Newfoundland/lab/chow/collie mix, what is he?

I got this puppy, Rider, from some friends back in October, who couldn't keep him because they were living in an apartment and the landlord said no. He is now almost 25 weeks old and weighs probably about 39-40lbs. (last week I weighed him and he was 37.5lbs, and he gains a couple pounds a week.) The people who gave him to us said he was a black lab/golden retiriever mix.... or something. I don't think they really knew, and I don't think the people who gave it to them were professional breeders. He is almost the same size of our 12 1/2 year old german shepard/ border collie mix (Monty is the best dog in the entire world!!) Rider is the cutest yet naughtiest little thing ever. A lot of people said he looks like a newfoundland, and a chow chow.... but we don't really know. Here are a couple pictures of him, please if you have any ideas of what he is, or what YOU think he looks like, please respond!!! Thank YOU so much! ALSO, when he shakes his head you can hear his lips flop around from all his slobber!

Very recent picture of him:


He also found the cat food....


About the time we got him, he was about 12 weeks.

looks like a lot of lab in there, any purple spots on the tongue? anyway adorable is the word! looks like my first dog.

Looks like a black golden retriever in that whole body shot. Doubt it's a Newfie, they are huge and are much thicker in the body even as pups. Doesn't look chow but if there is purple on his tongue, there could be. So, my guess is black lab/golden retriever mix that didn't mix too much, got the body/head shape and fur from the golden and the color and maybe personality from the lab. He's super cute whatever he is though.

Looks and size say Golden Retriever is most likely in there. There are Flat Coated Retrievers that look like black golden's but they say he's mixed so I'd go with that. As for the other half, hard to say until older, maybe lab. He is a real cutie though!

Does look like a Flat-Coat to me as well, however this puppy has more coat than they do, even as puppies. Very pretty dog, could be a border collie/lab mix.

My first instinct was Black Lab/ Golden Retriever. Who will know without DNA, but sounds like there's alot of folks know their dogs.

Hmm okay, ya. I think they said his mom was a lab, but his dad could be who knows what else... haha I'm not sure why we ever thought newfoundland, maybe it's because when we compared these pictures... Also like a newfie he has those big brown shifty eyes, he'll move his eyes so he can see you, but won't move his head or body, when he gets wet his little afro hair on his head crimps, and he sheds a TON he lost all of his baby fuzz, and boy was it a mess, and now he is shedding again, and even if you vaccum everyday it still likes you, got new carpet.

This is Rider:


A random newfie found on the web:


Besides the pictures I really have no clue why we ever thought newfie. Thanks for all you inputs!

black lab/golden..congrats,they usually turn out to be a wonderful mix.

I'm seeing Lab paws and head, with Golden Retriever-like fur, so I'm gonna go with the others' guess as well.

Not seeing any real sign of Chow in him. Chows have manes, very curly tails, short and straight back legs (makes them walk with a wiggle), short little ears and of course the black tongues - mine is only 1/4 Chow also mixed with Lab, and she has all those traits - none of which I'm seeing on him.

Looks like a flat-coated Retriever!