Is the Lab misunderstood?
Sunday, November 05, 2006The most misunderstood dogs in America
Of course they touch on Labs and Lab mixes and here is what it says.
Labradors (and Lab mixes). People expect Labs to be perfectly trained, like the service Labs who team with the visually or physically impaired. "Here's the reality: They were bred to work under difficult conditions and have the drive to swim through ice to get that bird," says Patricia McConnell, author of "For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend." That's not to say with training and time they don't settle down, but they're not the instant soup people expect. "The expectations are so high, it's difficult to live up to," VanKavage says. "They're great dogs for a fairly active family, but not for elderly Aunt Tilda," Bradley adds. "And because Labs are large, they can easily learn to drag Aunt Tilda down the street." Golden retrievers can have the same problems.
I would have to say that this account is not fully true based on my experiences with Bosco. My chocolate guy has lived up to the high expectations. I chose a Lab because I have read and been told that they are very easy and low maintenance. Bosco was house trained pretty much in one day and other than the normal growing pains and learning the rules he has been a very well behaved guy.
Is he big? Does he get in the way? For sure but you have to know that when signing up for a Lab. I will agree with the whole dragging people down the street because he certainly is strong enough if it is someone like Katie walking him.
I guess my whole point of writing this is I got all defensive when reading that people give away and get rid of their Labs when they don't turn out the way they want. Labs are very smart and very trainable. Yes they are working dogs, so make them work and give them exercise.
What do other Lab owners think?? Has it been everything you thought it would be having a Lab in your life?
Labels: opinions
