I am tired of these articles that are meant to help people choose the 'right' breed of dog. Yes, there is definitely something to be gained by evaluating one's own personal lifestyle and personality to choose a dog that is most suitable...but the gross generalizations of breeds can be misleading and limiting to those conscientious people that are set on doing their research before bringing a dog into their lives.
A dog's breed does not dictate his specific temperament any more than a human's race denotes their specific personality. Any breed can have a wide range of temperaments and temperament, not breed, is the crucial measuring stick that every potential dog owner should use to evaluate suitability for their lifestyle.
So, when researching your next family member, don't be too quick to judge a book by it's cover...the mutt at the local humane society could be 'smarter' than the champion stock pure bred...ask yourself what you really want in a companion and begin your search with an open mind and an open heart. They all have potential.