Sight hounds are probably amongst the toughest to train on this - just my opinion, lol.

My Lacey will stay by me, and I can take her just about anywhere off leash. Do I walk her around the neighborhood off leash? No way, the risks, with cars etc are much too high. But in a bank, in Home Depot, she is fine. No chance of a passing squirrel, either! LOL

So on the beach? I could leave her off leash, she would stay close by and always be sure she knows where I am. Again, safety wise, that would be a nice place for her to be off leash.

Growing up, our third dog, Sammy, was a shepherd / collie rescue, and she was much as Karen's dane, off to the next county with a quick glance over the shoulder! LOL

So a lot of it is the dog; some of it is the breed; and you always always need to consider safety.