I have a lab. Always have had them. Also had a Saint Bernard and a basset in the past. Labs are great family dogs, sweetest things in the world, and very athletic. Pretty much down for anything you're up to!
As an adult I have had 6 dogs, 4 German Shepherd Dogs, one Dutch Shepherd and and one Dutch/German Shepherd mix. Of them I still have a Dutchie, the mix and one GSD. The mix is a pup from the Dutchie.
Whatever you do, SOCIALIZE, either breed if you get one. Too many think if I keep him away from people he'll be a better guard dog. That just makes a unpredictable dangerous animal.
I'm a German Shepherd Faithful myself. None better!