[quote=wolfie]Deb do you feel they are real guardians as opposed to very impressive watch dogs?[/quote] Yes, I see a real guardian in them, when they are on my yard or in my truck. I like how stable they are and can be. Now I have seen some that come to shows that I would NEVER touch and even away from the show world. To many breeders in this breed (and in others too) get kennel blindness and do not start seeing the problems that arise in there line. Like submission, or wrong temper in both directions. [quote=wolfie]Are they very alert or not as alert as some of the well known guards (Rotty for example?)[/quote] I would defentalety see there alert. Now I will say it comes in different degrees but again all breeds in the guardian world have the same. You see some age slower and some age quickly. [quote=wolfie]Whats about their level of intelligence - compareable to what breed would you say?[/quote] I have a problem with comparing them with American Bulldogs all the time, as I had ABs for yrs before I got into the Presa's And just like any other guardian breed you have some that learn quickly and some that are a bit slower. Drago (my brindle male) learns things very fast and wants to work for me as much as possible. [quote=wolfie]Lastly do you find them to be very healthy? [/quote] I think you have to look into your breeder and how they have raised there dogs. I have seen some breeders have dogs die on them by the age of 7 yrs old and some that last until they are 10 to 12 yrs. So if you look into a breeder and there own dogs seem to have medical problems then you should really stay away. I know when I look for a pup I ask about medical issues that the parents have had. My it be from Kennel Cough to get wounded. As I up in coming breeder in this breed I have no problem giving people knowledge of the dogs they may get a pup out of. Please let me know if I can answer anything else. Deb