I don't know much about labs, but my boyfriend's sister has a black lab named Daisy and she is the sweetest dog I've ever met! She is very hyper (she is now 8 or 9 yrs old) and LOOOVES to play. She is also very loyal to Marsha (his sister) because Marsha is the one who took her through training. She always barks to let people know that someone is coming, but I don't believe that she would hurt anyone unless she thought someone she loved was threatened. I really don't think that is a "lab" trait; most dogs who have bonded to their family would do that, in my opinion and experience.

I also don't think that people should be basing their entire opinions on the one or two dogs they have met in their lifetimes. Just because YOU met a lab with a bad owner does not mean ALL labs are bad dogs. I think YLL provided some good links with a lot of information.