Irish wolfhounds

When you've listed all the stuff you're interested in... have you ever thought about a poodle?

Okay, now that you're done laughing.

The standards were originally water retrievers, and a fair number (growing every year) still are. Coat takes a lot of care, of course, but kept short all over (including topknot, ears, and tail), they've got a kind of pointery grace to them- not froufrou at all! They're versatile, with a sense of humor and a desire to work that would be well-suited to all the different jobs you want.

Do some reasearch on standard poodles- I think they might be just what you're looking for.

ETA: While they're not as big as the IWs, they *are* big dogs- my friend has a male that's a good 3" taller than Mal, who is almost 24" at the shoulder- so say, 3-5" taller than your Lab, although not as heavily built.

I am an IW owner.  Have shown AKC for conformation, obedience, tried my hand at lure coursing, and know of others who have had success in agility and tracking endeavors as well.  They have a huge variance in personality as well as any other breed.  The small prey drive is not too much of a problem if you cats are housekept and in residence when the IW comes in as a puppy-they make distinctions between family and the outside world quite readily.  I have known huge IW's to be completely bullied by the housecat, but will tear apart the neighborhood alley strays.  I have had both male and female, and while popular opinion among the breed is that males are easier, I found the reverse true, but that could once again be due to a specific animal's personality.  They have the capacity to be incredibly gentle and loving, but they are also capable of being huge clods-and probably not a good mix with an antique china collection on display.  Many times, they romp and play like much smaller dogs with no regard to what they upset in their wake.  They do travel well, and like nothing better than to not be separated from their owners.  They tend to bond in a once and forever fashion, so it is truly a shame to have to re-home one although it does occur.  I did do fostering for Great Lakes Irish Wolfhound Association a few years ago while I was still an active member.  (I kind of lapsed when my daughter was born and while she was an infant)  They have a web-site and the group is very diverse in the activities that they pursue with their wolfies.  They also have a rescue group-they try very hard to match the adoptive families with a compatible dog tempermentwise.  That is why they use a foster type approach, the foster families can give a real heads up on the dogs behaviors and quirks while it is being medically checked out as sound, and groomed etc.  Feel free to contact me....An IW will protect its family, but not necessarily in an aggressive fashion, but rather by putting itself in between you and the perceived danger.  They are imposing in size alone and many will avoid crossing their path which is kind of a shame, because they really are very social animals.  They do very well as therapy dogs, and are very patient with children, and I haven't had trouble with smaller dogs, but in all cases, the smaller dogs were the senior dogs in residence when the IW pup came home...Smaller dogs being longer lived means that they usually will outlive their IW companions as well.  Reality is that life expectancy is very short-even with the greatest of care, there are unique medical issues that can take an animal from you before their full maturity is reached.  It seems that they quote an average of 7 years, and I have known IWs to make 11-13 years, but that is not the norm.  You have to mentally be prepared that the time you spend will be much shorter than other breeds

Thanks sue for your input as an owner.  Your words as well as those others that have handled them is information not much found on websites.  I appreciate the time you put into your post. 
PW... believe it or not, ive thought of a poodle.  definately a standard.  We had one in 4H last year.  good lookin' black dog, thankfully the gal had him cut in the nice cut.. not that show cut.  She did very well at fair that year.  sadly she didnt return last year, but hope Butch and his mom will return next year. 
I dont know.. I keep going back and forth... I miss my rotties, I lost mine a couple years ago to cancer, just before christmas.  Best babysitter I ever had
Ill probably go back and forth for a while....  it is kinda nice to only have to pack for one dog as we had 2 for several years.  One dog will fit better in the sidecar, anyway []