I don't want my current dog to get mad at me. She's a Jack Russell Terrier. However, my favorite breed is the Lab.
I've had four different breeds in my lifetime: Poodle/Cocker Spaniel Mix, Collie, Lab, and Jack Russell. I've also spent considerable time with Dobermans, Mini Pinschers, German Shepherds, Chows, Yorkies, and others. (My family really loves dogs.) So, I've got a few to compare with. I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a dog. But, to me, the Lab is the perfect family dog.
All the breeds I mentioned have their strong points. I chose the Lab because of their temperament, they're ease around children, and their love of people. My Lab was a wonderful dog. I won't say she was perfect. She was a wild, aggressive puppy and she was a terrible thief until her last days. But, she settled down at 3 years old and she became the type of Lab you see on TV and in movies.
I was always worried about having a big dog around my nieces and nephew who were young at the time. I need not have worried. Sierra loved children. She would let them do anything to her just so she could be in their presence. I can remember watching my toddler niece climb right over Sierra and Sierra never flinched. She was so gentle with them.
Labs love people and are very social. They don't seem to care who they get their head pats from just as long as they get them.
Those are my reasons for choosing this breed, though I think I could pretty much live with any.