Why does everyone push for a lab?

[yellow dog]

Is that a American pointing lab holding the neighbors goose ?

[Cass]

People push labs because its easier to find a well bred labs because as welsh said they are popular for a reason - they're good dogs. I completely understand - a lab is too big for me as well. I have a field bred english cocker and wouldn't trade it for a lab any day. However, in that other thread for instance, he wanted a dog that could do late season stuff. Realistically a lab or a chessie are your best bet for that. I'll praise my breed up and down but I know he wouldn't be good for much ice water retrieving. You need to be honest with yourself and your dog and really think about what you will use it for.

[Baby Duck]

Pushing.....
Plan and simple. For Ontario environment and many state right in their posts that waterfowl is a target. Especially late season is not suited to many breeds asked about. Never mind cold weather and multiple feet of snow. Up here we hunt right to last day. I've had dogs in Georgian bay fighting 4' waves with slush lines.

Second is training ..... Labs tend to be less stressful training with many quicks other breeds have. Have I seen nice dogs from the breeds men tioned. Absolutely. But quite often less than desirables......

So if you like to gamble and increase the already large oidds a dog may not turn out buy a breed that may not do everything you want or get a shorter haired breed and in the weather we get if you enjoy sitting on the couch watching the birds fly by.

A lab is a retriever. But likely more versatile than and of the versatile breeds....

[krakadawn]

Just Remember.......

Whatever your decision is be sure to see all the health clearances that are available for your dog. Do not accept someone's statement that they are indeed healthy. Ask to see the clearances. People driving the best breeding of labs are also the driving forces for better health clearances.

Secondly , see some working dogs whether parents or relatives. Get a sense of look, size, colour, temperament etc. Get a sense of how well the dogs are trained. I continue to see absolutely horridly 'trained' dogs that people think are good( good for something!)

Get a sense of how the breeder or owner handles his(her) dog. Are they smart, subtle and encourage the dog to work with them or are they a lunk head.

Don't buy into generalized behaviour statements like 'labs are rammy' in the house. Mine aren't and I gurantee you they are some of the hardest driving dogs you will see. Why.....because if they're smart enough to learn basics and advanced field learning then they are capable of learning how to behave in the house.....just like how you bring your kids up.

All dogs have some strengths, it's really up to you if they will measure up to your expectations.

[WayneGretzky99]

I went with a lab for a few reasons. #1 is every duck hunting video you see, they're using a lab. I had a lab before I was in to training. Dogs and she was the most gentle dog I had ever owned. Was great with kids and only barked when someone pulled in the driveway. As a bonus, they can run through a patch of burdock and removing burrs only takes a swipe of the hand.

The only retriever breed I'm prejudiced against is Goldens. They are a burr magnet and they don't age well. Two of my cousins have Goldens between 5-10 years old and they all look like they've got at least one paw in the coffin.

[BurlyGirl]

People push for Labs for two reasons. First, lots of people have Labs and "do what I did" is a natural answer for various reasons. Second, Labs are popular for a reason, and the reason is they're good dogs. Nobody can say a Lab is a bad choice.

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.

[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.

[yellow dog]

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.

I have had many Labs and a couple of Goldens over the years but you also described my Springer Spaniel. I am finding my Springer to be just as affectionate as my Labs or Goldens and an outstanding willingness to learn. She is extremely birdy and very curious to the point that she needs to be mentally stimulated with her training at all times.

[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.

[grizzlygreig]

You asked... We told ya... Lol... Get what suits you...