I have some pics of my yellow lab, with my kids fingers in her nose and eyes, lying on top of her... Of all the labs, the black labs are the most stubborn. My chocolate was a freaking dog genius and the most gentle. The yellow female was like mama bear, just right. I want a chocolate female pup...after our current one passes on, which will be awhile hes just a little over 2. Still nutty, but a great dog.
When I was a kid, we had a black make with hip dysplasia - was brutal. He was a die hard hunter, ducks, would point quail, pheasant, grouse you name it...total stubborn dumb ass. Did 28 ducks one day on the Chesapeake - almost had to carry him home that day. He was hard. GREAT dog, was tough to watch my Marine dad crying like a baby carrying him in to be put to sleep and having two women laugh at my dad. Jackasses. Anyway, you have to ensure you get a good bred lab, or do as others have suggested and rescue one. Our dog now is a rescue...they love you more. (pure supposition)
I agree with the blood lines if you go pure bred with any sporting dog breed. I am 100% rescue nowadays, but I'm friends with a breeder that produces some of the nicest labs in the country and she has them cleared for hips, elbows and does optigen testing. Spending the money on a dog with these tests will save you thousands down the road versus a poorly bred dog with health issues.
The dogs I have owned since I was oldenough to hunt are Springer Spaniel (Way to rammy, just a high strung lab IMO) Brittney Spaniel (she was a good pet, shed alot, but a poor hunter) German Short HAir (AWSOME bird dog, an alright pet, good with kids but always getting in trouble in the house) Yellow Lab (which I own now,great with kids 14,12,2 and new born, But Oh My God the shedding!!!) Wire Hair Dachshund (although Vinnie isnt a bird dog as a pet I would take him over all the others as far as pets go!!! With out a doubt.) BTW all my dogs have lived in the house. As far as hunters in this order GSP Lab Springer Britney As in the house pets Dachshund Lab Britney GSP Springer BTW The Dachshund is a tracker...
Since i can remember, we've had 4 dobermans, 1 black lab and my wife and I currently have a hound mix( walker coon hound + hound mix). My parents still have a blue doberman who is the most intelligent dog i've ever been around. Very happy with all of the dogs.
I have had great luck with labs. They want to be everyones buddy and easily trained. Right now we have an 8 yr old chocolate that has hunted for the last 7 seasons. He's great with the kids and other dogs and cats.
Yet another lab vote. I've owned them all my life. Simply cant' beat them. Very good with kids and other dogs. Protective, smart and loyal. I'm not very fond of a german sheppard (especially around kids). They seemed to be wired differently and I dont' trust them. Seen them nip at faces and growl more than once.
