Choc Labradors - really as crazy as people say?

[Gorran]

We'd decided on a lab puppy, had been thinking of getting a dog for a long time, circumstances are such that now we have decided is the right time, and a lab the right dog for our family.

We were prepared to go to a breeder when someone posted on a lab forum that Many Tears animal rescue had some lab pups from an unsold litter. Would you get one of these? (if we pass the vetting of course)

Are Choc labs really as mental as some say?!

[AdventuresWithVoles]

My uncle always kept chocolate labs as gun dogs. Very much not mental at all, have to be calm & steady to be good hunter-retriever gun dogs.

that was in a foreign country, though. maybe British choc labs are all loopy.

[Pascha]

My parents chocolate lab is loopy but he's only just a year old so hopefully he will calm down with maturity. It's mostly round the little children he gets very excited. Around adults he's ok.

He does chew everything though, and regularly beheads flowers in the garden.

To be fair to him, my parents are not very good at anything other than basic training commands. They could be a lot more strict and probably have a better behaved dog.

[Gorran]

Right, so as I'd hoped, with good training (classes, crate etc) and plenty of exercise, there's absolutely no reason they shouldn't be as well behaved as any dog.

Just waiting for our vetting call from Many Tears, on paper I think we're the ideal family to take one of their pups; I'm a SAHM (or am I a housewife maybe as youngest goes to full time school in September?!), husband works from home, children are 7 and 4.5, we like long walks, I run so hopefully in time dog can run with me, can afford the expense of the dog and we're not rushing into this, have thought long and hard about getting a dog. Do you think that sounds like good dog-owner material?

[out2lunch]

mine is really quite smart but very energetic and loveable

[keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

All the labs I have known (including our family pet when I was growing up) have been totally crazy as pups but mellowed out once a bit older.
But - for some reason every single choc lab I see is chubby/bordering on overweight! I don't know why that is - if it's just a coincidence but chocolate ones are always a bit porky! not so much black or gold ones though.
FWIW, I think your situation sounds ideal for a new puppy owner!

[midori1999]

They should be the same as any other colour Lab. However, becaus ethey became popular, a large number have been puppy farmed or back yard bred with no thought ot care for temprement or anything else, hence the reputation they now have. That said, a lot of Labs are bred this way anyway, as is the same with all popular breeds (or any breed that wins Crufts, is in a film etc)

There are now quite a few Golden Retrievers with temprement problems because of puppy farming.

[stressheaderic]

Friend of mine has a choc lab and a yellow lab. Yellow one is placid and unobtrusive and prefers to be on his own.
Choc one is absolutely bat-shit mental despite puppy training, obedience, much intensive support. Great fun though.

You sound like the perfect dog-owning family, good luck!

[Gorran]

Just spoken to Many Tears and they've put our name down for Daisy! Here's a link if anyone's interested, takes a short while to load:
manytearsrescue.webs.com/dogslookingforhomes.htm
The dog fosterer is going to call us today to arrange seeing her and if we need a home check.

[Incaminka]

Lucky you! :-)

[WoodRose]

Lucky you! She's gorgeous and you sound like an ideal owner.

We are picking up a Many Tears springer spaniel friend for our collie this weekend and I intend to run with both of them. I use a cani-cross kit with my collie and I highly recommend them. Believe me, it will save you a lot of shoulder pain!

[soveryhard]

I dont know, I have one and she is a dream

My friends have one, they are really experienced and theirs is so manic they walki t at 6 am.

[mrspink27]

Chocolate dog, chocolate brain IME. We have the most docile, stupid and gorgeous choccie. We did work hard with him until he was about 1yr on basic training but he is less trouble than any other animal in the house. Apart from his ears which flare up - but only because he insists on duck diving in dirty water. They can be prone to being overweight - but this is also probably true of most dog breeds. Mine does not have a cast iron stomach - but would like to think he had and hoovers up EVERYTHING!
I would gladly have another - but only after careful research into breed lines etc. There is a lot of over breeding - equally can be said for a lot of breeds - and I know this can cause problems.

[Gorran]

Woodrose - is your new dog on the website? What's her/his name, would love to see.

Thanks for the tip re running, will look up the cani-cross kit.