My current pet is a black Labrador named “Wilson”. He’s 5 and would have made an excellent hunting companion. Fast, very responsive, learns quickly. He’s chill in the house, though he does rifle through grocery shopping if we leave it on the floor. Luckily, not a counter surfer.
The best thing about him is his happy nature. When we’re on a walk, he sniffs around and plays with utter joy. He’ll jump up in the air to catch a frisbee or herd a soccer ball around the field with his nose for as long as I let him.
Wilson likes all (friendly) dogs and most people. When he’s being petted, he’ll flop over and become totally zen even in a busy street. He’s also an inspiration in his conflict resolution. When he lies in the backyard eating a bone, a neighbors’ dog sometimes comes in. There’s no growling – Wilson just clamps his jaws down on the treat, gets up, and relocates to his bed in the house. I like that mixture of total confidence (“mine!”) and peacekeeping skills.
Some things he doesn’t like include scary dogs, getting a shower, and cats. He’s mournful about the first two, but quite excited about the last one.