Hi all,

I'm looking into buying my first dog, and I'm trying to gather as much information as possible before I start looking per se. At the moment, I'm considering a Lab, because of the little that I know about the breed, but I would like to get some information from owners. While I admit that I want a dog for my own sake, I am also aware of the huge importance concerning having a happy dog! If I do get a dog, I'd probably get it around about August, so I have plenty of time to look into it.

If anyone can give me information as to the negative points of Labradors (the positive points are easy to find) so I can get a full picture, I'd appreciate it.

Dan

Hi Dan,

I think thats its very sensible to ask about the negatives, not just the positive. Labradors are wonderful, wonderful dogs but they need to be trained right from the start.  Theres nothing worse (in my opinion), than a  boisterous year old lab thats jumping up at everything that moves.  They need kind but firm training, otherwise you can end up with a right hooligan.They can also be quite destructive if you don't give them something to do.  They tend to go into the 'Kevin the teenager' stage from about 7-8 months old and this can last right up until their 2 years old. They need carefull food management if they're not to get fat, and can suffer from genetic health disorders so you need to check carefully when buying a pup that the parents are hip scored and have had their eyes checked over.  There can be quite a difference in type and size depending on whether you have a dog from a show background or one from working parents. The adolescent male, can try to push his luck and probably will, but I suppose thats the same with most dogs.
THAT SAID, I really hope that I haven't put you off - I truly wouldn't have any other breed, I could go on and on for ages about their good points and they have many :)
If you want more info on them, there are some great lab books about, or you could look on the internet about visiting local gundog clubs that may be in your area, or paying a visit to Crufts.

Good luck with whatever you choose
Ali :)

Yep that all sounds like Labs to me ! :)

One other negative thing that Ali didn't mention is that they can shed hair quite a lot and with yellow Labs in particular (because they show up more) you may find that your carpet is constantly covered in hair !

That said, they are the most loveable dogs and they have masses of qualities to endear you to them & I wouldn't have any other breed either. :)

Hiya,

Over the past 28 years I've had 4 labs 2 yellow dogs and 2 black bitches.my 4th one (kimmie) is now 6.
I agree with what the other posters have said in regards to weight gain and relevant health checks.
the chewing and the hairshedding are the only negatives that I can think of at the moment for me personally.
saying that, the chewing didn't go on forever and you can always hoover the hair up.
I haven't had any problems training any of mine so perhaps I've been lucky there.
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for labs as i adore everything about them, their loyalty, their smiles, the fact that if you step on them by accident they really don't mind, lol.
My 3rd lab (chester) was a yellow male but he was that gorgeous fox red colour, everywhere we went with him people commented on his looks, he was stunning too, a lovely big head and the best nature ever, i often tipped over him as i came out of the loo as he would follow me everywhere.
he passed away 2 years ago and i still shed a tear over him.
right, I'm going off on one now so I'll leave it at that.
Look forward to hearing about your pup when you get it.
shane.

Thanks, that's helpful. I'll probably have more questions at a later date.

Regards,

Dan

I'm not a lab owner but would just like to say how nice it is that someone is doing the proper research before rushing out to buy a puppy.Every breed has there pro's and con's and every breed have there individual needs.
If your not set on a lab tell us your requirements and maybe we can offer some suggetions.
Any further questions you have ..fire away!
Archer

Yes very good negative points !!:D

I have PM'd you with some more pointers !!
H

Lucy

It upsets me to talk about this but I think its relevant here.  My mum previously (years ago) had labs and they were great and it all worked out.  Late last year she took on a rescue lab about 7 mths (she's now 67 but active) and she loved him to bits but he was just far too much for her.  Not only was he a boisterous 7 mth old lab but he also had had several homes and was not at all trained in any way.  Unfortunately after not such a long time he had become far too much and had actually injured her with his behaviour. 

She really tried with him, spent a lot of money on him (not that that is the issue) but eventually mum and I decided that he needed someone else.  She was totally distraught, felt a failure but took him back.  The dog has now been more suitably rehomed and doing really well and mum is just thinking about getting a wee rescue doggie that is desperate for a home, rather than "what she thought she wanted". 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you want a lab you have to accept that they are fairly big, boisterous, naughty at times dogs.  If you can cope, great, but make sure you assess your own circumstances adequately.  And also be prepared for the unexpected.   I'm not trying at all to put you off.  But weigh up all the pros and cons.  I wish you a happy life with your dog.

CG

Thanks CG,

I didn't come to a site like this to hear wonderful stories about wonderful dogs who never do anything wrong. I came in the hope that people like you would be able to help me build up an accurate picture of what this breed is like. Thanks for sharing that with me, and believe me, I will keep it in mind as I continue to collect information.

After all, I ignored your advice and the advice of others like you, I could end up with completely the wrong dog which would be awful for the animal.

Best wishes,

Dan

I have 3.

They bounce & boing, they have eaten the house, trashed the garden, left fur like a carpet and relieved anything left lying around of its breath :O, BUT, they are loyal, loving, wonderful with my small son & work their socks off during the shooting season.

Oh, and they make damn good bed warmers, but don't expect to get too much space!!

Dan,

I think you are being very sensible in your approach to dog ownership if only everyone did this sort of research.

If you do eventually decide on a Labrador keep an eye on this site http://www.helpalabrador.co.uk as they often have some lovely Labradors looking for a home & you sound like you might be just the sort of person to help !

I see from your profile that they are based not far from you.

Just another option for you to consider. :)

Well I wouldn't be without my lab.  He is the most gentle affectionate dog.  He is so sensitive and loving it's untrue.  He gives me 110% in obedience classes and I give him back all the love that he deserves. On a different note however I must say however that I heard some stories about labs chewing and destroying houses and stuff before I bought mine and to be honest I don't think I would have got a lab if I knew he was going to be shut in all day on his own because they do get bored and need a great deal of stimulation.  My parents are retired so they are able to give him all the attention and exercise he needs in the daytime and I do the night and weekend duties!  My lab never chewed or destroyed anything and I am convinced it is because he was stimulated during the day or it could just be that he is perfect!!! ha ha.

They are gorgeous dogs though, I love mine to bits, wouldn't be without him and would do anything to make sure he was happy.

Happy choosing.  I am a bit biased cos I have got one!

Thanks, DanK, for voicing my thoughts! I'm in the same position, looking to get a lab in August. I got some really good advice about breeds and breeders from this message board late last year - people really know their stuff.

Thanks for the helpalabrador.co.uk link (fablab). I will check it out. Another source is www.guidedogs.co.uk who have a re-homing scheme for pups who aren't suitable as guide dogs. This appeals to me as I hate the idea of these beautiful hard-working dogs being lonely, and it also means I miss out the chewy puppy stage!! Much as I love puppies, I realise it's hard work looking after one.

I have a question for lab owners: what's the best thing to do if you are going to be out of the house for a day (not on a regular basis) - leave the dog indoors and let them wait till you get home? Leave the dog in the garden? Should you always have a covered kennel for them to go into to sleep/rest/shelter? I realise that it's not a great idea to leave a dog on it's own for a full day, but it undoubtedly will happen sometimes.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

My lot ( 4) live in the Conservatory and have a Lab sized dog flap to their outside secure area.

A bored Lab will undoubtably chew if left alone without any stimulation so in doors for a long length of time should be done at your peril !! :)

Lucy

Is a big dog flap easy to get hold of? Any idea how much it cost?

thanks

Go and look on www.catflaps.co.uk

You can order them there. We have an aluminium Staywell door.

One word of warning, check with your home insurance policy if you do fit one, as the majority of insurance companies will not insure you if the dog flap goes straight into the house. We have doors from the conservatory into the dining room which has a proper double dead lock as this was originally a door to the outside prior to the conservatory going up :)

It depends on the age of the dog as to whether it'll chew in the house if left for the occasional day. Personally I wouldn't be happy leaving a dog in the garden when I was out - there are far too many dogs stolen this way. They may be bored and destructive indoors, but at least they're safe. When I've had to do it I've had a friend pop in at lunchtime to let them out and they've been fine.
:)

I hadn't thought about a dog being stolen from the garden. Although my garden is fenced to about 7 feet, you can see in and there is a children's park at the back so people do nose through. I was assuming that a dog would rather have space to run around outside for a few hours, but remembering my old lab, she would be delighted with a nice warm rug and some peace and quiet!

Hi CG

Why doesn't your mum go for an older Lab as they have normally got over the boisterous stage and are normally very well behaved animals :) There are lots of them out there looking for loving homes :) Not all Labs looking for new homes are badly behaved and not trained:) It sounds although your mum is offering a loving home and the right Lab will be out there for her :) Lab rescue will be able to match the right dog for her situation.;)

Lucy

hi, i have had labs for the last 24 years, they are great dogs, i have a 4 year old yellow lab, and a 6 month old choc lab at the moment, they can be very naughty at times, just like all breeds, but they are easy to train and are so loving,  but they do like lots of company,   they are great dogs.

Kept meaning to reply to this post before, but i would like to add that if you own a lab one thing to bear in mind is
NEVER TURN YOU BACK ON A LAB RUNNING AT FULL SPEED :D
i dont think that ive ever had a walk where i havent been run over by one of my own labs or the labs at work, when they are playing with other dogs and running at speed they seem to forget how to turn and stop so they have to use you as a brake instead, and if your back is turned towards them you have no hope of knowing which way to go :D
that said labs IMO are the best dogs ever!!!
tanya

Hi
My lab is only 12 weeks old, she is fab. She has been much easier to train than i thought she would be.
Only thing so far that may become a big problem is that she has stated digging up the garden.
My kids were gardening yesturday and it was like she wanted to help so she did, they thought it was great but when i went out today to check for poo i found lots and lots of holes.
She also wants to eat anything in site and if given the chance will steal food from the kids hands, that one has been easy to deal with tho cos we just lock her out of the kithen at meal times.

Debbie

I Love labs - Sam is 15 weeks old and as he has been very poorly the last month - it has made me realise how much he has become part myself and my husbands life. Yes, he chews everything in sight, inlcuding very expensive surround sound cables  and is a walking  eating dustbin !! But he has a personality of his own - He has cost us over £400 this month in vets bills - but he is worth it
There, got that off my chest

Jennymc

"NEVER TURN YOU BACK ON A LAB RUNNING AT FULL SPEED :)"

PMSL!! ......... How true! :) :)