going nuts

Question
I'm having a very hard time between a Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. we have 2 dachshunds and  golden retriever. I have heard that labs are puppy for a very long time and very hyper. I have a lab on a waiting list, but now I'm having cold feet. Please help me decide. Tracy

Answer
On another site we were discussing chew toys.  Here is a quote from a Golden breeder, ''I sympathize with you, Labman.

My dog is the exact same way. He can't have any "soft" toys or they will be totally destructed in about 10 mins.

Tennis ball? It gets defuzzed.

Stuffed woobie? He likes to perform open-heart surgery on those things and spread the stuffing around the house.

Anything soft-plastic or squeaky gets ripped apart.

I have had success with Nylabones, and the red kongs, and some kind of hard-rubber fetch balls that I see in the store at petco/petsmart, but can't find a link.

In addition to the Frozen peanut butter, you might want to try a Kong filled with frozen fat-free vanilla yogurt. That seems to keep their interest a bit.''  I am not sure how old that Golden is.  I ordered $76 worth of chew toys last night for my 7 month old Lab.  Well, one of them may go to my grandson that is a week younger than her.  

As for hyper, my 7 month old is pretty bad.  However I have had at least a dozen others that weren't nearly as bad.  Many Labs do need stronger leadership, or they will take over.  Try to spend some time with the parents.  Nice parents don't guarantee nice puppies, but don't chance bad parents.  Of course ask about hip and eye certification too.