You got fair points and I wouldn't try to dismiss them. I've trained dogs for hunting, tracking rabbits, coyotes, small game racoons where beagles will tree them or run rabbits to hunt, and of course obedience for normal people. Large to small breeds even Chihuahua mixes not all breeds of course and some are far better than worse basically any poodle variety but I say that to show my experience.

Beagles, heelers, shepherds, mutts, huskies, etc etc. Basically the useful breeds are like kids in responsibility high energy and can be total characters. Environmental/situational conditions dependant herd based dogs would be good, large framed dogs and the like as you mentioned.

I just feel the resource drain and output isn't up to par with input, responsibility for what you get as they age and the level of care needed. A lot of survival is quiet survival outdoors or indoors. Where dogs are clumsy and noisy. There are exceptions of course. I do believe their ranked high just not number one. My best guess is most people are basing this on social and mental health. Which absolutely matter but you can still be in a shit mood and need to eat and get stuff done. I'd honestly like to reassess my animal picking and add monkey, chimpanzees as number one. They learn sign language, can use tools, understand time/scheduling. Similar diet, nutrition, health compatibility. That'd be my number one. Chimps assuming personality wasn't a schizophrenic.