Black Lab or Chocolate Lab?

Good luck! I'm sure which ever one you get will be great!! Just bring them up right and they will turn into a great dog.

 

More important than color is the breeder and the bloodlines if you are looking for a sport dog. I train Malinois for sport and that's what we looks at.

 

A Lab's temperment is not associated with the coat color at all. Find a good breeder, meet the pup's parents and get the history. I've got a 1 yr old chocolate and he's awesome! Very very calm, especially for a lab, most are crazy at that age. I got incredibly lucky but, in general, labs are great dogs. They do better if you keep them engaged and active. They're intelligent so when they get bored, they become destructive. Here's my guy a few months ago at the beach.

 

If your looking for a good hunting (duck retreiver) try looking at Cheaspeake Bay retreivers. We have one and she loves to ride in the truck, loves the water no matter what the tempature. They are a little hard headed but great family dogs.

 

I've got a 5 year old black lab and an 8 month old yellow lab. Both are awesome. Just find a good breeder and bring him up right.

 

Awesome info guys. Any quick tips as to how much to feed a pup? some things I start training-wise right away? Thanks to everyone who posted

 

I just went by the chart on the side of the bag that tells you how much to feed them based on age and weight. When they get older and their metabolism slows down you have to watch them because they get fat in a hurry. Different foods require different amounts, some have more of the nutrients they need so you feed them a little less (these are usually the more expensive brands like Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, etc.) We still feed ours twice a day, make sure you pick feeding times you can do consistantly. It'll help with house breaking also if you get them on a schedule. We got ours in a training class right away, at the very least it gets them well socialized. I've never trained a hunting dog but I'd imagine you want them to get used to loud noises and may want to look into a trainer who specifically trains hunting dogs. You don't want a hunting dog that freaks out or cowers everytime you take a shot...

 

When you look at puppy chow, there is usually a chart on the back that will give you a good idea on how much, and how many times to feed in a day. I have a 6 month old Black Lab mixed with German Hound. She gets hyper whenever someone new walks in the house or if I get excited, other than that she is pretty tame. I have taken her camping three times now, she does great! Can't wait till she's a bit older/bigger so I can throw a pack on her

 

I have one of these too that we got from a rescue organization. Best dog in the world. She's got the body of the boxer and they head of a lab. Essentially she looks like a really thin black lab. Fast as hell.

 

Depends on what food you get, go by what the bag says....get a good quality food..not puppy chow. My dogs both eat natural balance potato and duck, its really good food but it is not cheap. The local pet store and petco are the only places to get it.

First start with potty training if the dog is living inside, take it out every 2 hours or so till he gets the hang of it. Of my 2 dogs the lab mix was the hardest to train, shes as hard headed as they come...my best friend was the fieldtrainer 400. My hound mix is the smartest of the bunch, i can teach her just about anything in 5 minutes.

 

I've just recently had to start another bird dog due to my brittney spaniel getting killed. I knew that last season was probably going to be her last year hunting (due to health problems) but I was hoping to start another dog beside her in the field. I've picked up a german shorthaired pointer and am just taking it slow and letting her be a pup first. There is some great info on this site:http://www.gundogsonline.com/video/hunting-dog-training/introducing-your-hunting-dog-to-birds.htm
Just remember to be patient consistent.

My new girl:

 

Here are some pics of Jasmine my black lab / boxer mix. She's the best dog. I've never seen a dog so greatful and desperate to please.

My best tip if you get a lab, make sure to have plenty of tennis balls around. They even make a glow in the dark rubber type ball for the Chuck-It. It's great cause after 4 months, she still has not even put a dent in it. All of the tennis balls are worn out within a week or so.

 

I have a chocolate lab. He is almost a year old and he is absolutely nuts. He has so much energy that if you are out playing with him, he literally bounces around instead of standing.

Edit: I forgot to add that he is one hell of a chewer. He chewed the aluminum dryer vent off the side of the house and he has eaten every small tree in our yard.

 

I have to agree with some of the other guys. The way they act has nothing to do with color. That is all preference, find the breeder you like with some smart pups. And dont go to one that has only one pup left, you need to be around all the pups so you can see how they act with the others. Get you a good training book. Oh yeah dont be cheap.

 

Oh yes....mine eats..string toys, bathroom cabinets, rubber chew toys, paper towels, anything in the trash can, q-tips, cat toys, pillows, plastic food bowls, sticks/small trees-shrubs, god help the grass and other stuff i am sure to be forgetting.

 

My parents breed and train hunting labs, and for some reason the black lab females are always the best duck hunting dogs for us. My step-dad always ended up keeping a black one. But all in all they are great hunting dogs black/yellow/chocolate will be loyal and good to you as long as they are properly trained.

 

I love this little girl, black lab now almost 12 weeks old & her name is Kacy..

 

everyone's advice has been awesome. I got a black female. Named her "Tulee". Pics will be posted soon, she's 3 months old and has been awesome for short time ive had her.

Next question...How the HELL do I potty train her?

 

Observation & consistency since your pup & mine are about the same age, It's frustrating as hell but with time & a little patience she'll get the idea, first I'd take note on when & where she does her business meaning from the time she eats & drinks till the big event comes after you get a gauge on this start putting her out to do her thing after feeding or if shes been inside for awhile, my pup Kacy is starting to let me know when she needs to go, its usually either barking at me for no reason (apparently there is a reason) or just getting my attention by sitting there intensely staring me down....

She still makes a mistake here & there but shes getting better about it everyday, & the mishaps shes had recently is more my fault than hers ( by me ignoring her signals to me) Its patience & consistency though that'll get you both thru it... good luck..