I’ve had Labs all my life. Currently have a 16 1/2 old girl and a 1 1/2 YO pup. They will never let you down.
Oh, yes. My 2 y.o. British lab saved my life when I was 12. Got pulled 400 yds. out by a rip tide on a dropping tide at a surf beach. No one saw me other than her. Without prompting she jumped into the surf, swam out and towed me in to a sandbar. It took me 5 min.s on all 4s to get the strength to stand. Best dog ever.
I have an American black lab now. Great dog and even more into water than my brit was. Took her out on the skiff 1st time yesterday. She’s sold on boating.