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| stanley Member Since: 18 Sep 2009 Location: Dorset /hampshire Posts: 1033   
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Labrador retrievers are the Labradors , the only difference is working or show type , working tend to be slimmer and finer in looks
IMHO no difference in temperament Please consider a Labrador rescue charity too |
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1st Nov 2015 6:50pm |
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| JJ Member Since: 18 May 2009 Location: Winchester Posts: 932 
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There are a lot of labs in rescue centres because they are a real handful from 1-2 years old , just like teenagers seeing where the boundary lies but with teeth. Once through this they are great family dogs it just takes patients and consistency to get them where you want them to be.
There is of course a Lab forum www.labradorforums.co.uk it can be a bit soppy at times but there is a wealth of knowledge there. Good luck with the search |
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1st Nov 2015 7:06pm |
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| Cold_n_Wet Member Since: 15 Oct 2012 Location: Bergen Posts: 244 
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Some good advice has been mentioned.
Our now 4 year old Lab we would not be with out. Training, training,training,training, and training. We have a very well behaved lab, he wasnt allways that way, but we stuck it out with him. Look up clicker training, the way to a labs brain is through his stomach. We have a pure lab, which is bigger then a hunters lab over here. The brain capacity of these animals amazes me. Mine is a working dog, we track injured game during the hunting season, and train obedience otherwise. My boy is always happy working, and canīt wait to get out and "play". Labs need exercise so budget for 2 hours walk, plus morning and night trips. Find a good breeder and try and see the mum and pups together before you buy. good luck in your journey. Glen "Rafiki" 2007 110 STW - Rolling rebuild. |
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1st Nov 2015 8:14pm |
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| stanley Member Since: 18 Sep 2009 Location: Dorset /hampshire Posts: 1033
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Sorry JJ I disagree , admittedly I am a volunteer for a Labrador Rescue charity , but they are no more of a handful than any dog between 1-2 , in fact probably easier than some other breeds .
The biggest problem is the new owners who will not put the work or commitment into a puppy , regardless of breed Do you homework and invest in time and training , enforce positive boundaries and learn with your dog. |
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1st Nov 2015 8:47pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Jonno1968
Here's our Lab, she called Blu, she is absolutely lovely. Few observations, overall I'm sure mainly you get what you get, training will go some way to modify the experience, but take a good look at both parents if possible, the offspring will take after one or both of them. Blu turned up at 7 weeks, and without any real input from us set about showing all the characteristics that we now know her for. She walks when we walk, rests (or sleeps) at all other times, eats only what we give her, has never taken any food from anywhere, never chewed anything other than what we give her to play with, always sits (or sleeps) in the centre of the family members around her, and when walking if we separate she attempts to round us up. Just recently we meet up again with 5 of the 7 in the litter, as they were 10 years old, all had similar characteristics with the dogs predictably slightly bigger and more boisterous than the bitches, but all lovely, if I have one regret it would be that we didn't take two from the litter. I could't imagine not having a 'dog', (two next time) ideally if you live some where with access to open areas, foot paths, woods, towpaths etc, they definitely give you a reason to get out there more often than not having one. Good Luck...  Click image to enlarge SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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1st Nov 2015 9:00pm |
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471 
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I've had working Labradors for more years than I care to remember and there is some good advice here. My only observation would be to do your homework regarding breeding and the impact that has on potential behaviour traits. If it is a non working companion you are after I personally would not advise a novice to opt for an animal that has been specifically bred with field trials in mind. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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1st Nov 2015 10:30pm |
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| Rickydodah Member Since: 14 Jul 2014 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1091 |
Hi Jonno, I hope this doesn't sound too pompous, it's not intended to. I assume you've researched what type of dog you want as your post doesn't seem to imply you know much about the breed. Broadly speaking the Labrador falls as stated before into two distinct types, show lines and working lines. Body types differentiate the two with those from working stock invariably smaller, leaner and often not big enough to qualify for the KC breed standard, something to be considered if you intend to show or breed. Show stock lines are invariably larger and heavier animals. Both types have similar temperaments but crucially working stock are generally more savvy. Exercise is a consideration and so is diet as I'm sure that you've seen a few Labs which are growing out of their skin, one analogy is "a Labrador is a support mechanism for a stomach". As a working dog consider its main role, a peg dog or purely for picking-up. Generally speaking I prefer dogs which have been bred in a home environment as much of the settling in process has been accomplished by the time the pup is ready. It's never too early to start training and in my experience reward based training is more productive, though many traditional gun dog trainers would disagree. An earlier post suggested rescue dogs, what an excellent idea, you can teach an old, or older dog new tricks. Whatever you decide, if you have a choice pick the dog which has the characteristics and traits for what role you intend to use the dog for, but if your just after a family pet then you can't do better than the average couch potatoe Lab, friendly, lovable and a great companion. Good luck with your dog.
 I started with nothing and still have most of it left! |
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1st Nov 2015 10:38pm |
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| Rickydodah Member Since: 14 Jul 2014 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1091 |
I whole heartedly agree with this advice. A five star high octane, focused, highly motivated, single minded specimen is not in my opinion for the faint hearted. With experience they are a real privilege to handle.  I started with nothing and still have most of it left! |
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1st Nov 2015 10:45pm |
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| Lost for Words Member Since: 18 Jun 2015 Location: Warminster, Wiltshire Posts: 200 |
You can't beat a nice Lab.
This is our new puppy, Otto: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge These were taken a few weeks back now, and he's growing fast (he's from showing lines)! He came from a friend who'd bought a new Lab, which, little did they know, turned out to be pregnant, so we got first pick of the litter. Been extremely well behaved so far, even with chickens. 
Good luck with the search. Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver |
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2nd Nov 2015 9:00am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295
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2nd Nov 2015 9:04am |
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| jimbob7 Member Since: 06 Jul 2013 Location: uk Posts: 2055 |
DON'T take as Gospel what the poorly regarded (understatement)) Kennel Club say,do your research start with the British Veterinary Association as what their HEALTH checks SHOULD be.And NEVER ever buy from the free ads,EVER. Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
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2nd Nov 2015 1:26pm |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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Click image to enlarge Never forget though Click image to enlarge |
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2nd Nov 2015 2:38pm |
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| Venomator Member Since: 25 Aug 2014 Location: Peterborough Posts: 2087
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No apologies for playing devil's advocate here but, why line the pockets of breeders, most of whom are in it for themselves and to line their pockets with relatively easy money...
All that does is perpetuate the problem of over-crowded rescue centres where the unfortunate 'inmates', many of which have been unceremoniously dumped by owners that could not cope, or did not realise how big and boisterous, or time consuming their new pet would become, have a very limited sentence and far too many are put to sleep all the time... 
And don't get me started on the Kennel 'Club'... 
If you do not 'need' a pedigree dog please consider visiting your local rescue centres, as has already been recommended, they will have a huge selection between them and, generally have dogs of all ages and makes, just waiting for a loving caring home...
You will be saving at least one more poor canine soul from a certain death sentence...  Rog...
The GREEN One... MY2016 Urban Truck Build Thread - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic40548....al[/color] |
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2nd Nov 2015 3:29pm |
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| alby Member Since: 25 Dec 2014 Location: The Shire Posts: 159 
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My parents got their lab collie cross from the free ads in a paper....has been nothing wrong with him at all, has been an excellent dog. Though I guess it depends on the area, and the paper!
Ozzy (Ozymandias poem by Shelley) was the result of an 'accident' between a male border collie and a female labrador gun dog, and was conceived in the back of a parked defender at a livestock market! He came from working parents from a farm and has been excellent health wise. He's mostly collie in appearance, but with a labradors coat, but has more of a labradors head and temperament. Kennel club, don't get me started on them... most of the pedigree dogs I've ever known/owned have developed various serious chronic health problems throughout their lives. A long pedigree of champion ancestors and a KC registration doesn't guarantee good health, far from it! You only need to look at the aristocrisy to know that selective in-breeding isn't a good idea!!!!  |
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2nd Nov 2015 3:48pm |
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