Labrador Retriever owners please help.?

Question

I was wondering about the differences in colors. I have been told that the yellow labs tend to be larger than their counterparts. Is this true or have you noticed any other differences?
I know each dog is an individual and will have its own personality, but in general do they tend to be submissive?
I've heard they have a long puppyhood. Does this mean they have puppy energy for longer and for how long?

I will actually be attending veterinary school in a couple of years and am trying to decide on the first breed I want to own. Activity won't be a problem as I plan to walk 1-1.5 hours daily with some long hikes, playdates and swimming on weekends. I already know about the tails potential for destruction. I will be crate training so the pup will be safe when I'm not home. The pup will probably get a brother or sister when he turns one (either GSD, Entlebucher or Am. Staff.).

Answer 1

First of all LABS are the GREATEST dogs. I have owned and fostered many breeds but the Lab is the only one I fell in love with. Color does not determine size, breeding and type do. There is the English type and the American type of Lab. Same breed just difference appearance. The English are shorter, stockier and have the block heads. You see them in the confirmation ring. The tend to be quieter, My male is an English type and he is huge.
The American type Labs are longer legged, have longer and more narrower face. They are used primarliy in the field trials and tend to have more energy. They are taller than the English but the English are stockier. My boyfriend has a female Black Lab of the American type. They all have the happy go lucky Lab personality, both types are extremely intelligent, loving, devoted and affectionate.
Labs are not dominating dogs but do require plenty of exercise. The more exercise they get tbetter off they are. They do haev long puppyhoods. My male wiil be 3 in March and he really calmed down a great deal over the last year. My boyfriends took to until 3 or 4 to get out of her puppy stages. But they are both the absolute best dogs ever.
The more time you put into them the better off they are. My boy knows over 76 different people/object recognitions, over 100 commands and is extremely tunes into human emotion. Labs are really good at senseing your feelings and emotions and are very devoted to being with you.
They are very versatile and easy going. They love everyone and everything. My Lab is very protective over me but still is friendly.
They are easy to train and adaptable. My Labs go everywhere with me and do everything with me. We going swimming, kayaking, camping, hiking and snowmobling together. I can take them to parties and public places and not have to worry about them.
But to answer your question the style of the Lab does have difference in size not the color. If you have any questions I love talking about Labs you can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

Labs will eat as much food as you give them, so plan to measure their food. No human food, just a good quality dog food and measure it to maintain ideal weight. It is not nice to give a dog treats and scraps, they are happier being healthy.

My sense is that black labs are a bit shorter than yellows on average, but I don't know that to be fact. Chocolates seem a bit more slender, but again, that has a lot to do with feeding and exercise. Labs love to swim, so if you have a lake nearby or a place for them to water retrieve, you'll have a fit and healthy dog without wearing out your own shoe leather too badly.

They are a bit rambunctious for a few years, but are very trainable dogs. I recommend going to at least a puppy kindergarten type program to get down the basics. Dogs need consistency above all else to be well trained.

I wouldn't say labs are submissive, but they are pretty friendly as a breed. That's a good thing. My current dog is a jack russell and he tries to bite the legs of every dog he meets. Major pain in the you know what!

Watch out for things at tail height in the house. seriously, their tails are very powerful and they wag them like crazy when they are happy. So move the breakables above tail level!

You can't go wrong with a lab, unless you are very into everything being clean. they do get wet and dirty whenever they get the chance!

And check the lineage for hip displaysia (sp?) that is the most serious breed defect I have heard of with labs. Every breed seems to have something that occurs more often than in general, for labs its been the hips. the vets know how to screen for it. just do it before you accept the dog as your own, because once you bring him home, you'll be hooked. :)

Answer 3

Labs are playful animals. My brother has a purebred lab and it is a large dog - around 95 lbs. He's not very submissive and exerts his authority when strangers show up, although I've never heard him growl, just bark. Most of the yellow labs I've seen are smaller. But my lab mix female is only about 75 lbs. She is really quite sweet tempered and sedate. She is kind of submissive, but I put that down to the fact that she is a rescue and had some early bad experiences including a serious run-in with a car.
They are wonderful pets and very trainable with a little patience.

Answer 4

Color has nothing to do with their size. It has to do with their bloodline. Ever notice that labs can range from 60 pounds to 115 pending on their bloodline and not only that but a Yellow lab and birth a black or chocolate lab again pending on the blood line. I have an almost 9 year old black lab and he still acts like a puppy, don't get me wrong, he's very well mannered but still has the energy of a puppy so to speak. It's all in the blood line....mine just happens to be in a long line of champions with a very healthy lineage.

Answer 5

We had a Yellow Lab and he was the best dog we had ever had. The puppy days last from 1.5 to 2 years before you can really notice a big change in behavior. They are a little larger; ours was about 105 lbs and all muscle.

Answer 6

Oh yes - they have puppy energy for around 6 years!!

So if your thinking of getting a Lab, make sure you are prepared to take it for atleast 2 walks everyday fpor atleast 30mins.

There is no differencs in the golden, chocolate or Black Labs, they all vary in size.. But as you probably know, as long as they have a good upbringing they will be your best friend forever. (bit like children really)
More intelligent than some children too!! ;-)

Answer 7

I had a Lab and when he passed away we bought a Golden and I have to say the the Golden is more laid back and more of a people dog. From what I understand that Golden's want to be with you more then other dogs and are eager to please. When it's time for another dog it will be a Golden. As far as exercising well he's happy with a walk since I have a physical problem the best I can do is short walks other then that he's happy just being with me. vanman250

Answer 8

They are definitely high-energy level dogs. My black lab didn't calm down until he was 2 years old. Also, if you work all day- you don't need a lab because they get bored very easily and won't be afraid to chew on your furniture. They are good dogs if they are properly trained. Also, make sure you have plenty of time to spend with it outside. They are fun to have because they love the water and will go swimming every day if you let them- so just make sure you are prepared for a high-energy dog.

Answer 9

I owned a lab and have had many freinds that have them. They stay real active, even when most dogs will settle, they just keep going and going. It might take several years for them to finally run out of energy. Some will never run out of energy.
These dogs are on speed.
They will play till the end of time.

Answer 10

As a Lab breeder, I can assure you that there are no differences when it comes to colour. They are all energetic, healthy, easy to train dogs. By 18 months most Labs are well trained and bidable.Colour is a matter of preference and they say that 90 o/o of a Labs personality comes from its owners !!