Comments on: The Timeless Appeal of the Classic English Labrador Retriever

By: Dorothy Goyer

Dorothy Goyer — Sun, 04 May 2025 15:17:13 +0000

I have had 6 American labs. My 6th, Nick passed tragically at 12 due to blood clot during surgery. Nick was the most ball driven, retriever driven, strong lab I’ve ever had. He jumped from dock time after time. His energy was boundless. He waded in water looking for fish. He caught perch from our floating dock. He knew so many words and people’s names that we had to spell. He could sense our moods. My son was his chosen favorite and he stayed by his side and at dock with him and friends until all hours at night. Nick’s dad Deke was also a fisherman and great retriever. Deke’s mother Maggie was a fisherman. Nick not crate trained, slept in our bed. Food crazy. Had separation anxiety and howled when we left.

When Nick was 11, I got an English lab puppy named Bear. His parents were hip, etc. checked and passed. Bear’s father came from Ukraine so he’s well pedigreed. Bear house broke very fast and since I slept with him, never crated. Swam first day I took to lake. Took quite a while but he finally started to retrieve but not to degree American Nick did. He does not have the stamina Nick did. He is loving, cuddly, loves walking, playing with a special friend, his special toys, napping, loves sticks. Picky eater. No one in family is his person except maybe me. But he loves everyone. He got in the lake every single day during the coldest winter days. Now that he turned two, he’s just stopped retrieving. Not that interested. Should I be worried? Is this normal?

By: Pippa Mattinson

Pippa Mattinson — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:16:38 +0000

In reply to Sophia.

Hi Sophia, there is information on spaying in this artice: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/should-you-spay-your-dog-a-look-at-pros-and-cons/

By: Sophia

Sophia — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:40:57 +0000

What is the recommendation to spay a female English lab as our previous dog was at 6 months but now it seems longer.

By: Kate ruckle

Kate ruckle — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 21:11:16 +0000

can you recommend breeders for English labs? That would be wonderful. Thank you

By: Pippa Mattinson

Pippa Mattinson — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:02:04 +0000

In reply to Karen Jarmon.

Hi Karen, check out this article: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/dog-training-tips/ and this page: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/training-and-behavior/. If you need help, you can join my support group on Facebook. Good luck with training Gabe 🙂

By: Karen Jarmon

Karen Jarmon — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 21:13:05 +0000

Thanks for your information Do you have training info for a
1 year old English Lab
I just got him 1 week ago and would like some Training Tips for working on his Manners
And he is just Learning
Recall Thanks very much Karen and Gabe

By: Frank McCarry

Frank McCarry — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 09:09:26 +0000

Is that a chocolate American Lab on the cover of the book? He looks like a fighting dog. I have a 16 month old black American lab and he’s about the most handsome dog I’ve ever seen….no exaggeration, and I wouldn’t be bias 🙂

By: Sara Marie

Sara Marie — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:40:44 +0000

This is a great article. We have an English Lab ams an American lab. Both Charcoal (silver) or chocolate on paperwork) They both are exactly as you prescribed them. Our English has a rather wimpy tail and out American has a strong tail that knocks things over. The American is great at fetch. While the English lab would rather clean his toys and fur. But he likes to be comical and play games to. Pull towels off the stove handle just to be a snot. They are both 8 years old and 2 months apart from each other. We found them from different breeders.

By: Meg Austwick

Meg Austwick — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 07:03:14 +0000

In reply to Jay Silverberg. Hi Jay, Pippa has written an article on Labradors As Service Dogs which may be of further help and interest to you. Best wishes!

By: Jay Silverberg

Jay Silverberg — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 03:04:58 +0000

Hello Pippa. I have been given so much misinformation about the English Lab. I am handicapped (ms) so I can’t “run” with my dog. I love to play “fetch” and even from a wheelchair, I’ve got a good arm. I own just over an acre of land. About half woods. I can still walk very short distance and I think that giving my dog a bath can be great fun.
If you don’t mind and you can tell me a better “guide dog” I would be quite appreciative. I don’t really care about pure breeds. If you tell me that a mixed breed would be best for me, then please tell me where to look for a healthy one. I obviously don’t have a lot of money. Thanks for so much that you do.