If you want a family dog first, you may not want to buy from a hunting kennel. Those dogs can have a bit too much drive. My two labs have come from family dog lineage. They have been incredible friends, crazy smart, tractable, and calm. Good hunters too.
A good breeder will have their characteristics and traits pinned down fairly well by the time they sell.
We bought from Dustin Retrievers in Montana (there is another location in California) and got exactly what we asked for.
