I once read that there was no question that is really a stupid question so here goes..............

I have a black lab bitch, 18 months old, starting to turn into the calm family dog (yeah right!)
Anyway, on our walks she has a great time -after she has pulled me there at the speed of lightening- she jumps through long grass, runs around after a  ball, occassionally bringing it back to me! sniffs, poops, wees a million times etc etc etc, BUT her rate of recovery from this fabulous experience seems to take forever.  She pants like i've never seen a dog pant, she slobbers like a rabid dog, she collapses on the floor once at home and this can take best part of an hour to 'recover' from.  My question being, is it the same in dogs after exercise  as it is in humans?  all that resting pulse, exercise pulse and recovery rate thing or am i just being a big girls blouse worrying about her having a heart attack?

Sara

I suppose it depends on a few factors as it does with ppl, such as general fitness, age, weight, etc. My collies come back from a long run with a ball like that with they run like sometihng possessed so it's understandable. Normal walks withot a toy have little effect, they come back and play. :rolleyes: My youngest is 13 months and is nowhere near as fit as the other 2, even the 10 yr old. But then I have only had him 5 months. The middle one who is 3 is incredibly fit and impossible to completely tire out. They all do agility, obedience and flyball so they are fitter than the average dog. I also take the younger 2 out for a 6 mile run with the bike, weather permitting, twice a week.

If you have any concerns take her to the vet for a health check. They will listen to her heart and lungs and can put your mind at rest. It could also be that rather than being actually tired from her run she is over heating so be careful at what times you take her out. Maybe rather than say, an hour once a day, take her for 2 half hour walks early in the day and after 8ish at night.

And you are right, no question is a silly question, especially when concerning a dog's health. :-)

Thanks for that Colliesrus, my previous dog was a rescus xstaffy who i could never reduce to this level of exhaustion! 
will pop to vets just to put my mind at rest.  With it being so hot I have been very careful and have walked her early morning and later evening (at least dusk up north!) kids enjoy coming too so i can't do it too late - mind you little darlings have finished school now so I can go even later if required.

Thanks again
Sara

Could it just be that some labs are natrually lazy? One of mine is very lazy she will tear round like an idiot then come back and sleep till the next meal. I know that she is fit as we do quite a lot of controlled excercise - long walks on the lead at a steady pace to make sure that she has good stamina.

I don't think the issue was that she was sleeping until the next meal, more the state she was in when she returned from a walk. I must admit, it does sound as though she is exhausted but then like I said, I am used to working collies not pet labs.