Labrador Retrievers

[TortElvisII]

You can never go wrong with this breed. Nearly perfect pets.

Be aware that there are two types mainly in the USA. The show line (English Lab) and the working line (American Lab). All labs are English ultimately though they were developed from the lesser Newfoundland from Canada.

The English Lab has rounder head, a stouter body and isn't as energetic. The American Lab has a narrower head, is taller, and is like the Tasmanian Devil on steroids and caffeine.

So, which do you prefer?

As I age maybe I need to switch to an English Lab.

 

[GeraldV]

I prefer Ollie to Tato.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

I have a black English lab. He's great!

 

[TortElvisII]

I prefer Ollie to Tato.

Both field labs. It looks like.

 

[AFKY_Blue_RedsBengals]

100% agree. They are the best dogs. I have had 3 in my life, yellow labs. A few other breeds too, but labs are my favorite. Got my most recent one last June after the lab I had before passed away. My first one resembled the English lab more; he was given to me for free. The other two resemble the American Lab more and they were both rescue dogs.

 

[812scottj]

I hear so many great things about German Shepherds. I’ve had two…I loved ‘em but both were a mess.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

I prefer Ollie to Tato.

I love Ollie and Tato!

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

I've had a Labrador Retriever for 32 of the last 34 years. I waited two years for a specific litter. It's hard to imagine life without a Lab. Each was/is a chocolate. I'd like to have a black and a fox red.

Mine have all been American Labs; the last two are from field trial lines - and let me tell you, they never wear down; at least mine seem to be on permanent Go Mode. I do a little bird and duck hunting and I take my dog with me when I go hunting and fishing.

They are great companions, in the field and around the house. You just can't go wrong with a Lab. I prefer the lanky athleticism of the American lines, but I love all Labs. When I'm too old to get another pup, it's time to go.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

We had an American Black Lab that was bred to be a hunting dog. Terrible family pet for the first 5 years of his life, but he could have played centerfield for the Yankees. Mellowed out and was a good dog for the latter part of his life.

My dad switched to the English style afterwards. Pretty sure my dad loved that dog more than us kids.

 

[TortElvisII]

We had an American Black Lab that was bred to be a hunting dog. Terrible family pet for the first 5 years of his life, but he could have played centerfield for the Yankees. Mellowed out and was a good dog for the latter part of his life.

My dad switched to the English style afterwards. Pretty sure my dad loved that dog more than us kids.

The point of this thread is exactly what you posted. Families get labs because of how great they are not knowing the different types. Unless someone is going to be exercising the heck out of it or hunting it a lot, an American Lab will wear them out. Most families and most people are better off with an English Lab. I have my American Lab because the guy before couldn't handle him.

 

[TortElvisII]

First ten minutes explains this well. He is in central KY, maybe on here. He is a guru.

 

[berniecarbo]

The wife and I are boxer fans, but we had a black lab. He showed up at our back door looking like a car had hit him We took him to a vet and then had a lab to go with our 3 boxers. Two of the boxers were rescues.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

We currently have a Mini Schnauzer but my favorite dog we ever had was a rescue golden retriever. She was so good with our kids and would even make sure, if they were playing in the yard, that they didn't wander toward the street. She would herd them like a cattle dog does cattle if they even attempted to go toward the street. It was quite amazing to watch how protective she was over our kiddos.

 

[TortElvisII]

I hear so many great things about German Shepherds. I’ve had two…I loved ‘em but both were a mess.

 

[catsfanbgky]

My current dog, Mastiff / Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, is the best, most gentle dog I have ever owned. Hell he hasn't even barked in over 6 years. He just turned 11 a month ago (his birthday present was a trip to the ER Vet costing me $624), is starting to age quickly. Arthritis and nerve issues in his rear legs is really bothering him. It is coming and I am already dreading the day. It will hurt me as much as losing one of my immediate family members. Great having a dog, sucks losing one. I am 57, seriously doubt I will ever have another one. They truly are "mans best friend".

 

[cole854]

1. Beagles
2. Golden Retrievers
3. Mixed mutts.

That's the list of the best dogs. Most breeds are cool, but well below in the rankings.

 

[TortElvisII]

My current dog, Mastiff / Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, is the best, most gentle dog I have ever owned. Hell he hasn't even barked in over 6 years. He just turned 11 a month ago (his birthday present was a trip to the ER Vet costing me $624), is starting to age quickly. Arthritis and nerve issues in his rear legs is really bothering him. It is coming and I am already dreading the day. It will hurt me as much as losing one of my immediate family members. Great having a dog, sucks losing one. I am 57, seriously doubt I will ever have another one. They truly are "mans best friend".

Giant breeds get Golpp. I have a dog with it. Pyrenees mix. At least has LP part for now.

 

[55wildcat]

I hear so many great things about German Shepherds. I’ve had two…I loved ‘em but both were a mess.

I have a german shepherd and she is amazing. Had two, one a show line, the other a working line., but the older passed. Every dog owner will say theirs is the best as they should. I love all dogs; they all are amazing in their own way.

 

[berniecarbo]

My current dog, Mastiff / Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, is the best, most gentle dog I have ever owned. Hell he hasn't even barked in over 6 years. He just turned 11 a month ago (his birthday present was a trip to the ER Vet costing me $624), is starting to age quickly. Arthritis and nerve issues in his rear legs is really bothering him. It is coming and I am already dreading the day. It will hurt me as much as losing one of my immediate family members. Great having a dog, sucks losing one. I am 57, seriously doubt I will ever have another one. They truly are "mans best friend".

We lost a fantastic boxer to degenerative myopathy (SP?) 8 years ago. It is the canine version of Lou Gehrigs Disease. At first she started dragging her back feet sometimes. I t progressed to loss of use of her back legs and slowly progressed up her body. We took her to Palm Beach Florida where a world class vet was doing DM research, but he couldn't do anything for her. German Shepards, boxers, mastiff breeds if I recall correctly and a few other breeds are prone to DM.

 

[TortElvisII]

1. Beagles
2. Golden Retrievers
3. Mixed mutts.

That's the list of the best dogs. Most breeds are cool, but well below in the rankings.

So, if someone wants to run four days a week, you would recommend a beagle over a lab?

If someone wants to sprint ten miles a day, I would recommend a belgian malinois.

Beagles are great dogs but not for everyone.

 

[berniecarbo]

So, if someone wants to run four days a week, you would recommend a beagle over a lab?

If someone wants to sprint ten miles a day, I would recommend a belgian malinois.

Beagles are great dogs but not for everyone.

A story about Maddie (the DM boxer). Boxers are known as the clowns of the dog world. We had a doggie door that lead to the back yard. Maddie would get something that she knew the wife didn't want her to have and stand staring at the wife with the forbidden object in her mouth. If it took five minutes for the wife to notice, Maddie patiently waited. When the wife finally saw her and got up to get it, Maddie would run to the back yard. The game of chase was on. She was always up for a little fun.

 

[80 Proof]

Labs are great. I lost my boy Waylon about 6 years ago. Planning to get another dog in the next year, and my top choice is another lab.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Best to live near water. I grew up with black labs and they thrived around the Great Lakes.

Only drawbacks: They can shed..a lot. Also, they can eat their weight in anything to their demise.

 

[TortElvisII]

A Hidden Shame.

I have a 100 pound yellow lab that is ...

I hate to admit this.

Scared of water. My chow swam more than this lab.

 

[berniecarbo]

A couple of tips on training your dogs, especially house dogs. Between conversations, the TV and radio, a dog may hear 100's or even 1,000's of human voices a day. Most do not apply to them, so they tend to tune out the voices. Say the dog's name before you speak to him. That way, he knows the next words will apply to him and he will pay more attention.

Most people will tell you, do not free feed your dog (keeping the bowl always full). He may interpret that as him providing his own food. When feeding your dog (we usually only do this when they are pups), put some human cookies or something on top and you (family members) eat and make a big deal about how good it is before putting the food down for the dog. In the wild, the leaders of the pack eat first. You will be establishing that you and your kids rank higher in the pack hierarchy. We can literally take food out of our boxers mouth without their protest.

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

I have a beagle/lab mix. a bit larger than a beagle at full size, but looks like a black lab. She has a beagle's bark which always startles me at the worst times.

 

[numberonedad]

I live in the mountains of WNC and have a 38 pound irish terrier. Smart as a whip and hard headed as well. And she is a killing machine. She's 9 years old now and has killed a fox, a coyote, numerous skunks, possum's, squirrels, a coon (this one cost me 349 bucks to fix her ear) and shes a great watch dog. She has treed bears and runs them off our property. Weird thing is, she LOVES my neighbors cat. And she will attack anything that comes near that cat. She loves other dogs and people.

 

[CAT Scratch FVR]

Got a 2 year-old yellow lab. He's dumber than dirt but the most loving, scrounging, shedding cuss you'll ever encounter.

 

[ManitouDan]

I’ve got 2 , a blonde and chocolate. The blonde is goofy as hell and sedate , my chocho boy is a nut …calmed down some now that he’s 7 . He loves water , he swims and drinks at the same time , she likes to soak her titties . Doesn’t go in too often . But they are super super dogs