- Location
- Cornwall , UK
We all know how popular the beloved Labrador is , but what made you chose to have one in your life ?
Why did you chose a Labrador ?
- Thread starter kateincornwall
- Start date
I didn't my friend told me repeatedly told me they were the dogs for me until I gave in then found Doug for me. Glad I gave in ? apparently I am a labrador, that's what she told me.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I had German Pointers for years, did gun dog training, but particularly liked the retrieving side. A friend of mine took me to her gun dog trainer and they had Labradors, so when it was time for a new dog, a Labrador it was.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
1st time was because we had met the most adorable lab - sadly a hefty lad - but with a heart of gold and an equally hefty, wonderful personality. He was a choccy boy called Smudge.
2nd time (Molly we have now) because of our 1st, our precious BJ. Again, like Smudge, he was adorable loving and gentle, a big black boy. Sadly developed epilepsy, aged 3 but remained loving gentle and, well, just Beej. He made it to almost 14 and it took us 2 years to get over losing him, then, along came Molly. You can guess the rest .... adorable .... totally special .... OK, I'll shut up now
2nd time (Molly we have now) because of our 1st, our precious BJ. Again, like Smudge, he was adorable loving and gentle, a big black boy. Sadly developed epilepsy, aged 3 but remained loving gentle and, well, just Beej. He made it to almost 14 and it took us 2 years to get over losing him, then, along came Molly. You can guess the rest .... adorable .... totally special .... OK, I'll shut up now
- Location
- SW London UK
Hubby wanted a Weimaraner. There was a man who ran with his beautiful athletic bread head Weimaraner, or a Beagle. But I said that Weimaraner's can be neurotic and Beagles can bark too much. We knew the dog would have to stay at home for a couple of hours in the morning and wanted something easy.
So we got Homer!!
So we got Homer!!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I didn't really! I happened to be present for the birth of my friends' litter, which arrived a week early. It was their first litter, they weren't prepared and I stepped in to help out as I had the most credentials, having had a cat who had kittens once
The birth wasn't easy, with the mother trying to eat the first two puppies, so we had to take them off her and clean them up before giving them back. I had to break all the sacs as the owner couldn't do it. The second pup was breach, then another wouldn't feed. I know I saved that little girl's life that night. After going through that, I kept thinking it was meant to be and we should have one. So we did. We had three to choose from, narrowed it down to two, a black girl and a yellow boy. In the end, we brought home the black girl. Then the people who they had lined up for the boy fell through, so we decided that was fate and brought him home, too. I know that Shadow was the little yellow boy who was the breach puppy, and I like to think that Willow was the little black girl whose life I saved that night, trying over and over to keep her awake and to convince her to feed.
Squidge was a slightly more considered arrival.
They have changed my life in so many ways. Love 'em
The birth wasn't easy, with the mother trying to eat the first two puppies, so we had to take them off her and clean them up before giving them back. I had to break all the sacs as the owner couldn't do it. The second pup was breach, then another wouldn't feed. I know I saved that little girl's life that night. After going through that, I kept thinking it was meant to be and we should have one. So we did. We had three to choose from, narrowed it down to two, a black girl and a yellow boy. In the end, we brought home the black girl. Then the people who they had lined up for the boy fell through, so we decided that was fate and brought him home, too. I know that Shadow was the little yellow boy who was the breach puppy, and I like to think that Willow was the little black girl whose life I saved that night, trying over and over to keep her awake and to convince her to feed.
Squidge was a slightly more considered arrival.
They have changed my life in so many ways. Love 'em
- Location
- SW London UK
M
My brother in law is a vet and they've got pointers. He said he chose pointers because they were the only breed of dog that hadn't bitten him.
OH had a lab (way before I was on the scene) and swore they were the best breed (he grew up with bichons and previously had a jack russell terrier). I was against any dog, but he wore me down with puppy pictures and stories and I agreed to have his kid's yellow lab puppy (12 weeks old at the time) for a weekend to test it out. I tentatively agreed to a dog and started researching, and I always loved the lab face and read that about their temperament and being good for first time owners (me). We both wanted a black female (him because of his first lab and me because I wear mostly black!). I was on the fence with a little yellow girl, but she was already reserved. Enter Quinn...the best thing I ever agreed to!
- Location
- United States
My boyfriend's family always had labs. He had a beloved Black Lab named Rocky. When my boyfriend, Justen, was younger, he got into a very bad car accident with his sister and had to be in the hospital for multiple injuries. While he was away, Rocky had a grand mal seizure and had to be put down. We also had to say goodbye to their family dog, Jak, last winter when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Justen has a love for dogs, and a soft spot for labs. He has had a lot of loss with dogs, and we always planned on getting a dog "When the time was right" because we have lived together for almost 2 years now.
I always said that I never wanted a Lab! I thought they were a very common family dog, and everyone I knew had one. I also really adore Goldens, so he agreed that we could get one. I wanted a Westie, but he said no to that! Well, one day we go visit Justen's mom and sister. She shows me a photo of this pretty little yellow boy - last of the litter, no one had claimed him yet. I didn't want a Labrador, but we went and looked because Justen's mom was considering getting a dog. I remember on the car ride there, we tried out names for this little boy but no one liked any of my picks
We went and met this sweet puppy, and the look on Justen's face told me he was smitten. I asked him if he wanted him, and he nodded yes. Justen's mom got Aspen for us (which I will forever be thankful for - she gave me the two best boys in my life), and the rest is history. We always joke now that in our family, going to "look at" cars and puppies means you are going to come back with one.
I had about two weeks to prepare for Aspen to come home. I remember not being able to agree on a name, and for the longest time we called him "Baby". I was sure for a time there that that was going to be his name permanently. But Justen also loves Colorado because he snowboards, and I figured that Aspen would be a perfect name. The breeders really wanted to keep him because they thought he would make a great hunting dog. How they knew that at less than 8 weeks, I am not sure. But they already had Aspen's parents, so three dogs would have been too many. The gal who bred Aspen's parents will chat with me to see how her "Blueback" is doing (that's what they were going to name him if they kept him). I suppose that in a way, I got my Golden Retriever because Aspen has beautiful coloring that is creme, yellow, golden, and red. I have had people ask me if he is part Golden!
Anyways...I always said I would never own a lab. But now, here I am, wearing a t-shirt that says "Lab Mama"
Justen has a love for dogs, and a soft spot for labs. He has had a lot of loss with dogs, and we always planned on getting a dog "When the time was right" because we have lived together for almost 2 years now.
I always said that I never wanted a Lab! I thought they were a very common family dog, and everyone I knew had one. I also really adore Goldens, so he agreed that we could get one. I wanted a Westie, but he said no to that! Well, one day we go visit Justen's mom and sister. She shows me a photo of this pretty little yellow boy - last of the litter, no one had claimed him yet. I didn't want a Labrador, but we went and looked because Justen's mom was considering getting a dog. I remember on the car ride there, we tried out names for this little boy but no one liked any of my picks
We went and met this sweet puppy, and the look on Justen's face told me he was smitten. I asked him if he wanted him, and he nodded yes. Justen's mom got Aspen for us (which I will forever be thankful for - she gave me the two best boys in my life), and the rest is history. We always joke now that in our family, going to "look at" cars and puppies means you are going to come back with one.
I had about two weeks to prepare for Aspen to come home. I remember not being able to agree on a name, and for the longest time we called him "Baby". I was sure for a time there that that was going to be his name permanently. But Justen also loves Colorado because he snowboards, and I figured that Aspen would be a perfect name. The breeders really wanted to keep him because they thought he would make a great hunting dog. How they knew that at less than 8 weeks, I am not sure. But they already had Aspen's parents, so three dogs would have been too many. The gal who bred Aspen's parents will chat with me to see how her "Blueback" is doing (that's what they were going to name him if they kept him). I suppose that in a way, I got my Golden Retriever because Aspen has beautiful coloring that is creme, yellow, golden, and red. I have had people ask me if he is part Golden!
Anyways...I always said I would never own a lab. But now, here I am, wearing a t-shirt that says "Lab Mama"
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
At the moment Amber is being a complete pest so I'm wondering this myself.................
Seriously though, I was brought up with Labs and know they can be great dogs.
Seriously though, I was brought up with Labs and know they can be great dogs.
I grew up with black labs and we puppy walked a couple of Alsatian police dogs too - plus took on a reject when he failed training My OH grew up with Ridgebacks which were his dog of choice. We wanted dogs for years but could never manage timings; then started thinking we could work it out, and spent a long time researching breeds, temperaments and breeders. Originally OH thought labs were a bit boring, but slowly came round... and then we found a breeder we liked, signed onto the waiting list and went to see the dogs. When the pups arrived we had first choice and thought we knew which one we wanted - but actually Kipper chose us by being the only pup awake and interested in us. He climbed all over us and seemed so steady and happy. Definitely pick of the litter! ?
My OH grew up with Ridgebacks which were his dog of choice. We wanted dogs for years but could never manage timings; then started thinking we could work it out, and spent a long time researching breeds, temperaments and breeders. Originally OH thought labs were a bit boring, but slowly came round... and then we found a breeder we liked, signed onto the waiting list and went to see the dogs. When the pups arrived we had first choice and thought we knew which one we wanted - but actually Kipper chose us by being the only pup awake and interested in us. He climbed all over us and seemed so steady and happy. Definitely pick of the litter! ?
- Location
- East Sussex
I grew up with black lab girls.
When my brother was about 7 (in the late 60s) he saw a lab cross pup in a pet shop window and pleaded for her. Next thing, my parents paid a fiver and we were on the way home with her. She was the sweetest girl. All my little cousins used to clamber all over her and she'd lay still and uncomplaining.
We got another when the first was about 7. The first one died aged 10 and the second died aged 3 from cancer. We were heartbroken and couldn't imagine any dog could replace her but within weeks we had another because we hated being without a dog.
I was at home in the summer holidays when she was a pup and I was with her all the time for 6 weeks.
I left home when she was about 2.
She was a beautiful old girl with a lovely grey muzzle.
I was a surrogate owner to a small lab cross girl as an adult and to a lovely lab girl, who used to stay with me when her owner was on holiday. When she died a couple of years ago I felt bereft.
Although I looked at all sorts of rescue dogs I eventually found my way back to a black lab girl. Plum was one of two black girls in a litter of 7 and I got first choice of the two girls.
Plum settled in my arms, kissed my face all over and fell asleep snuggled in my arms. The rest is history!
When my brother was about 7 (in the late 60s) he saw a lab cross pup in a pet shop window and pleaded for her. Next thing, my parents paid a fiver and we were on the way home with her. She was the sweetest girl. All my little cousins used to clamber all over her and she'd lay still and uncomplaining.
We got another when the first was about 7. The first one died aged 10 and the second died aged 3 from cancer. We were heartbroken and couldn't imagine any dog could replace her but within weeks we had another because we hated being without a dog.
I was at home in the summer holidays when she was a pup and I was with her all the time for 6 weeks.
I left home when she was about 2.
She was a beautiful old girl with a lovely grey muzzle.
I was a surrogate owner to a small lab cross girl as an adult and to a lovely lab girl, who used to stay with me when her owner was on holiday. When she died a couple of years ago I felt bereft.
Although I looked at all sorts of rescue dogs I eventually found my way back to a black lab girl. Plum was one of two black girls in a litter of 7 and I got first choice of the two girls.
Plum settled in my arms, kissed my face all over and fell asleep snuggled in my arms. The rest is history!
- Location
- Monmouthshire, Wales
My wife and I love long country walks so we always wanted dogs who would accompany us. We had a Lab X for our first dog, then a chocolate Lab. We didn't even need to discuss the breed of our next dog.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
We had Cavaliers, which were great because my parents were able to look after them while we were at work. When they passed away aged 15 - and my husband retired - he said he wanted a ‘proper dog’ (whatever that means!) my friend was retiring and getting a black Lab so I said we’d get the same and look after each other’s dogs for holidays.
5 years later Zaba and Tatze are still best of friends ?
We were going to have litter mates but the timings didn’t quite work out so I got a working line dog and my friend got a show line. They absolutely adore each other.
Having one Lab made me want more, but we can’t afford to insure two big dogs - so I started puppy walking. The best job on the world
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5 years later Zaba and Tatze are still best of friends ?
We were going to have litter mates but the timings didn’t quite work out so I got a working line dog and my friend got a show line. They absolutely adore each other.
Having one Lab made me want more, but we can’t afford to insure two big dogs - so I started puppy walking. The best job on the world
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Oh and me had both come out of particularly difficult marriages when we got together. We moved 300 miles north to the Durham area and he was desperately missing his collie who he had to leave behind, I was a cat person so we adopted two rescue cats from the rspca.
Then we went to crufts and fell in love with Wheaten Terriers. We visited one of the local breeders and absolutely loved her dogs. Unfortunately at that time Wheatens were regularly being docked and we didn't want this, so we went on an extremely long waiting list for an undocked Wheaten.
Then out walking on his own one day OH met a guy walking a chocolate Labrador, they got talking and OH was smitten. He then told him his was a stud dog and there were some puppies from him expected soon in Sunderland. We checked his dog with the kennel club and found he had a good pedigree and was a well respected stud dog. Then we met the puppies and that was that, we took ourselves off the Wheaten terrier waiting list and introduced our first Labrador to our
home.
And now, of course, we're on our 3rd chocolate boy - obviously gluttons for punishment.
Then we went to crufts and fell in love with Wheaten Terriers. We visited one of the local breeders and absolutely loved her dogs. Unfortunately at that time Wheatens were regularly being docked and we didn't want this, so we went on an extremely long waiting list for an undocked Wheaten.
Then out walking on his own one day OH met a guy walking a chocolate Labrador, they got talking and OH was smitten. He then told him his was a stud dog and there were some puppies from him expected soon in Sunderland. We checked his dog with the kennel club and found he had a good pedigree and was a well respected stud dog. Then we met the puppies and that was that, we took ourselves off the Wheaten terrier waiting list and introduced our first Labrador to our
home.
And now, of course, we're on our 3rd chocolate boy - obviously gluttons for punishment
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I’ve wanted a dog forever! Since my beloved Frank the Jack Russell passed away when I was about 14 I’ve been dog crazy.
OH was a complete cat person, he’d never had a dog.
When we bought a house I was adamant I wanted a dog and I wanted a pug or a jack Russell. OH would only agree if we got a “proper dog”. he wanted something bigger.
He wanted a staffy and I wanted a golden retriever. Then OH mentioned Labradors and said he would agree to one of those but he had to be black. (OH’s best pal growing up was a black cat called bobby and I was determined that it had to be a boy).
Shortly after Stanley arrived and now I’m definitely a Labrador person, I don’t think you’d get anything better.
OH was a complete cat person, he’d never had a dog.
When we bought a house I was adamant I wanted a dog and I wanted a pug or a jack Russell. OH would only agree if we got a “proper dog”. he wanted something bigger.
He wanted a staffy and I wanted a golden retriever. Then OH mentioned Labradors and said he would agree to one of those but he had to be black. (OH’s best pal growing up was a black cat called bobby and I was determined that it had to be a boy).
Shortly after Stanley arrived and now I’m definitely a Labrador person, I don’t think you’d get anything better.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
I visited my friend one night, her son was lifting down their adorable black lab from the tractor, where she had spent the day keeping him company. Heavily pregnant, she couldn't squeeze between the pedals or make the long jump down!. I'd always adored her, just the sweetest dog you'd find.
And I found myself thinking, hmm yeah, if I'm going to have another dog, I'll have one of Tia's
So after 8 weeks of weekly visits and a growing sense of inevitability, one arrived in my kitchen. The smallest one, the one who went her own way
the one who looked the most like her Mum.
I'd grown up with Gr's, spaniels and a setter, lived with lurchers, terriers and collies as an adult. There was definitely a Labrador shaped hole in my life!
She hasn't been easy - she's quirky, spirited and independent but also beautiful and loving. She pushed me on to learn about modern dog training and I couldn't love her more
And I found myself thinking, hmm yeah, if I'm going to have another dog, I'll have one of Tia's
So after 8 weeks of weekly visits and a growing sense of inevitability, one arrived in my kitchen. The smallest one, the one who went her own way
the one who looked the most like her Mum.
I'd grown up with Gr's, spaniels and a setter, lived with lurchers, terriers and collies as an adult. There was definitely a Labrador shaped hole in my life!
She hasn't been easy - she's quirky, spirited and independent but also beautiful and loving. She pushed me on to learn about modern dog training and I couldn't love her more
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
You are lovely, @alschwahn !
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Sophie wore us down.
OH had a black lab when he was a teenager, bred by a very good friend of his dad's who was a hunting and shooting guy. Their black girl Hollie came from him. They only ever had one dog. OH could only ever see a black lab girl curled up in a basket in our home, so that was that. I had never in my life had a pet - apart from a goldfish won at a fair.
Strangely, Sophie was terrified of dogs as a little girl, then just flipped to being dog obsessed. She walked all our village dogs way before she probably should have, knocking on doors asking if she could walk them. We have nice neighbours!
OH and son Scott went to see a litter that we saw advertised in the paper, no idea about health tests etc. Lilly was the only one left and we took her. Sophie had no idea. We told her whilst waiting in Barcelona Airport coming home from holiday a couple of days before we collected her. Sophie didn't believe us.
Sophie does of course want another dog. We are holding strong at the moment.......
OH had a black lab when he was a teenager, bred by a very good friend of his dad's who was a hunting and shooting guy. Their black girl Hollie came from him. They only ever had one dog. OH could only ever see a black lab girl curled up in a basket in our home, so that was that. I had never in my life had a pet - apart from a goldfish won at a fair.
Strangely, Sophie was terrified of dogs as a little girl, then just flipped to being dog obsessed. She walked all our village dogs way before she probably should have, knocking on doors asking if she could walk them. We have nice neighbours!
OH and son Scott went to see a litter that we saw advertised in the paper, no idea about health tests etc. Lilly was the only one left and we took her. Sophie had no idea. We told her whilst waiting in Barcelona Airport coming home from holiday a couple of days before we collected her. Sophie didn't believe us.
Sophie does of course want another dog. We are holding strong at the moment.......