Hey Skinhead ,sorry to put ya off for a day but yesterday was the first day since the holidays above freezing temps. Had some exterior xmas crap to put away till next year. " What makes the Labradors and Golden Retrievers such good service dogs?" Here we go always kinda leery to give my opinion to something like this on the forum. Somebody always knows better. SO Just my opinion The Labrador is the only one of the two I own and can really tell you about. Reason being is that the Golden's require a bit more grooming. And I am lazy.That being said I work with both. The Labrador Retriever history can most likely be traced to Newfoundland where the fisherman cross breed pointers and the Newfoundland dog. Newfoundlands are cart pulling and water rescue dogs huge beautiful dogs, wonderful nature. Together they where breed to retrieve fishing nets in ice cold water and bring them to shore. And for what? A pat on the head and a meal. They still have the same drive . Each duck season I get up hours before daylight of course my girls ,4 black ,1 chocolate ,1 yellow ,all wake with me , now I can only take one with me . We drive 70 miles to the blind and at sunrise ,peak hunting time ,they wait on edge for the retrieve. Through the chunks of ice ,temperatures in the teens ,they dive in and swim the most direct route and return my ducks, uncrushed to my hand. FOR WHAT ? A pat on the head ! Gotta love that. This is what the clients my wife works with need. A low maintenance companion that will retrieve any thing for you on command. I have seen these dogs retrieve ear ring backs. and sandwiches. When needed. Now anyone wanting one of these or ANY other breed should research the breed, breeder, and the dogs pedigree (family tree). Buy from somebody who is involved with their dogs, not just a breeder.For example the again the only breed I can truly comment on, the Labrador has what I will refer two as three different types of Labs all bred for different needs. The English Labs, which is what my girls are.They are usually a slower moving relaxed dog shorter and thicker than the other two types. These are the type you would see in confirmation shows(my dog looks better than yours)= confirmation. The next would be the American Lab. Large and in charge. Bigger must be better right ,1520 cc. motorcycles, trucks with lift kits etc. but this is not normally what the clients Support dogs deal with need. Too large to fit under the table at restaurants,to large squeeze through the door at next to there partner. And then the fact that larger breed dogs usually live shorter lives. Next the field labs .We see more families purchase field labs only to find out later that these are intentionally breed for high energy. The quickest preforming retrievers bred to the same produces the super dog. Bing bing bing ricochet rabbit fast. When most would like a dog to lay by their feet on a cold night. Now don't get me wrong we need each of these types, and there is alwaysthe atypical or exception to the rule. I hunt with my English Labs three or four times a year. The rest of the year they are my shadow, calm and loving. They get my shoes, retrieve my paper etc. Skinhead your other question as is it hard to let go of one after training it ? It can take up to two years to train one, and yes its very hard. But when you see what a change they can make in someones life , the freedom they give their partner through independence and even the freedom they give their partners family from being constantly depended on ,its easy. Oh ya through Support Dogs of St.Louis these life partners or provided at NO CHARGE ! Skinhead thanks for showing some interest. I guess you can't tell i'm a little passionate about my dogs.And you should be glad you didn't ask the wife,she would still be typing.
.jpg)
