My first lab was a chocolate from the Humane Society... phenomenal hunter and a total sweetheart. We bonded instantly and that dog would literally do anyting for me. On her first hunt she out performed 4 other professionally trained dogs on sharptails in ND. I tossed my keys into all kinds of terrain over 10,000 times and she never once failed to bring them back. My second lab had royal blood, her dad was from the queen of Scotland's kennels and her mom was from Ireland. I got first pick of the litter. She's the calmest, most considerate and patient creature I've ever known. Her main drive is food but socially she's a grandmaster. My new lab of 5 months was from a guy that runs champion labs in field trials and breeds his own dogs. Both her parents were grand champions in AKC field trials. He sells the pups that neither breeder picks and had 2 boys and a girl left. I took the girl and within two days absolutely knew I got the right dog. She's a the most athletic lab I've had and a fireball on retrieves, yet sweet as can be and loves to cuddle more than any dog I've ever known. I've always gotten the right dog for me regardless of the circumstances. I've had a lot of help from a hidden hand in my life and my dogs have been no exception. I don't know for sure, but I believe EVERYONE ends up with the dog they're supposed to be with thru no skill or fault of their own. Labs are the best, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them as long as they're healthy. Pedigree in dogs means about as much as it does in people. Royal families are pedigreed and we've all seen what their bloodlines have produced. I think the individual chemistry between you and your dog is more important than anything you can put down on paper. If ANY dog loves you, it will do everything in its power to please you and ask only for a pat on the head or butt rub in return. I think people (including me) sometimes get too hung up on "specs" and marketing these days. Dogs aren't products, they're our best friends in a world that's gone a little crazy :)
I disagree about pedigree. All those letters in front or back of a dog’s name means they have brains and are trainable. Those letters require a lot of work and time. I have had seven Labs and the one have now has one of the best pedigrees I have seen and is very very smart.
Glad he talked about the downfalls of silver labs. I was given a silver because he was too high strung for the previous owners. He'd been through training twice. He just needed a job. Sweet dog and I love him but the alopecia caused by that dilute gene is rough. I've tried multiple things(special foods, salmon oil, oatmeal soaps, egg yolks, etc.) to help it and none seem to work.
So happy you’re doing another lab series! Loved the Sprig playlist. We bring home a new yellow pup, Sierra, the end of July and will be using your videos to help us along with training her.
I am so excited about the upcoming series! Your balanced training style is, in my opinion, some of the best on RU-vid and I would love to, once again, see it applied on my favourite breed.
Great video. Being a new Yellow lab owner I am looking forward to seeing your next series. If you have a follow up maybe have Bob touch on Sporting/American Vs English labs to help those thinking about a Lab puppy.
Gentlemen, would you please suggest a school to learn whelping and get vet-tech skills? I understand if you can’t, but like to hear varying professional opinions. Thank you, great video! With most Americans getting a pet at some point, it’s be great if schools could have a life class, and advanced pet knowledge a unit in that.
I am SO excited for this series! Last month we brought home a Goldador (Golden Retriever Lab mix) and she's the smartest sweetest thing. We've watched the sprig videos many times and will definitely be watching this pup!! 💕💕
Thank you for all of this valuable information! I'm new to this Channel I've only watched your YAWA that ended with the non hunting breed questions from a year ago. Also it's the one where you challenged us to binge watch your videos because someone watched like 50 in a week, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. My only problem is I will be taking notes...lol. Keep up the Great Work.
Love this collaboration, love your channel and love the lone duck podcast. I follow both regularly. Being I've got a field hunting lab, and a new setter puppy. Keep the great content.
Great idea for a video! So detailed, helpful, and educational. I'll be looking forward to the travel video, bringing new puppy home. Thanks to the internet, many of us find the right breeder, but they're halfway across the country! Our dog had to fly from Idaho to NC as a 8.5w old puppy. Very exciting news and looking forward to seeing black lab puppy!
Love all your videos but especially hyped for this series, such a good idea to have the breeder on and having back and forth questions. I am over in the UK and picking up my lab puppy in September so cant wait to get some inspiration from this series :D
Hi folks,thanks for such an informative video. Am also delighted you are doing another Lab series from the start. Could I ask you one thing? Are you going to do the training the pup in an order you would suggest we do. So excited about this, standing by!!!
Thanks for the info about selecting a family dog member. How do you deal with breeders who seem to push you to make your decision since others are looking at their dogs too? Making a purchase or down payment on a pup is a big deal so what happens when you feel like you are not given the time or opportunity to make your decision?
Great timing.. I'm get a little black dobermann bundle of joy in September. I'm looking for to following you're training routine! Maybe we can create a new breed.. Dobermann retriever...🙈🙈
I’m looking forward to this coming series, and am sure I’ll love it as I have all of your other videos. I’m going to pick up my new Black Lab pup later this week.. You guys have convinced me to try clicker training with this pup as with my previous 3 dogs I never did, but there is some good logic to it. I will be reaching out later I’m sure as teaching a dog to hold a line on a long blind retrieve has always been my weak spot, I’m going with Ace for a name, so that one is taken.😀. Keep up the great content Ethan and Kat!
Thank you for the information!!! My GSP was diagnosed at 6 months old with entropian. Have you had any experience with this? My dog has had 2 eye surgeries to correct this genetic disorder. Should I let the breeder know about this?
