Pros & cons of labradors

P

Patchworkpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 July 2012
Messages
1,536
Visit site
Pros & cons of labradors please. As my vet said this week health tested, unrelated working cockers puppies in our area are rare as hen's teeth, especially if you want a bitch. I am assuming that labs are more laid back than working cockers but I don't know a huge amount about training ability, health etc. Do they smell worse than other breeds or is that a myth?
 
No I don't think they smell bad .no worse than other dogs .
Pros loyal team players adaptable like to sleep like to exercise like to be with you ,all except one of mine have lived long lives .
Funny happy dogs .
Cons run to fat if you don't keep control , some steal one of mine is a terrible thief .
You need to buy from elbows eyes and hip scored families .
Mine are mud and water loving so the mess in the house and car is often epic and they moult boy do they moult .
But I can't imagine life without a troupe of labs .
 
http://www.thelabradorsite.com/ lots of info there labs come in all shapes and sizes from little whippet ones to large bear like males.

Have you considered a Springer or a Sprocker?

Would you consider a rescue/rehome? Spaniel Aid get a large number of working cockers requiring a rehome, not all are crazy lunatics, some that have come in recently have been due to owners ill health, or just realising that a n adolescent pup and toddlers don't mix so well.

https://www.facebook.com/spanielaiduk/
 
The very 'trials' bred labs are pretty full on, but definately easier than a working cocker. The trials bred ones tend to be smaller and lighter as well, which if you like spaniels you may prefer.
They only smell vile if they roll in rotten stuff. Or eat it. Or both. They do moult a lot, but if you put them on the best food you can afford that is minimised as much as possible. Ours are all skinny, they have one thermos lid of kibble each a day (the adults). Well, this time of year they may be showing a summer tum, aren't we all!
The easiest dog to train in the world, anyone with a badly behaved lab must be truly incompetent. (assuming you get it as a pup, but even adults learn well). Yes I know there are a lot of badly behaved ones out there, but I think they are so easy people just don't bother.

Cons: Having just found an old nest of eggs and eaten the lot there are some truly awesome smells emanating from under the desk at the moment. They can be very food orientated. None of ours steal (except for eggs!).
 
Yes, labs are very food oriented, very useful in training. No they do not smell, mine don't as raw fed. Yes, they do moult and stay wet for ages having had a swim due to thick undercoat. They are the easiest to train if somewhat eager to please. Important to buy from reputable breeders as has been said, eyes, hips and elbows tested parents. Very keen to please and a joy to own.

Usually very good with people and other animals.
 
Last edited:
Would you consider a rescue/rehome? Spaniel Aid get a large number of working cockers requiring a rehome, not all are crazy lunatics, some that have come in recently have been due to owners ill health, or just realising that a n adolescent pup and toddlers don't mix so well.

https://www.facebook.com/spanielaiduk/[/QUOTE] Thanks Thistle - again I think the health testing issues are a problem. I could buy a lovely liver working cocker today but neither parents have been fully health tested. SO difficult to find a bitch - hence I thought about labs but they too seem to have health issues. I'm frankly amazed at the money people expect for puppies with no health testing on the parents.
 
Goldenstar said:
No I don't think they smell bad .no worse than other dogs .
Pros loyal team players adaptable like to sleep like to exercise like to be with you ,all except one of mine have lived long lives .
Funny happy dogs .
Cons run to fat if you don't keep control , some steal one of mine is a terrible thief .
You need to buy from elbows eyes and hip scored families .
Mine are mud and water loving so the mess in the house and car is often epic and they moult boy do they moult .
But I can't imagine life without a troupe of labs .
Click to expand...

Janah said:
Yes, labs are very food oriented, very useful in training. No they do not smell, mine don't as raw fed. Yes, they do moult and stay wet for ages having had a swim due to thick undercoat. They are the easiest to train if somewhat eager to please. Important to buy from reputable breeders as has been said, eyes, hips and elbows tested parents. Very keen to please and a joy to own.

Usually very good with people and other animals.
Click to expand...

As above really. I'm a lab person through and through and our current youngster (will be 2 on 24/07) is a joy. He's such a lovely happy person, easy to train, loves everything (food, walks, people, water, mud, fetching, carrying etc) he's more of a working type so quite lean and full of beans, although likes to sleep too!
My old boy (lost him at 12.5) was a choc show type so much chunkier and more prone to weight gain! He was all of the above but a bit less energetic than 'mad' Max! Great dogs.
 
As a family we have had many labs, over the years, all three colours, dogs and bitches. They have all been lovely dogs, different shapes and sizes, even from the same litter. I have found that the show bred ones are more easy than the workers, because the workbred ones will find something to occupy their minds if the owner doesn't. We have had dreadful thieves, completely law abiding ones and those in between. I had a fabulous liver bitch who would take eggs and butter off the dresser in the kitchen, if they were left within reach when she stood on her back legs. She would wait until I saw her carrying an egg, then drop it with force on the hard floor, so that she could lick it up!. We have also had a couple who were terrible escape artists, or perhaps I should say they were very good at it!
As for moulting yes they do, I remember reading in a book by a well known breeder " choose your colour depending on where you prefer to see your dog hairs, on the carpet or in the butter"!
Ime they smell when they have rolled in/eaten fox/badger/cow poo, they really do have some horrible habits!
 
I've just seen a fully health tested bitch (WCS) for sale on a gundog site, looks like it won't retrieve and is looking for a home where it can do other things https://www.facebook.com/Elstree-Gundogs-929195503803395/ The lady selling is genuine, she is a gundog broker and has a good reputation. Not sure where you are but we travelled a 6 hour return journey for our lab pup, don't get too hung up on it being local.
 
To be fair, my eldest lab has superb scores but has ended up with crucuate damage and lots of arthiritis anyway.

I echo the comments about them being fat and greedy, given a chance. You really have to watch the weight (to keep slim they need little more feed than my terrier) or you can end up with joint problems later on.

And they throw themselves into anything vaguely liquid (apart from a bath!), it can be liquid mud or a river, they're not fussy.

They're strong too, untrained they can pull kids and grandmas over without batting an eyelid, and they crush you if they lie on you!

My biggest negative is their lifespan, my eldest is reaching 11, which for my terrier won't be that old, but for a lab it is. They're lovely, loving dogs though.

I've two at the moment - a choc show type, who is extremely clever in a cunning way. She can work out how to open gates, doors, tent zips, how to ride skateboards, you name it, but usually things to her advantage! The other is working type, and as someone mentioned, finds his own entertainment if left to his own devices. He's much more athletic than the choc too.
 
Honey08 said:
To be fair, my eldest lab has superb scores but has ended up with crucuate damage and lots of arthiritis anyway.

I echo the comments about them being fat and greedy, given a chance. You really have to watch the weight (to keep slim they need little more feed than my terrier) or you can end up with joint problems later on.

And they throw themselves into anything vaguely liquid (apart from a bath!), it can be liquid mud or a river, they're not fussy.

They're strong too, untrained they can pull kids and grandmas over without batting an eyelid, and they crush you if they lie on you!

My biggest negative is their lifespan, my eldest is reaching 11, which for my terrier won't be that old, but for a lab it is. They're lovely, loving dogs though.

I've two at the moment - a choc show type, who is extremely clever in a cunning way. She can work out how to open gates, doors, tent zips, how to ride skateboards, you name it, but usually things to her advantage! The other is working type, and as someone mentioned, finds his own entertainment if left to his own devices. He's much more athletic than the choc too.
Click to expand...
They do sound so lovely - I bet they've got you right under the paw!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top