[...] check out Border Collie rescue sites. I've met many grown
rescues who are totally willing to turn it on when needed and be
couch potatoes otherwise [...]

Thanks. I keep hearing about both ends of the BC spectrum, the
"always on" and the adaptable, so have been a little leery of them. I
guess in the end it's simply better to match individuals than get
stuck on breed generalities. Of course, one can say the same for
retrievers, too.

Look for an adult dog from an informed rescue/foster to be sure.

I think this may be our best bet. The two big organizations for
goldens and labs in our area don't even list their dogs, prefering to
match by temperment once you've applied. I'll look into some of the
other breeds, like BC's, for something similar, now that you've
brought it up.

Thanks,
--Glenn Lyford