Both my labs are house dogs and are never put outside for any length of time - they are companions more than anything. 

I have started to show them and have wondered about their coats being "soft".  They are definately waterproof with the undercoat, which is how they are supposed to be, correct? 

I've been told that to harden up their coats they should be kept outdoors or somewhere cooler in the house for this to happen.  I've also been told that the river water (which they are in every day) also softens their coats. 

Maybe I am being a bit dim here but I thought that they were bred for working in the field and the water - my dogs love the water and retrieve perfectly as they are designed to do - so can anyone explain to me the theory behind "hardening" up their coats??

Hi Crustyroll, (well that really did seem weird typing that), :D My Labs are show Labs and all are in the house with me too. Being inside does not 'soften' the coats, although dogs living outside may have 'thicker' coats. One of my dogs has a coat so thick that I can lose my hand in it :D As long as the dog has the 'correct' texture and has the waterproof undercoat then that is acceptable.  Three of my Labs have the rough hard outercoat, 4 of them dont and they all live, work and play in the same conditions.  As for not letting them into water, My lot are in it everyday, (well nearly) Whether its a clean pond or the muckiest ditch water.

Has anyone actually commented on the condition and texture of their coats?
Kay

Also...do you bath your dogs and how often.Too much bathing can alter coat texture especially if you use the wrong shampoo
Archer

Oops Archer, I never thought about that one, I dont bath my dogs, rarely need to. But on occassion have simply turned the outside hose on them to wash any residue from ditches, etc.

Best way!! LOL....my elks get maybe 2 baths a year but I'm always careful to use a specialist shampoo for coarse coats.
Archer

Hi, I think I will change my sign in name, not very appropriate is it..lol

I don't bath the dogs at all, I just wash them down with warm water if they are really dirty but as they are in the river every day they tend to be self cleaning!!

I have had comments on my younger lab and that her coat is in perfect condition.  It is thick and straight but I've noticed that she isn't loosing any hair for the spring.  My other lab is shedding her coat in massive amounts with lots of scurf as it's coming out.  We were at a show on Sunday and I did comment to the judge about her coat coming out and was told "That's what they are supposed to do, they tend to loose their coat for spring/summer" - she is also going to be coming into season soon and I can see that the coat is starting to shine up again.  It's strange that for two bitches that are closely related and fed on burns how different their coats are. 

I am still unsure as to how definately tell that they have the correct coat texture with the undercoat - the older lab with the thinner coat actually seems to dry off much quicker than the younger.  On close inspection, one coat appears to have soft downy hair underneath that is soft and fluffy when brushed out and the other does not.  Does this make any sense...lol...??

Andrea

Yes Andrea, it makes perfect sense. :)  Labs have a tendency to shed hair all year long, but maybe 4/6 weeks before coming into a season they can literally 'blow' their coats completely to the point of being nearly bald. I have 5 Labs which are all related,  Emma has very short but thick outer coat and fine soft down undercoat, Ellie, her daughter has a long hard bristle top coat and very thick down undercoat.  Penny her half sister (same father) has a rough coat along her spine area but softer everywhere else and and thick undercoat.   Tia neice of Penny has the finest coat but rough and a very fine undercoat, and lastly Summer who is related to Penny and Tia has the most amazingly thick coat she has a double undercoat at the moment and will not lose this. She simply never gets wet, water just rolls off her like a duck. 

Sorry that was rather long winded, but although all coats are varying, the texture and undercoat are correct. 

Did the judge know that she was an inside dog?  Some dogs who live outside will shed coat according to the weather, indoor dogs tend to shed constantly.

Dont worry about your younger lab not losing coat for the Spring, they dont, they shed according to living conditions and hormones, ie; season, pregnancy or whelping.

I do tend to ramble a bit, if you want to PM me feel free :D
Kay

Ps like the name 'crustyroll' but curious as to how you decided on it  lol :D :D

Hi Kay,

I've sent you a PM as I ramble on a bit but thanks for the explanation on the coats. 

I believe that you can read as many books as you want but until you actually see a proper double coat its hard to imagine it or know the correct texture and it's only from talking to other lab owners that I can get a proper understanding of what I'm looking for.

Andrea