I was raised with labradors...always dogs. They were all brilliant dogs.
We have our own bitch now, she's the most gentle kind hearted lab I have ever come across (biased of course!).
I have heard it best to keep opposite sex (unless one bitch is much older than the other bitch)...so I would go for a dog if I were you. (having said that...I'm no expert!). Good luck!

Breda