Wasted Labs

[singleshot12]

Professionally bred or back yard bred doesn't seem to matter. The future of most seem to get either mistreated,don't get to hunt, or end up in the pound, or worse yet dead! It makes me sick!  Seems anyone can just breed dogs,with their driving force mainly being profit without any concern for the breed and what happens to that dog after it's sold. There are way too many Labs going to waste and people keep breeding them and selling them to idiotic ignorant people that think they can take care of the dog for it's life span. Labs are a working breed and should only be bred and sold to people who can commit to the responsibility and prove they are worthy enough to own one. I could rant forever about this! but really how many Labs get the life they deserve? 1 out of 10?

[seth30]

My two labs are doing fine, but then again I come from a family that raised hunting dogs, so I KNEW what I was getting into.  I think many people buy a dog on its looks alone.

[Happy Gilmore]

Professionally bred or back yard bred doesn't seem to matter. The future of most seem to get either mistreated,don't get to hunt, or end up in the pound, or worse yet dead! It makes me sick!  Seems anyone can just breed dogs,with their driving force mainly being profit without any concern for the breed and what happens to that dog after it's sold. There are way too many Labs going to waste and people keep breeding them and selling them to idiotic ignorant people that think they can take care of the dog for it's life span. Labs are a working breed and should only be bred and sold to people who can commit to the responsibility and prove they are worthy enough to own one. I could rant forever about this! but really how many Labs get the life they deserve? 1 out of 10?

Well, there is truth to it. I don't think hunting should be a requirement to have a healthy, happy pet. Labs make great pets but, they need a job of some sort. The chances of a well bred lab, from a breeder who has a waiting list for their dogs before they are born certainly increases the chance the dogs do end up somewhere that will provide them a good job and a good long life.

A lot of folks get two "registered" dogs with the intent of having pets and making some money. This attitude usually ends up at the expense of the dog. They go to homes of folks who buy dogs at Duck Unlimited auctions....usually people who get wrapped up in a desire to win a bid more than having much thought of actually owning a dog and being 100% ready to have one for 10+ years.

[CP]

He'd get out more if could stay still in the blind:

[seth30]

Just adding a dislcmer to my labs, Yes they are from the same litter and of opposite sex but they are Fixed.  I have never, and will never own a non fixed animal.

[Dhoey07]

Just adding a dislcmer to my labs, Yes they are from the same litter and of opposite sex but they are Fixed.  I have never, and will never own a non fixed animal.

Why are you out retrieving your own ducks?  I thought that's what the dogs are for   

[JColony]

So, what shoule I do with my lab that can't hunt because he has bad hips???   Are you saying he is leading a bad unhappy life because he stays at home, gets loved, fed, roof over his head, loved, loved, loved, and more loved?? And to clarify, its a sporting breed.  A husky is a working breed.  As long as a lab is well taken care of, allowed to play and excercise, what's it matter if it hunts or not.  What's the difference between fetching a tennis ball and retrieving a dead quail?

[singleshot12]

So, what shoule I do with my lab that can't hunt because he has bad hips???   Are you saying he is leading a bad unhappy life because he stays at home, gets loved, fed, roof over his head, loved, loved, loved, and more loved?? And to clarify, its a sporting breed.  A husky is a working breed.  As long as a lab is well taken care of, allowed to play and excercise, what's it matter if it hunts or not.  What's the difference between fetching a tennis ball and retrieving a dead quail?

It's always great to see Labs out doing their thing(hunting) and I also salute those who love and take care of their dog all the way to the bitter end (bad hips or not!) And yes they are happy to retrieve anything if able.

It's a plus if they hunt, but I'm mainly talking about people either getting rid of their Lab after the novelty wares off or abusing them. In other words people that don't deserved to be owned by one 

[Fowlweather25]

I agree that to many dogs period are mistreated. Not just labs. Labs areva very popular breed because they generally are double feature dogs meaning that not only are they good for hunting and outdoor activity but they are good family dogs as well. I think a big part of the problem is that people see a puppy and think ohhh it's so cute but like you said they don't think of the long term aspect! They don't realize that they are a large breed that NEEDS to get out and burn energy. When they realize how much responsibility this takes they get lazy and choose the easy way out.

[seth30]

Just adding a dislcmer to my labs, Yes they are from the same litter and of opposite sex but they are Fixed.  I have never, and will never own a non fixed animal.

Why are you out retrieving your own ducks?  I thought that's what the dogs are for   

  Lol, that is because of taxi reasons.

[Stilly bay]

So, what shoule I do with my lab that can't hunt because he has bad hips???   Are you saying he is leading a bad unhappy life because he stays at home, gets loved, fed, roof over his head, loved, loved, loved, and more loved??

your dog, although well treated and loved would probably enjoy life a little more if he could go hunting and do his thing, just like any other dog with a debilitating disease, but it sounds like your doing your best by him as an owner and therefore are not one of the people letting their Labs/dogs go to waste.
Hip dysplasia is  another argument for tighter health clearances before breeding. Hip dysplasia happens, but its up to responsible breeders to try and control it.

And to clarify, its a sporting breed.  A husky is a working breed.  As long as a lab is well taken care of, allowed to play and excercise, what's it matter if it hunts or not.  What's the difference between fetching a tennis ball and retrieving a dead quail?

Labs are sporting breeds in title only these days. what do you call bomb detecting Labs, service labs, and drug detecting labs other than working dogs? a breed of purpose would be a good amalgamation of the two I guess. 
one of my Labs is a service dog, and she is constantly trying to help with doors and picking things up ect. this is bred into her so deep that she is constantly trying to anticipate what I want from her. were talking about a dog with hardly any bird drive that became a very serviceable hunter because she had a job to do. my other lab is of stronger hunting lines and he is ready to go hunting all the time. if either were locked up alone in a yard left to their own devices, they would undoubtedly use all that purpose driven energy for things like landscaping.
Labs need a purpose to get the most out of their short lives

Professionally bred or back yard bred doesn't seem to matter. The future of most seem to get either mistreated,don't get to hunt, or end up in the pound, or worse yet dead! It makes me sick!  Seems anyone can just breed dogs,with their driving force mainly being profit without any concern for the breed and what happens to that dog after it's sold. There are way too many Labs going to waste and people keep breeding them and selling them to idiotic ignorant people that think they can take care of the dog for it's life span. Labs are a working breed and should only be bred and sold to people who can commit to the responsibility and prove they are worthy enough to own one. I could rant forever about this! but really how many Labs get the life they deserve? 1 out of 10?

I agree and will ad that nothing pisses me off more than when I hear about someone breeding their dogs so that their kids can experience the wonders of nature and childbirth!   this teaches children more about how this is a disposable society and that life is cheap.  I wonder if these people go the full spectrum and take their kids to the back room in animals shelter and open the freezers that contain all the euthanized unwanted dogs - for the sake of this thread I bet my last dollar that most larger animal shelter's freezers hav a lab or lab X in them on any given week or even day.

there is too much breeding without discretion or forethought these days, and there are far too many unwanted pups. if you love dogs why would you want to contribute to the problem? and at the very least get some tests done and make sure your dog is healthy with no serious joint or eye problems.
 

[JColony]

I apologize, this thread just struck a nerve with me.  Both my labs are rescues, one hunts, the other doesn't and yes, he wishes he could go everytime.  Stilly, I like your compromise, a breed of purpose.  I like that

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Not everyone hunts so not every dog will get that chance.  But people do want dogs that are loyal, great around kids, intelligent and protective.  Labs have more than one purpose than just hunting.  I have a lab and and husky.  My lab hunts from time to time, but is more happy playing fetch than sitting in a blind.  My husky doesn't pull sleds, which is her breeds main purpose, but sure loves chasing me on the four wheel when we go she's hunting.  Dogs have more than one purpose in life they are not just here to work for us.

I hate it when people lock their dogs in a kennel and the only time the come out its all business, training or hunting. They are usually more abused and mistreated than those who just want a new member of their family.  Labs, all dogs, should be a member of your family first, hunter second.  I would also like to see less people who don't care about the breed and do their due diligence before breeding dogs, breeding them.  Every time i go to cabelas, their is some pos selling labs out of a van, it's disgusting!

[7mmfan]

When I got my lab a few years ago, I had "0" intention of hunting her. I'm active, outdoors all the time hiking and fishing so I knew she would get all the outdoors time she needed and that she would be in a loving home where she is appreciated. Its only after I reconnected with a friend who had started duck hunting and invited me to go, that the idea of hunting her came into play. Now she is an indispensable tool as well as friend and companion.

The point I'm trying to make I guess is that in a perfect world every dog would be used for its purpose, but they don't HAVE to be, and if I was not able to get her and have her as my pet because I wasn't going to hunt her, my life would be a lot different and I'm sure hers would be as well.

Some even say that homes should be checked before dogs are allowed to be purchased, given away or adopted. The only problem with that is that is that many of those dogs that went to homes that may have been considered unacceptable, changed peoples lives. Dogs do that kind of stuff. Mine did.

My dog is just as happy swimming after a stick as she is chasing down a duck and as long as she's taken care of and happy thats all that REALLY should matter.

[singleshot12]

ttt     It's back!!!!


carry on