Opinions - Labrador Retriever Dog Breed

Added on May 18th, 2009
I have a 10yr old yellow lab, Phoebe. She weighs 90 lbs, but she is a big dog & is only slightly overweight. She lived outside w/my bulldog until he passed away. She now lives in the house because she was lonely. Phoebe was never around small children until my 4 year old New York grandson came for 1 month. I was not sure how she would react to him. Phoebe took to him immediately. He could do anything to her, she had a ball with him & was very very sad when he left. She has always been a wonderful dog, follows me around all day. Wherever I am, she is also. However, she doesn't like other animals. Finally, I have learned to control her while walking, but if an unleashed dog comes up to her, she will attack it. I have 4 outside cats & one of them, Red, left a good scratch under her eye & now when they are around, she bows her head in submission. She now leaves them alone. She is a wonderful pet. She is the happiest,prettiest, most loving dog I have ever known. Also had a great black lab, Casey when my boys were small. Great dog too.

Added on Jan 31st, 2009
We have an 8 year old yellow lab, named Chocolate, a 6 year old chocolate lab named Vanilla, and recently acquired a young black lab puppy named Strawberry. They are very sweet and the yellow is the only lab we've ever known not to eat everything you put in front of her. We had a black lab when my brother and I were young, too. She was the best dog ever! She was a very good mommy to her puppies. She was VERY obedient to all of us, even when we were kids, and she didn't retaliate no matter what my brother or I did to her. My brother used to ride her like a horse, and I swear she would weave back and forth trying to keep him balanced! He could poke her eyes, stick his hands down her throat, take her food while she was eating, seriously, nothing riled we did riled her. However, she was very protective. When people from the city or delivery people came, she would let them know they were not welcome in her yard! She also was very against cats and once ate our neighbor's cat when he fell on the wrong side of the fence! Lizards and moles were also common prey for her. Labs definitely need room to run and when they have milk teeth, especially, will chew ANYTHING! Nevertheless, there is a very good reason that they are the most popular breed!

Added on Jan 24th, 2009
We got our first lab over 17years ago. We've had a black, chocolate, and a yellow lab, both male and female and they all had their own distinct personalities. It had nothing to do with their color. It's more of their breeding and socialization. They have puppy brains for at least 5 years, so if you want a calmer dog I suggest adopting the older one. They do love to chew things. My black lab ate one of my shoes. The only thing left was the heel. After much patience and providing them with things they can chew they eventually learn. They can be great with children. Our daughter was 3 when we got our first lab and they grew up together. However, remember they are animals and both children and animals must be supervised when together. Children don't always realize they are too rough and animals don't know they the child doesn't mean to hurt them.
   

Added on Nov 28th, 2008
My black lab/hound mix Lexa has a mind of her own! She is veryyy smart and loves to play! Her favorite thing to do is go on trails through the woods at the park without her leash on! She runs so fast and loves every second of it! Her second favorite thing to do is eat dinner! I love her!<3

Added on Aug 5th, 2008
Before i got my yellow lab i had heard that they like to chew on averything. That is not the case for my dog. I found out that he needs a lot of toys to chew on and you have have to make clear to them what is not a toy. They are very smart and pretty soon they will figure out what is and what is not a toy. Also when my dog was a puppy he always wanted to play with small children but as he got older, he no longer jumped on the children but he does let them touch him and pet him. All he does is just look at them and when he has had enough he just walks away. My dog is also hyper and he needs a least two walks a day for at least 45min. each. its a small price to pay for such a great companion.