If you're looking for a medium sized dog, then you probably won't have trouble with the hips. It's mostly big dogs that have hip problems.

And as for temperament, it depends a lot on how you raise them. Lots of dogs that have fears, ect, are because something happened to them as a puppy to make them act that way. If you socialize your puppy you shouldn't have those problems.

And about there not being any puppies in shelters in your area - if you went looking for a breeder, wouldn't it probably be a distance from your home? So if you're going to have to travel to get a puppy anyway, why not save a life while you're at it? ^_^

And as for the spaying/neutering early - it is very safe. Read this: http://www.ivis.org/advances/Concann...r_frm.asp?LA=1