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Original poster

Tell me everything I need to know about Labradors please!

142 replies

Chocadore · 02/03/2023 22:30

The good, the bad, the ugly.

Especially chocolate ones.

We've had our heart set on getting a Labrador (I've previously had staffies but not for several years now). We know several and they're amazing but we only really see them when they're out on walks on leads etc.

We want to be as prepared as possible as to what we might be letting ourselves in for Smile

OP posts:
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26
CrapBucket · 02/03/2023 22:31

They are the best. Amazing dogs. So loving and funny and fun.

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/03/2023 22:32

They are crazy and love their food and any other food they could get hold of. Of course not the things that would make them ill.

WrongOrRightMove · 02/03/2023 22:33

Our chocolate lab ate the kitchen floor - twice!!! He passed away 8 years ago and we all still miss him dreadfully and talk about him every day. He was our world despite the kitchen floor!!

Wolfiefan · 02/03/2023 22:33

Chocolates are the most bonkers.
FOOD is the most important thing to many labs.
Show and working are two very different beasts.
Parents should be hip scored etc before breeding.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/03/2023 22:34

They can reach inside the bin without knocking it over, compared to a Staffie.

The hair goes up your nose and sticks to all your dark clothes like velcro.

They don't need cute coats in winter.

They smell more doggy than Staffies.

But like all dogs they're great.

benten54 · 02/03/2023 22:35

All the ones I know are a bit boring sorry. Ploddy and lacking energy or enthusiasm for much. Both young dogs too
I think they are both English show type breeds which may account for that.

DeoForty · 02/03/2023 22:35

They get arse tufts of fur which are very enjoyable to remove!

weebarra · 02/03/2023 22:35

They are wonderful happy dogs. Ours is nearly three and is currently curled up on his bed. He was a massive land shark as a puppy, some of my clothes have holes from his teeth.
Energy, insatiable appetite, cuddly!

justasking111 · 02/03/2023 22:36

They're destructive as teenagers, chew, walls, skirtings, furniture. Then they settle into being adorable.

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/03/2023 22:36

I have 2, black one and a yellow one. They are uncle and niece, his sister had pups so got 1 of hers.

Thestresssolution · 02/03/2023 22:37

I've not really liked any I've met, they're very oafish , I'm not a great Labrador fan though

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/03/2023 22:37

WrongOrRightMove · 02/03/2023 22:33

Our chocolate lab ate the kitchen floor - twice!!! He passed away 8 years ago and we all still miss him dreadfully and talk about him every day. He was our world despite the kitchen floor!!

My black dog ate the kitchen floor twice too, other dog ate the wall.

NYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYN · 02/03/2023 22:39

Mine is an absolute PLONKER. We refer to him as the village idiot.

He's very loving. Great with the kids. He's funny and will do things to make us laugh. He's as happy for a quick walk around the block as he is a 5 mile bike ride.

Will steal any food he can get his paws on. He's a been a nightmare to house train. Unfortunately the previous owners had a really old (incontinent) dog and ours scent marks everything.

We've not had an easy ride with him but he's 18months old and every day is better. We wouldn't be without him.

Good luck on your new pooch

Groutyonehereagain · 02/03/2023 22:40

They are a stomach on legs. They steal food and will eat anything, especially poo. Our dog ate some cow poo and was sick in the back of the car. 🤮🤮🤮She once stole a sandwich from a family having a picnic and she stole a man’s sausage roll off the table in a pub.

When they are young they like to chew. Ours was an extreme chewer. She chewed the carpet, the fireplace, the chairs, the table, my Ray Bans, my favourite scarf and much more.

She used to shed hair everywhere, I mean everywhere. It got into your food, your mouth, your bed, everywhere!

We loved her so much though. She was fun, loyal, beautiful and intelligent.

Nap1983 · 02/03/2023 22:42

My choc boy is 2. Big lust for life, enthusiastic about Everything ,loves life, loves kids, loves walks. Is friendly, good natured, good off lead, good with other dogs. The only thing he can’t be trusted with is food.. he is an absolute dustbin!! After having a lab wouldn’t consider another breed. I adore him.. incase you can’t tell 😂

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 02/03/2023 22:43

They are possibly the most adorable dogs as puppies.
They are also possibly the best, most trainable, most steady, adult dogs.
Unfortunately, they are also fucking hard work and insanely difficult as teenagers - which is when lots of them get given up to rescues - if you prepare yourself for that part and can get through it, then they are the best reward.

Mychitchatdays · 02/03/2023 22:45

Fully house trained at 12 weeks. Hair everywhere and I mean everywhere!! Loving, sleeps all night on the bottom of the bed. Loves other animals, not afraid of fireworks. Not the smartest cookie. Not motivated by food. Adores his teddies which he has many, never chewed any furniture.
He is the best boy!!!

bozzabollix · 02/03/2023 22:46

Ditto on the stomach. I have three, the 11 month old has just chewed apart my handbag and scoffed some ibuprofen, so a speedy ride to the vets for a huge vomit was needed. Watch out for literally anything they can get.

But the greed makes them incredibly easy to train, it’s not all bad. They’re incredibly sweet natured but game for a laugh, brilliant for kids, my kids probably adore them more than me. Health wise they’re robust, athletic and large enough not to worry about. They’ve got the best dog ears too, that’s important in a dog!

Sunnydaymum · 02/03/2023 22:48

We have had three chocolate labradors over the years and I can't see a time that we will ever be without one...they are motivated purely by the pleasure of food, the promise of a walk and a continual search for the most comfortable place to squash their body into (and once there, they snore and snort to their hearts content). They are the most loving and loyal animals of animals and so gentle by nature-we feel privileged to have them in our family. The children adore them and they can turn a blind eye/ear to the busiest and noisiest of households and enjoy being lavished with attention and fuss by any passing person, particularly those with a snack in hand!!

cocksstrideintheevening · 02/03/2023 22:50

Food. Food. Food. Of course anything can count as food that isn't even edible...

WhyDoesItAlways · 02/03/2023 22:50

Chew till two, shed till they're dead.

I wouldn't be without mine though!

Vlunken · 02/03/2023 22:50

benten54 · 02/03/2023 22:35

All the ones I know are a bit boring sorry. Ploddy and lacking energy or enthusiasm for much. Both young dogs too
I think they are both English show type breeds which may account for that.

I have a black show lab

He's the most lovely dog ever. Polite, kind, loyal and goes for two long walks a day. Never poorly. A bit grey round the muzzle nowadays but he's 13.

peanutbuttertoasty · 02/03/2023 22:52

Greedy, brainless, loving

Merlin16 · 02/03/2023 22:53

Labradors are amazing, very chilled once they have grown up but very excited to see you and other people. They are food obsessed (easy to train) love chasing after a ball or stick and love swimming.

Tell me everything I need to know about Labradors please!
Inastatus · 02/03/2023 22:57

My experience is that they are easy to train (especially females), loyal, easy going, placid, friendly, hairy, water/bog loving, food obsessed bundles of gorgeousness. Best breed imo.