Labrador Retriever

[Guest Labradork]

Can anyone please tell me - what is a "skirt" on a Labrador (or any other dog)? I was at the groomer's today and she mentioned something about my Lab puppy's skirt. I tried Googling it, but came up with nothing apart from sewing patterns :laugh:

[espinay2]

The 'skirt' is usually used to refer to the hair on the side and underside of the torso (which on coated breeds can form a 'skirt' hanging down).

A Lab should not have this though. She may have been confusing 'skirt' with 'pantaloon's which is the hair on the rear and rear of thighs? (again, more prolific in coated breeds).

[Salukifan]

Can anyone please tell me - what is a "skirt" on a Labrador (or any other dog)? I was at the groomer's today and she mentioned something about my Lab puppy's skirt. I tried Googling it, but came up with nothing apart from sewing patterns :laugh:

Some use it to describe the flap of skin that joins the torso to the hind leg. Not uncommon in some breeds to trim the hair back to the skin to give a cleaner finish. Whippet showies tend do.

[Guest Labradork]

Can anyone please tell me - what is a "skirt" on a Labrador (or any other dog)? I was at the groomer's today and she mentioned something about my Lab puppy's skirt. I tried Googling it, but came up with nothing apart from sewing patterns :laugh:

Some use it to describe the flap of skin that joins the torso to the hind leg. Not uncommon in some breeds to trim the hair back to the skin to give a cleaner finish. Whippet showies tend do.

Oh, thanks :)

That makes sense - my Lab puppy has lots of loose, floppy skin she is yet to grow into.

Edited November 5, 2012 by Labradork

[MarieEvans]

Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

Labrador Retrievers are quite easy to train. They're great dogs to have if it would be your first time owning a dog. If you've ever seen the movie Marley and Me or Marley and Me: The Puppy Years, you'll also see how a Labrador Retriever can be a handful. But these dogs aren't harmful, so it's fine.

[oneteaspoon]

I am wanting to purchase a Lab, pref a chocolate colour and name her Cadbury... Can you guess where i work?! or a black female named Shadow you know what... all colours are adorable but if I could choose those would be my choice.

Currently working hours = 8, travel 1.5hours. Living situation, with mother who has a lung disease however still quite independant. Live in a unit with a paved/tanbarked courtyard, however close to parks/beach/leesh free areas. About me, 25, female, single, don't have much of a social life, still greeving about the loss of my cavalier king charles spaniel 7 years ago and wanting to have mans best friend back in my life. I am healthy however ankle injuries causes me pain to run and to walk long distances however i would deal with the walking pain as the joy of a lab would help in many more ways than the pain... might even help it, who knows. I understand the committment of owning a pet.... I currently have 2 demanding turtles and fish (which i know isn't the same but I am aware of the commitment needed).

My question is... I know a puppy is a lot of work from the start... How would this puppy be with me working all day?... I do plan to wake up earlier for walks when past puppy stage and have time before tea and in the evening for walks and puppy stuff. At this stage I am assuming my mum would not let a puppy in the house without me... She is too ill to care for and to clean up after but this is my dog so I take on those duties. Why I want a lab for 2 reasons... I love labs... another reason is their short coats... With my mums lung condition excess dust/hair etc can trigger an attack so the lab fits that requirement... I do know there are better dogs that fit in the category but this is the decision I have made...

I wont ramble on too much more... any advise is much appreciated

ps oh and good breeders in VIC, south east melbourne... but I will travel for the right breeder/dog. Oh i'd even take a mature lab.

[Mudlark]

Oneteaspoon, I am new to the forum but I have had a couple of Labs :) They are indeed wonderful dogs, provided they get enough people time. They are very people oriented (the kind of dog that will follow you into the toilet just so they can stay with you). My personal experience is that an older Lab (who, I stress to add, was a very chilled, laid-back, placid type who loved sleeping for hours and hours on the couch from a very young age) can cope with being left on its own for 8-9 hours per day, provided it is given access to the house when you are not there, is with you whenever you are home, is able to sleep in your bedroom, and has daily walks, training, and regular interesting outings with you to new places and is kept mentally active (e.g. my dog did flyball training 2 nights a week and obedience 1 night a week, spent every Wednesday 9am-5pm at another dog's house and went pretty much everywhere with us except work). But a little puppy is different. A puppy needs its humans to be home full time for the first few months, for company, toilet training, socialisation, obedience training etc etc. You also need to be committed to things like puppy play group and, once fully vaccinated, obedience training classes. If all that is not possible then I'd advise not getting a pup or young dog. A pup or young dog left alone for that period of time each day will be a candidate for developing behavioural problems (e.g. barking/howling, anxiety, being absolutely frantic when they do see you at last, digging, wrecking stuff, nipping people etc etc).

We recently adopted a young Lab (now 11 months) who was re-homed due to family allergies (...and possibly because of some of the behavioural issues I mention above..!). We both work full time, but when we got our dog we also both took 4 weeks off work so we could spend a lot of time getting him used to us and his new home. Within a couple of weeks he became settled and easy to live with. When we started back at work our dog went into doggy day care each week day. He is happy, occupied and having a great time with his doggy friends. Is day care or similar an option for you? It's pretty expensive, but the dog's mental health and peace of mind can make it worth it. Day care is usually for older dogs though, not little puppies.

You also mention that you are after a dog that does not have excess hair due to your Mum's lung condition. Unfortunately Labradors shed like it's going out of style. They do have shortish hair, but they are very, very generous in sharing it! With a Labrador, you have to be prepared to have dog fur infiltrating every aspect of your life. And every meal, LOL. A couple of years ago we went to Scotland on holiday (without our dog) and we left black Lab fur everywhere we went (which we actually really liked because we missed our dog a lot). So, the fur shedding could be something to consider.

Anyway, all that is just based on my opinion and experience, but I hope it is useful :)

[Tapua]

Hi Oneteaspoon

I agree with Mudlark - if you get an 8 week old baby and you are working you might want to consider a puppy minding day-centre (crazy as that sounds) otherwise go for an older pup or young adult - there are often older dogs offered on the Labrador Breed section check it out.

[LisaCC]

The one thing that stuck out to me here, is the hair problem, As mudlark said, Labs shed like crazy! I haven't seen my boy (back in my home town) for almost 2 months and I'm still finding his hair in places!

But I don't agree with needing to be home full time with a puppy, for months on end. Plenty of people work and have perfectly behaved dogs.

[suziwong66]

I am wanting to purchase a Lab, pref a chocolate colour and name her Cadbury... Can you guess where i work?! or a black female named Shadow you know what... all colours are adorable but if I could choose those would be my choice.

Currently working hours = 8, travel 1.5hours. Living situation, with mother who has a lung disease however still quite independant. Live in a unit with a paved/tanbarked courtyard, however close to parks/beach/leesh free areas. About me, 25, female, single, don't have much of a social life, still greeving about the loss of my cavalier king charles spaniel 7 years ago and wanting to have mans best friend back in my life. I am healthy however ankle injuries causes me pain to run and to walk long distances however i would deal with the walking pain as the joy of a lab would help in many more ways than the pain... might even help it, who knows. I understand the committment of owning a pet.... I currently have 2 demanding turtles and fish (which i know isn't the same but I am aware of the commitment needed).

My question is... I know a puppy is a lot of work from the start... How would this puppy be with me working all day?... I do plan to wake up earlier for walks when past puppy stage and have time before tea and in the evening for walks and puppy stuff. At this stage I am assuming my mum would not let a puppy in the house without me... She is too ill to care for and to clean up after but this is my dog so I take on those duties. Why I want a lab for 2 reasons... I love labs... another reason is their short coats... With my mums lung condition excess dust/hair etc can trigger an attack so the lab fits that requirement... I do know there are better dogs that fit in the category but this is the decision I have made...

I wont ramble on too much more... any advise is much appreciated

ps oh and good breeders in VIC, south east melbourne... but I will travel for the right breeder/dog. Oh i'd even take a mature lab.

i hate to burst your bubble, but if your mum has issues with her lungs and hair is a trigger then a lab isn't for you...it'a a rare lab that doesn't shed like crazy. Short coats or not, they shed a huge amount. Many will say that yellows shed the most, but between our current choc and our departed yellow, there has been no difference in the shedding...and boy, there's plenty of hair. I could vacuum every day of the week and there would still be hair around. In fact, i use a rubber broom in the lounge room daily and pick up a huge handful of fur, just off the rug alone.

I'm also of the opinion that labs need a lot of intellectual stimulation; they can be incredibly destructive when they're bored and being alone in the backyard isn't the ideal situation for them. They love to be around people as much as possible. I also believe that life-long training and/or dog sports of some kind are really beneficial for labs and their physical and intellectual well being. JMO

[CellarDoor]

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation but I think you should be realistic. Like everyone has said, shedding is a massive problem. Brushing does help, but sometimes I see the hair simply falling off of my eldest Lab as she's walking around the house. And the hair gets everywhere; it lines clothes, the house, carpets, the car etc, oh, and a bit of food isn't complete without a bit of dog hair :laugh:

I'm sure you've researched a lot, but also be aware that throwing a ball or stick at the park during their 'free play time' (due to your ankle) isn't sufficient exercise, as they can develop joint problems and OCD. Also, maybe for a week, you could try out walking the average distance you would for an adult (not puppy)?? Like you said, a dog would help motivate you, but you could do this to be aware of your limit, then get a dog based upon that?

You're going to be away from home for awhile too, and if your mum isn't completely onboard it may create problems, eg, if your pup, or even your adult, makes a mess in the house while your not there, what would happen? Would your mum be willing to clean it up, or would she wait til you got home, meaning a mess would stain the floor for a few hours? Is your mum willing to set boundaries for the pup and reinforce appropriate behaviour when your not there? To get a pup/dog, I personally think everyone should be onboard and on the same page :)

This is just my opinion, but it seems that perhaps a dog/puppy might not suit your situation atm. If you feel a Lab best suits you, then that's cool. And you seem as though you'd be a good and dedicated owner, so thats absolutely brilliant. But the dogs and breeders aren't going anywhere, and it can always wait a little but longer.

Well, yeah, this is simply my own personal advice :) and I hope I don't cause any offence or anything (I don't think I did...hopefully lol)

[Tapua]

Ah I didnt pick up about your mum's lung problens - the dander or undercoat of a Lab for some people can be very irritating for people with sensitive lungs - it takes a few days to develope the reaction so you might want to consider having mum alergy tested so you can find out what she is allergic/sensitive to this might influence you decission too. Just a thought.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Hi all

trying to find out some info about a NSW lab breeder with the prefix "truebred" and the same user id on here, but hasn't any recent posts.

Can someone PM me who knows of them. Thanks.

[dappledgrey]

hello, just looking for some info/recommendations for lab breeders. we live in melbourne but would be happy to pay freight for the right dog from an excellent ethical breeder. we are not ready for one yet, but will be looking to get a puppy in the next couple of years. i am starting to do my research now as it is a huge decision so i want to make sure i get the right match for our family. we live on an acre and have two active young sons. one of our sons has high functioning autism, and we have been told that having a dog would be great therapy for him and someone for him to bond with. we have one cat who we all love dearly. we are obviously looking for a kind natured and gentle type dog. is there any differences between male and female labs? can anyone recommend a breeder that would suit our needs? thank you

[brooke reynolds]

Hi everyone, I have one very anxious chocolate labby, he has always had a little bit of anxiety but has been slowly escalating while ive been pregnant, to the point where he is scared of everything, ive had my dog trainer out ( which he knows very well as he boards with her when he are away, and knows his behaviour), have spoken to our vet and are considering putting him on clomav for the next 3 months till bub arrives as he is miserable. He is walked twice daily fetch during the day im home all day so I leave the back door open so he can come in as he pleases,( although is to scared to come inside for some reason ), i'm liderally at my wits end considering he is normally very effectionate and loving. Just wondering if anyone elses Labs have had this reaction if you have been pregnant, and if it does get any better ?

[Tapua]

Hi Brooke I could get him checked out by a vet who has some idea about canine behaviour - firstly to eliminate any health issues then to focus on the behavioural aspects. You may need a canine behavouralist so they can observe you with you dog. I suspect is may be connected to his sensitivity to your hormone levers as well. But I suggest start with a vet check.

[Stressmagnet]

hello, just looking for some info/recommendations for lab breeders. we live in melbourne but would be happy to pay freight for the right dog from an excellent ethical breeder. we are not ready for one yet, but will be looking to get a puppy in the next couple of years. i am starting to do my research now as it is a huge decision so i want to make sure i get the right match for our family. we live on an acre and have two active young sons. one of our sons has high functioning autism, and we have been told that having a dog would be great therapy for him and someone for him to bond with. we have one cat who we all love dearly. we are obviously looking for a kind natured and gentle type dog. is there any differences between male and female labs? can anyone recommend a breeder that would suit our needs? thank you

Dogsonline have breeder listings. Get into an email dialogue with the breeders. I got my Choc from a NSW breeder who I'd been corresponding with for 6 months. I wasn't fixated on colour - temperament should be your breeders focus. My Choc was a happy accident - his original owners retuned him at 6 months when they got divorced. I would have been happy with any colour as long as the personality and energy level fit my needs. Beware of breeders who only breed one colour - Choc is recessive (I believe) and it's good to see a mix of blacks and yellows in their breeding stock.

So called 'silver' labs are not worth more and some are crosses - steer clear.

Decide if you want a high or low energy dog; talk to breeders and be honest about what kind of energy you are willing to give the dog. Ask about hip/elbow and eye disease and heart issues in the lines.

A good breeder will match the pup to the family. I have a chilled laid back boy because I was frank about what I needed. And I'm very happy.

Others here will be far more knowledgable than I - so take their advice!

[Stressmagnet]

Question about different labrador types?

I bought Ernie from a well established very reputable breeder with a lot of decent champions in his pedigree - some NZ dogs. That's a bonus really for me, as I was totally focussed at that point on getting a calm steady boy.

Since going to puppy class with him, I've run into another lab puppy, a few months younger - also from a well known breeder and the differences in their appearances are startling.

Ernie is slim, rangy and moves like he's gliding. His face is slimmer with more of what I would classify as a gundog face (slimmer skull, longer muzzle).

The other pup has a broad beefy face, almost mastiff like and has a very solid gait. He weighs almost as much as my dog and he's 2 months younger.

Both dogs have champion sires and dams.

When I looked up breeders again on DOL

I noticed there seem to be two very different 'looks' for Labradors - the smaller, rangier type and the larger more majestic looking.

How can they both be breed standard when they look so different?

Ernie has UK and NZ dogs in his line, while the other appears to use a lot of canadian dogs.

I've started to notice these differences at our local lab club as well. Most of the labs are big solid boofas and Ernie and a few others are more athletic and slimmer.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Stressmagnet

[aliwake]

I'm the opposite of an expert, but I was under the impression that the chunkier type are 'English' labs, and the finer typed are 'American'. ( I remember it by thinking it's the opposite of what I'd expect in humans )

[aussielover]

Question about different labrador types?

I bought Ernie from a well established very reputable breeder with a lot of decent champions in his pedigree - some NZ dogs. That's a bonus really for me, as I was totally focussed at that point on getting a calm steady boy.

Since going to puppy class with him, I've run into another lab puppy, a few months younger - also from a well known breeder and the differences in their appearances are startling.

Ernie is slim, rangy and moves like he's gliding. His face is slimmer with more of what I would classify as a gundog face (slimmer skull, longer muzzle).

The other pup has a broad beefy face, almost mastiff like and has a very solid gait. He weighs almost as much as my dog and he's 2 months younger.

Both dogs have champion sires and dams.

When I looked up breeders again on DOL

I noticed there seem to be two very different 'looks' for Labradors - the smaller, rangier type and the larger more majestic looking.

How can they both be breed standard when they look so different?

Ernie has UK and NZ dogs in his line, while the other appears to use a lot of canadian dogs.

I've started to notice these differences at our local lab club as well. Most of the labs are big solid boofas and Ernie and a few others are more athletic and slimmer.

Yes there is a big difference between field and show labs. With field or working line being much lighter and leaner looking. Discussion over show vs working can get very heated in dog forums! Personally I enjoy the looks and temperament of working dogs. But each to their own I guess.

Also your dog is quite young stressmagnet? Male labs don't mature fully physically until around 2 years old. I;ve known gangly male lab pups who have turned into quite stocky dogs as they matured. I'm not game to make any predictions on final size/shape at less than 1 year of age in labs.

Also the condition you keep you lab in, what actvitiy/sports they do all plays a role in their shape- as with a human athlete.

I try to keep my dog in as close to working condition as possible. Also customs/assistance/guide dogs generally produce lighter, smaller dogs as it is more convenient for service animals to be of a "medium" size rather than large.

This is my 4 year old female lab. She competes in agility and hopefully soon in retrieving. I'd say she is quite athletic for a lab. She is from guide dogs. She enjoys training and activity.

Edited November 23, 2014 by aussielover