Ok ... so seeing how we've managed to get to grips with our lovely black Lab boy and he's seemed to calm down alot over the last 2 weeks ( The first 6/6 and half months were very hard! ) we were considering looking into getting him a companion.

We're fully prepared to go through all of that all over again as we're more aware of what happens and how to handle certain things. We also feel that having a 'friend' will benefit out pup too.

Looking to get one around christmas time as this is when we both have several weeks off work and can both spend time with them both at the same time.  So thought we'd research it all first.

We currently have a 7 month old black lab, who is getting neutered and will be about a year old once we get a friend for him.
We're hoping to find a breed that will mirror his temperment, as in ... not agressive, not yappy or barks alot, very friendly and loving and intelligant. We dont want to get another Lab though.

For people who have Labs and other breeds of dogs ... which breeds do you have?

Does any one have a 'prefered' breed to home with Labs?

Sorry if you find this hard to make sense of. haha

Sorry some more must haves and must not haves  and we were thinking a female friend for him (?).....

Good with children / Patient with children.
Not too dominant but able to put my Lab in his place.
Not too nippy/bitey.

TBH, I'd wait a little bit longer before introducing another dog into the household..............

...........really, at even a year old, your current dog will still have an awful lot to learn

Why don't you want another Lab? I'd have a houseful LOL

I would advise you wait until eh is at least two years old, or maybe even three before getting another puppy.

On the other hand if you were to go for a rescue dog then a bitch of 3 to 5 years of age would be a good age gap, assuming she hasn't got any major issues.

I personally wouldn't mind another lab. I'd love a beautiful golden lab to go with my black lab .... however my partner isn't to keen on this idea. I am not sure why. I too would love a load of them.

> Not too nippy/bitey

The above is mostly age related, it is how all pups are until they grow out of it, with training and keeping things calm speeding things along.

>I'd love a beautiful golden lab

psst!!.................they're known as YELLOW Labs

I agree with Barbara, an age gap of 2 or 3 years is better. I have 3 years between my 2 girls

he-he sorry ... I always call them Golden Labs as that is how I like to see them. Yellow doesn't sound as nice as Golden.

Reckon that is why they stopped calling the browns Liver and changed it to Chocolate so don't see why the Yellows cannot be gold and the blacks, have to be careful, Night Sky has a ring to it or how about, Deep Blue, blue seems an in colour. Sorry being silly but have often wondered why Liver became Chocolate.

Another thing that puzzles me you see Newfoundland advertised as Brown and then the photo shows something that could not be more ginger if it were a biscuit.

ha-ha ... that made me chuckle.

I think Ebony would be good for the black labs.

Although my black lab has this one single bright white hair on the back of his neck! The temptation to pull it out is huge ... but that is just mean so I wont.

Reckon I would. Bet you would too if you showed.

I have labs and pugs and they get on great.  My labs are very, very laid back though, they would welcome any dog into their home!

Pugs are great little dogs, not nippy, not yappy like other small breeds, dont NEED lots of exercise but our two are happy to have walks on the hills and by the rivers with our labs... They just get on great.

I think you should wait til your pup is over a year before you start looking for another puppy though.  Lab puppies can be very "backwards" about growing up lol  You have a lot of puppyhood yet to come and you really want him a bit more calm and sensible before you add a puppy to the household otherwise you'll just have two puppies to try to control and train!

I've got a chocolate lab and a blue roan cocker, they get on fine, snuggle up together in the evening too.

I also agree with others regarding age, i would wait until he is fully mature as there is a year between our two, and boy they were hard work. never again that close.

I also have a chocolate lab and a blue roan cocker spaniel - they are brilliant company for each other and both enjoy the same things - both like the beach, water, retrieving, tug of war games, children and people. I'd wait until your lab is 2 though.