Welcome back. On the topic of dogs....I'll never argue with a person who says his dog / breed is the smartest. It's an argument no one will ever win. I'll say this...dogs are GREAT! Love mine. He's been an oustanding addition to our family.
Gettin on in age, turning 9 in July. Hips started bothering him last year, so got him on glucosamine (sp?) and he's doing much better. Seen here on the Platte in Nebraska hunting last fall.
Lives inside with me, wife and two daughters (6 & 4). Very well behaved (anyone can say "sit" and his rump is on the ground), retrieves like a machine, plays with the kiddos well and even gives off a earth shaking bark when the doorbell rings. Doesn't matter much because once the door opens he's wagging his tail and licking whoever enters, so as a guard dog, he's all bark and no bite.
He will come downstairs to my office and put his paw on my leg when he needs to get out for bathroom. This will tell you how well he listens...
Four years ago I bred him with another lab. She's in heat and he's chasing her around the yard. He finally catches her (or she lets him) and he's about ready to do his business. I wanted to see just how well he listens so I give him the "here" command. He thinks about it for just a few seconds, then jumps off and walks over to me. I scratched his head and said go get her buddy. (pups on the ground later that spring)