I'd agree to a certain extent, with many breeds.

Yet my own breed could all be described as working lines, as there will be Scandinavian imports close up in any pedigree, though never in modern times worked in UK, yet make excellent pets, and their recall (the main issue with their working drives) is no worse than the popular Jack Russell.

It seems that some of the most popular and successful breeds owned as Pets are Gundog, Terrier and Herding breeds, bred for some working purpose with those drives intact, not bred purely as companions like the Toyg and much of the Utility group.

Love my Cocker Spaniel show strain and he is a real pleasure, friendly and wanting to please. We walk regularly with another Cocker a working strain and he often can't keep up with her! She is very agile, friendly full of life. I went for a show strain because I was concerned a working Cocker Spaniel would be bored without working?
We did look at Welsh Springers too as an alternative if we hadn't have had a Cocker Spaniel. Wish you the best of luck in your search :)