Dogue De Bordeaux Temperments?

Hello all, I'm doing some research for my future dog... drove five hours to visit some Irish wolfhounds at a gathering this weekend (found they aren't the dog for me) Glad I went and found it out though. I thought I wanted another Beauceron (which we have now), but I'd like a dog that's a little better around people other than our immediate family, one I don't have to "worry about" at family get togethers at the pond... thought about a Briard (but that's basically a Beauceron). I'm looking at DDB's and I see that their temperament says that they aren't aggressive. If I do a great job socializing (which won't be a problem) Do you think they would be a great dog... around un threatening strangers and things like that? I don't like that we have to leave our guy at home because he's extremely protective and wary of people.. (he's gotten worse with age). We can't "read" him anymore. I'm sure I've worded this wrong, so if you aren't understanding the question, please ask more :-)