I don't know a whole lot about temperament of Goldens, but I do have one friend who has a Golden Retriever. Just went and saw him tonight. Maybe it's just him, but he's very clingy and buggy! Are they usually like that? Is he just weird? I mean, like, would not move 2 inches away from anyone ever! A lot of the Goldens around here are very protective, but I don't know personally how they are.
I suppose I have noticed the difference in Lab types somewhat. I prefer the taller, leaner field type personally. My thing is that Labradors are sooooo overly popular today. Why? It may be for some that they are a very adaptable, good natured breed, but I think more of what it is is that Labs are everywhere, and when a person thinks, hey, I want a dog, they see that everyone else has a Lab, don't do any research on any other breed and just go get a Lab! Be unique! Do something different! And do your homework. Everytime I see someone with a dog, I'll say, "Hey mom, guess what kind of dog so-and-so has?" And of course, it's a lab.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just griping here, so excuse me please. But I just wish people would be willing to be different. Uniformity irritates me!