>Then a Lab sounds good - but, of course, all pupps tend to be boisterous at times and a big boisterous dog is more of a handful than a small one...
If size is an issue then a Springer might be an alternative?

My buddy has a springer and it seems like a nice breed. I don't think size is an issue - we have a kennel and a decent size backyard, plus a park right next to us with some wooded area. The thing I am worried about is leaving a lab alone in a kennel for 8-9 hours while we are at work.