Labrador Retrievers?

**i_rescue** · 08-23-2006, 06:36 PM

Hi everyone. I'm looking for information on Labradors. I've noticed lots of people here own labs and would like to hear some stuff about them. What do the owners think of the breed? How high is their energy level? Do they tend to run away? How much grooming do they require and how much do they shed? How much training do they require? Are they easy to train? If there are any websites you can point me toward that would be great. Thanks.

**Muddy4paws** · 08-23-2006, 06:49 PM

I have a 8 year old black lab, she was very ill as a puppy which was the result of a BYB unfortunatly and she was put on steriods as a puppy and we was told she wouldnt last the first year but shes suprised us all! So one thing I would definatly recomend would be to get from a respectable breeder, She was very easy to train but you need to keep it fun and I find that alot of training classes had quite a few labs!

About shedding, my dog sheds TONS but I find that taking her to the groomers for a blasting sessions seems to really help but she still needs lots of brushing and combing out and she still sheds more! so if you dont like a shedding breed I really wouldnt get a lab

I cant say much about energy levels as puppies because mine was so ill she acted like an old lady

The puppies I have seen though, they are crazy so you'll have a hyper pup to keep up with

**zoomer** · 08-23-2006, 07:26 PM

Labs are great dogs! I haven't met one that runs off and they are easy to train but shed a lot!

**Karen** · 08-23-2006, 07:58 PM

They are adorable as puppies, and very high energy as they grow. If you can make it through the first couple years, you'll have a great, much calmer dog. Or, of course, you can opt for an already-grown-up Lab at most shelters, they are, on the whole, a wonderful, sweet breed, will retreive until your arm is ready to fall off, love water, and, depending on the individual dog, can be sharp as a whip (which a happy lab's tail feels like against bare legs), or dumb as a rock, but are great dogs!

***LabLoverKEB*** · 08-23-2006, 08:02 PM

Labs are GREAT dogs! Very overbred dog breed though, I must say! I own two labrador retrievers, one yellow, one black. Both are females. Sadie is the black lab, she's now 10 years old. She's the perfect dog ever! Rita is the yellow lab, she's about 5 months old now, so she's still a pup!
Labs are very high energy dogs. They mostly are fairly easy dogs to train, but some are very hard-headed.

They shed lots, and lots! They need to be brushed a few times a week, just to keep to shedding down, and to mantain a healthy coat.

As an owner of two labradors, I personally adore the breed. But, I would love to own several other breeds sometime in my life.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm
http://www.justlabradors.com/

**.sarah** · 08-23-2006, 08:02 PM

Hi, welcome to the board! I have three Labradors - Buck, Luka, and Nova.

What do the owners think of the breed?
I can't imagine my life without a Lab. My life would be so boring without their silliness, their antics, and their cuddles and kisses. They are absolutely perfect for me.

How high is their energy level?
HIGH. Usually though, they are not hyper-active. They require daily exercise but are also very adaptable, so when you are having a bad day, they are fine cuddling on the couch all day.

Do they tend to run away?
Only if they aren't properly trained. With lots of consistent training, they can become a very well rounded dog. My Labs are all great off leash, even my 7 month old puppy. Buck and Nova both have urges to run up to people or dogs they see, so I don't let them off leash where I know they will be. Usually they will come when called but sometimes they do have selective hearing.

My Labs have no desires to go out of the doors when I open them, except for the back doors. I guess they know they've got it good here. I can stand at the front door with it wide open and they will do nothing but look outside.

They never have dug out, and I never hear of Labs digging out of their yards.

How much grooming do they require and how much do they shed?
Grooming is minimal. As for the shedding ...

How much training do they require? Are they easy to train?
Like all dogs, they require consistent training throughout their lives. They learn tricks and commands fairly quickly. Buck and Nova can pick up on things very quickly. Luka takes a little longer, but she's "special"

They are the easiest breed I've had to train and with firm commands and lots of praise, they do very well in obedience. I took Nova and Luka to obedience classes but am training Buck on my own, and he is doing great! At 7 months he can reliably stay, which is a biggie for me.

Probably the most complete website on Labradors
Labrador Retriever Articles

If you're interested in hearing from other Lab owners, you can join this message board. My username over there is Sarah Beth

Labrador Retriever Chat Board

**luvofallhorses** · 08-23-2006, 08:09 PM

I have two lab mixes, Jenny and Rocky. they are the best dogs ever!

what do I think of the breed : I think they are a great breed and I am definitely a lab person. they are so gentle and make great family dogs IMO. they are very loyal.

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how high is their energy level? like .sarah said HIGH, but I think it gets better when they are older..but you do have to ware them out. Jenny is 8 now and Rocky is almost 10. let me tell you they were hyper puppies.

Do they run away? no, Rocky is good off-leash..well Jenny not so much. She gets out once in a blue moon.

how much to they shed? not a lot, well of course they shed, but Jenny sheds more than Rocky. I would say average.

and .sarah posted great sites!

***iluvskipper*** · 08-23-2006, 08:22 PM

hmm no offense to any lab-lovers but idk i guess i don't really like how hyper most labs are i guess i'd just rather have a golden retriever!!

**k9krazee** · 08-23-2006, 08:48 PM

I absolutely love Labs! My Aunt breeds and owns Labs, she participates in tracking, field trials, agility and dock diving...they are definitely a versitle breed! I have one little Labby mix boy and he is the best dog I could ask for.

The only think I would really stress is make sure you find a good reputable breeder (one with a history of outstanding temperments, good hips, elbows, eyes, etc). Since they are so popular there are many horrible representations of the breed because of back yard breeders.

I really wouldn't call Labs hyper, they just have a lot of energy. I know if Jack (my Lab x) doesn't get a walk everyday he becomes much more restless and tends to get bored and destroys things.

As far as shedding goes...Jack really doesn't shed too much but my Aunt's Labs can shed like crazy. I think it also depends on what kind of food you feed too.

I would also suggest looking in shelters, there are tons of Labs and lab mixes that need homes, its practically the only breed of dog in shelters around here and most are really good dogs. Thats where I found my Jack dog!

**MajesticCollies** · 08-23-2006, 09:33 PM

I love the chocolate labs. Everyone has givin some great insight and I really can only elaborate on one thing. If you are looking to get a Lab, Beware of BYB. The health line of the lab has decreased due to these people. When looking in the paper for a lab and you come across an add that says: AKC Registered Labs $250 PLEASE BEWARE. Any one with top pedigree labs would never sell so cheap. A good breeder easily invests over $1500 just to raise the litter to be healthy. Ask the breeder to see the results of the temperment test. Each one of my buyers always got a copy of thier puppies temperment test results. If there is not a temperment test available then something isn't right with the breeder. Now if your worried about shedding just brush regularly and make sure you suppliment with Norwegien Kelp for the life of your dog. That will cut down on shedding.