As far as finding the time to train a lab as well as spending time with the kids, you are on your own with that one

As far as keeping the coat clean, DAILY brushing will help DRAMATICALY!!! A golden compared to a lab does indeed have longer hair and will pick up odors for a longer period of time. As far as shedding, neither has a greatertendency" to shed than the other, just with the longer hair, sheding from the Golden will be more noticeable. Ocassionally I will watch my cousins Golden for a weekend and when I take the Golden and my lab swimming, the Golden REEKS o high heaven and takes much longer to dry off...another selling point!!

Labs are not necessarily "high maintenance" dogs. Per your request, here is a pic of my yellow (white?) Lab, Rose:



There is no way to "teach a pup to be lazy". High energy exertion followed by "crash and burn" so to speak is what being a puppy is all about. Try to give pup PLENTY of exercise outside daily and he MAY be more apt to take it easy in the house. Kennel train when inside as a pup and it will make the going easier, but he may still choose to do what pups do best and terrorize the house!!!