Oldest photograph of a dog.

[DuncNZ]

In 40 years with Labs never had one bite anyone. Least of all a kid. Our Labs had kids and grandkids all over them, literally. When it got to be too much for them they would go off and hide.

Dog control people here in NZ say that Labs are high on the list of biters. Because people think they are all nice and wont bite and are not wary of them and rush right in , some times startling the dog , sometimes the owner and the dog just reacts and they can be protective not mean .

 

[appalichian hunter]

I have owned two labs, one is laying at my feet right now, gentlest dogs I have ever seen, they might lick you to death. Now on the other hand lived 14 years with an Old English sheep dog, if he knew you were good to go, if not or he thought you were up to no good I am sure he would have torn you a new arse. Any dog will defend his or his owner's wellbeing if they are startled or surprised. It's not the dog but the idiot approaching the dog.

 

[rkg1]

When you guys find out how to get a dog loss please let me know I lost one of my springers 7 years ago and still miss him. He was my best friend and a real protector of my wife if I wasn't home. He was just a darn good dog.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Some have mentioned here about feeling more pain at the loss of a dog than when many humans pass on.
I thought about this when I lost my little dog seen a few pages back. It tore me in two.
In thinking about this, I think it is that most people have enough negative to counteract the positive, but our dogs have no negatives most times, always loving and the same temprament, never moody or in a snot, always the same sense of humour, and So easy to love!

And, they make much more sense than many folks these days!

 

[SOLANCO]

Dog control people here in NZ say that Labs are high on the list of biters. Because people think they are all nice and wont bite and are not wary of them and rush right in , some times startling the dog , sometimes the owner and the dog just reacts and they can be protective not mean .

My first reaction is that perhaps NZ has a preponderance of show bred Labs. Breeding for conformation does strange things to the gene pool. And I would wonder whether that pool on an island like NZ is not shallow. Nothing against NZ, but it must be expensive to import new Lab breeding stock.
I like your point about the behavior of people. Just because you are human and not dog does not mean you automatically know how to behave with dogs.
On the other hand, if you do not socialize your dog while he is still a puppy you are leaving the door open for behavior problems. During the first four months of their lives, our pups went everywhere with us and did everything with us. Yes, sometimes inconvenient, but it paid huge dividends.

 

[Sam squanch]

Well, that particular preacher has gone on to

You know he went downstairs with an attitude like that……

 

[Sam squanch]

A little yorkie…. Loves to chase cats.

 

[B P Arn]

 

[Pukka Bundook]

I wonder what he'll do with it when he catches it, Arn!?

I can imagine momma saying,"Roger!..go and get him before he gets hurt!"

 

[appalichian hunter]

Dashounds are ornery little guys, very feisty. or at least the one my dad had was.

 

[SOLANCO]

View attachment 214693

Makes me think of how the smallest guy in the bar would want to fight the biggest after taking on board four drinks.

 

[B P Arn]

A friend recently sent me this picture of their dog.

 

[azmntman]

I have shed far more tears at the death of my dogs than for humans, even my parents at their deaths. I don't understand that, but it is true.

I believe humans have infinity more worth than animals, but still the attachment I have had to my dogs has been incredibly strong.

I don't belive in modern fiction such as the "Raibow Bridge" stories written in the 1980s and 90s. The Bible does not say what the eternal destiny is for animals, and I am fine with that. I will eventually find out, and whatever the Creator's plan is, I am certain that is the best plan of all.

Just my thoughts on the matter, and worth every penny you paid for them.

Right on! I am so glad to see you cried more for a dog than your foks Cuz its been bugging the hrck outta me. I "stayed strong" at the foks funerals but like you this last dog I still tear up bad when i think abut it and cried like I havent since a youngster.

As for the destiny of animals in heaven, I fully support your absoultly correct statment but myself choose to be ready to see em all (that will be weird?). God Bless brother

 

[senseisugarbear]

My first reaction is that perhaps NZ has a preponderance of show bred Labs. Breeding for conformation does strange things to the gene pool. And I would wonder whether that pool on an island like NZ is not shallow. Nothing against NZ, but it must be expensive to import new Lab breeding stock.
I like your point about the behavior of people. Just because you are human and not dog does not mean you automatically know how to behave with dogs.
On the other hand, if you do not socialize your dog while he is still a puppy you are leaving the door open for behavior problems. During the first four months of their lives, our pups went everywhere with us and did everything with us. Yes, sometimes inconvenient, but it paid huge dividends.

Solanco,, I have trained my own hunting dogs for over 55 years now, Now this is just my opinion,Of course. But I think that the AKC has gone a long ways to RUIN the Retrieving breeds.With Conformation titles , Field trials , and the like. Titles are NO guarantee as to trainability of a litter. Much inbreeding and line breeding occurs to bolster these lines. The wife and I watch the Westminster Championships, and find NO sense in a dog that is OWNED by So and So, but Shown and Handled by Whats his name. We would much rather have a dog that has been trained by Us,That Lives and Is Loved by us, Warts and all, I will expect my dog to be perfect,,Only when I achieve that status. One F/T reg says that the RETRIEVER MUST return on the SAME straight line that it took to make the retrieve,, I don't care if pup takes a CITY BUS to get back , as long as they have the bird. If a dog is to jump into freezing a$$ water on a 0' day , It needs to be out of LOVE, Not fear of retribution.And Gabby will continue to be a SPOILED house dog,that rides in the back seat of the TRUCK. In her short Career of 1 season , She has yet to lose a bird ( Out of 90-100 killed over her) Family? You bet. But I will let any one of you ride in the front of the truck if YOU will swim out in the COLD to get my birds,,,,,BE Safe >>> Wally

 

[senseisugarbear]

A friend recently sent me this picture of their dog.View attachment 214717

I'll Bet pup has a HARLEY- DAVIDSON tatoo out of frame on the left shoulder,,,,,Be Safe>>>>>>Wally

 

[senseisugarbear]

A little yorkie…. Loves to chase cats.

You know I'VE come to the CONCLUSION ....That the ONLY reason the cat runs is to save the dog an A$$ WHUPPIN' Be Safe >>>>>Wally

 

[B P Arn]

Dashounds are ornery little guys, very feisty. or at least the one my dad had was.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it's the size of the fight in the dog!

 

[DuncNZ]

I got my first Lab pup on 22 Oct 1958 , just after my 10th birthday , I owned , bred , trained and shot over Labs for the for the next 54 years, , all black dogs except one fox red gripe . I shot mallards , Canada geese , black swans , paradise shell ducks ,pheasants , California and brown Australian quail feral pigeons ,turkeys ,peacocks, rabbits , hares , Sika , Red and Fallow deer , and some field trialing thrown in between bird seasons.
I was never a show person , I owned 7 different Labs in that time .
When It came to find a replacement for my last lab I found that being a popular breed isn't always good for the breed as a whole . I had real difficulty finding a good pup from shooting lines where the parents had the drive and natural ability I required .
A friend brought in a pregnant Game keepers type working English Springer gripe in from England and I got a dog from him . I am on my 3rd ESS all related to my old dog . I have always kept my dogs to the end of their lives and miss them all , and always will . I have photos of each one under the glass top of my desk as I write this .
Yes it is expensive to import dogs from Britain but people still do it , a lot of breeders of both Labs and Spaniels are now bringing in semen as a less expensive alternative .
I have 2 damp Springers curled up at my feet as I write this , we have just got back from a long training session up the river , I wouldn't have it any other way .

 

[TDM]

I too, love, remember, and mourn the loss of all my 4 legged friends. Luckily I have my ferocious guard dog, Abby. Very ferocious at begging for Loves and treats.

 

[senseisugarbear]

I got my first Lab pup on 22 Oct 1958 , just after my 10th birthday , I owned , bred , trained and shot over Labs for the for the next 54 years, , all black dogs except one fox red gripe . I shot mallards , Canada geese , black swans , paradise shell ducks ,pheasants , California and brown Australian quail feral pigeons ,turkeys ,peacocks, rabbits , hares , Sika , Red and Fallow deer , and some field trialing thrown in between bird seasons.
I was never a show person , I owned 7 different Labs in that time .
When It came to find a replacement for my last lab I found that being a popular breed isn't always good for the breed as a whole . I had real difficulty finding a good pup from shooting lines where the parents had the drive and natural ability I required .
A friend brought in a pregnant Game keepers type working English Springer gripe in from England and I got a dog from him . I am on my 3rd ESS all related to my old dog . I have always kept my dogs to the end of their lives and miss them all , and always will . I have photos of each one under the glass top of my desk as I write this .
Yes it is expensive to import dogs from Britain but people still do it , a lot of breeders of both Labs and Spaniels are now bringing in semen as a less expensive alternative .
I have 2 damp Springers curled up at my feet as I write this , we have just got back from a long training session up the river , I wouldn't have it any other way .

When I was a kid not yet a teen, My older brother bought a English Springer. A spry little dog Ginger was a speed ball, If we walked a mile Ginger ran 10. If she got on a wise old Rooster , You'd better have your NIKEs on. no bird could out run her. Always a flush ,sometimes in range.Mike never replaced her when she died at 14. but by then I had a pair of Goldens.....But Ginger gave me the bug. I'll hunt without a gun before I hunt without a dog.......Gotta love Em..Be Safe>> Wally