I had one as a kid. It is definitely a nostalgic breed. I don't think they look anything like they used to.
Definitely. The backs were straighter, and definitely less hair. I never had a pure one, so I wouldn’t know much from personal experience.
The ones I was raised with were definitely “old school” dogs. Wouldn’t get in the house even if pushed, protected like crazy. They ambushed more foxes and cats than I can count, and weren’t very friendly with other dogs either.