If you do not have a specific job for the dog ( hunting, herding) to do I would forget breed and shop temperament. You want a dog that you can easily lay on it's back , put your hands on the neck and look it right in the eye for at least a minute without a rodeo. If you have a wife and kids have them do the same. You want a pup that will roll over but not cower. Get all the pups in a big room lay on the floor perfectly still And do not make eye contact with the pups or interact with them in any way. The one that nuzzles up to you and is mellow is a good bet. Lots of tricks like this to find a non dominant dog.
Don't let a woman pick the dog on here own. She wants one that will love her you want one that will respect you first.
Word on labs. I love them and think they are the greatest dog ever bred. However I will not own one as I think they are over bred . The eyes hip certs etc are BS because they are replacement guarantees . So when your dog is 5 and has eye, hip problems they will give you a new dog. your dog still has problems that need to be dealt with and you are head over heels for the hound etc. hard to find a lab with out fatty nodules or some form of cancer any more.