Hello again. Thanks for your advice. I think - after looking at hundreds of breed guides that labradors might be the best bet for me- able to keep them outside, able to do obedience training etc. Still not sure about whether to get two pups same age or dogs of different ages. Also how big a run would I need ?
hope you can help
Nicola

Nicola,
Just about every person you ask will have different opinions on this scenario.

As a first time dog owner 2 pups together can be too bonded to each other and this makes it harder for you to get a good relationship.

I think one pup alone in a kennel would be better with company, but I found that my dogs were more work in kennels and you also miss a lot of their personality.

I bought two Boxer litter brothers and kept them in kennels never had any problems but I took them places individually and had bought them for obedience so they got a lot of training.

Later I had a father and son who got along fine in kennels until suddenly one day Dad decided to put son in his place and really beat him up and we had to keep them apart. Still walked together travelled together just couldn't be together 24/7.

Again 2 bitches can take a dislike to each other, had that too and that can be really bad news.

So you see there are lots of points to think about and other people will have other points of view. I would start by trying to decide what breeds you like and then find out a whole lot more about them and go on from there
Anne

Nicola, can you tell me what you are expecting from your dogs, do you want to show, do agility or obiedence, shoot over them, flush, pick up, trials or something I've not thought of. The choice of breed would be different depending what you have in mind, I have assumed that as you are having them kennelled you do not want them as pets alone. Come back and give us more idea of what you have in mind and you will no doubt be overwelmed with suggestions. I do agree that a single dog in kennels would not be happy but 2 pups of the same age would not be ideal either. May be ajacent kennels until they were older would be best. Ja:)kie