SamS Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I see your point. I realize it would be really hard to know where to draw the line. It just makes me sad when people buy a dog/other pet because it "looks cute" and then are not prepared at all to care for it. It would be nice if people stopped breeding and buying ____ dogs, but it's not going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalahundur Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I think the only way is to try to educate those around you (trying to avoid evangelic zeal.. ), and practice responsible dog keeping so you are backed up by showing the good exemple, rather than just preaching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Almost all, if not all, toy breeds are prone to dental problems. They actually have this in common with horses, when they were bred smaller, nobody took the time to explain, in detail, to their genes, that they also had a need for smaller teeth. Stupid genes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 And on the subject of Labs, one of my neighbor's field lab gets loose regularly. I was out walking my dog when we were accosted by the idiot(dog not neighbor). We survived, but I was dreading the return trip. As we approached the second time, the idiot ran out in front of a truck. The driver slammed on the brakes and honked his horn. Idiot stood there. Truck started rolling forward slowly, Idiot stood there. Truck rolls over Idiot. Idiot stands there. Finally, something on the underside of the truck touches Idiot and he yelps. Truck slams on the brakes again and Idiot walks out. AND IMMEDIATELY runs out into the middle of the road again. Two days ago, I saw Idiot do the exact same thing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I hope the poor dog wasn't hurt... I've had mostly good experiences with Labs. Most I've known have had great temperaments. I know they're used for seeing eye work as well. And although I remember reading a post on here that reflects someone with different experiences than I've had, I don't remember that particular breed or breed mix posing a lot of problems in the shelter where I worked. They are a popular breed. When a breed's popularity rises, part of the fallout is usually problem dogs, I suspect in large part due to indiscriminate breeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I have a lab. She's calm and good with everyone, wags her tail at anyone and everyone, learns tricks as quickly as any dog I've ever seen, and is good with kids. But I'd never get another. She has no drive to do anything at all but be scratched and go for walks (and eat more than should be possible). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I would probably not choose a Lab. I don't like their looks much (I'll stop short of calling them ugly). And while looks are not an important criterion in the love of a pet--I've owned and loved what some might consider ugly--all things being equal, I'm probably going to go for a puppy that appeals to me aesthetically as an adult (and fits my lifestyle), rather than be taken in by the cute puppy thing. That said, had I chosen a Lab as a pet, and that were the only breed I owned, I'm sure I would be a devotee just for the sheer love of my own dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 To the best of my knowledge, Idiot has never been hurt by his love for walking down the road(except if he is exhibiting signs of brain damage by not learning better). In defense of his breed, I have known some truly magnificent Labs, both service dogs and pets. Idiot just isn't one of them, and I see him far too much. I really put the blame on his owners for allowing him to roam. He's a perfectly sweet dog, just dumb as a brick( I shouldn't insult bricks that way). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 To the best of my knowledge, Idiot has never been hurt by his love for walking down the road(except if he is exhibiting signs of brain damage by not learning better). In defense of his breed, I have known some truly magnificent Labs, both service dogs and pets. Idiot just isn't one of them, and I see him far too much. I really put the blame on his owners for allowing him to roam. He's a perfectly sweet dog, just dumb as a brick( I shouldn't insult bricks that way). Like you, though I have met some very nice Labs, they generally give me a pain I can’t locate. When you look in a Border Collie’s eyes you see a soul, and more... Like the Aussie guy in “Jurassic Park” said about the alpha Velociraptor– “When you look at her you can see her working things out.” When I look in a Lab’s eyes – unless I am holding food or a tennis ball – they have a flat look, akin to that of a Great White Shark. Not stupid, per se, just running very few programs. And really simple ones. And like a Great White, they apparently have few pain receptors. Perhaps because both have to deal with icy water sometimes. I think that's why they make such good family dogs for clueless owners with kids. They don't have any nerves to be lacerated by the screeching, and the whisker, tail and ear pulling that clueless owners allow - or even encourage - their kids to dole out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillieNZ Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Pays to remember that just like in BCs there are show & working line labs. A field bred lab is very different to the obese pet up the road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 As far as brains go, well, I'm tending to 5 dogs today including my own, and well... Let's just say there is a 'notable' difference between the others and my 1/2 Border Collie, Hannah. Of course, some of the others have rather narrow heads. Lovely dogs; not a lot of brain room. If I had to choose? No contest. Hannah wins, paws down. Even the 1/2 Aussie in her would tip the scales in her favor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Pays to remember that just like in BCs there are show & working line labs. A field bred lab is very different to the obese pet up the road Yes, of course. Here's a few worthy Labs... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2033628/Surviving-9-11-rescue-dogs-scoured-Ground-Zero-bodies-commemorated-decade-difficult-mission.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I think there were more than a few Labs at ground zero. They've earned my respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I hope the poor dog wasn't hurt... I've had mostly good experiences with Labs. Most I've known have had great temperaments. I know they're used for seeing eye work as well. And although I remember reading a post on here that reflects someone with different experiences than I've had, I don't remember that particular breed or breed mix posing a lot of problems in the shelter where I worked. They are a popular breed. When a breed's popularity rises, part of the fallout is usually problem dogs, I suspect in large part due to indiscriminate breeding. I think the problem is one of expectation. Labs are portrayed as good family dogs and too many people take on a pup without thinking that thay need to put any work in to make the dog a good pet, just like too many people think BCs come ready trained. Fast forward a few months and that cute pup is showing signs of becoming an over boisterous and out of control pita that is a liability, especially with other dogs that take exception to being jumped on. FF a few more months and cute pup is starting to show signs of aggression because of the number of times other dogs have had to tell him to get lost very forcefully because he doesn't get the message. Next stop rescue. But you're right in that popularity is a factor. I couldn't say whether a higher proportion of labs than other breeds behave like that, even though it is quite common. Black males are the worst, but of course black is the most common colour and males of any breed have more of a tendency to that sort of behaviour than bitches. Selection bias means the well behaved ones aren't noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I think the problem is one of expectation. Labs are portrayed as good family dogs and too many people take on a pup without thinking that thay need to put any work in to make the dog a good pet, just like too many people think BCs come ready trained. I never even thought of that, but that is a good point. I have heard at least one person make the hyperbolic claim that "Labs are born obedience trained". While I realize she did not mean that literally, the underlying idea communicated by such a comment is the sort of thing that forms a higher expectation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frisbeegirl Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Well this topic took a different turn. Had to respond I have a Lab 14 years old. I agree with the post the eyes of a border collie make my heart pound. My Lab kinda flat. But if I look up the word DOG in the dictionary there is a picture of Kate. Really !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frisbeegirl Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Here is Kate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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