like a breed. It's just that I think some are more suitable for me. At my age now I prefer a smaller dog (under 40 lbs.) and Bella just happens to be almost at that upper limit since she is 39 lbs. For me anyway they are easier to manage. The grooming is not a problem as I have groomed all of my dogs in the past and have been doing all of Ripley's grooming since he came to live with us 2 months ago. We groomed Bella ourselves also for the first 6 months but she has been seeing a groomer of late, as well as getting occasional touch-ups from us in between. I do agree that dogs are most likely a product of their environment although heredity plays a part too. I have stuck with poodles because of their temperament and intelligence, although there are others that I greatly admire as well.