am looking at getting a new pup
know there are chocolate, black, and yellow labs
comments on each?
thanks
know there are chocolate, black, and yellow labs
comments on each?
thanks
- Thread starter Texgal_338
- Start date
Get a good vacuum. Mine should be bald, as much as they shed.
I have a yellow and a black, both are great dogs. IMO, blacks tend to be the most mild mannered, browns the least, and yellows are in between. My yellow has a much better nose than the black and listens a lot better as well.
Is this gonna be a bird dog?
I have a yellow and a black, both are great dogs. IMO, blacks tend to be the most mild mannered, browns the least, and yellows are in between. My yellow has a much better nose than the black and listens a lot better as well.
Is this gonna be a bird dog?
There's also a yellow/gold variant... Pick your favorite color, they're all good dogs. I've been around them all most of my life and other than personality differences they're all the same dog, just different colors.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
more a companion dog
Like Nate said there really all good. Don't think you find a better companion dog. Grew up next door to a breeder, and the browns just always seemed to be more of a handful. Which ever you get, make sure they get lots of attention or have another dog to play with. My first one was alone a hour as a pup and chewed a hole in the wall.
Level 4/Tier 1 Alpha trained companion lab. Has the ability to lay around the house for hours on end. Has been trained to refuse commands to move off the couch in 3 different langauages and is titled in bed hogging. Yours for 85k
Train him to retrieve..they love it...even if you never intend to shoot ducks. My lab was a machine..water, land, whistle commands, blind retrieves..The whole deal. We only shot ducks once but we had a blast going into every field and lake around with dummies for years every chance we got. Some of the best years of both of our lives
I grew up with labs and we went through about 6 of them, males and females, blacks and yellows. Some were tame and some were insane to the point where they didn't last, but they are great dogs.
I never knew they had a protective instinct until one night I witnessed it. I was home from college, sitting in my fenced yard with brother and a couple of friends. Two police officers walked up to the fence shining a flashlight and the dog went absolutely nuts. Hair stood on end, about doubled in size, ran directly at the fence, jumped up on it, and barked its head off. It turns out some kid was hammered and walked into the wrong house and the police thought he may have come from our place. The kid didn't come from our place, but I'd never seen any of the other dogs act like that.
My buddy's family has two chocolates, brothers. You can't feed them together or they will attempt to kill each other, and I found this out the hard way. Their last dog was also a chocolate and would growl/snap if you got near him and his full bowl. I never witnessed this with any of the yellows or blacks, but it could be they were raised differently.
I never knew they had a protective instinct until one night I witnessed it. I was home from college, sitting in my fenced yard with brother and a couple of friends. Two police officers walked up to the fence shining a flashlight and the dog went absolutely nuts. Hair stood on end, about doubled in size, ran directly at the fence, jumped up on it, and barked its head off. It turns out some kid was hammered and walked into the wrong house and the police thought he may have come from our place. The kid didn't come from our place, but I'd never seen any of the other dogs act like that.
My buddy's family has two chocolates, brothers. You can't feed them together or they will attempt to kill each other, and I found this out the hard way. Their last dog was also a chocolate and would growl/snap if you got near him and his full bowl. I never witnessed this with any of the yellows or blacks, but it could be they were raised differently.
Aggression at feeding has nothing to do with the color of the dog.
Black is the dominate color, with yellow and chocolate coming from recessive genes.
All colors can be great dogs. By a pup from a breeder that will give you a guarantee on hip displaysia for 26 months. Along with guarantee that the eyes will pass a Cerf exam and not have retinal folds.
Also want a guarantee the dog is clear of EIC( excercise induced collapse), and CNM( central nuclear myopathy).
If you have any other questions, feel free to PM.
Black is the dominate color, with yellow and chocolate coming from recessive genes.
All colors can be great dogs. By a pup from a breeder that will give you a guarantee on hip displaysia for 26 months. Along with guarantee that the eyes will pass a Cerf exam and not have retinal folds.
Also want a guarantee the dog is clear of EIC( excercise induced collapse), and CNM( central nuclear myopathy).
If you have any other questions, feel free to PM.
I've had Labs all my life, currently have 3 (one of each flavor) and there's nothing about color that will tell you what kind of Lab you're going to get. Awesome companion, gentle disposition with a good bark, excellent hunting instincts, good with kids and overall a fairly intelligent breed. Not as hyper as some bird dogs we had growing up, definitely more mellow than the German Shorthairs, Brittanies and Weimaraners. I like to hunt and am around water a fair amount of the year, so a Lab is an ideal breed for what I want in a dog. I'm partial to bird dogs to begin with having grown up with them, but Labs are genuinely my favorite.
Don't buy a cute Lab puppy from any schmuck with a litter, you need to do some research and due diligence. Good breeders will have their dogs hips professionally evaluated and certified by PennHip or OFA, and seeing the parents is a MUST. Popularity of the breed is leading to a lot of poorly planned litters by people with little clue what professional breeders are actually seeking to accomplish by selectively breeding only the very best of their dogs. Find someone with a solid track record and take it from there. Good luck and you'll be glad you got the Lab, best dog in the world!
Don't buy a cute Lab puppy from any schmuck with a litter, you need to do some research and due diligence. Good breeders will have their dogs hips professionally evaluated and certified by PennHip or OFA, and seeing the parents is a MUST. Popularity of the breed is leading to a lot of poorly planned litters by people with little clue what professional breeders are actually seeking to accomplish by selectively breeding only the very best of their dogs. Find someone with a solid track record and take it from there. Good luck and you'll be glad you got the Lab, best dog in the world!
Attachments
Last edited:
I have a Dudley (yellow) Lab that is nicknamed Fuckhead. He is the smartest and also the dumbest dog I have ever had. Came to my house as a new pup with my granddaughter, never left. He is now 2 years old and is the nicest, kindest, best behaved dog I have ever had. But I won't tell him that.
He hunts, he fishes, he likes to smell his own farts. Perfect match for me. He is a total crotch sniffer though. Constantly going up to the neighbor lady and sticking his nose in her crotch. I probably should discipline him for it, but I can't blame him, she looks like she would smell great.
The only thing really bad about yellow labs is when you have one, you want them all.
He hunts, he fishes, he likes to smell his own farts. Perfect match for me. He is a total crotch sniffer though. Constantly going up to the neighbor lady and sticking his nose in her crotch. I probably should discipline him for it, but I can't blame him, she looks like she would smell great.
The only thing really bad about yellow labs is when you have one, you want them all.
Last edited:
I have a yellow and silver. One is a retired bomb dog and the other I got from a kennel that breeds hunting dogs. Both have awesome dispositions but do shed like crazy. They are not much for protection but great companion dogs. They are a popular breed so make sure you get one from a good breeder.
Years ago, (in my teen years) I had a chocolate Lab. Incredibly smart and trusting dog. Natural retriever, natural herder, and also had an inquisitive mind. I taught her to climb both trees as well as ladders.
Smart, caring, and protective.
Smart, caring, and protective.
Chocolates tend to be either amazing or full-retards, they're a coin flip. As several guys said, do SOMETHING with it to keep it occupied. Retrieval is the most obvious game to play, but I taught several of mine to play hide and seek with me (scouting). I taught a golden retriever to find the TV remote control since it kept getting lost in/under the couches.
Labs stay puppies most of their lives, and will dig and destroy stuff if you "let" them. Another variant is the Fox Red or just Red variety (different folks use different terms). Those guys are the malinois of the Labs and are great for work but can be a handful in the house.
Whatever you get, keep him/her busy.
Labs stay puppies most of their lives, and will dig and destroy stuff if you "let" them. Another variant is the Fox Red or just Red variety (different folks use different terms). Those guys are the malinois of the Labs and are great for work but can be a handful in the house.
Whatever you get, keep him/her busy.
Ours gets shaved and he is due.
Good dogs.
I'm waiting to come home after we have been gone for a while and find him dead from a heart attack though.
got a black and yellow I guide pheasant hunters and hunt waterfowl for fun and when they see the collars coming out they are jacked up to go. Great with my son playing in the back yard and would die before they let any one lay a hand on him. Grew up with labs and will probably never be with out one. older black dog is 10 now and dreading that day he goes to the rainbow bridge but what he has lost in speed he has made up in experience in the field showing the young dogs some old tricks.
We are in the same boat, deciding to get another Lab after loosing ours three years ago. Reading this thread puts me one step closer.
I love my labs. They are great companions and I wouldn't trade them for the world. But with that said, they are 100% thugs. They will knock over the dinning room table and step on their own grandmother to get a morsel of food. Complete food hounds with a one track mind. When food is involved they ignore the world around them and become four legged tanks only focused on themselves. They're great!
Last edited:
I agree, great dogs! I have 2 a chocolate and a yellow. Both retards at times. I had them around my daughter when 6 months old when she poked him in the eye up to the 2nd knuckle. He didn't even flinch. Although last year she flaunted a piece of bread in front of his face and he tried to eat it all in one bite.(including her hand) didn't draw blood and knew immediately that he fucked up. Never happened again by my daughter or the dog. They are amazingly loyal dogs and will probably never own another breed.
Last edited:
There is nothing on God's Green Earth more loyal then a lab.
They are smart, you don't train them, you just have to make them understand what you want, they'll do it.
That "otter" tail will keep your coffee table cleared.
They are smart, you don't train them, you just have to make them understand what you want, they'll do it.
That "otter" tail will keep your coffee table cleared.
I've had labs my whole life. I've also had a Chesapeake Bay Retreiver, Golden Retriever, English Springer Spaniel and currently an English Setter. I've always had multiple dogs, but one has always been a lab. Most of my dogs have been hunting dogs. Some have not, but that was when I was younger. I love labs, and they're great companions, as stated.
That said, you need to do your due diligence when you look for a breeder. To add to what Bluejazz said, the breeder should be offering a guarantee with the dog that it will not only perform, but have no chronic or congenital/genetic health issues. A good breeder should be willing to take the dog back if it has problems. Not only that, but if the dog doesn't work out, or the dog doesn't integrate well with your life, a good breeder should be willing to either take the dog back on a foster basis pending finding a new home, or they should directly help you locate a new home for the dog. Good breeders will always care about the dogs they breed and sell. They know their name is on it, and they do care about responsible and ethical breeding.
Additionally, there are some good breeders who also have mandates that potential buyers must fill out an application, and they must be approved either through interview or reference. They ensure that the dog owner isn't irresponsibly buying the dog as a gift for a child, or buying a lab to live in a 600sq ft apartment while the owner is gone 12hrs at a time or is enfirmed and can't walk the dog, etc. They make sure that the dog will have a good home and a responsible owner that is deserving of the dog.
Another consideration should be the size of the dog. Some labs are 60lbs and lean and sleek. Some labs are 85lbs and block-headed brick shithouses. Some labs are 120lbs and sleek and come up to the waist of a normal adult. Each one is different, so be aware of what you want and find a breeder that offers what you want.
Negatives:
Labs are energetic. Keep in mind that they're sporting dogs, so they're going to have a lot of energy when they're young. As they get older, they get lazier and much more manageable for people who like more mellow dogs. Sometimes you'll get a dog that is pretty mellow early on, but sometimes you can get a dog that is hyper for years. Part of this is how the dog is exercised and trained, but not always. Labs are the naughtiest and most energetic in the first 2-3 years, but tend to calm down after that. For those first couple years, you will have to be willing to spend more time with the dog if they are not used for hunting or tracking.
This increase in energy makes them get bored easily. If they are left alone, this can be a problem and manifest itself in chewing. Shoes, table legs, furniture, anything made of wicker, childrens' toys, and other items will all become chew toys if the dog gets bored enough. This is partly a training issue, but it's also associated with boredom. Keep that in mind.
I have taken in a lab from someone several years ago because they bought a yellow lab thinking that he'd be like other labs and would just be a happy-go-lucky couch potato. Problem is that the dog was still a pup and the owner was in over their head and wasn't realistic from the start. The lab is a sporting dog, pure and simple. They need to be doing something. This is why teaching fetch is important. They are retrievers, so they have instinct to retrieve things. If you foster this correctly, the dog will be a lot happier because they will have a sense of purpose. Sporting, working and herding dogs all flourish when they have a job to do. Something as simple as fetching/retrieving, or some kind of field training is enough to satiate a lab.
I'm personally done with labs, and my next dog will be a much calmer breed. Wife and I are at a point in our lives where we don't want any more high energy dogs. The amount of energy labs tend to have in their early years is a bit much. We may consider adopting/buying a started dog from a breeder. That's a good way to get into a lab without putting up with the really hyper early times. However, labs are really damn cute as puppies, so you miss out on that.
Oh, and don't fall for that Blue Buffalo/Blue Wolf natural food bullshit. That's what it is- utter bullshit. The food is not propertly tested and certified, and it's selling based on a premise that other dog food is bad or evil. Several companies have come out with their own variation of "natural" food to tap into this market, but realize that in the end, it's snake oil. I've talked at length with several veterinarians who absolutely hate Blue Buffalo/Blue Wolf because of how disreputable it really is. A lot of dogs are getting sick and dying from eating that crap. Google the Consumer Reports complaints on that stuff; it's sickening.
Don't go the other end and buy the cheap-shit 50lb fodder from your local farm and fleet store, either. Most foods are okay, but if you go with the higher quality foods, you'll be in a good place. Hill's Science Diet is the most recommended brand I hear about from all the veterinarians I know. Other good brands are Purina ONE, Purina ProPlan, Iams, Eukanuba, Royal Canin and a couple others.
I feed my dogs Hill's Science Diet. Well, one has to have Hill's Prescription Diet GastroIntestinal Formula from the vet, which is like $80/fucking bag... It's a good thing he's my buddy.
That said, you need to do your due diligence when you look for a breeder. To add to what Bluejazz said, the breeder should be offering a guarantee with the dog that it will not only perform, but have no chronic or congenital/genetic health issues. A good breeder should be willing to take the dog back if it has problems. Not only that, but if the dog doesn't work out, or the dog doesn't integrate well with your life, a good breeder should be willing to either take the dog back on a foster basis pending finding a new home, or they should directly help you locate a new home for the dog. Good breeders will always care about the dogs they breed and sell. They know their name is on it, and they do care about responsible and ethical breeding.
Additionally, there are some good breeders who also have mandates that potential buyers must fill out an application, and they must be approved either through interview or reference. They ensure that the dog owner isn't irresponsibly buying the dog as a gift for a child, or buying a lab to live in a 600sq ft apartment while the owner is gone 12hrs at a time or is enfirmed and can't walk the dog, etc. They make sure that the dog will have a good home and a responsible owner that is deserving of the dog.
Another consideration should be the size of the dog. Some labs are 60lbs and lean and sleek. Some labs are 85lbs and block-headed brick shithouses. Some labs are 120lbs and sleek and come up to the waist of a normal adult. Each one is different, so be aware of what you want and find a breeder that offers what you want.
Negatives:
Labs are energetic. Keep in mind that they're sporting dogs, so they're going to have a lot of energy when they're young. As they get older, they get lazier and much more manageable for people who like more mellow dogs. Sometimes you'll get a dog that is pretty mellow early on, but sometimes you can get a dog that is hyper for years. Part of this is how the dog is exercised and trained, but not always. Labs are the naughtiest and most energetic in the first 2-3 years, but tend to calm down after that. For those first couple years, you will have to be willing to spend more time with the dog if they are not used for hunting or tracking.
This increase in energy makes them get bored easily. If they are left alone, this can be a problem and manifest itself in chewing. Shoes, table legs, furniture, anything made of wicker, childrens' toys, and other items will all become chew toys if the dog gets bored enough. This is partly a training issue, but it's also associated with boredom. Keep that in mind.
I have taken in a lab from someone several years ago because they bought a yellow lab thinking that he'd be like other labs and would just be a happy-go-lucky couch potato. Problem is that the dog was still a pup and the owner was in over their head and wasn't realistic from the start. The lab is a sporting dog, pure and simple. They need to be doing something. This is why teaching fetch is important. They are retrievers, so they have instinct to retrieve things. If you foster this correctly, the dog will be a lot happier because they will have a sense of purpose. Sporting, working and herding dogs all flourish when they have a job to do. Something as simple as fetching/retrieving, or some kind of field training is enough to satiate a lab.
I'm personally done with labs, and my next dog will be a much calmer breed. Wife and I are at a point in our lives where we don't want any more high energy dogs. The amount of energy labs tend to have in their early years is a bit much. We may consider adopting/buying a started dog from a breeder. That's a good way to get into a lab without putting up with the really hyper early times. However, labs are really damn cute as puppies, so you miss out on that.
Oh, and don't fall for that Blue Buffalo/Blue Wolf natural food bullshit. That's what it is- utter bullshit. The food is not propertly tested and certified, and it's selling based on a premise that other dog food is bad or evil. Several companies have come out with their own variation of "natural" food to tap into this market, but realize that in the end, it's snake oil. I've talked at length with several veterinarians who absolutely hate Blue Buffalo/Blue Wolf because of how disreputable it really is. A lot of dogs are getting sick and dying from eating that crap. Google the Consumer Reports complaints on that stuff; it's sickening.
Don't go the other end and buy the cheap-shit 50lb fodder from your local farm and fleet store, either. Most foods are okay, but if you go with the higher quality foods, you'll be in a good place. Hill's Science Diet is the most recommended brand I hear about from all the veterinarians I know. Other good brands are Purina ONE, Purina ProPlan, Iams, Eukanuba, Royal Canin and a couple others.
I feed my dogs Hill's Science Diet. Well, one has to have Hill's Prescription Diet GastroIntestinal Formula from the vet, which is like $80/fucking bag... It's a good thing he's my buddy.
Last edited:
