See there's where we differ cause I live for that sort of thing. Some of the bigger dogs are more mellow if that helps, but yeah, it can be a pain. There IS something to be said for a dog you can pick up and carry away from trouble. Kinda learning that the hard way.
That's probably sanest really. Oh ouch a bite? Sounds like he's got a personality anyway. Altivo... that's one of those words that we don't really have one for in english but sort of roughly translates to 'better than you' I think?
God knows I didn't either. My friends are kind of into the revolution though.