My lab's ears...Is this what's called "rose ears"? (Pics inside)

[smartrock]

Welcome to you and Hunter! I can assure you that labs don't usually arrive knowing all those commands! Ooh, wouldn't that be nice! Sounds like your friend did a good job with training but I agree that an obedience class will be good for you and Hunter so that you learn to work together well. Plus, hopefully the trainer can give you some suggestions on pulling. Many labs also seem to think they are sled dogs and helping them learn not to pull is a challenge. Sounds like he's a very nice boy, no matter what the ear situation is. Welcome!

[Hunter&Me]

Thanks, Sue! I had to laugh at the sled dog comment -- so true (at least in Hunter's case)! Thanks for the welcome!

[JenC]

I would save the money on the DNA test and use it for something else like obedience classes or toys. He's either a lab that got blessed with the funky ears or he's not, and it won't matter for him being a great pet.

[Murphy030813]

You seem to have gotten the answers that you need/want...so I just wanted to say welcome! Enjoy Hunter and enjoy training with him! It's a great bonding experience!!!

[Tanya]

Dxboon, thank-you so much for the reply. I am a newbie when it comes to labs (have been reading up on them though before I got Hunter), so I really appreciate the response!

Someone was curious if he is full lab and not mixed because of his ears. The previous owner said he was a lab. It doesn't matter to me if he were mixed, but others have all said no way, he's full lab. The only reason I'd want to know if he is mixed is for general temperament and training purposes, as I imagine different breeds would probably require different training methods.

Thanks again!

he is very cute, congrats
Pure bred or not doesn't really impact temperament. a lab won't have the "lab temperament" only because it is "pure bred" but because the breeder was breeding for it. As mentioned above it's also the most overbred breed so temperament varies quite a bit from lab to lab (imagine the labs bred and raised for field trials VS the lab bred and raise for seeing eye dogs!) . Train the dog in front of you based on their individual temperament and how they react (body language and such). This goes no matter the breed/mix.

Pulling it very typical, dogs love to get out there and sniff/explore/get places faster than our two human legs want to go Get a good walking tool and talk to a trainer/take a class (I encourage using positive based training) Depending where you are many training schools will have seminars/classes just on loose leash walking (VS talking a general obedience class - which is also great for bonding and working in a new environment so I encourage those too!)

[silverfz]

Thanks for teaching me something new... i think gigi has the same ears as your dog . she is from a litter of 10 and i wonder if the male from her litter look like your dog.

your picture looks exactly like gigi is most of the shots. gigi is a female and is around 70lbs . She is not pure lab.
She is from a male chocolate lab and the female was a yellow lab/german shepard mix. so has alot lab with a little GSD features like nose and a little ear.

[Hunter&Me]

Thanks again everyone for wonderful welcome and the great replies. I've learned a lot from the posts!

Silverfz, that's pretty interesting and I'd love to see pics of your Gigi, especially if she could be Hunter's twin! lol

[silverfz]

Thanks again everyone for wonderful welcome and the great replies. I've learned a lot from the posts!

Silverfz, that's pretty interesting and I'd love to see pics of your Gigi, especially if she could be Hunter's twin! lol

Gigi is just 10 months so she will grow a bit i think. but you can see the longer nose for sure that makes the ears look smaller. Gigi is being leash trained from 8 weeks and can still act like a sled dog. i use a easy harness. As a matter of fact any chest or back harness she is better than the next type. I second training. Its a great bonding tool . when we start at 16 weeks , we did this as a family. so the 5 and 8 yr old attended her first 6-8 weeks of training and alot of puppy socials. She only done 2 set of training session and starting adult training next month.



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[Hunter&Me]

Oh, your Gigi is BEAUTIFUL! I love her! Yes, she looks a lot like Hunter for sure. That's so wonderful that she's already had some training sessions and will be starting adult training next month. Please let us know how it all goes when you start, I'd love to hear all about it! Again, Gigi is just so, so, cute! Thanks for sharing her pics.