Okay, I read through the 8 page thread, and did alot of remembering. I came to the conclusion that the best dog for YOU is the dog you want the most.
My very best dog was a mix of Weimeraner and Australian shepherd. She was bright eyed , happy, smart, and wonderful in evey way. I got her when I was 12. She went through the moods and temper of a young girl. She loved children, like me, and chasing seagulls on the beach. As I got older she was OK with meeting boys in the woods but, if anyone started a fight with me she was between us growling. She was truely the only good part of being a bored rural raised teenager. I was devastated when she was killed and yet, that is also part of life.
I could be wrong, but I don't think of dogs as alarm systems, although they are good ones, and they are definately not the sacrificial animal to test a situation.
They are a way of life. They must be in your thoughts at all times to make sure they are safe. They have much to teach us about playfulness and delight and they will protect their pack under any circumstanses. Even a muddy beach is their best playground.
We created dogs, in the image that we wanted. Whatever image you choose, they are the best acomplishment of the human race.