Chocolate v. Yellow v. Black Labs

ihartgonzo

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#61
All of the Labs I've really loved, were Chocolates.

That could be a complete coincidence... I dunno. They all happened to be field bred Chocolate Labs, one of which went through advanced Obedience with Gonzo, and we still meet up with her occasionally. She is by far the smartest, sweetest, sharpest Lab I have ever met.

Every DA Lab I have met has been Black. A Black Lab attacked Gonzo, when he was just a puppy. Yellow Labs tend to be more mellow, IMO. But I have met plenty of high-strung Yellows, and plenty of sweet Blacks.

I think the most important factor is the breeder, the parents/lineage, and the way you raise your dog. You should meet both of the parents, because a lot of your puppy's personality depends on their genetics. The parents should be sound, obedient, friendly, and proven to have hunting ability as well as good conformation and health. If I were buying a Lab puppy, I would be INCREDIBLY picky about the breeder's standards, because health & temperament issues due to backyard breeding (and PMs) is destroying the breed. I would look for a breeder who not only runs extensive health tests on both parents, but who also has proof of health clearances for several generations back, and who has thoroughly researched the lines before breeding.
 

Dakotah

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#62
All of the Labs I've really loved, were Chocolates.

That could be a complete coincidence... I dunno. They all happened to be field bred Chocolate Labs, one of which went through advanced Obedience with Gonzo, and we still meet up with her occasionally. She is by far the smartest, sweetest, sharpest Lab I have ever met.

Every DA Lab I have met has been Black. A Black Lab attacked Gonzo, when he was just a puppy. Yellow Labs tend to be more mellow, IMO. But I have met plenty of high-strung Yellows, and plenty of sweet Blacks.

I think the most important factor is the breeder, the parents/lineage, and the way you raise your dog. You should meet both of the parents, because a lot of your puppy's personality depends on their genetics. The parents should be sound, obedient, friendly, and proven to have hunting ability as well as good conformation and health. If I were buying a Lab puppy, I would be INCREDIBLY picky about the breeder's standards, because health & temperament issues due to backyard breeding (and PMs) is destroying the breed. I would look for a breeder who not only runs extensive health tests on both parents, but who also has proof of health clearances for several generations back, and who has thoroughly researched the lines before breeding.
I am very picky on choosing my pup. The breeder I'm talking about does all health test on his sire and dams, and puppies. He owns the sire of the litter he has now and the dam of this litter is of a good friend of his that has also been breeding Labs for some time now.
 

ihartgonzo

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#63
I am very picky on choosing my pup. The breeder I'm talking about does all health test on his sire and dams, and puppies. He owns the sire of the litter he has now and the dam of this litter is of a good friend of his that has also been breeding Labs for some time now.
Good. =)

Health tests as in... genetic health tests, right? By that I mean, x-rays on their hips and elbows, and certifying them with OFA/Pennhip.

I knew a very sweet yellow Lab who got HD when he was only 5 years old. It was incredibly sad, watching him struggle just to walk, and endure surgeries on both hips. Although these tests cannot guarantee healthy puppies, they are MUCH better than taking a total crapshoot with untested dogs. Does the breeder offer a health guarantee, on their puppies?
 

Dakotah

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#64
Good. =)

Health tests as in... genetic health tests, right? By that I mean, x-rays on their hips and elbows, and certifying them with OFA/Pennhip.

I knew a very sweet yellow Lab who got HD when he was only 5 years old. It was incredibly sad, watching him struggle just to walk, and endure surgeries on both hips. Although these tests cannot guarantee healthy puppies, they are MUCH better than taking a total crapshoot with untested dogs. Does the breeder offer a health guarantee, on their puppies?
yes to both questions.
If I can talk my dad into it, the breeder offered my dad and I to come to his farm in South Carolina to look at his dogs and the puppies, and hopefully go horse backriding! I REALLY would love to go!
 
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#65
I see alot of labs and all are different. There was a neighbor who used to have a chocolate. The sweetest girl i ever met. She was so laid back and calm. A family member has a yellow who is nuts. This dog is like 8 years old and still has the personality of a pup. I have a black lab and she's a nut too. She's still just a puppy yet and has her spunky spells but for the most part is calm. Alot of people I come across are scared to death of both of my dogs. I hear alot that black dogs are evil and viscous. Some people make it a point to avoid my dogs. I guess being black they are more intimdating??
 

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#66
Black Labs are very sweet and calm, from what I've seen. I actually prefer black dogs, in general, over any other color.

BTW, I am still talking to the breeder in SC and he has a 1 week old litter now but they won't be ready for about another 7-8 weeks. I told him I might get a pup from that litter since I cannot get one at this moment. He has his own field training DVD and, if you would like, he will train your Lab himself for a small fee, of course. He has had 1 or 2 Labs on that Ducks Unlimited TV show. He also guarentees hips and eyes. He takes pride in his dogs and his work, and thats inportant to me because I dont want to get a dog from someone and they not enjoy and take pride in what they do.
 
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#67
I've had all 3 colors and they've all been nuts as puppies :)

My yellow lab boy was very calm and relaxed in his older years (after 4). He was my first SD and didn't really go anywhere with us, he was trained to go get my parents when I went into a seizure. Not the brightest dog ever, but he was a sweet boy and the first lab I grew up with.

My first black lab girl was a great dog. She was obsessed with tennis balls though and I was also going to try flyball with her in addition to training her as a SD, but I lost her at 2 years old due to a stupid ex-boyfriend who murdered her. He went to jail for a couple years for it since she was a SD in training and was almost certified (she was scheduled to test for her certification 2 weeks after she was killed). I'll never know how she would have turned out thanks to him.

My second black lab girl was crazy at first (at 6 months when I got her), but that's just because she had had no training whatsoever. She's now 7 and is very calm and relaxed.

My new chocolate girl is the usually crazy lab puppy and also my first chocolate. We'll see what her personality developes into, kinda early to tell. She already knows sit and down though at 8 weeks old. She's a smart little cookie and I have to come up with new things to teach her every week (which is fine since as a SDIT she has ALOT to learn!) just to keep her from becoming bored with what we've already done.

So IMO, most labs are sweet and calm after they've matured and if they've had proper training in manners and obedience most of their life. Color has nothing to do with it.

All 4 of mine have come from shelters/SD organizations or people that didn't want them anymore. I've never bought one from a breeder though and probably won't since there are so many in shelters, though if I did, I would be just as picky as you are being. This guy really sounds like he knows what he's doing. Good luck with finding your pup!
 

Dakotah

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#68
I've had all 3 colors and they've all been nuts as puppies :)

My yellow lab boy was very calm and relaxed in his older years (after 4). He was my first SD and didn't really go anywhere with us, he was trained to go get my parents when I went into a seizure. Not the brightest dog ever, but he was a sweet boy and the first lab I grew up with.

My first black lab girl was a great dog. She was obsessed with tennis balls though and I was also going to try flyball with her in addition to training her as a SD, but I lost her at 2 years old due to a stupid ex-boyfriend who murdered her. He went to jail for a couple years for it since she was a SD in training and was almost certified (she was scheduled to test for her certification 2 weeks after she was killed). I'll never know how she would have turned out thanks to him.

My second black lab girl was crazy at first (at 6 months when I got her), but that's just because she had had no training whatsoever. She's now 7 and is very calm and relaxed.

My new chocolate girl is the usually crazy lab puppy and also my first chocolate. We'll see what her personality developes into, kinda early to tell. She already knows sit and down though at 8 weeks old. She's a smart little cookie and I have to come up with new things to teach her every week (which is fine since as a SDIT she has ALOT to learn!) just to keep her from becoming bored with what we've already done.

So IMO, most labs are sweet and calm after they've matured and if they've had proper training in manners and obedience most of their life. Color has nothing to do with it.

All 4 of mine have come from shelters/SD organizations or people that didn't want them anymore. I've never bought one from a breeder though and probably won't since there are so many in shelters, though if I did, I would be just as picky as you are being. This guy really sounds like he knows what he's doing. Good luck with finding your pup!
thanks!
I am so sorry about your first black lab, that made me cry when I was reading it... :(
Good luck with your new Choco pup!
Is there anything you can tell me about training my new pup to be a SD? And what all it takes? Tell me anything. I'm very interested. PM me if you would like.
 
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#69
Depends on what you need the service dog to do for you :) Also, your disability needs to fall under ADA law or otherwise you can get into a lot of trouble.

I have tons of people trying to find out where I get my dogs' vests, just so they can take their pets wherever they want. I've even had people ask to BUY them off me, which drives me insane.

My SD is essential to my everyday life. I spend more than 15 hours alone at home (my husband works the night shift). Very dangerous without my SD. If I were to have a seizure and fall and hit the ground, I could be seriously injured. Also, I tend not to wake up after my seizures without something bugging me (for example, my SD licking my face). My medication also leaves me weak and it makes my brain think very slowly. I can't tell you how many times Rhea has come to me barking and running to the stove because I had left it on.

Here's a very good link with lots of information! http://www.deltasociety.org/ServiceInformationBasic.htm

However PLEASE do not try to pass off a regular pet as a SD! (this is also illegal, if caught, you will be fined heavily and face jail time) If you do not have a disability, you do not need a SD. People that try to pass their regular pets off as service dogs only make it harder for those of us who do have disabilities and NEED service dogs to assist us. Because of people just buying a vest from the internet and putting it on their pet so they can take them everywhere, the people with real service dogs get hassled alot and hear things such as "No dogs allowed." And when they explain their dog is a service dog, the reply is often: "Well that's what the last person said about their dog. It jumped all over everyone here and made a huge mess."

I'm not trying to be mean as I know nothing about you or if you need a SD or not.

However, if you do have a disability that requires a SD's help, please try to find either an organization that trains the dog for you or a trainer who can be a mentor for you, especially for the first time. I've had 3 SD's so far and everytime I work with another trainer at some point or another. My first dog came from an organization, my second dog I worked almost everyday with another trainer and then Rhea was mostly trained myself, though I had another trainer work with us later and she also went to classes (mostly for socialization.

The Delta Society has a list of trainers that can help. I recommend reading all of their SD info.
 

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