Breeds Similar to Labs

[Fran27]

I'd either get a lab or golden too, but from a GOOD breeder. Health testing is crucial (OFA, CERF at least), so you know the line is healthy... and you need a breeder that will tell you what to expect temperament-wise, and that breeds stable dogs.

Sure, lots of goldens and labs are hyper, but so many horrible breeders breed them, it's not a surprise... Mine, for example, is a nutcase, although he's getting better.

 

[bubbatd]

^^^ agree Fran . Sure makes a difference !!! Wish you could meet Seger !

 

[Romy]

How do chessies compare temperament wise? I've only met a couple but they seemed pretty similar to the well bred labs I have known. Same thing for weimaraners too.

Edit: Just wanted to add that the weimaraners were less outgoing with strangers, but still friendly and nice. Don't know if that is typical of the breed though.

 

[HarleyD]

Labs have Newfoundland in them and, from what I recently read, Chessies were introduced a few times back in the late 1800's around the begining of the breed. That's why they still look so similar.

Labs, from good breeders, can be very calm and are intelligent. Field Labs tend to be more active and hyper than the show lines...but not necessarily. I know a lady that has a female from field lines that will retrieve anything but loves to chill in the house any other time. She's also got a male that only retrieves tennis balls, but loves to be loved on and is very calm (unless he's playing with the pup). She's got a puppy that came from a field mom and show dad that is the best (and worst) of both worlds. Inside he's as calm as can be, unless he's rough housing with the male, and (upon mentioning outside) goes bonkers when it's time to go outside. he knows he'll get to retrieve and run around more. She said all were pretty easy to train though.

 

[houndlove]

I think Chessies are a bit more serious and tend to be harder dogs than labs.

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

How do chessies compare temperament wise? I've only met a couple but they seemed pretty similar to the well bred labs I have known. Same thing for weimaraners too.

If you want a dog with a Lab-like temperament, the Chessie is not for you.

As a breed they have a few features that some people find charming, but that some people find mildly unpleasant and some people find downright intolerable. Chessies are soft yet stubborn, which often makes training difficult. Chessies are protective to a fault; they have a strong responsibility to guard your yard, your home, the car, the kids, even the cat. Chessies can often be dog aggressive. Chessies can be wary and aloof with strangers.

In regards to training a Chesapeake, I have heard the following saying: You tell a Lab, you ask a Golden and you negotiate with a Chessie.

 

[Boemy]

If you like labs and goldens, get a lab or a golden. Yeah, labs are popular, but so what?

Otherwise you could go with one of the other retriever breeds . . . Curly-coated retriever or flat-coated retriever. (Chespeake bay retrievers wouldn't really fit what you're looking for, IMO.)

However, flat-coated retrievers have hip dysplasia problems like a lot of big breeds do AND they are very prone to bone cancer. You would be much better off getting a golden retriever in terms of health.

Curly-coated retrievers are more reserved than labs and goldens, so it's not really the same temperament. But fairly similar. I think they are a bit harder to train than labs/goldens, although not extremely hard to train.

Irish setters are beautiful, but not easy to train.

 

[Zoom]

I've met (out of hundreds) one or two Weims that I would venture to say are pretty close to a Lab temperment wise. The majority are completely spastic and neurotic, so if you go that route, choose very, very carefully!

 

[FoxyWench]

portugese water dog comes to mind
very lab link in there there very willing to work for their people, but they can be stubborn with strangers, happy go lucky, easy to train and love to swim as a generallity

curly coated retreiver is another possibility

flat coated retriver

possibly even an irish water spaniel...

all are great breeds, if properly bred and socilized good tempemrnets, abotu lab size and are "different"

 

[Laurelin]

If you really like labs then get a lab. There's not going to be a breed that's exactly like a lab but without the health problems.

Find a breeder that health tests. Both labs and goldens can be great dogs with great temperaments. You have to remember that the vast majority of labs and goldens around are not from either show or field lines but are just poorly bred. In general labs seem to be more active than goldens. Weims are SUPER active from the ones I've known. I've also known a few setters that were nice. My friend has field line English setters and they're really good dogs. Another friend has a show line Irish setter and he's... special. He's sweet, just very simple and hard to train. He's a good dog, but I know I wouldn't do well with him.

 

[milos_mommy]

I think labs are more energetic than goldens.

i'd go for a standard poodle or a brittany. if you want something more high energy, maybe a weimerainer or a GSP.

 

[Ratboy]

The area I live in used to have a huge number of Labs and Goldens. Most were expensive dogs that cost a lot of money. I would agree, on average, Goldens are less hyper than Labs are.

Some of the Labs were, IMO, bred for looks to the point of barely being able to run even when very young. The ones that lived the longest were the field type, a couple of those got very old, one was over 18, and just died recently. He was slower than slow, deaf, and couldn't see very well, but he was eating well until the night before he died, in his sleep.

All the Goldens and Labs around here lived at least a normal life span, I can't think of one that was less than 11 or so.

There are only about half the number now that there, retired Greyhounds and mutts of assorted sizes, from 20 to about 125 pounds seem to be most common now.

I will probably do the mutt thing again when it's time.

 

[LilyoftheValley]

If you walk your *Hyper* dog for at least 30 minutes, two times a day,I bet the hyperness will melt away. I had a VERY hyper and incredably distructive chocolate lab named Zues. I thought it was just a personality quirk, but when I talked to my vet (Who also specializes in dog sociology) She said that he needs lots of walks and boundries. I walked him for an hour, twice a day and he was calm and docile. We also got into agility to drain his energy and he was great. The fact was he was hyper because he was not getting enough exercise. Unfoutunately Zues died of old age. But he died a happy and well exercised dog

 

[Melissa_W]

If you walk your *Hyper* dog for at least 30 minutes, two times a day,I bet the hyperness will melt away. I had a VERY hyper and incredably distructive chocolate lab named Zues. I thought it was just a personality quirk, but when I talked to my vet (Who also specializes in dog sociology) She said that he needs lots of walks and boundries. I walked him for an hour, twice a day and he was calm and docile. We also got into agility to drain his energy and he was great. The fact was he was hyper because he was not getting enough exercise. Unfoutunately Zues died of old age. But he died a happy and well exercised dog

This is so true. Kai seems so mellow to me, but he gets lots of exercise. If I get really busy and don't have enough time to exercise him properly, I really notice a difference in his behavior. He's a lot more "trouble making".

 

[juliefurry]

I find Goldens less " needy " ....... at least mine were compared to my 3 grandlabs !!

you have to meet Elwood than. If you sit down he's in your face for attention, you stand up and he's dancing around at your feet for attention. He constantly needs something. Hannah is content to sit and wait her turn but she always gets loving and everything first because she's my special dog.

 

[bubbatd]

When I took Chip in as a possible rescue , I really had to study his behaviour . They said that he was hign matience .... poor boy was only doing what he thought was pleasing them !! He moved into a quiet household with another quiet Golden and 2 old farts .....I kept him .