Going by my extended DNA sharers, the black Lab is now something you get when you want to be seen as posh. They certainly aren't, but they've all got money - and four out of five of them have got themselves one.
Pity they don't seem to be able to teach the animals proper manners. (one has a liking for chickens and pheasants on the obligatory Sunday walk, one has 'introduced' itself to sheep in the next field when they are determinedly against sticking animals on leashes should have been fucking shot. The owner, I mean and the other two are decidedly 'bitey').
If I get another dog (haven't had one for ten years), it'll be my favourite breed but a poor example of conformation because of the general temperament and size (I don't mind wonky tails and wouldn't want a pup PTS because of it)- a Beagle - or whatever atrocious mixture of mutt I can have loping alongside me. I'm not about to spunk hundreds of pounds if not over a grand buy a lifestyle accessory, but somebody will have a 'bad' or accidental litter at some point.
I have no illusions about being posh or 'classy', whatever the fuck that is. I've got a reasonable standard of education, learned big words through reading them, not hearing them at home, so I say them with all their consonants, I resent the idea of having to buy five sets of something in the time one halfway decent set would last and get progressively more quiet and carefully spoken the angrier I get. Because it's far better for the health than screaming like a Banshee or, as was the case in the childhood house, bringing the fists and sticks out.