Originally Posted by
J Pike
Mustad the only reason I listed dock diving is because Jimmy S mentioned it earlier in the thread. Though dock diving does prove that labs are as athletic as any other sporting breed.
As far as hunt tests and field trials are concerned, they are nothing more than competitions that take place in a controlled environment and are over in a short amount of time.
A hunt test has about as much to do with hunting as does competing in a 3D archery shoot or a clay pigeon shoot.
And yes antler hunting is hunting, The dog must endure rugged and very thick terreign, adverse weather conditions and stay focused on the task at hand for 8-10 hours at a time even though it might not locate one antler during that entire time.
As far as labs not being able to be trusted with kids (LMAO)
More hunters and non hunters in north america as well as in the entire world own labs as family pets, more than any other breed of dog!! Labs are the most popular breed in the world for pets, waterfowl hunting and antler hunting!! Dont believe me? Google the AKC and look it up.
And yes you are correct that I got my pup from a rescue, I spend many hours training rescue dogs (regardless of breed) to be adoptable so they can be placed in a home a home. The health concerns you mentioned are not a worry for me because its not like I have to pay a vet bill etc. and I will let you in on a little secret, those hip and elbow certs you mentioned are not worth the paper they are printed on. (regarless of breed) Though eye certs are beneficial.
Sorry to hear about your brothers dog, tell you what next time he is looking for a pup let me know and also what breed he is interested in, I will find one for him and pick out the right one for him to train. Pike
I never said labs weren't athletic.
Based on your lack of knowledge of hunt tests, I really don't think you have any basis to an opinion that holds any value other than pure speculation. At the same time, you're all over the place on your argument. So now you're saying that shooting clay pigeons has nothing to do with hunting? Under the same argument, sighting in a scope has nothing to with deer hunting? Yet walking in the woods looking for antler sheds is hunting? I think you have a different definition of hunting than I.
That's great that you work with rescue dogs, but frankly your time would be better spent shutting down those Amish puppy mills in the first place along with probably 75% of the lab breeders that are producing dogs which have no purpose to exist in the first place other than to generate a few bucks.
You are truly blind if you don't see the issue regarding aggression within the lab population. I have to believe you have a defence mechanism up here. I have read many articles that show examples of dogs that have been aggressive. If you can't acknowledge this as a serious temperament issue, you have problems. I wonder if that dog ended up getting bred. Let's keep churning those pups out because the AKC needs the registration $$'s. They would probably have gotten the dog's hips checked, but what the heck. It's perfectly normal for a dog not to be able to walk because it's hip joints fall apart. No reason to try to control that process. Now that's a great scenario.
Don't worry about my bro. He's been enlightened to the fact that a popularity contest doesn't result in the best outcome.