What dog thread: Labrador, retriever or something else?
Discussion
After years of wanting to get a dog, it looks like we will soon be in a position to do it. So ... what should we get?
We're looking for a large or medium-sized dog. We've got a five-year old, so it needs something that's going to be good with kids. Both grownups in the house work full-time, but we work flexible hours from home and live in the middle of nowhere, so exercise demands aren't a major problem. That said, it would be handy if it was a breed that could curl up for a bit in between walks rather than needing constant stimulation. We'd prefer a reasonably robust breed without too many hereditary issues.
I think we're leaning towards a Labrador or possibly a flat coat. Does anyone know how they compare?
Assuming we went for a Lab, are there any differences in health or temperament between the various types? Anything to choose between black, gold and chocolate? Long or short-legged? Girl or boy?
Any other breeds we should be checking out?
Any advice appreciated.
We're looking for a large or medium-sized dog. We've got a five-year old, so it needs something that's going to be good with kids. Both grownups in the house work full-time, but we work flexible hours from home and live in the middle of nowhere, so exercise demands aren't a major problem. That said, it would be handy if it was a breed that could curl up for a bit in between walks rather than needing constant stimulation. We'd prefer a reasonably robust breed without too many hereditary issues.
I think we're leaning towards a Labrador or possibly a flat coat. Does anyone know how they compare?
Assuming we went for a Lab, are there any differences in health or temperament between the various types? Anything to choose between black, gold and chocolate? Long or short-legged? Girl or boy?
Any other breeds we should be checking out?
Any advice appreciated.
We have a 4 year old flat coat.
1) They are bigger and stronger than a Lab.
2) They are not massively bright (well our one is'nt)
3) Be prepared to get licked.. alot
4) They do seem to die younger than Labs.
5) They need ALOT of exercise and mental stimulation (second bit does'nt take much with ours tbh)
6) They are extremely good with kids and like to say hello to everyone, which can be scary to non dog people.
We love ours, despite the fact hes a sex offender who has raped and murdered every pillow and soft toy in the house, We used to have a costco bear, then the dog dragged him into the garden and 2 hours later all we had was an arm of a costco bear, and a satisfied looking dog..
1) They are bigger and stronger than a Lab.
2) They are not massively bright (well our one is'nt)
3) Be prepared to get licked.. alot
4) They do seem to die younger than Labs.
5) They need ALOT of exercise and mental stimulation (second bit does'nt take much with ours tbh)
6) They are extremely good with kids and like to say hello to everyone, which can be scary to non dog people.
We love ours, despite the fact hes a sex offender who has raped and murdered every pillow and soft toy in the house, We used to have a costco bear, then the dog dragged him into the garden and 2 hours later all we had was an arm of a costco bear, and a satisfied looking dog..
Chocolate Labrador has been the perfect pet for kids growing up. Loves unconditionally, laid back, playful and amenable.
And not very bright, my daughter says the dog has two brain cells and she keeps one in reserve in case of emergencies. Yup, lovely, but thick.
Downside, her coat casts like a brown hair storm all around the house making for twice daily trips round the house with a hoover.
But we would not swap her.
So saying, our second dog is a West Highland Terrier, a constant bundle of attention seeking neurotic energy. But he does not cast his coat.
The perfect two dog household, sort of!!
And not very bright, my daughter says the dog has two brain cells and she keeps one in reserve in case of emergencies. Yup, lovely, but thick.
Downside, her coat casts like a brown hair storm all around the house making for twice daily trips round the house with a hoover.
But we would not swap her.
So saying, our second dog is a West Highland Terrier, a constant bundle of attention seeking neurotic energy. But he does not cast his coat.
The perfect two dog household, sort of!!
Flatties have lovely temperaments and are known as the 'Peter Pan of Dogs' but this can become a little wearisome, ours is 12 this year but it's still like having a 6 month old puppy in the house, and he still demands a huge amount of attention, affection and stimulation.
He gets 3 walks a day but on every walk he's just constantly interacting with you and wanting you to play with him. Same in the house, he's either wanting to play, or demanding you stroke him or trying to sit on your lap! He's very rarely content to just do his own thing or take himself off to bed.
He's also incredibly stubborn and obsessive, but always in a cheeky and forgivable way rather than just wilfully defiant like some dogs can be.
He's got a companion, an ex working Border collie, but they're very different personalities and have little to do with each other.
Having said all this I wouldn't change him for the world and he's the most characterful and affectionate dog we've ever had, but he is hard work at times.
He gets 3 walks a day but on every walk he's just constantly interacting with you and wanting you to play with him. Same in the house, he's either wanting to play, or demanding you stroke him or trying to sit on your lap! He's very rarely content to just do his own thing or take himself off to bed.
He's also incredibly stubborn and obsessive, but always in a cheeky and forgivable way rather than just wilfully defiant like some dogs can be.
He's got a companion, an ex working Border collie, but they're very different personalities and have little to do with each other.
Having said all this I wouldn't change him for the world and he's the most characterful and affectionate dog we've ever had, but he is hard work at times.
I had a similar dilemma about 12 months ago, have two young kids (5 & 7 at the time), and looked at a few different breeds but predictably wound up with a Labrador with Fox Red upholstery.
As has already been mentioned - it came down to the pups that were available at the time, so he could equally have been a different colour.
He's a big, soft, lovable lump and is everything I'd hoped for in a family dog.
Drawbacks...he was a bit chewy as a pup and did some damage around the house and still a bit jumpy and over friendly with strangers.
As has already been mentioned - it came down to the pups that were available at the time, so he could equally have been a different colour.
He's a big, soft, lovable lump and is everything I'd hoped for in a family dog.
Drawbacks...he was a bit chewy as a pup and did some damage around the house and still a bit jumpy and over friendly with strangers.
rustyuk said:
The choice might be dictated by what puppies are available at the moment. Prices and availability in the last three months has gone mental.
Good point. We're not in any great hurry. The plan was really to get something next year, but with lockdown and me suddenly having a lot less work for the foreseeable future we wondered about bringing it forward. If we knew someone who was about to have a litter or something that might swing us ... even if it was a different breed or something.I've already got a bit of experience with both breeds, having grown up with a flat coat, while my parents currently have a Lab. That said, I've never been the sole person in charge of either (and the flat coat is going back 30-odd years now!) I would absolutely love a flat coat, but it does sound like a Lab might be that little bit easier as a first-time owner.
Any thoughts on different types of Labs? Do the lighter ones fare better in the heat, for instance?
My Mrs got a call back last month about a waiting list she had been put on for a puppy as someone had dropped out. She agreed in around 15 seconds that she would buy the dog.
She came upstairs really chuffed with herself to tell me the news. The smile lasted about 30 seconds as I asked what type of dog was it and how much. She didn't have a bloody clue!
We seem to be collecting an Irish Terrier in 4 weeks.
She came upstairs really chuffed with herself to tell me the news. The smile lasted about 30 seconds as I asked what type of dog was it and how much. She didn't have a bloody clue!
We seem to be collecting an Irish Terrier in 4 weeks.
rustyuk said:
My Mrs got a call back last month about a waiting list she had been put on for a puppy as someone had dropped out. She agreed in around 15 seconds that she would buy the dog.
She came upstairs really chuffed with herself to tell me the news. The smile lasted about 30 seconds as I asked what type of dog was it and how much. She didn't have a bloody clue!
We seem to be collecting an Irish Terrier in 4 weeks.
Did you not know then?She came upstairs really chuffed with herself to tell me the news. The smile lasted about 30 seconds as I asked what type of dog was it and how much. She didn't have a bloody clue!
We seem to be collecting an Irish Terrier in 4 weeks.
GAjon said:
Awwww. Reminds me of ours when he was a pup. Lost him last month. Good happy life though.
OP. Having had both black and yellow labs, and spent a lot of time with flat coats.
A black lab is the standout dog for me. Perfect mix of loving behaviour, chatacter, and a biddable nature. Yellows are just as loving, but not as energetic. Flat coats... loving too, but spud thick and can be a PITA to train.
BoggoStump said:
My aunts got a chocolate lab, i look after if round my house if she ever goes abroad, i swear its got autism or some other kind of disability but is incredibly loving and has a heart of gold.
(Dogs can have mental disabilities)
Agreed, I'm convinced our flattie has some form of ADHD and/or Autism with his constant requirement for stimulation and very obsessive personality. (Dogs can have mental disabilities)
In all honesty if you just want a pet just go for a crossbreed, they are far less prone to health issues caused by over and in breeding.
11 years ago I went for a lab x springer from a local gamekeeper (the litter of pups was a mistake) she cost me all of £150.
She's still fighting fit and touch wood so far there have been no health issues.
Sad thing is folks are now stupidly in my opinion calling them "springadors" ( I hate these stupid names!!) and they cost £600.
Labs get fat easily and suffer from hip problems, how about a Vizla if you want a purebred?
This is my dog
11 years ago I went for a lab x springer from a local gamekeeper (the litter of pups was a mistake) she cost me all of £150.
She's still fighting fit and touch wood so far there have been no health issues.
Sad thing is folks are now stupidly in my opinion calling them "springadors" ( I hate these stupid names!!) and they cost £600.
Labs get fat easily and suffer from hip problems, how about a Vizla if you want a purebred?
This is my dog
loskie said:
Labs get fat easily and suffer from hip problems, how about a Vizsla if you want a purebred?
+1 on the vizsla suggestion. I've had a few dogs over the years and just got a V puppy. Absolutely lovely temperament and so far very trainable as he just wants to please all of the time. Very fewhealth issues for a purebreed too.We bought a black working lab retriever a couple of months ago. He's been awesome! A real good companion for me and the missus over the lockdown.
The first week or so was the hardest, as he was up 2-3 times a night to go to the toilet.
He's very smart, and will do absolutely anything for a piece of kibble. He picked up toilet training almost within the first couple of days having him and is the first dog I've had which doesn't f
k off as soon as off the lead.
I'd urge you to get one from a breeder which has done all the usual health checks. They can suffer pretty bad from hip and elbow dysplasia (which is hereditary).
It's also important not to over exercise them when they are growing up. An article a friend gave me in his gundog magazine recommended 5 mins exercise for every month of age, twice a day.
The first week or so was the hardest, as he was up 2-3 times a night to go to the toilet.
He's very smart, and will do absolutely anything for a piece of kibble. He picked up toilet training almost within the first couple of days having him and is the first dog I've had which doesn't f
k off as soon as off the lead. I'd urge you to get one from a breeder which has done all the usual health checks. They can suffer pretty bad from hip and elbow dysplasia (which is hereditary).
It's also important not to over exercise them when they are growing up. An article a friend gave me in his gundog magazine recommended 5 mins exercise for every month of age, twice a day.
We have a working Labrador that's coming up for six. If you go that route make sure you check the hip and elbow scores and the eyesight if the parents. They she'd horribly, they smell and they need a good 1.5 - 2 hours of exercise per day unless you want to wind up with a Flabrador.
They are intelligent, loyal, fabulous with children (ours were 5 and 7 when we got him) and are a doddle to train[url]
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They are intelligent, loyal, fabulous with children (ours were 5 and 7 when we got him) and are a doddle to train[url]
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