We've got a Labrador as well. It's black, sweet when it's asleep, loveable at the photo, affectionate (though you'd better be far away from him when he wants to show it), highly appreciate at lunchtime, and caring for nobody but himself ) My husband brought him from England as a trained dog, now he retired and lives with us with all possible mess))
My passion is German shepherds. We used to have lots of them, now only the last one is alive. They are usually born highly educated and literate as they can understand at least four languages))) and besides they've got much of common sense as their advice is always the best) When/if I retire I'll be living in the country with a German shepherd.
I also have a cat, a lovely nuisance, which keeps mewing and purring all the time, mostly at night) She doesn't want to learn any languages and pretends to be the mistress of our home Zoo))