In your shoes, if the trusted friend wants a puppy like this, I'd hand this guy over. He needs more than you're willing to give and may all his life. Puppies are higher energy and need to be taught manners, but maturity doesn't mellow all dogs. Some are still go getters right into old age, and it seems a poodle/sheepdog cross would be a pretty active adult dog.
Admittedly my experience is with Rottweilers, but I disagree that neutering doesn't change anything except ability to reproduce. There's a pretty good likelihood, particularly done young, it will mitigate sex-based behaviors such as marking and leg humping. Most times a neutered male isn't as likely to take offense over what he considers an insult to his pride, so to speak, as an intact male. That said, some males seem unaffected. Neutering a dog doesn't have the pretty sure and pretty substantial effect gelding does on a stallion.
Admittedly my experience is with Rottweilers, but I disagree that neutering doesn't change anything except ability to reproduce. There's a pretty good likelihood, particularly done young, it will mitigate sex-based behaviors such as marking and leg humping. Most times a neutered male isn't as likely to take offense over what he considers an insult to his pride, so to speak, as an intact male. That said, some males seem unaffected. Neutering a dog doesn't have the pretty sure and pretty substantial effect gelding does on a stallion.
