First time dog owner, Labrador?

As I’ve been doing some research, I’ve read that ‘chocolate’ labs are more prone to skin and ear infections than other colours. Does anyone know if there’s any truth in this?

Just to add I’d happily have any colour, but wondered if it was worth avoiding chocs if more health problems
 
BallyRoanBaubles said:
As I’ve been doing some research, I’ve read that ‘chocolate’ labs are more prone to skin and ear infections than other colours. Does anyone know if there’s any truth in this?

Just to add I’d happily have any colour, but wondered if it was worth avoiding chocs if more health problems
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A friend who usually had black labs opted for a choc lab and said that they are more prone to stubbornness. You don't see many/any chocolate lab guide dogs.
 
BallyRoanBaubles said:
As I’ve been doing some research, I’ve read that ‘chocolate’ labs are more prone to skin and ear infections than other colours. Does anyone know if there’s any truth in this?

Just to add I’d happily have any colour, but wondered if it was worth avoiding chocs if more health problems
Click to expand...
From what I've read the difference in brown Labs is that they are more likely to be from a show/English line rather than working/American line. Not many working brown Labs. There is a older gentleman who lives near me with a brown Lab and she's very calm and gentle. I would 100% avoid any "silver" Labs though, they are often advertised for over £2k as well primarly because of their colour. I'm just guessing but I think its when a Labrador and Weimaraner are mated that happens.
 
Arzada said:
A friend who usually had black labs opted for a choc lab and said that they are more prone to stubbornness. You don't see many/any chocolate lab guide dogs.
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I don' think mine was any more stubborn than any other colour!

The most stubborn Lab we ever had was a yellow bitch. But I had brown litter sisters, one was pts at 18 mths because of cancer. The other lived to be almost 15 but she was epileptic and had skin issues with a mild grass allergy. She was a fabulous dog but when we needed pups to fill the gap left by the 6 yr old Rottweiler that we had to pts due to cancer, I said 'no brown Labs, they are not robust enough'.
 
Umm, the only chocolates I’ve known have been slightly nuts!
we have had two blacks and a yellow. The yellow had big ear/skin problems. The blacks were both mega healthy
That is of course simply my experience.
The yellow is my absolute fav dog ever of all time
 
JennBags said:
I don't think getting a puppy as a first dog is a good idea at all. They're very demanding and every interaction with you is a lesson, so if you don't really know what you're doing, then it's not a great mix.
Labradors are pretty good first dogs, but don't get too hung up on having a particular breed as there are good and bad examples of every breed.
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I don’t agree with the first part of this answer. I do the second though.

Everyone has to start somewhere, as long as you are sensible (and you sound as though you are) and know you can financially and time wise provide everything your dog needs you will be fine. I got my first dog 6 years ago, had been around friends but never had my own, neither had ANY of my family. She’s turned out fantastic. Don’t get me wrong, I had many days of despair when toilet training, standing out in pouring rain for 45 mins waiting to go to the toilet, only to do nothing and then pee in the kitchen within seconds! But time and patience and kindness is your friend.

when people decide to have children, they don’t think, oh I’ll get one that’s been toilet trained and knows it’s please and Thankyous! Is it scary, yes, are they money eating pita of cuteness and love...HELL YES! Are they worth every bit of despair, tiredness and financial drain....ABSOLUTELY.

you will be fine. But as said above, please don’t get too hung up on specific breeds and dependant on the bloodlines of labs, if they are from working stock they are not all suitable for homes and can destroy. I would suggest a whippet or smaller type(cocker) and cheaper too!! (Medicines/insurance) etc! and they are active.

good luck!
 
most of the choc labs i have known have had dodgy temperaments..i was walking my lurcher and collie cross on leads and someone had 2 choc labs off lead, one of them made a beeline for my collie cross and bit her... she had to have stitches it was so bad, the owner paid the vet fees, i would rather she had kept the bloody things under control....another couple of choc labs killed a swan on our local river and one of them has attacked about 4 dogs in our village, it now is supposed to wear a muzzle but i have seen it without...i wouldnt have one if you paid me...
 
splashgirl45 said:
most of the choc labs i have known have had dodgy temperaments..i was walking my lurcher and collie cross on leads and someone had 2 choc labs off lead, one of them made a beeline for my collie cross and bit her... she had to have stitches it was so bad, the owner paid the vet fees, i would rather she had kept the bloody things under control....another couple of choc labs killed a swan on our local river and one of them has attacked about 4 dogs in our village, it now is supposed to wear a muzzle but i have seen it without...i wouldnt have one if you paid me...
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Choc labs are also notorious for health conditions, especially skin conditions such as allergies and dermatitis type problems! Steer well clear!
 
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