Acquired: Breeder (professional)
Gender: Female
Training: Books
Growing up I had two chocolate labs, Mocha and her daughter Molly. We got Mocha in 1995 and she entered into our family that comprised of three children ages 9, 7, and 4 years old. Mocha was very pliable and enjoyed the attention of exuberant children; she did not bite and slept each night on the foot of someone's bed.
When Molly was born (she was one of 11 puppies), Mocha was 3 years old and the two became partners in crime. We would put them out into our backyard and they would find ways to escape despite it being fenced. Each time they escaped, we found them in the same spot-- walking side by side down the street and were mostly willing to come back inside. If getting a lab your best bet would be to install a run or an invisible fence.
All in all my experiences were pleasant and potential owners should be aware that these dogs are very smart. Mocha and Molly were both easily trained and also could find their way into trouble because they were investigators.