I would consider the Austrailian Shepard, Border Collie or Blue Heeler. I have seen so so so many that excel in thier work and are absolutely amazingly smart dogs.
My experience with these dogs comes from showing horses. Everyone (except me
) has these dogs and they all come to the shows (never seen with a leash attached) with their people/horses/cattle/other dogs, etc. You see them loyally at the sides of their people, or loyally sitting by the stalls where the horses are kept, with people and visitors passing by and the dogs don't flinch a muscle. They just sit there taking it all in. And in all my years in these settings, I have never been to a public event where so many others bring their dogs and have them off leash, and I have never seen a dog related incident involving them. I am always so amazed at how well trained and behaved these breeds are. It's always common too, behind the show scene, to find people with their dogs, showing off all their tricks, and skills. Can you tell I love these breed and have the utmost respect for them? LOL...