For 10 years, I had two English Labrador Retrievers (brother and sister - named Shamus and Sugar). A few years prior to Sugar and Shamus, I also had 2 Cocker Spaniels (Willie and Cooper), and they were terrific pups. I loved them dearly. Finally, I grew up on a farm in Western Loudoun County with mostly Labradors and Golden Retrievers, as well as an assortment of other animals (including cats, a rabbit, horses, and cattle). However, the one constant in my life throughout my 4 decades, has been dogs. I love them - all different breeds, or mixed-breeds, shapes and sizes, and personalities. I also would say that hiking with dogs has probably been my number one favorite hobby of the past decade or so.