the way you describe a soft dog is the way i would describe a neglected beaten dog,scared of its own shadow cowers when shouted at,a soft dog to me is a well mannerd dog out of the field,good with kids other dogs ect ect,and who clicks when in the field,i suppose your tough hard dog would be one that would rag anything in sight out of the field and is just an allround liabilty,some folk just dont no how to bring on a sensetive pup not soft.