Is he/she going to be outdoors only? I think you could do well with a GSD or a mix. We have quite a few GSD parents in here and they are advocates of the breed. I have never met a GSD that I didn't like.
I have a golden that is very protective and territorial herself. Which is unusual I think for a golden. But she doesn't like it when anyone messes with her mommy! Which is fine by me b/c I am single and live alone.
What area of U.P are you in? My parents have a cottage in the lower part of Mich. In Grayling, and my uncle has a cottage in the UP. We are going up there over my birthday, in OCT.