Bite Release Advice

[OSoSwift]

I have seen a Grey that got attacked by around 4 other ( maybe more) muzzled Greys when they were out in a large yard and in the end he had to be euthed. The damage they inflicted on that dog was amazing. They had been at it a while and in the end he was euthed due to muscle and spinal issues that never resolved, but he had more wounds than skin.

[Maddy]

I have seen a Grey that got attacked by around 4 other ( maybe more) muzzled Greys when they were out in a large yard and in the end he had to be euthed. The damage they inflicted on that dog was amazing. They had been at it a while and in the end he was euthed due to muscle and spinal issues that never resolved, but he had more wounds than skin.

I've seen one of those sorts of fights once in my life and I hope to god I never had to see one again. When the pack mentality kicks in, it's just brutal and no muzzle is going to make a difference. The victim (Blue, a very submissive, friendly little guy) suffered severe enough trauma to the area that the skin died, despite our vet doing an awesome job at patching his injuries back up. Blue was wearing a thick, double-layer wool coat at the time and in my opinion, that's the only reason he survived. So now, unless it's hot, my dogs wear coats (with the high neck) when out for walks. A coat certainly won't stop a fight but it'll at least protect some vital areas long enough for me to get a chance to react.

Fairly unpleasant picture below.

This was one of Blue's wounds, the skin was just destroyed (the white thing is a drain) and in the end, the dead skin had to be just cut off. The other dog also tore his chest open between his front legs (the third dog was mostly just jumping in and biting at anything she could grab on Blue so those injuries were minor scratches).

The third dog involved was actually my own FF, Sally- a usually submissive, quiet girl who'd scurry away at the first sign of anyone getting snarky. Although obviously, on that occasion, something kicked in.

A lot of people like to think they know their dogs inside-out but the reality is.. sometimes, they do things you'd never expect. If more people would acknowledge that fact, dog parks might be safer places.

[sandgrubber]

coz they got more energy and are hypo - my big boy is a couch potato ;) you get my drift?

Fattening a dog has been a traditional method of dealing with energy levels for a long time Fatso.. and its not just Lab owners using it.

Its the dog that pays though.

I think PF should stop beating on Labs. She obviously doesn't like them, I doubt she has ever owned one, and she has cast all her chips on the 'environment' side of the 'environment' vs. 'genetics' debate. And like everyone else speaking on the subject of fat Labs, she shows pictures of young, lean working dogs who generally lack the deep chest and well sprung rib cage demanded by the breed standard. I'll bet she has never heard of Allen's Law (taught in animal physiology and ecology). Having owned a couple dozen Labs, I'd say it's more complicated than usually presented. I can keep Labs lean into their senior years. But they descend from dogs meant for cold water swimming, and the propensity to pack it on is, in my observation, always there.

[poodlefan]

coz they got more energy and are hypo - my big boy is a couch potato ;) you get my drift?

Fattening a dog has been a traditional method of dealing with energy levels for a long time Fatso.. and its not just Lab owners using it.

Its the dog that pays though.

I think PF should stop beating on Labs. She obviously doesn't like them, I doubt she has ever owned one, and she has cast all her chips on the 'environment' side of the 'environment' vs. 'genetics' debate. And like everyone else speaking on the subject of fat Labs, she shows pictures of young, lean working dogs who generally lack the deep chest and well sprung rib cage demanded by the breed standard. I'll bet she has never heard of Allen's Law (taught in animal physiology and ecology). Having owned a couple dozen Labs, I'd say it's more complicated than usually presented. I can keep Labs lean into their senior years. But they descend from dogs meant for cold water swimming, and the propensity to pack it on is, in my observation, always there.

*snort*

Poodlefan loves Labs. She's considered owning one but won't do so for reasons including the weight they're expected to carry in the show ring.

She just hates fat Labs being considered "normal" when its at a cost to the dog.

You may be able to keep Labs lean in their senior years Sandgrubber but around here that's a rarity.

I hate fat dogs of any breed by the way... but when its considered "normal" AND owners have a whole bunch of feeble excuses for it, it really pisses me off.

Don't feel special though, it's not a problem confined to Labs when we talk about the show ring.

And as for the photo issue, its not easy FINDING a picture of a lean Labrador.

Edited September 10, 2011 by poodlefan

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Photo of lab in working condition for law enforcement at this link:

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4241.asp

You can click through to other pix.

It's crazy expensive but I really like Mary Roslin Williams "Advanced Labrador Breeding" and the section in it where she talks about the different styles for different work. Too lean wouldn't work for some work, particularly in cold water, but fat is fat.