The answer comes from my personal experience
1. do they shed?
YES
2. are they smart ( my last dog was a blue healer so standard is high)
YES
3. do they slobber all over.
They do, but mostly when they are outside.
4. are they really good with kids.
YES (mine), but also it depends on character of each dog and ofcourse the way kids behave is important too
5. do they bark all the time for no reason
NO
6. when someone new is around its owner do they watch them like a hawk but stay polite.
YES