I think the issue with labs is three-fold. First, they are a very popular dog and very BYBed and milled. Second, they are a very popular dog and to often owned by people who did not realize what work a young lab can be. Third, they are just naturally enthusiast, exuberant, social, and active dogs, especially when young (and they are not a fast maturing dog), even when well bred.
Jack loves people, loves other dogs, loves cats, loves food, loves toys, loves almost everything. He just does. He's been through puppy class, two traditional obedience classes, and we are currently taking our third Rally class. Usually he's pretty good, but occasionally he gets in a situation where he gets over stimulated and his brain falls out his ears. Then it's up to me to get in calmed down and regrouped. As he's getting older that's happening less and less but it still does happen. I doubt he will never be a dog that just naturally ignores other dogs and people--it will always be one of our training challenges probably.
BUT, he is a peacemaker at the dog park, does not try to eat small furry creatures, has put up with physical therapy to his leg and painful ear cleanings for 10 weeks from a monster ear infection, and is really good with kids.
I think with any popular breed you are going to run into problem dogs with ignorant owners. The vast majority of GSDs (lots in this area) I've met are not what I would consider stable dogs--they're either scardy, human aggressive, dog aggressive, or both. Doesn't make instability the norm for the breed, it just means that I've run into some poorly bred, poorly raised GSDs.
