LABRADORS

[Helencatz]

Tell me about your Labradors please what is your experience? Are they really as bad as people make out?

Zoom groom is ace. It really catches any loose hair. Does anyone use a furminator on their lab? (Used to use one on old semi long haired cat and it was fab.)
Don’t know where you are but there is a local lab owners group near me on FB. Worth a search? They organise shows and walks (in normal times) and lots of chat and support.
Also worth a look at dog training and support on FB if you’re a new owner. (Apologies if you’re not!) It’s a brilliant resource with info about bringing a new pup home and toilet training and just about anything else you may want to know about!
Good luck.

They moult a lot as they have a double coat - for all the swimming they did in Canada which is where the breed originated. They have webbed feet as well. As you’re getting a yellow lab I’d avoid wearing black clothes for the next 12-15 years.

Soo soo much hair

My boy was big - working type. He was long and tall and about 50kg was fit fit fit and not at all fat.

Met a lady at Weatherby services once and she was admiring him whilst we took him for a wee. She said they worst dog fight she’d ever seen was between two labs and I can well believe that as they are big strong dogs.

He chewed everything when a pup but grew out of it.

Does anyone use a furminator on their lab? (Used to use one on old semi long haired cat and it was fab.)
I bought one as I’d heard good things, but my Max hates it!

Blimey OP don't apply for any positions in The Diplomatic service any time soon

@ Wolfiefan I do and mine is a lab retriever cross. Used to use one on both of my previous dogs as wel...

In my experience labs shed a lot and they are incredibly food motivated. None of mine have been allowed to scrounge, but they have all scavenged when they could get away with it.

My first lab chewed horrendously and didn’t outgrow it until she was around three.

They’re lovely natured dogs though and very intelligent.

All mine were guide dogs and highly trained so these behaviours were traits not anything to do with inadequate training or the like.

@KitchenConfidential they do have scary looking metal teeth. Old cat loved it. Zoom groom is much softer though.
And get a good vacuum too.

[quote KitchenConfidential]Is this your first time ever on Mumsnet OP? You’re taking every comment incredibly personally when most people are just contributing in a normal fashion to the thread.

I think most good and negative points have been covered already, so my contribution to add is my favourite video of labs, made during lockdown by a sports commentator. There’s several of them but this was the first.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vPhpJuraz14[/quote]
Really am I and me defending myself is also offending people me using the term 'bad' is offending people yet I'm the one taking it personally. If you had read my post you will know I've been watching mumsnet and I know how posters attack people and then turn it round too the OP just like you have done.

I've got it labs are lovely they chew and eat like all breeds,nothing new. Thanks.
Finished with this thread now.

I don’t see where I attacked you but hey ho...

Honestly, they are more voracious eaters than other breeds. That doesn't make them bad dogs.

I have a chocolate lab, she's loyal, snuggly, cuddly, playful and daft, we spent a lot of time training her and making sure she was in another room when we ate. She's brilliant in every way but she does not like small children and especially small children on scooters which we discovered recently. She's given a few warning snaps when small children have approached her so we now keep her away from children, if there's any about she's on lead. She hasn't grown up around children so just isn't used to them

The shedding. So much hair. I swear i vaccuum up another dog or two per day but i just bought a cordless pet vacuum, best thing ever.

I bought a zoom groom but i find the double sided brush from home bargains (it is 79p) is the best I've found and he loves it 😊

for me the worst thing is the worry!!

i worry he will get hurt.....run away.....dognapped......and being left alone. covid has meant someone home with him since we got him

Bad?

I have a yellow who I've had since he was 8 weeks old. Sweet, loving, obedient, ball and water obsessed. Barks more than I'd like him too but nobody is perfect.

I adopted a fox red a couple of years ago. She came from a breeder. Probably had 6/7 litters in 6 years. I've never known such a loyal, protective, loving dog. She has one or two issues with strangers, particularly people knocking at the door/passers by and can't really be bothered with other dogs much (apart from my other Lab, she guards him with her life) but she's had a shit life up until 2 years ago and it could be worse. She is safe and very much loved.

Had a chocolate lab a few years ago (lived to the grand old age of 15) and she was always quite aloof for a lab. Very naughty in her younger years.

I meant to add. I'm I huge Lab lover, they'd be 100% perfect if it wasn't for the HAIR.

Yep, the hair they shed is astronomical. If I don’t groom him and sweep my floors every day I get tumbleweeds of hair blowing about. As much as I love him I could quite happily shave the bugger some days.

The one thing I would mention is that over the years I’ve had several people tell me that their dog is scared of mine because they’ve been attacked by a black lab in the past. I think some people have a lab thinking it will be easy and well behaved without remembering that it’s a dog that still needs as much training as any other. So yes unfortunately you do get ‘bad’ ones, dogs owned by ignorant people that don’t understand them. They’re a very common popular breed. As long as you know what you’re doing you’ll be fine.

The nicest natured and best personality of dog we've ever had. Likes food, walks, thinking she's little enough to sit on your lap and stealing things for attention. Truly couldn't recommend a lab enough. Very intelligent and reads how you're feeling and behaves accordingly. Very strong and needs a firm hand but great at re-call. Likes water.

Helencatz we think she was roughly 6 months old but she was skin and bones so quite difficult to tell.

Enjoy your lab, OP. I have loved mine. They are so sweet and really funny.
The only thing better than a lab is two labs, as they keep each other company and play together. And I've got a bloody good hoover...

Did someone mention HAIR! This was day 2 with the furminator. I removed the same amount the day before

Where’s to begin...
I think mine was an extra for Marley and me.
He pulled over a pub table, knocked a pint of beer over, drank some of it and then threw up in my car.
Stole the Christmas pork joint off the counter and ate it, opportunistic counter surfing didn’t end there.
Slipped his lead, swam across a canal into a field to get to a duck, who promptly took off.
Thought a male stranger was my DH slipped his lead, ran, jumped and knocked the guy over. (Had to take out insurance to cover me for injuries)
Jumped a fence, tore his cruciate, cost £6,500 to operate.
Took my aunt out, she put her fur coat in the car... he took a fancy to it, neutered him after that particular incident. He’s chewed my seatbelts, concrete, a table, 2 chairs, his bed, shoes, a remote control, food dishes and some books. Pinched one of my mum’s ornaments, ate it. Rolled in & eaten all types of poo, like it was the best chocolate. Took a can of lager, chewed it and drank the contents. Sat on someone’s picnic blanket hoping for a sandwich (got one). Sheds everywhere! Thinks everyone and every dog wants to be his best friend... which for the most part they do! I was inexperienced with labs, paid for a lot of training and he is a little better now he’s 9.
He’s gone into hospital and nursing homes and patients have loved him, (his mother was a therapy dog) very gentle, loving and placid- at times! Good luck!

I know of one that isn't food orientated 😳

All of them love water, puddles, mud...

Other than that it's just the health issues already mentioned.

Lively until they get very old so yes without training can be strong/pull/jump up.

I have a lab boy from show stock so is lot more muscular than working lab

Yes he did some chewing but not loads and outgrew it fast
He is very gentle in the home and when out but one time when someone grabbed my chair I screamed and saw a Differnt side completely

He hates labradoodles after being attacked so always least him if seen

Worked hard training wise from a puppy not to pull etc ,his recall is fantastic even when see Deer

Downside the mud and hair but that's a lab

Oh and show stock still like long walks we often cover minimum of 10 miles a day but I like being out

Key tip get wet weather gear we are outside all weather's

@Poshjock that is one beautiful dog 😍

I just realise i admred a labradoodle of yours on another thread. I am a sucker for gorgeous dogs though. Not a puppy stalker 😂😂

@Mrsmophead I’ve been lucky with handsome dogs. I’ve lost my labs over the last two years sadly and the labradoodle found us really, a family member couldn’t look after him and we got on so well with him, he came to us. I thank my stars every day that I’ve been blessed with all of them.