Chocolate labs good pets?

Question

I saw one at the APA today and it was quite possibly the cutest damn puppy I have ever seen. what are some ups and downs of having a chocolate lab? such as health risks and things like that.

Answer 1

The only thing different is the color of the hair.
The one thing you want to look out for is there has been a lot of breeding chocolate to chocolate generation after generation (breeding for color only) which leads to lowering of the overall quality.

And don't worry about a Lab drowning, that is about the funniest statement yet. Labs were born to swim.

QUOTE
"However, you can get some idea about the breed by going through the breed standard. But its not very reliable since breed standard is, especially AKC breed standard was modified, edited, and over written by SHOW breeders what THEY WANT, instead of what really the breed IS."

Actually that isn't quite true with Labradors.
The breed standard was changed after Sills became president of the national breed club, and Nelson is a Field Trialer.

Answer 2

Every litter of every puppy of every breeds are different. However, you can get some idea about the breed by going through the breed standard. But its not very reliable since breed standard is, especially AKC breed standard was modified, edited, and over written by SHOW breeders what THEY WANT, instead of what really the breed IS. Color of the dog has NOTHING WHAT SO EVER has to do with character, temperament, health, disposition or behavior. It is how you treat them, how you raise them, how you train them, and what is the pup's blood line is, like pray drive can not be trained into a dog, the same as defense drive, and fight drive and so forth. Its rather genetic. Good or bad is rather an opinion and in the situation. The dogs will be dogs, it is our human responsibility to make them fit into our society so the dog can be good or bad.

Answer 3

NO real health risks they are a large breed dog so their is always the possibility of hip problems down the road. Very high energy but very family friendly. Labs are excellent swimmers too. Love the water and beach. If you have the time and energy this could be a perfect match for you.

Answer 4

Hello,
Labrador's ( chocolate or golden ) would have to be the best house pet.
I have had 2 and I'm thinking about buying a new one,
there are no health risks to worry about.
The problem is that Labrador's are a retrieving dog so they love to run + fetch!!
Only get one if you are willing to take them out for runs every day,
Plus Labrador's will eat absolutely everything if it is left alone so you can not trust them with food lol,
When Labrador's are babies they are quite stupid and will be very naughty and cheeky, they will destroy alot of things so it is best to keep them outside but after around 2 years they will have been mature enough to come indoors and they will be the best pet ever because they LOVE HUMANS!!! and they love cuddles and they will always want to be with you.
Well i hope i have help, oh and another thing is they bark, but please get one because you cant go wrong!!
ta ta xx

Answer 5

Labs of any color was great family pets IF you follow some simple rules...
1 - any large dog has a possibility of getting hip displasia as they grow older. also arthritis. Lots of exercises when young and monthly massages after age 4 will help that alot.

2 - These are high energy dogs, they need lots of exercise, including off-leash exercise. These dogs are breed to be hunting/retrieving dogs. If you don't hunt, at least do frisbee or the like with them on a daily basis.

3. - They are great with kids, and are often used a guide dogs, as they are very loyal and want to please. Have them trained and socialized at an early age.

4 - They CAN be chewers...make sure they have acceptable things to chew on...again, train young, it saves alot of headache down the road.

Any dog is a committment of your time and energy. The larger dogs even moreso. Best of luck.

Answer 6

My brother has had 2 chocolate labs and they are really sweet dogs. Labs can be very rambunctious for a couple of years, but I can't think of a better pet. His first dog had a problem with allergies and Nike has a bit of arthritis, but he is a very large dog and a little over weight. Good Luck

Answer 7

health risks: since labs are large dogs, there is a risk of hip dyplasia. It is when the hip doesnt fit right for some reason....
also, they love water and they might jump in the water and might drown. They also need alot of exercize because they are large dogs.... or they can become destructive.
UPS=): They are known to be extremely loyal. They need stronge handlers.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I got my wife a chocolate lab for her birthday several years ago because that's what she wanted. I one time tabulated that this beautiful female puppy did over $2,000 in damage in it's first two years of life. It ate the linoleum, scratched a door to splinters, ate the leather pocket out of my pool table, our first year's Christmas ornaments, the underground lawn sprinklers, and not to mention crap and pee all over the house because this animal was too hyper to house train.
I hated that dog. I can tell you that in the divorce, I did not mind letting her keep the dog.

Answer 9

If your want to get the dog because it was so darn cute think again. [A lot of people give the puppiesup as they older]

Anyways, yes, chocolate labs are obediant, but are somewhat large.

Answer 10

I don't know too much about these dogs, but i would definitely do some research before purchasing. Don't fall victim to the so cute look. I think these dogs get pretty big and solid and they also need ALOT of exercise.