Labrador

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Hi folks,

 

I am thinking about getting a dog in the next 12 months or so.

 

Ive always had dogs, parent had a staff when I was born, then an EBT after he died. Then we had 2 dobermanns which my parents have still got.

 

I also had 2 lurchers of my own which i had to give up when I was moving abroad to live. But at the last minute it got called off and my missus fell pregnant so I have left the lurchers with my mate who had them off me. He wants to keep them and is doing a good job so don't want to uproot everything and have them back.

 

Just don't want people thinking I'm a dog peddler

Or someone who gives dogs up after a few months,

I'm not. It was a massive decision to give them up.

 

Anyway, I'm thinking about a lab. I want something that will be an all round family dog aswell as a good field companion and something that will retrieve what I shoot. I want it to live indoors and grow up with my little girl.

 

I think a lab best fits what I want in a dog. Ive considered springers, cockers, pointers and weimeraners.

 

Has anyone got a working lab which is also family dog? Are they good dogs?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

[Lab 10,979]

Hi folks,

 

I am thinking about getting a dog in the next 12 months or so.

 

Ive always had dogs, parent had a staff when I was born, then an EBT after he died. Then we had 2 dobermanns which my parents have still got.

 

I also had 2 lurchers of my own which i had to give up when I was moving abroad to live. But at the last minute it got called off and my missus fell pregnant so I have left the lurchers with my mate who had them off me. He wants to keep them and is doing a good job so don't want to uproot everything and have them back.

 

Just don't want people thinking I'm a dog peddler

Or someone who gives dogs up after a few months,

I'm not. It was a massive decision to give them up.

 

Anyway, I'm thinking about a lab. I want something that will be an all round family dog aswell as a good field companion and something that will retrieve what I shoot. I want it to live indoors and grow up with my little girl.

 

I think a lab best fits what I want in a dog. Ive considered springers, cockers, pointers and weimeraners.

 

Has anyone got a working lab which is also family dog? Are they good dogs?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

A great all round dog....great temperment, intelligent and easier trained than spaniels. Do all you will ask and more

[kenny14 656]

Hi folks,

 

I am thinking about getting a dog in the next 12 months or so.

 

Ive always had dogs, parent had a staff when I was born, then an EBT after he died. Then we had 2 dobermanns which my parents have still got.

 

I also had 2 lurchers of my own which i had to give up when I was moving abroad to live. But at the last minute it got called off and my missus fell pregnant so I have left the lurchers with my mate who had them off me. He wants to keep them and is doing a good job so don't want to uproot everything and have them back.

 

Just don't want people thinking I'm a dog peddler

Or someone who gives dogs up after a few months,

I'm not. It was a massive decision to give them up.

 

Anyway, I'm thinking about a lab. I want something that will be an all round family dog aswell as a good field companion and something that will retrieve what I shoot. I want it to live indoors and grow up with my little girl.

 

I think a lab best fits what I want in a dog. Ive considered springers, cockers, pointers and weimeraners.

 

Has anyone got a working lab which is also family dog? Are they good dogs?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

A great all round dog....great temperment, intelligent and easier trained than spaniels. Do all you will ask and more

 

I couldn't agree more.

Edited October 18, 2010 by kenny14

[Steve McHardy 2]

Hi folks,

 

I am thinking about getting a dog in the next 12 months or so.

 

Ive always had dogs, parent had a staff when I was born, then an EBT after he died. Then we had 2 dobermanns which my parents have still got.

 

I also had 2 lurchers of my own which i had to give up when I was moving abroad to live. But at the last minute it got called off and my missus fell pregnant so I have left the lurchers with my mate who had them off me. He wants to keep them and is doing a good job so don't want to uproot everything and have them back.

 

Just don't want people thinking I'm a dog peddler

Or someone who gives dogs up after a few months,

I'm not. It was a massive decision to give them up.

 

Anyway, I'm thinking about a lab. I want something that will be an all round family dog aswell as a good field companion and something that will retrieve what I shoot. I want it to live indoors and grow up with my little girl.

 

I think a lab best fits what I want in a dog. Ive considered springers, cockers, pointers and weimeraners.

 

Has anyone got a working lab which is also family dog? Are they good dogs?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

A great all round dog....great temperment, intelligent and easier trained than spaniels. Do all you will ask and more

 

I couldn't agree more.

they are a great family dog and are a direct replacement for your hoover. easy to train and a great shooting companion and I just happen to have a litter of pups for sale at the moment black dog and 3 bitches and 1 yellow dog for sale. these are working bred and kc reg this is my 4rth generation from the same line of bitches and the granny still does a days beating at the age of 12. give me a pm if your interested.

[Nik_B 3,790]

Only a replacement for your hoover if you like small things turned in to even smaller things....

 

Expect everything in your house to get eaten/chewed/destroyed.

 

WOuldn't swap mine for the word but he's a messy destructive bugger and sheds a lot more than I expected as well

 

Edited October 18, 2010 by Nik_B

[kenny14 656]

Only a replacement for your hoover if you like small things turned in to even smaller things....

 

Expect everything in your house to get eaten/chewed/destroyed.

 

WOuldn't swap mine for the word but he's a messy destructive bugger and sheds a lot more than I expected as well

 

 

Couldn't agree more Nik. I'd have nothing left if our labs were kept indoors, mine in particular likes to chew everything it can get to! It's a minor fault when you consider all the positives of this breed though, and if they're kennelled outside not a problem. I also think dogs kept outside are hardier too, as long as they're in a dry draughtproof kennel and get plenty of socialising and exercise.

[Steve McHardy 2]

Only a replacement for your hoover if you like small things turned in to even smaller things....

 

Expect everything in your house to get eaten/chewed/destroyed.

 

WOuldn't swap mine for the word but he's a messy destructive bugger and sheds a lot more than I expected as well

 

 

Couldn't agree more Nik. I'd have nothing left if our labs were kept indoors, mine in particular likes to chew everything it can get to! It's a minor fault when you consider all the positives of this breed though, and if they're kennelled outside not a problem. I also think dogs kept outside are hardier too, as long as they're in a dry draughtproof kennel and get plenty of socialising and exercise.

yeah they do chew a bit my old bitch turned a 8x6 shed into dutch barn stlye by the time she was 8mnths give the sods plenty bones and alot of exercise, tired dogs tend not to chew as much i find. but they are great dogs my 1st dog was a lab and i wouldnt be without at least one in my kennels. wildfowling specialists with a good weatherproof coat which i think is better if they live out. my mates lives in and yeah the hair gets everywhere and she will raid the bin at every opertunity. get a cage for when its small if it lives in great for helping house train and stops huose destruction when your not there. my pups were starting to use the paper put down not long after there eyes opened and 9 times out of 10 they will head for the paper to poop. there 5 wks now and eating me out of house and home.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for all the replys.

 

Steve - thanks for the offer but I'm gonna wait untill next spring/summer I think mate, wait till my little girl is toddling and also give me a bit more time to make sure a lab is the one for me.

 

The chewing shouldn't be a massive problem, I intend to crate train so that it is confined when we are out. And I will walk it every morning before work to try and use up a bit of energy. My missus is home most days all day to keep it occupied.

 

How do labs do on a BARF diet? Ive read they are pigs with food, do they just inhale everything? And can they cope with bones okay? I can imagine a greedy lab just swallowing a rack of ribs and getting it stuck!

 

Thanks again for all the help,

 

Gaz

[Steve McHardy 2]

Thanks for all the replys.

 

Steve - thanks for the offer but I'm gonna wait untill next spring/summer I think mate, wait till my little girl is toddling and also give me a bit more time to make sure a lab is the one for me.

 

The chewing shouldn't be a massive problem, I intend to crate train so that it is confined when we are out. And I will walk it every morning before work to try and use up a bit of energy. My missus is home most days all day to keep it occupied.

 

How do labs do on a BARF diet? Ive read they are pigs with food, do they just inhale everything? And can they cope with bones okay? I can imagine a greedy lab just swallowing a rack of ribs and getting it stuck!

 

Thanks again for all the help,

 

Gaz

 

Mine get bone and raw feed on a fairly regular basis usually after ive been out after a roe deer. i take the legs and the fillets and the dogs consume the rest and i mean consume there is nowt left they crunch through ribs, lower legs, the neck my pack get through one in a sitting no worries and just shit chalk for a couple of days. they are generally greedy some more than others. the sound as they crunch through bone just tells you the power in the jaw these dogs have yet my old lab dog will retreive an apple without breaking the skin.

ATB with the future decision.

Steve

[Dave C 63]

My Dogs are worked and also family pets, they live outside but come in the kitchen for a few hours on a night, especaly in the dark nights.

My lab is an outstanding family dog, never chewed much in the house very clean and great with the kids, but so was my old GWP and Spaniel, so i would look at what breed suits you in the hunting field and your personal choice first and family pet second because most Gun dog breeds will make good pets as long as they get the correct excersise (except maybe the Weimeraner as some i have seen were not suited to children).

Good luck with your choice.

 

Dave.