tdierikx

Sure - you can show your friend the photos... you might also note the lean body on my Lab girl... best not to let them get too fat, yes? My girl was back yard bred and may have a smidge of something else in the mix (we think Dingo), and she's probably a great example of what NOT to get unless you are looking for a high drive, high energy dog that will find things to do if not stimulated enough. Luckily around 200 foster pups over 7 years gave her a big enough job to keep her stimulated... lol! She also sheds all year around... another thing to consider if your friend is a neat freak... *grin* T.

Waaaahhhhh!!!! I want one even more now!! One day I WILL have me a gorgeous Allerzeit puppy... one day... T.

My Lab girl's "job" for 7 years was to help me raise rescue foster pups... she was definitely designed for it... endless energy and a love for playing... lol! T.

I think it all comes down to the owner's expectations, and the individual dog. Thus it makes sense that researching what you want from a dog, and then researching which breeds may have those traits, then researching which breeders of that breed do their utmost to breed for those traits (as well as all the relevant health tests for their breed)... will result in you being more likely to end up with the dog you have been dreaming of. T.

Let's face it... the general public's perception of the Labrador is the "perfect family dog"... and the fact of the matter is that for every Labrador bred well by a good registered breeder, there may well be a dozen or more available that simply aren't. Doing good research into what you want from your dog, and finding a breeder that is happy to sell you a puppy to suit - and then possibly having to wait some months (or even years) to source said well bred puppy may be a little disheartening for those who want a puppy "now"... I'm a big lover of all dogs, and would classify myself as far from a novice owner - but I probably wouldn't opt for a Labrador again... it takes a fair bit of work (and patience) to get that "perfect family pet"... T.

Harper was dead easy to do as a pup... her entire litter had them done regularly, and would lie on your lap soaking up the cuddle time and get their nails cut with no fuss. What upsets her now is the "click" noise that happens when the nail is cut, as her nails are no longer the slender and soft puppy claws they used to be... she doesn't like her feet being held at all either - I can touch them, but if I put my hand around the foot, she's off like a shot! I can't even touch Pickles' feet, as she doesn't have proper feeling in them and goes through stages of either numbness or hypersensitivity - she WILL bite if you try to hold her feet at all. Luckily her mobility issues mean that her walking style keeps them from getting dangerously long... *grin* T.

Pickles and Harper carry on like pork chops if I try to cut their nails... but Zeddy actually trims her own with her teeth so I don't have to do hers... *grin* T.

Has your friend read "Marley and Me"? Most Lab owners can fully understand some of the antics that dog got up to and what his owners went through... it does take a heck of a lot of patience and understanding though... T.

They do know that a good number of Labradors (if not from a really good breeder) can be hell on wheels? Mine is named Trouble for a reason... nearly 9 and still as silly as they come, but at least she's grown out of the eating the house stage... errr! I didn't do enough research into breeders before getting her from a Trading Post ad I must admit... still, I wouldn't give her up for quids. I don't know if many people would put up with what I do from my dogs as they go through their crazy and destructive stages though. T.

I must say it's amazing how quickly other people try to get control of their dog when you start swinging a boot at it... Years ago I was walking 2 of my dogs (a Rotti and a Rotti cross), and this guy was washing his car in a driveway in a side road. Then I see a large Rotti come out of his driveway homing in to have a piece of one of mine. I call to the guy to call back his dog, and he ignores me... his dog gets closer, and definitely with intent... I call to the guy again to call back his dog, and he ignores me again... the dog gets within distance of my now swinging boot - and THAT'S when the guy decides to call his dog and get all huffy that I was about to kick it's head in. All the while, my 2 are just standing there quietly waiting for mummy to protect them... *sigh*... not one bark or growl from any of the 3 dogs involved, mine, or the one that was wanting to have a go. T.

Placement is prime though, and the average punter who doesn't read everything properly may think that the ones on the adoption pages are for the rescue dogs in them. T.

No fair! You is tormenting me now! Me wants Rotti puppy so bad... T.

A well bred and stable tempered Rotti wouldn't pull like a Labrador... *grin* T.

But she's got the perfect colouring for taking lovely photographs of... as well as being a cheeky little pudding who seems to like posing... *grin* T.

Actually... I want to come live as a pet at your house Stressmagnet! T.

Yep - definitely Yellow and Red (in that order) for me! T.

Can never have too many Rotties... honest! T.

Yup :) Quadruple yep!!! :D The hunting and fire making skills I learned from our house boi in PNG woill come in handy for keeping me and my Rotti fed... *grin* Rotti is definitely for cuddle factor and companionship - never had one that might have been any good at hunting... errr! T.

Gorgeous!!! T.

I'd say you just don't need to be getting ANY "advice" about training Ernie from that particular trainer - she's way off the mark. Seriously... MY dogs would want to come live with you if they could read Ernie's daily routine! (I'm not reading it to them or they may leave home to find yours) T.

Rottweiler... nuff said. T.

I'd be leery of any vet who is advocating a C5 TWICE in a short timeframe. A single C3 should give adequate protection against the 3 big diseases within 1 to 2 weeks (if administered to an otherwise healthy dog). I'd tell your friend to find another vet. T.

Too cute, but super deadly to snakes... *grin* T.

Deadly cute, isn't she? T.

Mine too... yellow is winning the prettiest stakes though... T.