I guess I am spoiled from being around working AB's. Because I would never call an AB a dog that was friendly and permissible with strangers or other animals and would never classify them as low enough in drive for the normal suburbanite or city dweller. And as far as country bred AB's go, Ive never heard of one that will tolerate same sex dogs. From my experience they will tolerate strangers when the owners are around but they don't care for them and are easy to set off. And they are normally zero tolerant of free roaming males. And have full blown hella-drive. And are much better mannered and managed when they are tired out from work or play as any dog is. So once more, ask the breeder of your choice questions about his line and common disposition and temperaments. I have met one scatter-bred AB that was a really friendly out going dog with strangers, in my mind very un-AB like, but thats because Im hooked on a certain line of AB's and I am biased. Each person here will have their own personal opinions of what makes a good dog or certain breed, best thing is don't mistake AB's as low drive and Labbish in temperament, most are not, and thankfully they haven't been recognized and destroyed as a show breed...yet. Once more ask questions of the breeders you are looking at about their line of AB, you could end up getting a dog you can't handle. Good Luck!!!!