owning a labrador puppy

P.S. plenty of whippets and greyhounds get handed in to Greyhound Trusts for re-homing.

Hello Angel2, welcome to gransnet. Its a bit addictive though, so beware.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved whippets, and what a blow to lose two within such a short time. I posted on here recently about the loss of my beloved little cat Panda over six weeks ago now. Everyone is so understanding, and posted some beautiful messages. I found much comfort in messages from like minded folk. Regarding your inquiry about chocolate labs, I have a neighbour who has one, although his temperament is gentle, (the dog I mean) !! he seems to give them a few problems in that he is very strong, I often meet them out walking and they look exhausted being pulled at a rate of knots. Dont know whether this is lack of training or just a strong willed dog taking advantage of his owners.
Good luck with your search.

Having taken on a springer/viszla cross all I know is that any 'working' breed needs plenty of training, play and stimulus. Its also quite unfair to have a dog without giving them the sort of training they need for the life you expect to lead. Our neighbours took on a very sad chocolate labrador who had been living a very confined life in a little semi in a nearby town. Thankfully hes taken to being out on the farm and trots behind his new owners - tail a wagging - but he was quite a handfull at first from not getting a decent 'social' education.
From what I gather taking on a new pup needs a lot of commitment - our dog was loved and owned by an older couple who had to give her up to Dogs Trust when they realised they could not cope. We keep in touch with them and have exchanged photos so alls well that ends well.

Can't advise you on labradors I'm afraid but sorry to hear about your whippets [I'm on my second; I adore them]. All I know about labradors is that it takes two years for them to start to grow up and they need loads of exercise. I'd heard that chocolate ones have a different temperament to black and golden [more neurotic] but don't take my word for it as I have no experience of them. I'd love one of those big black Sandringham type labradors but I just don't walk far enough these days [although you've got me having little fantasies now ].