Pete sounds great. I agree, we need pics!

Maybe consider going to the pound. Mutts have little health problems, and usually can be trained well. Plus, you'd be saving a life.
If you must have a purebred though, Golden Retrievers are great dogs. I had one, and there's not a mean bone in their body if treated right. They do require grooming, and are kind of open to getting cancer..Mine died of cancer at only 4 years, however this is not the case with most Goldens.
If you don't like grooming, maybe something like a Lab, or even another Dalmation! Good dogs, but Dals are kind of agressive sometimes. Labs can be to, but there's a lesser chance of it.
Hmm..Aussies are definetly going to have a hearding instinct, and will probably heard Pete sometimes. I used to have an Aussie as well, and she hearded my cat aound the house alot out of instinct. We had to give her away. Aussies cannot be lazy, couch potato dogs, and definetly are not for a first time dog owner. She was a first for us, and we didn't have a clue about them. She needed a job to do.
If you do decide to get an Aussie, consider enrolling him/her into agility, flyball, tracking, or even herding classes. It's a good way to keep a healthy happy Aussie!