I assume she is an English Lab, I have recently heard that they are much less hyper and don't put you thru the first 24 months of "lab puppy hell". I adore my lab but he dug and chewed the house apart until he was 2, then poof, he became the best dog I've ever had.
Yes she's an English Black Lab. I think you are right about the difference between the North American strain and the European strain. Ours are much more placid, especially the bitches and far less destructive, though we still have plenty who eat the house before they settle down. I am fortunate in that I work for myself and the dog goes everywhere with me so boredom doesn't tend to set in. Skye is now 18 weeks old and she has not chewed anything in the house bar her toys and a little bit of her bedding. Fingers crossed that she will stay that way.
I read a book at Christmas called "Marley & Me" about an American with an insane Yellow Labrador Dog. It should have been enough to put anyone off having a Labrador for life, but it spurred me and my wife on to get another because of the all the good stuff you get as well. Our last Black Lab was a great dog and it broke our hearts when she passed away.
Anyway here's to another 14 years or so of fun with our new addition.
Cheers,
Nige