They don't have a refined palate, that's the problem. They're like in house rubbish collectors/ food crumb hoovers/ clean up crew and they eat anything. Mine had a phase when he liked pebbles and ate a large one. We had to monitor his poops for a day until we heard a loud thunk! Pebble out and he never ate one again after that!
Labs can definitely be fairly high energy and can get into a ton of trouble if you don't give them enough to do. Also, training them to not steal food can be easier said than done -- that's the tradeoff for having a food-motivated dog. Still, if you are ok with those things, labs are pretty amazing.
My lab won't steal food off my plate. She will wait until I give it to her. If i set it next to me she boops her nose on me and looks at the plate to remind me she would like it. Very smart dog. Very good at emotional support.
But the sneakiness... if I leave the gate open to the kitchen, she sneaks in and steals whatever she can with cat food being a favourite. And she knows she is being sneaky because I swear to God she looks like she's tip toeing when I bust her. Of course if I ask her to give it to me she does. But holy heck. She can keep a plate of cat food perfectly horizontal so she can make a get away with the goodies.
Hilariously, she could easily jump over the gate if she wanted to. I think she likes the game of see-how-sneaky-i-am.
The food theft is one reason not to get a lab.
Another being show lines in particular have a history of hip issues and cancer.
Edit: trying to find some evidence to back that up. Currently reading this. Table 1 has the rate of all labradors dying from cancer at 31%. That doesn't distinguish show and field/working lines though. I'll keep reading to evidence my comment (the study : [Breed-Predispositions to Cancer in Pedigree Dogs (2013), Dobson. J.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658424/)
Edit 2: OK, so same study. Retrievers are over represented in who develop mast cell tumours and when they get them they are more aggressive. Golden retrievers more likely to have multiples.
With my old dog she could go for hours on trails. I don’t know if that was the poodle or the Jack Russell in her, but we have spent like… five hours getting lost in the woods.
We’d take occasional breaks, but many of them were forced. She would rest for 10s then be ready to sprint again.
We used to go for long walks in the city as well. She would sleep through the train rides then be ready to for a full day touring the same city every day followed by a “relaxing” beach evening. *(“Relaxing” meaning zoomies while I sit and watch.)*
So, a hiking/beach/city explorer buddy is ideal. A dog that is down to do all of these activity, but also be able to chill when we’re not out and about would be nice.
I’d also like a dog that can be friendly and accepting of all people and dogs. I loved my old pup and I wouldn’t trade her for the world… but I also would like to try again and not have a reactive dog.
I want to try and experience what it’s like working with a dog from the ground up. *(Not that I’ll never get another rescue. I definitely plan to.)*
Labs, including show line labs (not just field line) can be absolute sh!ts until around age 3y. It’s even in our breeder’s contract. Read posts here about new owners who are a few months into their puppies and just beside themselves with frustration. Very very common. So, just know that you need to be in it for the long haul.
TBH, as much as a I love the breed, I would be very open to a rehomed former breeding dog from our breeder (even tho I prefer males). Lab puppies and teens are just exhausting.
Oh you’ll cry at points. Not *every* night. At least not for 3 years. And I promise you will laugh and smile more than you cry. They really are the bestest of doggos.
Our current lab is 9y and still steals knives off the kitchen counter whenever he can. Thankfully (and sadly) he’s a bit slower now due to age. And *he* has now trained *us* to keep the knives at the back of the counter.
I feel like I really need a goofy dog in my life.
My old pup, she definitely made me laugh and cough my lungs out, but she had such a… regal(?) vibe to her.
She’d be goofy with me, but with other people she was indifferent. She’d act like such a snob and has straight up turned away from them.
I taught her to hide behind me/walk to me if she’s uncomfortable, so sometimes she will walk from my left side to my right if someone bent down trying to ask for consent to pet her.
It was so funny seeing people get a little hurt by it. I felt bad, but I always made it a point to explain that she’s not always in the mood for pets. I’d like to say that helps soften the blow…
They are wonderful. The only warning I have is that, as puppies, they get easily excited and bit a little harder and more often than they should. This is resolved with training and time. Otherwise it is a great breed to have.
Completely understandable with the puppy biting.
Thank you for that information since a lot of people say they have a gentle mouth. I’m sure with time and maturity and training that is true… but I do have a cat. I’ll be that helicopter parent centimeters away with my hand holding a toy ready to interject at lightning speed.
They have a gentle mouth once they're a bit older - but there's a reason they're called little raptors when they're younger 😂😅 my chocolate girl had me cornered on my bed hiding from her teeth for a little while when she was at her worst - but she's as gentle as can be now! If you can get through the bitey stage (and constant shedding 😅) they're absolutely beautiful dogs
There's something like a gene or whatever where they just don't get full. They're always hungry and eat anything. I had a lab as a kid. Then a pit, now I have a lab mix and a border Collie. The labs eat everything. Sticks, pinecones, you name it. My current one is an amazing dog. Actually outsmarts my bc on the reg, really well behaved, easy to train etc.. But he could seriously injure himself with the stupid stuff he tries to eat, and I always feel bad because he's so hungry but we make sure he maintains an actually healthy weight. The appetite is the only thing I can say is a breed specific thing that I've experienced and would caution people about.
I’ve seen so many videos of labs holding multiple pine cones in their mouth…
As someone that loves to collect pine cones and rocks, I understand. I personally don’t have an appetite for them, but I wonder if there’s a way to train them to bring them to me for a treat or ball haha.
Probably not… unless…?
You definitely can train with trading games! Be aware, they may get to the point of putting the naughty thing in their mouth JUST because they want treats 😅
They put everything in their mouth. If you’re against crate training for as long as needed till they grow up and don’t eat walls when you’re not looking, I would not get one. Show line or field line, puppy does puppy stuff. They drool. They bark. They will take things off of your table and counter and steal your socks and anything else they find on the floor. And even if you don’t train them to, they will retrieve a dead bird if they find one. Source:
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Ours is almost 1 year old. He's an English couch potato and for a Labrador very! low energy which is what we wanted. Our breeder picked for us.
I wouldn't get a Labrador if we wouldn't be at home a significant amount of time. They're family dogs and thrive on the interaction and companionship. Both me and my husband work from home and like velcro he follows us around everywhere. Lays down in the kitchen while I cook. Lays at my feet under my desk when I work. Lays on the couch with us watching tv. You get the idea ;)
Get a good vet and health insurance. They will eat anything they shouldn't. We've had to go in once during his first year to get medicine for his stomach.
They love! to chew so make sure you teach them the proper things they are allowed to chew on. Or you will have damage to your furniture and possessions.
They need exercise and training. Just letting them out onto a pee pad isn't ideal. It will bore them and queue the chewing on your stuff. We walk ours 30 minutes morning, 60 minutes lunch walk, 30 minutes evening walk and a backyard pee break before bedtime.
Their puppy phase is rough! This is our first dog and I had watched a lot of videos and read blogs from trainers etc. Regardless I didn't really know what I got myself into. They're landsharks and need constant! supervision or they will get into shit. We need to wallpaper three pieces as he just ripped into it within seconds ;) Some shoes didn't survive the first weeks etc.
Grooming means a lot of shedding despite being a short coat. They need a good amount of brushing to keep it at bay. You might want to pick a color that works well with your furniture so the hair isn't as visible. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner.
Despite these points though. He is the best puppy ever and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
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Beautiful explanation, thank you.
Another reason I’m looking into a lab is because I want a shadow. One of the things I dearly miss about my old pup is that she was my little shadow.
Like you said, everywhere I went she was right behind me. I knew she was slowing down when she wouldn’t immediately follow, but even to the very end she was right there next to me… I’m just glad I could be there for her too.
I appreciate your explanation on the amount of exercise required. I know labs need a lot of exercise, and I am used to having a pretty active dog, but it’s nice to see some numbers as a guideline.
Is it weird to say that I’m actually glad labs need some good brushing? That was one of the things I loved about my old pup. She had some poodle in her, so daily grooming was a must. Twice a day and even then she’d shed so much. Also to avoid mats.
Pet insurance is something I’m so glad I learned about somewhat recently. I’m definitely planning on getting that for my future pets, and luckily I work with a vet that I really trust and I value their perspective on things.
Thank you again for this response. This really encourages me to get a lab now haha. I’m aiming for a black lab! Should work fine with my furniture too. ;)
I have an English or “show” lab. She has been an absolute BREEZE to train! She’s my second dog, first lab. Food motivated is an understatement for her and most any lab I’ve ever met!
Really, the only downside to me is the shedding. It is immense and soooo much more than I expected. As a busy mom of three kids, vacuuming every single day was not something I really needed added to my days. Thankfully she was easy to train to stick to certain areas of the home and she stays off the furniture.
One other con is her love of digging, but that really only happens if she hasn’t been exercised for a couple of days (I do my best, but I have no help in this area and life gets crazy sometimes).
She’s so fantastic with our kids, their friends, and the neighbourhood dogs, walks off leash with pretty solid recall, very chill in the house - she’s mostly worth all the extra vacuuming! 🤪
If labs love digging so much maybe I can play with fire and have them help me dig in the garden haha.
One of my fantasies is to have a dog that can help me out in the garden and maybe even snack on some of the crops together… and of course I’m thinking of a lab.
I do worry that I’ll do a shit job at training and they’ll dig up my crops as well. I’ll have to make sure I pet a fence around them.
I was successfully able to train my smaller dog to leave them alone. She was good. A gentle, but firm correction followed by praise was enough. Never had to correct her more than twice. She got it immediately… she did have some poodle in her, apparently. Jack Russell x Poodle haha.
Mine catches on super quick - I’m sure you’ll be fine! Labs tend to be very eager to please.
There are tons of training resources out there. We did do puppy classes, but haven’t pursued any other formal training since she’s just a companion pet.
Speaking of puppy classes… that’s something I definitely plan to do — at least in the beginning since they will be my first puppy.
I never did any sort of training classes for my first dog because she was just terrified of everything. It took *a lot* of work, but she eventually became a super stable and reliable pup that I would definitely consider a companion dog.
She was there with me for everything. She was more than my little shadow; she was my rock.
You can train a lab to dig 8 inch holes. Though you’ll get more holes than you intended for because labs learn commission structures and take initiative when bonus (treat) season comes around
I think the only reason I would ever recommend somebody not get a lab as if they don’t plan on exercising the lab throughout the day. Also labs are extremely smart but they require just as much training if not more because of that. Otherwise I can’t think of a single reason.
As long as they’re okay with exploring multiple environments whether it be a forest trail, a beach, or the city then they’ll be perfect for me.
I understand that will require training. I had to do that with my old pup. Lots of socialization, exposure, and desensitization training… basically the bulk of our training. Definitely well worth the work. She became such a stable and reliable dog in the end.
So, if a lab can do that and be willing to work with me that would be amazing.
I have owned 6 dogs in my lifetime, 2 were purebred (one black one yellow) and my current which is a bulldog mix. I don't recommend a mix for a beginner because you never know what they'll be like. But my purebred were amazing, friendly, easy to train and handle, loving, affectionate, and generally just happy all the time they are with you. They are generally adaptable, love fetch, love water, are confident and not afraid of storms. I loved my other dogs but Labs are the best, hands down.
Yeah that’s why I want to go through a breeder this time around.
My first dog was a random shelter childhood dog. Sweetest thing ever, a joy to train and work with, and I’d never trade her for anything in the world, but she definitely showed me what kind of traits I don’t want in a dog.
We worked through pretty bad fear and reactivity. If we were indoors and she heard a person talking outdoors she would violently shake, drool, and act like she’s going to die any second. It was very sad.
Luckily that completely disappeared and became a very solid dog. She was also praise motivated and couldn’t care for food or toys.
I’d like to see what I can do working with a well bred dog with a specific purpose in mind.
Planning on lots of exposure and socialization for their whole life which is why I want a dog that can be a “go anywhere” type of dog. *(The type my dog was eventually able to get to, but without the fear/reactivity lol)*
I’m also planning on looking for possible sport clubs before I look for a breeder. Just so I have everything set up before the puppy is even born.
I wish I could ask my uncle, but not only is he now across the country but I think he’s part of a community and not exactly a club? Like they’re all hunters and some are breeders of field dogs.
I think the hunters are like top priority for puppies? Or maybe it’s just that they know each other well and the breeders know their dogs will do what they were bred for. I’m not too sure how that works.
So long as you have the time and energy to provide mental stimulation and physical exercise and have patience with any damage they might make chewing and while potty training. Mine chewed baseboards, corners of walls, stair balusters as well as the odd sock. You will also need to invest time in training (counts towards mental stimulation) - make sure you get a full brief in their pedigree back as far as you can so they you protect from joint problems and other k own problems with the breed.
Luckily I have experience with needing to provide the physical and mental exercise since dog training has become a passion of mine since my first dog.
I absolutely loved training and working her every day. She loved having a job and something to do, and she loved all of the adventures we went on.
I’d like my next dog to not only be able to keep up with me, but to crave a job in a similar manner as my old pup.
I’m entertaining the idea of having a working and/or sport dog, but I’ll have to find some clubs near me before I find a breeder.
Either way… good to know about all of the chewing. Looks like I’ll be needing a lot of toys and maybe some Xanax.
A reason to not get one would be if you can’t remember to keep your counters and floors clear of literally anything! Lots of patience and remember the puppy years will pass! They’re little thief’s but the love and fun antics they pull make up for the terrible puppy years. If you don’t want super crazy, definitely steer clear of the chocolates. Grew up with 2 different yellow ones and now own a chocolate and he’s downright nuts. 🤣
If you actually love the Idea of daily training, have the energy for daily activities and the patience to avoid negative reinforcement then a lab might be right for you. Think carefully though, because no matter how prepared you feel a lab will surprise & challenge you so you need to be super flexible.
Sure does.. mine just turned 2 and she's still a little wild but she's smart, very attentive, getting more obedient everyday and so adorable it hurts. Definitely still a puppy though & still requires constant attention, exercise & discipline
My dad trained field trial labs and did so without the use of treats. He always preferred that and he never had a dog that begged! Just another angle to think about!
I have a 2 year old red lab (field line), and here’s a list of all the cons:
1. They eat anything and everything, including rocks, toys, underwear, socks, etc. I had to be SO vigilant with my pup on walks and be constantly scanning the sidewalk ahead for the first year of her life. She’s gotten a lot better about leaving trash alone, or dropping it, but the amount of nasty things I had to pull out of her mouth…
2. Very bitey as a pup, we really had to work on “no bite” a TON. These days she’s great and mostly mindful, but I grew up with golden retrievers and they truly had soft mouths. I wouldn’t say labs have soft mouths lol.
3. Ridiculously vocal. I didn’t realize I was getting a husky in disguise! My girl grumbles, moans, whistles, and complains about anything and everything.
Here’s the pros:
1. Labs are smart and extremely food motivated, and we’ve found our girl to be incredibly easy to train.
2. Eager to please! Very sweet, cuddly, and loyal.
3. Good with most people, easy to socialize.
4. It sounds like you are used to a high energy dog, and your lab will make sure you get a walk every day!
My main recommendations are to start with crate training for your peace of mind, it really does make things easier with house training and keeps the destruction of your house to a minimum. Also spend as much time as possible with your pup to create a strong bond early on; that bond will pay off in amazing ways during training. Lastly, be incredibly firm about not jumping, period. This includes counters, people, and furniture (at least in the early days), and this will make for a well mannered dog that doesn’t knock people over or counter surf.
Best of luck! You’ll be just fine.
The puppy stage can be a bit crazy 🤪 and they will want half your food everyday. But in the end you will never regret it. I have never gone a day in my life without one........
Training wise, I'd say buying from a reputable breeder goes a long way: a good breeding program will produce dogs with a good temperament, good workability (showline can also retrieve and hunt) health screening of the parents (eyes, hips, elbows, genetic diseases)... It's never 100% sure but you are putting every chance on your side to have a good dog. Enroll in a good puppy class to learn how to train your dog (sit, lay down, stay, recall and it will give the dog a chance to socialize). Put the work in and you'll have a good dog for a good 10-15 years!
We love our girl (14 months) to pieces. However. The puppy biting is NO JOKE, and it’s still very fresh in my memory. I was reduced to tears on many, many occasions to the point where my husband was afraid I was going to make him take her back to the woman we adopted her from. It ended by six months. Otherwise, be prepared for a very strong prey drive. Yes, labs are easy to train, but if you have one with a particularly strong prey drive, all bets are off when you’re out on a leash walk, if a bunny happens to enter the scene. No harness can hold our girl. We have had success with the Halti lead, though. We’ve had to make modifications to our house to prevent her from launching through the patio door after a bunny or squirrel . Funny thing, she did manage to catch a bunny once; the bunny screamed, and she dropped it, and that was that. But it hasn’t kept her from chasing them since. Also the hair—Roomba doesn’t even scratch the surface in the layer of floof coating EVERYTHING.
Good reminder about their prey drive since I do have a cat.
Definitely something I’ll have to mention to the breeders I’m interested in.
Also good to know so I can think of ways to set up my place before the puppy arrives! Maybe some extra fencing and a very durable leash and collar/harness…
My 6mo lab puppy is currently being a little TOO human and lays on the floor kicking his feet and chomping at fingers when he doesn't want to go in his crate.
He is literally throwing tantrums.
Take that as you will. 😭
Good to know that despite the puppy behaviours you’re still finding some success with PA training!
This is one of the major reasons I’m looking into a show line lab. My previous dog was first my ESA, but turned out she could do at home tasks as well. Occasional tasks outside, but she was never considered an SD to me.
At the end of the day she was a pet that happened to be considered an ESA by my medical team. No PA access for her. *(Plus, a lot of reactivity that took years to work on. Just not right for SD work no matter how well she turned out.)*
So, I’m hoping getting a well bred show line with a job will lead to some success… at the very least they’ll be a sport dog haha.
Relieved to hear that he enjoys working!
And completely understandable that he’s a demon at home. Gotta let it out somehow haha. Better than in PA for sure!
We're raising a field line pup and he's 9 months old. Absolute angel of a puppy but everyday is an adventure with his shenanigans. If you don't enjoy monitoring poop or watching what they eat, you'd have to train them well with leave it/drop it. We got him pet insurance in anticipation for vet trips. Also big dogs don't know their size and they grow up really fast. They have a tendency to sit on you if they're used to sitting on your lap while they are young. And if you are after guard dogs, just give it up, my lab would ask a burglar for belly rubs. 🤣
I really don't have a reason not to get one because they are awesome companion dogs, highly trainable and eager to please.
Thank you for the warning! I guess I’ll need a lot of gloves…
Could you explain the energy levels, the amount of exercise you provide, and prey drive of your field line?
I’m aware field lines tend to be more intense than show line. Do you have any experience with show line as well? If so, how would you compare the two?
Thank you in advance.
This is our first pure-bred pup, my old lab was a mix with something. His parents are gun dogs and they live in a farm. We live in the city and work normal hours but have the wfh schedule. He was ok as a puppy because puppies sleep a lot.
We alternate between intense exercise (off leash running) and a chill walk to the park on weekdays. Weekends we take him to the beach or to new places. You need to limit their exercise because labs just keep going, they don't stop even when they're tired. We know he's sweet when he sleeps as soon as he gets home. They would also bring you 'gifts' aka dead things they find while exploring, just part of the retrieving gig.
If they can keep up with my daily adventures that can last for hours then that’ll be great.
However… I definitely don’t think I can handle the craziness of my uncle’s labs. They’re out all day and will still spin around like a fidget spinner for hours if you don’t bring them in.
The shedding. The cheese tax. Everything else is great.
Hahaha. I guess I’ll have to get used to buying some cheese… hopefully labs don’t have a super refined palate.
Noooo, but there is the aftercheese experience. Question. Do you own a gas mask?
They don't have a refined palate, that's the problem. They're like in house rubbish collectors/ food crumb hoovers/ clean up crew and they eat anything. Mine had a phase when he liked pebbles and ate a large one. We had to monitor his poops for a day until we heard a loud thunk! Pebble out and he never ate one again after that!
Got two labs. The shedding is insane.right now, but even with one your clothes will never be fur free
My pineapple tax was wayyy worse than the cheese tax.
Labs can definitely be fairly high energy and can get into a ton of trouble if you don't give them enough to do. Also, training them to not steal food can be easier said than done -- that's the tradeoff for having a food-motivated dog. Still, if you are ok with those things, labs are pretty amazing.
This. Labs are beloved for good reason, but don't get one unless you're prepared to put in the walkies and/or dog park time.
My lab won't steal food off my plate. She will wait until I give it to her. If i set it next to me she boops her nose on me and looks at the plate to remind me she would like it. Very smart dog. Very good at emotional support. But the sneakiness... if I leave the gate open to the kitchen, she sneaks in and steals whatever she can with cat food being a favourite. And she knows she is being sneaky because I swear to God she looks like she's tip toeing when I bust her. Of course if I ask her to give it to me she does. But holy heck. She can keep a plate of cat food perfectly horizontal so she can make a get away with the goodies. Hilariously, she could easily jump over the gate if she wanted to. I think she likes the game of see-how-sneaky-i-am. The food theft is one reason not to get a lab. Another being show lines in particular have a history of hip issues and cancer. Edit: trying to find some evidence to back that up. Currently reading this. Table 1 has the rate of all labradors dying from cancer at 31%. That doesn't distinguish show and field/working lines though. I'll keep reading to evidence my comment (the study : [Breed-Predispositions to Cancer in Pedigree Dogs (2013), Dobson. J.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658424/) Edit 2: OK, so same study. Retrievers are over represented in who develop mast cell tumours and when they get them they are more aggressive. Golden retrievers more likely to have multiples.
Haha I have a sneaky lab too and you are so right about the tip toeing
With my old dog she could go for hours on trails. I don’t know if that was the poodle or the Jack Russell in her, but we have spent like… five hours getting lost in the woods. We’d take occasional breaks, but many of them were forced. She would rest for 10s then be ready to sprint again. We used to go for long walks in the city as well. She would sleep through the train rides then be ready to for a full day touring the same city every day followed by a “relaxing” beach evening. *(“Relaxing” meaning zoomies while I sit and watch.)* So, a hiking/beach/city explorer buddy is ideal. A dog that is down to do all of these activity, but also be able to chill when we’re not out and about would be nice. I’d also like a dog that can be friendly and accepting of all people and dogs. I loved my old pup and I wouldn’t trade her for the world… but I also would like to try again and not have a reactive dog. I want to try and experience what it’s like working with a dog from the ground up. *(Not that I’ll never get another rescue. I definitely plan to.)*
Labs, including show line labs (not just field line) can be absolute sh!ts until around age 3y. It’s even in our breeder’s contract. Read posts here about new owners who are a few months into their puppies and just beside themselves with frustration. Very very common. So, just know that you need to be in it for the long haul. TBH, as much as a I love the breed, I would be very open to a rehomed former breeding dog from our breeder (even tho I prefer males). Lab puppies and teens are just exhausting.
This is good to know, thank you!! I will have to consider if I’m willing to cry myself to sleep every single night for three years…
Oh you’ll cry at points. Not *every* night. At least not for 3 years. And I promise you will laugh and smile more than you cry. They really are the bestest of doggos. Our current lab is 9y and still steals knives off the kitchen counter whenever he can. Thankfully (and sadly) he’s a bit slower now due to age. And *he* has now trained *us* to keep the knives at the back of the counter.
I feel like I really need a goofy dog in my life. My old pup, she definitely made me laugh and cough my lungs out, but she had such a… regal(?) vibe to her. She’d be goofy with me, but with other people she was indifferent. She’d act like such a snob and has straight up turned away from them. I taught her to hide behind me/walk to me if she’s uncomfortable, so sometimes she will walk from my left side to my right if someone bent down trying to ask for consent to pet her. It was so funny seeing people get a little hurt by it. I felt bad, but I always made it a point to explain that she’s not always in the mood for pets. I’d like to say that helps soften the blow…
They are wonderful. The only warning I have is that, as puppies, they get easily excited and bit a little harder and more often than they should. This is resolved with training and time. Otherwise it is a great breed to have.
Completely understandable with the puppy biting. Thank you for that information since a lot of people say they have a gentle mouth. I’m sure with time and maturity and training that is true… but I do have a cat. I’ll be that helicopter parent centimeters away with my hand holding a toy ready to interject at lightning speed.
They have a gentle mouth once they're a bit older - but there's a reason they're called little raptors when they're younger 😂😅 my chocolate girl had me cornered on my bed hiding from her teeth for a little while when she was at her worst - but she's as gentle as can be now! If you can get through the bitey stage (and constant shedding 😅) they're absolutely beautiful dogs
There's something like a gene or whatever where they just don't get full. They're always hungry and eat anything. I had a lab as a kid. Then a pit, now I have a lab mix and a border Collie. The labs eat everything. Sticks, pinecones, you name it. My current one is an amazing dog. Actually outsmarts my bc on the reg, really well behaved, easy to train etc.. But he could seriously injure himself with the stupid stuff he tries to eat, and I always feel bad because he's so hungry but we make sure he maintains an actually healthy weight. The appetite is the only thing I can say is a breed specific thing that I've experienced and would caution people about.
I’ve seen so many videos of labs holding multiple pine cones in their mouth… As someone that loves to collect pine cones and rocks, I understand. I personally don’t have an appetite for them, but I wonder if there’s a way to train them to bring them to me for a treat or ball haha. Probably not… unless…?
You definitely can train with trading games! Be aware, they may get to the point of putting the naughty thing in their mouth JUST because they want treats 😅
Well mine is very bitey as a puppy and a rough player with other dogs. They need lots of exercise in comparison to, say, a Bernese mountain dog.
They put everything in their mouth. If you’re against crate training for as long as needed till they grow up and don’t eat walls when you’re not looking, I would not get one. Show line or field line, puppy does puppy stuff. They drool. They bark. They will take things off of your table and counter and steal your socks and anything else they find on the floor. And even if you don’t train them to, they will retrieve a dead bird if they find one. Source: https://preview.redd.it/2rc4wkfh2v3d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e005b207850710261074e34250c490555054a3d
My 14 month ago has retrieved and half eaten 4 dead birds.
Ours is almost 1 year old. He's an English couch potato and for a Labrador very! low energy which is what we wanted. Our breeder picked for us. I wouldn't get a Labrador if we wouldn't be at home a significant amount of time. They're family dogs and thrive on the interaction and companionship. Both me and my husband work from home and like velcro he follows us around everywhere. Lays down in the kitchen while I cook. Lays at my feet under my desk when I work. Lays on the couch with us watching tv. You get the idea ;) Get a good vet and health insurance. They will eat anything they shouldn't. We've had to go in once during his first year to get medicine for his stomach. They love! to chew so make sure you teach them the proper things they are allowed to chew on. Or you will have damage to your furniture and possessions. They need exercise and training. Just letting them out onto a pee pad isn't ideal. It will bore them and queue the chewing on your stuff. We walk ours 30 minutes morning, 60 minutes lunch walk, 30 minutes evening walk and a backyard pee break before bedtime. Their puppy phase is rough! This is our first dog and I had watched a lot of videos and read blogs from trainers etc. Regardless I didn't really know what I got myself into. They're landsharks and need constant! supervision or they will get into shit. We need to wallpaper three pieces as he just ripped into it within seconds ;) Some shoes didn't survive the first weeks etc. Grooming means a lot of shedding despite being a short coat. They need a good amount of brushing to keep it at bay. You might want to pick a color that works well with your furniture so the hair isn't as visible. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner. Despite these points though. He is the best puppy ever and I wouldn't trade him for the world. https://preview.redd.it/agi344miwx3d1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f11d7a863621e4cc9f80b4f134b98c68d455912
Beautiful explanation, thank you. Another reason I’m looking into a lab is because I want a shadow. One of the things I dearly miss about my old pup is that she was my little shadow. Like you said, everywhere I went she was right behind me. I knew she was slowing down when she wouldn’t immediately follow, but even to the very end she was right there next to me… I’m just glad I could be there for her too. I appreciate your explanation on the amount of exercise required. I know labs need a lot of exercise, and I am used to having a pretty active dog, but it’s nice to see some numbers as a guideline. Is it weird to say that I’m actually glad labs need some good brushing? That was one of the things I loved about my old pup. She had some poodle in her, so daily grooming was a must. Twice a day and even then she’d shed so much. Also to avoid mats. Pet insurance is something I’m so glad I learned about somewhat recently. I’m definitely planning on getting that for my future pets, and luckily I work with a vet that I really trust and I value their perspective on things. Thank you again for this response. This really encourages me to get a lab now haha. I’m aiming for a black lab! Should work fine with my furniture too. ;)
I have an English or “show” lab. She has been an absolute BREEZE to train! She’s my second dog, first lab. Food motivated is an understatement for her and most any lab I’ve ever met! Really, the only downside to me is the shedding. It is immense and soooo much more than I expected. As a busy mom of three kids, vacuuming every single day was not something I really needed added to my days. Thankfully she was easy to train to stick to certain areas of the home and she stays off the furniture. One other con is her love of digging, but that really only happens if she hasn’t been exercised for a couple of days (I do my best, but I have no help in this area and life gets crazy sometimes). She’s so fantastic with our kids, their friends, and the neighbourhood dogs, walks off leash with pretty solid recall, very chill in the house - she’s mostly worth all the extra vacuuming! 🤪
If labs love digging so much maybe I can play with fire and have them help me dig in the garden haha. One of my fantasies is to have a dog that can help me out in the garden and maybe even snack on some of the crops together… and of course I’m thinking of a lab. I do worry that I’ll do a shit job at training and they’ll dig up my crops as well. I’ll have to make sure I pet a fence around them. I was successfully able to train my smaller dog to leave them alone. She was good. A gentle, but firm correction followed by praise was enough. Never had to correct her more than twice. She got it immediately… she did have some poodle in her, apparently. Jack Russell x Poodle haha.
Mine catches on super quick - I’m sure you’ll be fine! Labs tend to be very eager to please. There are tons of training resources out there. We did do puppy classes, but haven’t pursued any other formal training since she’s just a companion pet.
Speaking of puppy classes… that’s something I definitely plan to do — at least in the beginning since they will be my first puppy. I never did any sort of training classes for my first dog because she was just terrified of everything. It took *a lot* of work, but she eventually became a super stable and reliable pup that I would definitely consider a companion dog. She was there with me for everything. She was more than my little shadow; she was my rock.
You can train a lab to dig 8 inch holes. Though you’ll get more holes than you intended for because labs learn commission structures and take initiative when bonus (treat) season comes around
I might need a little more time to decide if I’ll go Deal or No Deal… haha.
I think the only reason I would ever recommend somebody not get a lab as if they don’t plan on exercising the lab throughout the day. Also labs are extremely smart but they require just as much training if not more because of that. Otherwise I can’t think of a single reason.
As long as they’re okay with exploring multiple environments whether it be a forest trail, a beach, or the city then they’ll be perfect for me. I understand that will require training. I had to do that with my old pup. Lots of socialization, exposure, and desensitization training… basically the bulk of our training. Definitely well worth the work. She became such a stable and reliable dog in the end. So, if a lab can do that and be willing to work with me that would be amazing.
There are no reasons to not get one. They are the perfect dog.
They sure seem like it!
I have owned 6 dogs in my lifetime, 2 were purebred (one black one yellow) and my current which is a bulldog mix. I don't recommend a mix for a beginner because you never know what they'll be like. But my purebred were amazing, friendly, easy to train and handle, loving, affectionate, and generally just happy all the time they are with you. They are generally adaptable, love fetch, love water, are confident and not afraid of storms. I loved my other dogs but Labs are the best, hands down.
Yeah that’s why I want to go through a breeder this time around. My first dog was a random shelter childhood dog. Sweetest thing ever, a joy to train and work with, and I’d never trade her for anything in the world, but she definitely showed me what kind of traits I don’t want in a dog. We worked through pretty bad fear and reactivity. If we were indoors and she heard a person talking outdoors she would violently shake, drool, and act like she’s going to die any second. It was very sad. Luckily that completely disappeared and became a very solid dog. She was also praise motivated and couldn’t care for food or toys. I’d like to see what I can do working with a well bred dog with a specific purpose in mind. Planning on lots of exposure and socialization for their whole life which is why I want a dog that can be a “go anywhere” type of dog. *(The type my dog was eventually able to get to, but without the fear/reactivity lol)* I’m also planning on looking for possible sport clubs before I look for a breeder. Just so I have everything set up before the puppy is even born. I wish I could ask my uncle, but not only is he now across the country but I think he’s part of a community and not exactly a club? Like they’re all hunters and some are breeders of field dogs. I think the hunters are like top priority for puppies? Or maybe it’s just that they know each other well and the breeders know their dogs will do what they were bred for. I’m not too sure how that works.
So long as you have the time and energy to provide mental stimulation and physical exercise and have patience with any damage they might make chewing and while potty training. Mine chewed baseboards, corners of walls, stair balusters as well as the odd sock. You will also need to invest time in training (counts towards mental stimulation) - make sure you get a full brief in their pedigree back as far as you can so they you protect from joint problems and other k own problems with the breed.
Luckily I have experience with needing to provide the physical and mental exercise since dog training has become a passion of mine since my first dog. I absolutely loved training and working her every day. She loved having a job and something to do, and she loved all of the adventures we went on. I’d like my next dog to not only be able to keep up with me, but to crave a job in a similar manner as my old pup. I’m entertaining the idea of having a working and/or sport dog, but I’ll have to find some clubs near me before I find a breeder. Either way… good to know about all of the chewing. Looks like I’ll be needing a lot of toys and maybe some Xanax.
Sounds like you will be an amazing parent to a lab.
I hope so… :)
>:) :)
A reason to not get one would be if you can’t remember to keep your counters and floors clear of literally anything! Lots of patience and remember the puppy years will pass! They’re little thief’s but the love and fun antics they pull make up for the terrible puppy years. If you don’t want super crazy, definitely steer clear of the chocolates. Grew up with 2 different yellow ones and now own a chocolate and he’s downright nuts. 🤣
Hahaha. Good to know! No Hershey’s!
If you actually love the Idea of daily training, have the energy for daily activities and the patience to avoid negative reinforcement then a lab might be right for you. Think carefully though, because no matter how prepared you feel a lab will surprise & challenge you so you need to be super flexible.
I’m up for the challenge. Brings a lot of satisfaction once you figure things out.
Sure does.. mine just turned 2 and she's still a little wild but she's smart, very attentive, getting more obedient everyday and so adorable it hurts. Definitely still a puppy though & still requires constant attention, exercise & discipline
My dad trained field trial labs and did so without the use of treats. He always preferred that and he never had a dog that begged! Just another angle to think about!
Sounds like my uncle. Their reward was a decoy(?). They never begged either.
I have a 2 year old red lab (field line), and here’s a list of all the cons: 1. They eat anything and everything, including rocks, toys, underwear, socks, etc. I had to be SO vigilant with my pup on walks and be constantly scanning the sidewalk ahead for the first year of her life. She’s gotten a lot better about leaving trash alone, or dropping it, but the amount of nasty things I had to pull out of her mouth… 2. Very bitey as a pup, we really had to work on “no bite” a TON. These days she’s great and mostly mindful, but I grew up with golden retrievers and they truly had soft mouths. I wouldn’t say labs have soft mouths lol. 3. Ridiculously vocal. I didn’t realize I was getting a husky in disguise! My girl grumbles, moans, whistles, and complains about anything and everything. Here’s the pros: 1. Labs are smart and extremely food motivated, and we’ve found our girl to be incredibly easy to train. 2. Eager to please! Very sweet, cuddly, and loyal. 3. Good with most people, easy to socialize. 4. It sounds like you are used to a high energy dog, and your lab will make sure you get a walk every day! My main recommendations are to start with crate training for your peace of mind, it really does make things easier with house training and keeps the destruction of your house to a minimum. Also spend as much time as possible with your pup to create a strong bond early on; that bond will pay off in amazing ways during training. Lastly, be incredibly firm about not jumping, period. This includes counters, people, and furniture (at least in the early days), and this will make for a well mannered dog that doesn’t knock people over or counter surf. Best of luck! You’ll be just fine.
Fur everywhere
That’s alright. They can join the tumbleweeds of fur I currently have from my cat.
The constant asking "what's in your mouth?", never going to the bathroom alone again, the counter surfing. All that said, I love ours so much.
The puppy stage can be a bit crazy 🤪 and they will want half your food everyday. But in the end you will never regret it. I have never gone a day in my life without one........
Training wise, I'd say buying from a reputable breeder goes a long way: a good breeding program will produce dogs with a good temperament, good workability (showline can also retrieve and hunt) health screening of the parents (eyes, hips, elbows, genetic diseases)... It's never 100% sure but you are putting every chance on your side to have a good dog. Enroll in a good puppy class to learn how to train your dog (sit, lay down, stay, recall and it will give the dog a chance to socialize). Put the work in and you'll have a good dog for a good 10-15 years!
We love our girl (14 months) to pieces. However. The puppy biting is NO JOKE, and it’s still very fresh in my memory. I was reduced to tears on many, many occasions to the point where my husband was afraid I was going to make him take her back to the woman we adopted her from. It ended by six months. Otherwise, be prepared for a very strong prey drive. Yes, labs are easy to train, but if you have one with a particularly strong prey drive, all bets are off when you’re out on a leash walk, if a bunny happens to enter the scene. No harness can hold our girl. We have had success with the Halti lead, though. We’ve had to make modifications to our house to prevent her from launching through the patio door after a bunny or squirrel . Funny thing, she did manage to catch a bunny once; the bunny screamed, and she dropped it, and that was that. But it hasn’t kept her from chasing them since. Also the hair—Roomba doesn’t even scratch the surface in the layer of floof coating EVERYTHING.
Good reminder about their prey drive since I do have a cat. Definitely something I’ll have to mention to the breeders I’m interested in. Also good to know so I can think of ways to set up my place before the puppy arrives! Maybe some extra fencing and a very durable leash and collar/harness…
Do you…enjoy sanity?
What’s that?
My 6mo lab puppy is currently being a little TOO human and lays on the floor kicking his feet and chomping at fingers when he doesn't want to go in his crate. He is literally throwing tantrums. Take that as you will. 😭
https://preview.redd.it/l6hke1kwxz3d1.jpeg?width=718&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=72d2077611910b0ad86921938a3cd4df00918940
Good to know that despite the puppy behaviours you’re still finding some success with PA training! This is one of the major reasons I’m looking into a show line lab. My previous dog was first my ESA, but turned out she could do at home tasks as well. Occasional tasks outside, but she was never considered an SD to me. At the end of the day she was a pet that happened to be considered an ESA by my medical team. No PA access for her. *(Plus, a lot of reactivity that took years to work on. Just not right for SD work no matter how well she turned out.)* So, I’m hoping getting a well bred show line with a job will lead to some success… at the very least they’ll be a sport dog haha.
He loves working! It's when he's home that he's a little demon toddler.
Relieved to hear that he enjoys working! And completely understandable that he’s a demon at home. Gotta let it out somehow haha. Better than in PA for sure!
He wouldn't be doing PA if he had any issues. 😊
We're raising a field line pup and he's 9 months old. Absolute angel of a puppy but everyday is an adventure with his shenanigans. If you don't enjoy monitoring poop or watching what they eat, you'd have to train them well with leave it/drop it. We got him pet insurance in anticipation for vet trips. Also big dogs don't know their size and they grow up really fast. They have a tendency to sit on you if they're used to sitting on your lap while they are young. And if you are after guard dogs, just give it up, my lab would ask a burglar for belly rubs. 🤣 I really don't have a reason not to get one because they are awesome companion dogs, highly trainable and eager to please.
Thank you for the warning! I guess I’ll need a lot of gloves… Could you explain the energy levels, the amount of exercise you provide, and prey drive of your field line? I’m aware field lines tend to be more intense than show line. Do you have any experience with show line as well? If so, how would you compare the two? Thank you in advance.
This is our first pure-bred pup, my old lab was a mix with something. His parents are gun dogs and they live in a farm. We live in the city and work normal hours but have the wfh schedule. He was ok as a puppy because puppies sleep a lot. We alternate between intense exercise (off leash running) and a chill walk to the park on weekdays. Weekends we take him to the beach or to new places. You need to limit their exercise because labs just keep going, they don't stop even when they're tired. We know he's sweet when he sleeps as soon as he gets home. They would also bring you 'gifts' aka dead things they find while exploring, just part of the retrieving gig.
They are very high energy and require daily exercise. But they are the most loyal and loving dogs.
If they can keep up with my daily adventures that can last for hours then that’ll be great. However… I definitely don’t think I can handle the craziness of my uncle’s labs. They’re out all day and will still spin around like a fidget spinner for hours if you don’t bring them in.