If I got an older dog, I would get it from a rescue, but if I got a puppy, I would get it from a breeder.

You can recommend any breed you like. On Border Collies, I am not sure if I could handle the "driven, working dog" since I have never owned one before.

Out of the rest, I think Goldens and Labs would be good, but besides hair, what other differences are between them?

The Mini Aussie would probley be what I would get if I did get a Aussie because of it's size...