Hi
I'd be very interested in adopting/buying a young adult working-strain dog.  I'm thinking perhaps a working lab that proved to be gun-shy, for example.  Does anyone have any thoughts on whether they'd transfer to being a good family pet?  And where would I start looking?

thanks, in advance, for any thoughts!

Just a small word or 2 of warning, just based on my experience.
Some less scrupulous breeders have a dog hip scored at 12 months and if the xrays are not ideal, they will not submit them for scoring, then they move the dog on.
Other working dogs are moved on from inexperienced pet homes usually between 9 and 12 months due to their boistrousness.If you are more experienced, these usually 'come right' with some guidence as they get older.

I have a labrador coming in next week that's 12 months old and just too boistrous for his young family. He may be available for rehoming after assessment and training.
This is unfortnately quite common and the labrador, spaniel and working gundog rescues should be able to help you.

Take a look at Buddy's Rural Animal Rescue:  https://www.facebook.com/harptree01/

They specialise in rehoming gundog breeds...

That's very useful, thank you - I wouldn't have realised that the hip scores are done at that age and might be a 'behind the scenes' reason.  something I definitely will look out for.

We had Airedales when I was a kid, but I haven't had a dog as an adult.  Am I setting myself up for problems here?  Should I re-think, do you think?

BRAR looks amazing, thank you!

Actually hip status can be assessed from as young as 4 months using a well established American method developed by the University of Pennsylvania- called Penn Hip. Very accurate & has done a lot to improve the quality of hips being produced & spotting problems early in life