Does 'Romeo Lover' have some financial gain in promoting this dog on the forum?

I've always been told generic is what MikeM basically described above. I would guess that many of the dogs who won in the 80's and 90's (that I liked) would be considered "generic" today.

Not at all overdone, quite the contrary!

I have always thought of the Generic Labrador as one who has traits than lean away from hallmark breed traits, the traits that are imperative (and selectively bred for) for them to function as an efficient hunting retriever. These traits lean towards the generic dog in general. Some of the traits I think of as being "generic" are:
* Single or sparse coats, open coats, long coats
* Tails that curl or are not properly wrapped in coat, lack of otter shape
* Straight shoulders, straight upper arms, straight rears (straight angulation in general, which does not give the dog adequate reach of neck for retrieving game, nor the reach or drive for efficient movement). Over angulation is no more desirable, although in this breed the drag tends towards the upright, and I think people live with this because it is so common and it is easier to get square proportions in an upright dog. Personally, this is what I see winning most at all breed shows - balanced but upright (usually yellow if an indoor show) dogs. I personally would rather see ribbons withheld than see this dog in the ribbons.
* Short muzzles, narrow muzzles
* Longer cast bodies
* Lack of second thigh, long hocks
* Plain or hard expressions in the head, squinty eyes, light eyes

I think there are traits that people are breeding for that are incorrect, but I would not say they lean towards the generic dog. There are far too many imbalanced dogs out there, and these I see winning at Specialty shows far more than I ever see them winning at all breed shows. These are the dogs that have far more body than leg. Yes, they have the head coat and tail, but they have traits that lose the overall balance and outline of this breed. A Labrador head, coat and tail on a corgi body or a Newfie body is not a typey LABRADOR. The amount of bone being bred for is also selective (not generic), but again, many of these dogs look to be another breed entirely substance wise. They are not generic and are often eye-catching, but they also lack type. Again, I would rather see ribbons withheld to make a point than to reward something because it has some outstanding characteristics but overall it is still WRONG for this breed. Sometimes a standout is a standout for traits that people LIKE but are not correct. For me, lack of balance is not a minor fault, it is a serious fault. Yet people see this rewarded (more often than not) by breeder judges so much that their eye becomes trained to accept/make allowances for overly deep chests and/or legs that are closer to 1/3 of the height of the dog rather than the 50% that gives them balance and efficiency of movement.

I think there are some really nice moderate (good bone and substance but still athletic) typey Labradors out there, what some old time breeders call "honest dogs", but they are not showy and are therefore overlooked. They are often called generic but in reality are the hallmark of this breed.

A generic dog while not having glaring faults does not have outstanding breed characteristics. While it meets the standard is not exceptional in any way. There are tons of champions in the breed that are generic which is a shame. In my opinion a Labrador should not be a hyperactive dog that wags it's tail madly. A Labrador should be sensible and though happy still calm. They should have a melting expression in their eyes. The ones bouncing around do get your attention when judging but the quiet ones are not overlooked in my ring. Can you picture one of these showing machines sitting in the blind with you? Generic dogs have nothing to do with weight, they are all about being mediocre. JMO

A generic dog has no obvious faults but also does not have any particular strengths. That said, a lab is supposed to be a balanced and moderate breed. Sometimes in an attempt to reward the dog that stands out, we overlook more correct and therefore better quality dogs. Competition to stand-out has resulted in many extremes.

To an untrained eye, it is easier to see extreme qualities than more subtle structural correctness. You can hear people refer to dogs all the time as being "typey" when in fact those dogs do not have proper type (balance and moderation). Exaggerated type is not proper type.

It is very hard to find the balance sometimes.