Hi, I have set my heart on a lab, but some people have said they are a real nightmare.  Is this true?????

They are if they're poorly bred and badly trained. A good one, reared properly, is a joy.
:)

No, they're wonderful - hard work but wonderful...:-)

Not if trained and handled correctly, they are a joy to own. BUT not for the fainthearted.

Yes that is quite a true statement Kay :D

They can be hard work when they are youngsters :D

Guest ,have a look at this site. There is lots of useful advice and tips on Lab ownership ! The forum is especially good as there are many experienced owners who give A1 advice :) www.helpalabrador.co.uk

You will see that there are many Labs that go through rescue for many reasons but one of the reasons is that people did not realise the commitment and hard work they can be :rolleyes: It is so important that you do lots of research into any breed before you decide to become an owner ;) (Or in some cases owned :D )

Lucy
xx

From the Andrex loo roll pack (on special offer at Tesco's ;-) )
"Always knew I was everyone's best friend....a bit of a HANDFUL....a real soft touch but also a STRONG sturdy little fellow!" Only they don't stay little for long :D :D :D

Labs are far from a nightmare if brought up correctly like others had said, i think you cant get much better than a lab (apart from BC's);) Labs are beautiful, trainable, and good natured, IF you put in alot of work when they are young! They are very very bouncy dogs when young, so if you have very small children, careful consideration is needed!

Hi i have a labrador and a golden retriever both are very good natured and i wouldnt be without them.Ive had my Lab from she was 8 weeks old and i trained her and she was quick to learn.They are low maintenance  to groom compared to my golden retriever.Give them plenty of toys and chews for the first 18 months to try and avoid them chewing every thing else.I will always go for a lab though i love all dogs but i do have a soft spot for labs.

what i dont like about them (which is a very personal thing) is that they seem to like everybody,dont seem to discern. to most people this might be a good thing but i like my dogs to be abit more selective

Yes, I do agree about the bounciness when young...I'm beginning to wonder whether Luke would have been better named Tigger...:D :D

tigger is a great dogs name i think!!!!!

Let me put it this way, not everybody is a suitable owner for a Labrador Retriever. I have said before that in the right setting with the right type of family, a Labrador is a wonderful companion. But, and it's a big BUT, if you are going to leave a Lab for long or even moderate amounts of time, it is going to eat your house.

The best kind of family for a Labrador, is one where somebody is home all day, can involve the dog into their daily routine, enjoys the outdoor life and  is keen on active training. This is a breed that requires a dedicated dog owning family that is prepared to take the rough with the smooth.

Every Lab owner has a catalogue of horror stories, they are not a breed that fits all situations, you must be realistic in your expectations.

If YOU are right for a Lab, you'll have a lifetime of fun and pleasure ahead.:)

Dawn R.