Hun, they go through all kinds of tests, quite rigorous actually. We adopted this dog from the side of the road, so we did take chance......but we could tell in a way. She is/was so shy and gentle.

Poodles are (I think) considered the smartest of the lot of them. I was under the impression that the lab/poodle X came into being to stop the stupid amount of hair being dropped. Poodles don't drop hair, Labs are horrendous for it.

Alot of the 'smarter' dogs (border collies, kelpies etc) are working dogs and I think it's awfully unfair to keep a working dog in a backyard.

Have you had a dog before? I have great dogs....but I would never get a puppy with small kids around. For me, I just can't devote the masses of time you need to get the great dog with little ones there. Both awesome dogs (just lost my staffy though ) had huge amounts of time spent on them in the first 2-3 years and thats what I feel produced the results.
Not to mention the patience with toilet training (oh the joys of stepping in dog poo in the middle of the night), the repetition that's needed in the early years (not months).

Anyhoo, that's my big fat opinion ........I didn't consider myself a dog person until recently and listen to me blabbing on!

ETA- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are AWESOME, gentle and great for families....in my fat opinion.