Hello All, I have 3 Golden Retrievers (Hogan-male-4yrs, Dakota-male-3yrs & Cheyann-female-6 mnths)so I guess you can say that I KINDA lean towards the Golden to be the best dog!! They are VERY gentle, loveing, affectionate, good with kids and other animals, loyal, willing to please, easy to care for, can live in New York appartments ( with daily excersize ) or on acres of land, extremely smart and most of all, they are happy enough just sitting at your feet! They don't care what you look like after working all day or what other DOG you smell like!! (I should know, I am a letter carrier and come in contact with LOTS of other dogs during my day). In 2 years, I hope to breed Dakota and Cheyann with the help of the breeder that I got them from! Well, now that you know my story, let me know what your decition was on what kind of dog you picked!