Why does everyone push for a lab?

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Originally Posted by Fox

Ok, so labs are service dogs and no service dogs are rammy, hmm, but only a few dogs are actually used for service dogs. I am sure that the lab that is used for a seeing eye dog would not have the drive for duck hunting. My issue is with how the breed has changed. A 130lb lab is just insane, they have big problems with their hips when they get that size and I still cannot believe that they are any warmer since they are still a short coated dog.

As for the rest of the service dogs, PTSD animals can be anything, dogs are amazing at knowing when you are feeling down, hell even some cats are good at that. Sniffer dogs, look at beagles, I see them all over the airports. German shepherds are still a go to breed for many of these roles as well, so why do people not talk about other breeds for waterfowl hunting.

Standard poodles used to be a go to breed for waterfowl, along with the Portuguese water dog, they have fur that keeps them afloat and warm in late season hunts. The Toller was designed for hunting in Nova Scotia and I have been told has one of the best drives of any of these, they have webbed feet and are supposed to stay warm in even late season.

Don't get me wrong, I have always loved labs, I hunted with a friend just west of Ottawa with his Lab, but I asked him about smaller retrievers and he laughed, his dog was just over a year old and already 67 pounds, without adding any bulk to his bones. This man also knows his labs, his wife used to raise them and he would train them, he has had wonderful labs and amazing hunters although they are all a little insane and all very heavy.

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My seven year old lab is 53lbs out of show and field lines. Hips and elbows rated excellent and a great hunting companion. Really depends on the kennel you go to for advice such as health clearances and take into consideration the size of the breeding stock. I would never purchase a lab knowing potentially these pups as adult would be in the 70lb range and up. I prefer the runt of the litter and have had good results with my lab when I purchased her as the runt.

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Originally Posted by yellow dog

My seven year old lab is 53lbs out of show and field lines. Hips and elbows rated excellent and a great hunting companion. Really depends on the kennel you go to for advice such as health clearances and take into consideration the size of the breeding stock. I would never purchase a lab knowing potentially these pups as adult would be in the 70lb range and up. I prefer the runt of the litter and have had good results with my lab when I purchased her as the runt.

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The fear for me would be getting on that is huge, the extra weight is so hard on the dog, I do not want to do that to them. We had a rottie back when I was growing up that was not too big and had proper genes but even with that had an enlarged heart and hip issues, it was a sad day when we had to put him down.

Breeders have developed dogs for purposes that are unknown to me at times, I have not seen this in gun dogs yet, but there are freaky things that the kennel club encourages that is just horrible to the breed and to the individual dogs. Has anyone seen how low the back end of a German Shepard is now a days?

I will examine what fits us best when we finally get our place and get a dog. I was just wondering why there are so few people even considering something other then a lab and I guess I have my answer.

As far a goldens aging early goes, not all do. The ones your cousins have may be the exception. I had a golden at age 10 ran the National Master and qualified and later that year she finished her grand master. As well we hunted that fall. She was like a puppy and didn't look her age, even the judges were surprised at how old she was. That said I have seen labs that look ancient by age 10, partly because they were black and the grey shows up in their muzzle. I also have a 9 year old still working and there are labs out there that have a hard time keeping up with her.
deb

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Originally Posted by BurlyGirl

Spot on.

Labs are a popular breed for a reason, that's for sure. They are service dogs (for the blind, Autistic, those suffering from PTSD, etc etc), they clean up in the performance sports (competitive obedience, agility, rally, etc), they are known for good noses which can be exhibited in a number of venues (tracking, hunt tests, field trials, as well as Canada Border Services as sniffer dogs), they're great hunting dogs (waterfowl and upland) and make great family dogs. Labs can be rammy, yes. Train them to have manners. Labs can get fat, yes. So can humans. Exercise and eating/feeding according to body needs fixes that. People recommend labs because they're versatile and will probably do what the potential owner is wanting their dog to do. Labs also, as a breed, want to learn. They want to please. They are great for a first time dog owner. Get any breed you like, knock yourself out. But people will recommend considering a labrador because their overwhelming number of pros far outweigh the few cons.

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I have also seen aggressive Labs over the years but have no idea what bloodlines they were out of. Every breed has some rotten apples because of poor breeding practice or lack of socialization.

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Originally Posted by Longgun

As far a goldens aging early goes, not all do. The ones your cousins have may be the exception. I had a golden at age 10 ran the National Master and qualified and later that year she finished her grand master. As well we hunted that fall. She was like a puppy and didn't look her age, even the judges were surprised at how old she was. That said I have seen labs that look ancient by age 10, partly because they were black and the grey shows up in their muzzle. I also have a 9 year old still working and there are labs out there that have a hard time keeping up with her.
deb

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That would be the genetics behind the dog or any breed of dog that doesn't age well.

I ran a 17 year old Siberian Husky in my dog team and he passed away in the spring in his sleep. Age fourteen and fifteen he was a demon on the trail and was out of old working bloodlines (healthy). He was my main stud and all his offspring were the same and shipped a few litters to different parts of the world because of his healthy genetics.

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Originally Posted by barenn

For many of the years I have trained with guys it has always been labs and some excellent dogs at that. Very seldom have I seen a bad one and never a vicious one. As some have mentioned, looking into the lines you are sure to find a smaller one and well rounded for sure. Just my 2 cents and I am a Chessie guy for 30 years now.

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My dog has been "attacked three times" in the last 2mths in a local off leash park.Twice the attacking dogs were yellow labs and the third time a husky cross.I suppose its the owners fault,one guy after the attack simply pulled his dog away.The other lady a "dog walker" was very upset and wanted to mak sure my dog was ok.So they can be vicious.These were completely unprovoked attacks.

That's because you were at an off leash dog park !!!

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Originally Posted by yellow dog

That's because you were at an off leash dog park !!!

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Do you believe owners should not take responsibility in an off leash park for the behaviour of their dogs??

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Do you believe owners should not take responsibility in an off leash park for the behaviour of their dogs??

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Absolutely!

But Gilroy, I gave you more credit than to go to one of those areas....just kidding......I do understand how you felt, not something one wants to be involved with.