My wife and I have a Golden Retriever and we'll swear by them. My (then new) wife was a bit unsure about a big dog when I first brought Murphy home about four years ago - now she wants to get another. Oh, yes, we also have the world's finest cat - Little Bit - and, although she hissed and spat for about three weeks when Murphy first came home, they soon became best of friends - Murphy even lets her eat from his bowl while he's eating. Oh, yes, he chases the squirrels out of the yard - BIG TIME; a nice thing when you've got
three pecan trees out back.

In my book Goldens are the best, but they do shed quite a bit and the long-haired ones are not exactly low maintenance. If you like the Goldens but don't care for the brushing, etc., consider a
Labrador Retriever - chocolate, black or yellow - you can't lose.

In closing, we recently contacted a Golden Retriever Rescue group here in North Texas and our next critter is coming from them. Please consider a "rescued dog." Murphy was not a rescue dog but he was two-years old when we got him from someone who didn't want a dog anymore - and he's THE BEST. He came housebroked and trained to obey sit, stay, shake, etc., he goes out without a leash and does not run off and he's especially loving and caring. Many rescue dogs are in the same boat as Murph was - please give rescues a look.
Good luck. Cheers.