Woof!

[j_boasaurus]

Hi everyone! Oh man, so don't hate me but I don't own a lab yet. I do however own a wonderful border collie, named Jinx. He'll be turning 2 in July. He is a brilliant dog with a high drive and a great off switch. Knows tons of parlor tricks. Has been doing great with SAR training but really just doesn't have the temperament for it. He is not a dog that loves everyone... Which is to be blamed on my lack of extensive early socialization with him. He's fine around all strangers and children he just doesn't love all of them and consciously avoids the ones he doesn't want to interact with. It becomes a "problem" when they try to interact with him and get in his face. He's a great dog though and goes everywhere with me(literally).





The reason I'm here though is because I would like to get a lab in the future(it's between a lab and another border collie.) Ideally, I think I want an "american field bred" lab. I don't really like the big blocky look of english labs. They just don't look like they can get the job done... I don't know if it's because I'm so used to seeing fat labs or not. I want a working bred, high-output dog. Preferably in black, but it doesn't really matter. I'm looking to add this dog to the family sometime between August '15 - August '16. So I'm really not in any rush. I just wanted to come here and get to know the breed. Familiarize myself with different training methods. I've never had a lab before, and I'm sure they're different from border collies. Though I feel like a working bred lab might have a somewhat similar temperament. I don't want a show bred lab. Idk how it is in the lab breeding world... but in the bc world, AKC dogs are bred for looks and lose their working ability and can't figure the head from the back end of a sheep, my border collies parents and grandparents have all been working dogs. Both of his parents work cattle on ranches.

Anyways.... Hi :-)

https://youtu.be/qVacInCJ_m0?t=30s

[CraftHer]

Welcome to the board. There is lots of information here. Thanks for posting the pictures! Jinx looks beautiful or should I say handsome

[Jollymolly]

Hi welcome

[Brutus]

Welcome to you and Jinx!

[Tanya]

welcome. what a cutey you have. and honestly - no working dog is going to love a stranger "getting in their face" - that's innapropriate human behaviour

If you go the lab route, look at those compete in field trials if you want drive (not generations back but a breeder with dogs that competes). But take no shortcuts on clearances - even field labs have health issues and if you want an active healthy do clearances are a must. For labs that's hips, elbows, eyes, heart and EIC.

[katALlabs]

Welcome to the board, your Jinx looks so much like my Zoe it caught me off guard as we lost her last month to lymphosarcoma.
We are here for anyone who has or is looking for or needs information on labs.

Here's a picture of Zoe

[BaconsMom]

Welcome! Jinx is wonderful, and we love Labs and non-labs! Hopefully we can help you along your journey to your next pup, lab or otherwise.

[POPTOP]

Hello and Welcome!

Jinx is so handsome.

Of course you are welcome. We have a lab (we home senior labs) and somehow Archie, a GSD, snuck in and captured my heart.

Do the research on reputable breeders for the lab you want. We don't name kennel names on the board, but get your post count up and folks can PM you, and you them, regarding a particular breeder or recommendation for a breeder. Also, don't discount a rescue. They have some fabulous dogs. There are some lab rescues in CA too.

[sparky]

Hello and welcome to you and Jinx. He's a handsome boy.

[MikeLynn]

Hi and welcome! Jinx is a very handsome boy. Pretty sure you'll find a lot of friendly people and useful info here.