- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
great thread!
Why did you chose a Labrador ?
- Thread starter kateincornwall
- Start date
- Location
- Isle of Man
We were half halfheartedly looking for a second dog - preferably large, and Scooby, a big black Lab, came along desperately needing a new home. What a gentle dog he was. When we lost him we tried to adopt a choccy Lab, but narrowly missed him - he'd found a home the day before. Then Coco came along, half lab.
- Location
- East Sussex
I was really looking for a cocker spaniel bitch. As a child we'd had cocker spaniels and then (in my teens) two Scotties. As an adult I'd had a springer spaniel and then a cocker, who was a dream of a dog. When she died we waited a while but after ten months I was getting desperate for a dog and back in 1998 we had no internet to browse so it was a case of looking in local papers, which weren't offering any cockers. I saw a litter of chocolate Labs that had two boys left and went 'just to look' and of course came home with one. He was my darling Rolo.
I suppose I knew I wanted a gundog - not to work but because I like their characters. I wanted quite an energetic dog and one that would play, and I like the 'real dog' shape of Labs and spaniels. My sister had a lovely black Lab at the time so i expect that influenced me.
Molly of course is only part Lab - another impulse buy I'm afraid - but I love her to bits. She's more stand-offish from strangers than most Labs and I put that down to her Chessie side, but she adores us.
I suppose I knew I wanted a gundog - not to work but because I like their characters. I wanted quite an energetic dog and one that would play, and I like the 'real dog' shape of Labs and spaniels. My sister had a lovely black Lab at the time so i expect that influenced me.
Molly of course is only part Lab - another impulse buy I'm afraid - but I love her to bits. She's more stand-offish from strangers than most Labs and I put that down to her Chessie side, but she adores us.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Hubby grew up with dogs (various breeds but not labs), I grew up with cats. Not long after we bought our house he said he wanted to get a dog. I said no, I don't like dogs - hairy, smelly things. He bought Oscar, our Himalayan Persian cat as a surprise wedding anniversary present for me and he was 1 when I finally said 'ok, get a dog, but don't expect me to have anything to do with it'. He researched and decided that a lab would be gentle enough for me to not be scared of him. So he came home with the little bundle of yellow fur and I was immediately smitten. 'Hand over the puppy or lose your life' were the first words I said! Oscar and Benson were quickly very good friends (so long as Benson did exactly what Oscar asked or course). I don't remember any crocopup stage with Benson but it could be selective memory as that was 20 years ago. He sadly passed away in 2011 and it took us until October last year to get Maxx. We lost Oscar and my darling Mum in the same year. It was a totally sh!t year 
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
I love reading all your stories!
I'd wanted a dog forever, but not a Lab. Then my friend came home from working in the UK with her choccie Lab, Cocoa. Cocoa is THE BEST DOG. I fell in love. When OH finally said he was ready for me to get a dog, I talked to Cocoa's mum to see if she had any recommendations (she's a vet). She said "well, if you're interested in a Lab like Cocoa, I really recommend [breeder]. I've met her dogs, and they're the most similar in size and temperament to Cocoa. If I was to get another Lab, I'd get one of [breeder's]. And she health tests all her dogs." So that was that. I contacted the breeder and went on a waiting list and 6 months later brought Xena home!
I'd wanted a dog forever, but not a Lab. Then my friend came home from working in the UK with her choccie Lab, Cocoa. Cocoa is THE BEST DOG. I fell in love. When OH finally said he was ready for me to get a dog, I talked to Cocoa's mum to see if she had any recommendations (she's a vet). She said "well, if you're interested in a Lab like Cocoa, I really recommend [breeder]. I've met her dogs, and they're the most similar in size and temperament to Cocoa. If I was to get another Lab, I'd get one of [breeder's]. And she health tests all her dogs." So that was that. I contacted the breeder and went on a waiting list and 6 months later brought Xena home!
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Thanks , for all your lovely stories , enjoying them all xx When I lost my dear Tess , a yellow Lab girl , I was devastated , she had been my soul mate , she was my third Lab and I always said she would be my last . Three months after she passed away to cancer of the liver , I had one of those light bulb moments , and knew that I just had to have one more Lab , but it didn't have be another Tess , hence my search for a black boy . I fell in love with Sam the moment I saw him , a love which grew as he grew . For us, it had to be Labs, due to multiple grandchildren , plus I wanted a companion for my then long off piste rambles , so temperament plus stamina was priority . I`ve had many dogs alongside my Labs , GSD , terriers and mixes , many rescued , I have loved each and every one of them but Labs have my heart for always xx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
I should add to my post that I love their athleticism and love of the outdoors, plus their intelligence and love of family. I was looking just now at the pile of sundry items under my kitchen table -- a Kong bone, a Zebra toy, a clean sock from the laundry basket, a pair of dirty socks and a golf ball
all brought to us by Cassie as we sat round chatting last night!
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
What an amazing story: I had no idea that’s how you got willow and shadow!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
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
About 23 years ago I wanted a dog. My husband didn’t, he wanted a cat. We had 4 little children, the youngest 2,5 and the oldest 8. We compromised. I was ‘allowed’ to buy a dog, my oh a cat. As my sister was a trainer at a KC for Dobermans she advised me to talk to one of the trainers who had labradors. He talked me into buying a lab. He gave me several addresses I could phone from breeders with working labs. There was one breeder who told me that he had a bitch, already 10 weeks old and that it was time to spread her paws....We went the other day to him and my sister came along for we didn’t know what to look for. She came with us, late in the evening our children came out of their beds to see if we bought her! We enjoyed her so much! My husband fell in love the moment he saw her and the cat never came....
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
I was only working 15 hours a week and had health problems. My friend asked me to look after her lab for 5 days so they could go on holiday. He was the most amazing, well behaved and charming dog. By the end of their holiday, I had made up my mind that I wanted a lab and 2 months later we had reserved Harley ?
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
I was always nervous of dogs. Our friends had a choccy lab called Angus who was the most beautiful, gentle dog I have ever met. I fell in love.
My dad got Murphy, my first lab, for me. Christmas Eve morning he'd gone out like usual to deliver presents to extended family. He came home, the kitchen door opened and a black lab puppy came bouncing in. To be fair whenever I was asked what I wanted for Christmas I did keep saying four paws and a tail but I didn't think I'd actually get a dog. My dad when out in the lorry had driven passed a farm with a sign lab pups for sale. The pups weren't actually at the farm but at the farmers sons house a small semi on a small estate in the village not far from the farm. 12 pups in the litter. The back garden was just mud no grass to be seen they'd destroyed it. The breeder gave dad a lift from the farm to his house. Murphy's mum jumped in the front footwell with my dad and rested her head on his knee all the way. A deposit was left and dad said he'd be back Christmas Eve. By then the pups that were left were 11 weeks. mum and pups had slept in a kennel with run until pups were weaned then she went inside at night. One pup used to sneak in with her though and we think it was probably murphy. He was very easy to house train although I think being that bit older also helped. When Dad went to pick up a pup the owner let the three that were left in the kitchen. One pup caught his eye so he kept his eye on it and when ready to go picked up my Murph. No puppies shouldn't be bought for Christmas but I was 23 at the time so it was a safe bet I would look after him properly. Murphy was a big, black, beautiful labrador and a complete softie. I had 15 wonderful years with him.
Scott&Scout because life without a lab was too weird.
The breeder gave dad a lift from the farm to his house. Murphy's mum jumped in the front footwell with my dad and rested her head on his knee all the way. A deposit was left and dad said he'd be back Christmas Eve. By then the pups that were left were 11 weeks. mum and pups had slept in a kennel with run until pups were weaned then she went inside at night. One pup used to sneak in with her though and we think it was probably murphy. He was very easy to house train although I think being that bit older also helped. When Dad went to pick up a pup the owner let the three that were left in the kitchen. One pup caught his eye so he kept his eye on it and when ready to go picked up my Murph. No puppies shouldn't be bought for Christmas but I was 23 at the time so it was a safe bet I would look after him properly. Murphy was a big, black, beautiful labrador and a complete softie. I had 15 wonderful years with him.Scott&Scout because life without a lab was too weird.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
- Location
- Canada
I love all of your stories
I have always been a dog person...grew up around them. Always wanted one of my own, but not a Lab. Nope, not a Lab. Almost anything but a Lab lol
My experience with Labs were Jodie-my Nan's Lab, who was really not very smart(chased lasers and was basically untrainable) dragged me down the street on my belly when I was 9. .....random barking Labs tied outside of stores, crying for their people, suffering seperation anxiety. ...Lahody- hyper young black Lab, who I "walked" a few times a week when I was a teen...but let's be honest, I only ever walked her for the first couple of blocks, then spent 45 minutes trying to catch her after she slipped he collar(every. single.time)
Yup, as far as I was concerned, Labs are hyper, jumpy, not smart, and prone to seperation anxiety and barking. I guess I only met labs who weren't trained yet lol. Shamas doesn't really fit the steriotype
So I wanted a Shephard, or a Retreiver. Something smart, good with kids and trainable.
When Hubby went on Nights, he told me we'd get a dog and of course I jumped at the chance! I knew we'd not pass muster with an official adoption agency, on account of having a small house and 4foot fence...and wanting a large dog....so I called the pounds. I explained that we already have 3 cats and 3 kids(two of them teens) and that we'd like a dog for "security" but really it's to be company on my walks. I have plenty of time, and come from a family of dog owners.
As they went through their potentials, they described "Hanson", a 5year old Lab who was laid back, loved walks, good on the leash(LOL!!!!)fine with the cats(until we got him home and he saw one move lol)
We knew we had to have him. So we drove over the next day and filled out the paperwork. they loved the answers to the questionnaire! How many hours a day will he be left alone? less than 3 How many hours a day will he be walked? 3-4 Do you have experience with dogs? etc. He might be MY first dog, but I have the time and dedication, so I was allowed to walk out with him and I love him problems and all
And we were lucky, because apparently they'd posted him on facebook that very morning and as we finished filing the paperwork, someone walked in to enquire about him! good thing we didn't take the time to think about it!
I'm glad I got a Labrador.....can you guess what our next dog will be? LOL!
Shamas is helping my youngest to get over her fear of dogs....she had some bad experiences, but thanks to him she's getting braver as she walks down the street. She's learning that she doesn't have to fear anymore. At the same time, he's learning that he doesn't have to protect her from every dog we see. They're both doing very well
I have always been a dog person...grew up around them. Always wanted one of my own, but not a Lab. Nope, not a Lab. Almost anything but a Lab lol
My experience with Labs were Jodie-my Nan's Lab, who was really not very smart(chased lasers and was basically untrainable) dragged me down the street on my belly when I was 9. .....random barking Labs tied outside of stores, crying for their people, suffering seperation anxiety. ...Lahody- hyper young black Lab, who I "walked" a few times a week when I was a teen...but let's be honest, I only ever walked her for the first couple of blocks, then spent 45 minutes trying to catch her after she slipped he collar(every. single.time)
Yup, as far as I was concerned, Labs are hyper, jumpy, not smart, and prone to seperation anxiety and barking. I guess I only met labs who weren't trained yet lol. Shamas doesn't really fit the steriotype
So I wanted a Shephard, or a Retreiver. Something smart, good with kids and trainable.
When Hubby went on Nights, he told me we'd get a dog and of course I jumped at the chance! I knew we'd not pass muster with an official adoption agency, on account of having a small house and 4foot fence...and wanting a large dog....so I called the pounds. I explained that we already have 3 cats and 3 kids(two of them teens) and that we'd like a dog for "security" but really it's to be company on my walks. I have plenty of time, and come from a family of dog owners.
As they went through their potentials, they described "Hanson", a 5year old Lab who was laid back, loved walks, good on the leash(LOL!!!!)fine with the cats(until we got him home and he saw one move lol)
We knew we had to have him. So we drove over the next day and filled out the paperwork. they loved the answers to the questionnaire! How many hours a day will he be left alone? less than 3 How many hours a day will he be walked? 3-4 Do you have experience with dogs? etc. He might be MY first dog, but I have the time and dedication, so I was allowed to walk out with him and I love him problems and all
And we were lucky, because apparently they'd posted him on facebook that very morning and as we finished filing the paperwork, someone walked in to enquire about him! good thing we didn't take the time to think about it!
I'm glad I got a Labrador.....can you guess what our next dog will be? LOL!
Shamas is helping my youngest to get over her fear of dogs....she had some bad experiences, but thanks to him she's getting braver as she walks down the street. She's learning that she doesn't have to fear anymore. At the same time, he's learning that he doesn't have to protect her from every dog we see. They're both doing very well