STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

Question about Chocolate Labs...

Tara · Dooney & Bourke

I don't have experience with a Lab in particular, but I grew up with Golden Retrievers (which are in the same family....hence "Retriever"). I have wanted a Golden of my own forever, but I cannot bring myself to get one. They are very social dogs and want to be around people all the time. I don't think it is a good idea to have a Retriever that you won't see for 5 days a week. My parents have a Golden now, and she literally cries if nobody is in the room with her (granted, she is a little spoiled). (Over X-Mas she cried outside of the bathroom door when I was taking a shower!)

I hate to burst your bubble, b/c I want a big fluffy dog too, but I think your dog would be lonely

Cricket · Gucci

We have 2 labs, and labs require a LOT of attention when they're pups or they will eat and dig everything in sight. And I mean everything. Our oldest (he's 4 now) ate up our backyard misting system, the lawnmower, our BBQ line, my bike seat, chairs, his dog bowl. You name it, he ate it. It was soooo bad. Then when he was about a year old, he just snapped out of it. We have a 12 week old puppy now and she's going down the same path, but with 2 young girls in the house, they keep her busy. Would there be someone to play with the pup at night? Other than they puppy chewing, labs are the best dogs. They are unbelievably sweet and affectionate. And although Toby and Holly do some bone-head things, they're very smart. I can't imagine that we'll ever have another breed of dog.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask away!

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

Ok, that settles it. I'm definitely NOT getting a lab until after I get out of school and can spend more time with it...on to Collies. Thank You both for your insights on the subject!

Anyone have any experiences with a Collie?

-- Edited by manhattanmonkey at 21:20, 2005-01-31

Mia · Kate Spade

I would not recommend a lab if it's going to be alone for so much time. I grew up with labs (well, lab crosses) and my parents have one right now and they are very high-energy, high-demand dogs, especially when they are young. You are almost asking to get things destroyed leaving a young lab at home alone - it'll go mental unless you can pay/get someone to come over and run the crap out of it when you aren't there to do that. They are very sweet dogs, very funny and playful but I would say super high maintenance. If I were you I'd be looking at the more independent breeds -m maybe a terrier or a basenji or something. Even the tiny cute little terriers can be quite independent and OK on their own.

Also, consider a rescue - there are a lot of purebred rescues online that you can contact!

dot · Marc Jacobs

i love all labs! but i have to agree with everyone else... i think lab is definitely the wrong kind of dog for your lifestyle. if i could be home all the time and have a dog with me at all times, hands down i would pick black or chocolate lab. they are the sweetest, kindest, most loving dogs (i mean all dogs are this way but they are just so cute!!!! i have a weakness for them), but they do require alot of love and attention.

sigh, i wish i could have a dog but it just doesn't work with my lifestyle.

JackieO527 · Dooney & Bourke

I don't want this to sound mean, or come across the wrong way, but dog's any dog require alot of care and attention. Don't get a dog especially when you are not going to be home for more than half of the week. Wait until you have a place of your own.

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

I realize that all dogs require a lot of attention, but most people have jobs and aren't with their dogs all day. Any dog I get would be cared for and people would be home during the week. It wouldn't be just "my" dog, but it would be a family dog.

My apologies if I didn't state that clearly earlier.

Elle · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: JackieO527
"I don't want this to sound mean, or come across the wrong way, but dog's any dog require alot of care and attention. Don't get a dog especially when you are not going to be home for more than half of the week. Wait until you have a place of your own. "

That's true - all dogs (especially when they're puppies) require alot of care and attention, but labs are a breed that is prone to separation anxiety and chewing on things is how they deal with it. I would personally not get any large dog unless I had sufficient time to train it, regardless of the breed. Larger dogs can be dangerous if not properly trained, not because they would intentionally hurt someone, but because they are so large and strong that they can easily knock someone over without even trying.

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

Me and my boyfriend have two chocolate labs and they're just great! We haven't had the same experience with them needing a lot of attention. We're gone all day at work, and even when we're home, they're usually outside because they shed so much! I'm sure it helps that they have each other to play with and for company. They are just the best dogs.

I would say no matter what breed you decide to get, if at all possible consider getting two, so they will have each other when you're not there. Also, you might consider getting a dog that's a little older, because no matter what, puppies need lots of attention and time in order to train them. Once they hit a year old they tend to calm down a bit.

Also, if you do get a lab, it's in their nature to dig and chew. This has been a problem for us in the past, but, we solved it by making sure they always have lots of toys and bones to chew. Also, you can get a sandbox and hide treats in it to train them to dig there instead of in your yard.

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

I have heard totally the opposite of what beach girl said about two dogs -- two dogs is just twice the work, twice the food, twice the vet bills. they don't necessarily entertain each other. (this info came from a friend of mine who has been breeding and showing dogs for 15 years.)

collies -- i grew up with collies. the first one we had we got as an adult and he was the best dog. really well trained and well behaved. the next two were not so good. barked a lot and jumped a lot. they needed to be groomed regularly to keep their fur from matting (and think about that long fur -- it will be everywhere). collies are prone to hip problems and (this sounds horrible) are not too smart. you have to make sure you get one from a reputable breeder to avoid these things (which result from inbreeding).

anyway, this is just my experience -- it could be totally off base. what about adopting an adult dog from an animal shelter? you could avoid all the hassle of a puppy and give a home to a dog that really needs it.

Mia · Kate Spade

quote:
Originally posted by: e_doli
what about adopting an adult dog from an animal shelter? you could avoid all the hassle of a puppy and give a home to a dog that really needs it."

Word to that e doli. I will say (and again, disclaimer: this is my experience only) that having two dogs has been easier than having one (for me) - the amount of work isn't twice (I walk them at the same time, feed etc.) and the best part is they keep each other company when I have to leave them (which isn't often so they tend to be very unhappy when I leave). That said, it's obviously twice the $ for two (food, vet bills). In fact I got my second dog, the mini doxie, specifically as company for dog #1, and I got a small one so I could walk them both at the same time. I'm not strong enough to walk two big, young dogs at once, nor am I disciplined enough to train them to be cool all the time on the leash.

One thing about owning dogs that I will say is, they are WAY more work than a cat. I mean, it's almost like I imagine having a kid would be - you constantly have to think about them when making plans, going anywhere, timing things etc. etc. I would NEVER give up my dogs, that's not even a question, but they are more work/thought than I anticipated they would be. I would recommend being fairly settled before getting a dog, in general.

EDIT: Check this site out for rescue dogs: www.petfinder.com You can search by state, breed, age etc.

-- Edited by Mia at 18:52, 2005-02-01

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

i have no idea if this is even your style, but bassett hounds are really mellow and do ok on their own. they aren't the most energetic dogs, but they are good company and (i think) really cute. also, my aunt and uncle have had scotties for years and years, and they are also apparently really independent little creatures. they have sort of haughty little personalities and behave almost like cats.

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

I have considered adopting and think that would be the best way to go. I'd love to have 2 dogs, but I just don't think it would work...maybe it would, I'd have to ask my dad and Myra (I can't bring myself to call her his girlfriend and they aren't engaged officially) what there thoughts were, but I think we'll be good with just one.

Thank you for all your help. I think I may just go to the shelters and see what I find.

halleybird · Hermes

I have had 4 purebreds and 1 mix (my Halley) and they are alllll hyper. Halley is 5 and people still ask if she's a puppy. Labs are insane!!!

I have heard that greyhounds are actually really great "alone" dogs...believe it or not, they are supposed to be very mellow (and there are TONS of them in rescue). Not sure if it's true, though.