Bonding with a Labrador

Question
Hi,

My family just recently adopted a two year old Labrador Retriever. We got her from a reputable breeder who was selling her because of her size, she is small, and the breeder only breeds to breed standard. She will be coming home to us in October. We came to visit her and she is a great dog, we love everything about her. My one question is that we are worried about bonding. When we went to visit her as total strangers she greeted us like we had known her her entire life. I know that is typical Lab personality (which I love) but we also want our dog to bond with our family. After a while will she bond with us stronger than total strangers (I know it sounds like a no-brainer but we we were strangers and she seemed just as happy with us as with her current owner). Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email.

-Violet

Answer
Good luck with your new lab.  Getting an older dog from a breeder is such a great way to get one, and you are lucky because yours will still be young.  

In regards to the bonding, temperament is a hallmark of the breed, so it's good to find she was accepting of you when you initially came to visit.  Dogs are very adjustable and she will bond with your family once she is at YOUR home.  She will learn who her new family is.  Did you experience her away from her home and current family, or did you just visit in their home?  If it was just in their home when they were there, you have to remember that they welcomed you into the house so the dog welcomed you too (they feed off the feeling in the home).  Also depending on how the breeder cared for the animals and how many dogs she had, you may find the dog develops a tighter bond with your family as it's now the CENTER of attention vs. being one of many dogs, or possibly kept in a run for much of the day.