Lab companions?

DH and I don't have dogs yet but we've always said we want one yellow, one chocolate, and one black Labrador Retriever.

We still want at least 2 Labs but I've always loved the look of Weimaraners. I read a little bit about them today, I got the impression they need a lot of exercise and can be less social and more aggressive than Labs.

Does anyone know another "companion" breed that is similar to a Lab? Medium sized, medium exercise required, non aggressive/territorial, intelligent and trainable?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to the day I can post regularly on this board.

Re: Lab companions?

I have a golden retriever.
They are a great breed. In my experience they are a little easier than labs, who are know for a destructive puppyhood. She is a great family dog, very very smart (doesn't need to be walked on a leash) and not agressive at all (sometimes I do wish for her to be a little more protective). My MIL also has a golden who also is a really good boy. He was very trainable and also is smart. A turn off to some is the longer hair. I brush mine weekly and compared to my moms and mil's labs the golden actually sheds a lot less. The coat isn't as thick, but thinner and longer. As far as exersize, my golden is happy with her daily walk and some daily playtime with my MIL's dog.

My mom is waiting on a yellow lab puppy that she should be picking up in mid August. She has been waiting for this litter for close to 6 months now! My golden is very happy to be getting a new playmate!!

Re: Lab companions?

Goldens.

But talk to Gerty she has the best cutes and pretiest Weimaraner Misty. I know Misty needs a lot of exercise but she is a great dog!

Re: Lab companions?

I am a huge fan of keeshonds. A close friend growing up had one, and he was SO good with all of us around him, very loving and loyal, sweet as can be, and very smart.

Keeshond

Re: Lab companions?

Thanks, ladies!

We had a Golden rescue years ago named Cody. He was oh-so-sweet, a total mush, but skittish. His previous owners must not have been nice people. He was petrified of the broom.

One of DH's concerns (and mine too) is hair shedding. That was one of many reasons why we like the idea of Weimaraners. I had a Lab/Border Collie mix growing up and wow, his hair was everywhere! I know Labs still shed, I think we're prepared for that and the grooming involved.

It's not so much a Weimaraner aggressiveness that I'm worried about, it's making sure I can give it what it needs in the way of exercise and it's socialization with other dogs and people.

I'm not a complete couch potato and really enjoy dog walking & playing but someone I talked to with a Weimaraner solved some "acting out" issues by taking him on long twice-daily bike rides. I'm trying to be responsible about it because I don't know if we're prepared for that kind of exercise committment.

Anyway, if anyone has any feedback on Weimaraners, or other breeds that may "fit", let me know! Thanks!

Re: Lab companions?

Labradoodles! We have one, and she is great, very sweet, friendly, easy to train, and NO shedding!! I also have allergies and with her, I have none!

Re: Lab companions?

Another golden fan here....although like others said, they can be very "chewy" puppies and my casey is very hyper - she is going to be 3 tomorrow and is calming down, but still has her crazy spurts of energy.

Re: Lab companions?

If you are concerned about shedding, here is a list of hypoallergenic dogs, who usually shed little or not at all:

American Hairless Terrier
Bichon Frisé
Bolognese
Border Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Cairn Terrier
Chacy Ranior
Chinese Crested
Coton De Tulear
Fox Terrier (Wire)
Giant Schnauzer
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lhasa Apso
Löwchen
Maltese
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spanish Water Dog
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Poodle

Re: Lab companions?

Wow, that's a great list!! Thank you!

I just realized that Bouvier des Flandres is on that list. My sister had one years ago and my husband, who insists he's not allergic to dogs, would have a runny nose, itchy eyes and sore throat within an hour of being around him!

Isn't that funny? My sister insisted it wasn't the dog. Unfortunately, he was not well and is no longer with them. And my husband's allergies ceased while visiting. So strange.

Re: Lab companions?

Well I love my lab!! And I love Misty -- Gerty's weimie, but she is quite the ball of energy!! I don't know if I'd be able to keep up with her....

Re: Lab companions?

KittytheStray, the insanely smart and cool chick that she is, suggested a Viszla. Check this out, from Wiki:

Re: Lab companions?

Re: Lab companions?

Posted by greenfreak

KittytheStray, the insanely smart and cool chick that she is, suggested a Viszla. Check this out, from Wiki:

Vizslas are lively, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring and highly affectionate. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, including children. Often they are referred to as "velcro" dogs because of their loyalty and affection. They are quiet dogs, only barking if necessary or provoked.

They are natural hunters with an excellent ability to take training. Not only are they great pointers, but they are excellent retrievers as well. They will retrieve on land and in the water, making the most of their natural instincts. However, they must be trained gently and without harsh commands or strong physical correction, as they have sensitive temperaments and can be easily damaged if trained too harshly. Vizslas are excellent swimmers and often swim in pools if one is available. Like all gun dogs, Vizslas require a good deal of exercise to remain healthy and happy. Thirty minutes to an hour of exercise daily in a large off-leash area is optimal.

The Vizsla thrives on attention, exercise, and interaction. It is highly intelligent, and enjoys being challenged and stimulated, both mentally and physically. Vizslas that do not get enough attention and exercise can easily become destructive or hyperactive. Under-stimulated Vizslas may also become depressed or engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviours such as persistent licking. Vizslas are very gentle dogs that are great around children.

The Vizsla prefers to be close and interacting with its owner whenever possible. It is totally unsuited to being kept outside as unlike nearly all other dogs, it does not have an undercoat. This lack of undercoat makes the Vizsla susceptible to the cold so it must not be kept in a kennel or outside for extended lengths of time. Many Vizslas will sleep in bed with their owners if allowed, burrowing under the covers with their heads on the pillow if at all possible. They are self-cleaning dogs and only need to be bathed once or twice a year, and are somewhat unique in that they have no noticeable "dog smell" detectable by humans.

Hello. And look at this dog!

IMAGE


I think I'm in

Re: Lab companions?

Beautiful dogs, but you did see the part about requiring challenge and exercise right?

Re: Lab companions?

Yeah...just so you know - a Vizsla is just an orange weimie!
So is a German Short-Hair Pointer

They are all versions of the same dog....

Re: Lab companions?

Yes, I saw that part, and the description seemed tamer than the Weimeraner's requirements. But I see the point here, they are very similar dogs. God, they're so beautiful.

I should have mentioned before, we don't intend on having children. Once homeowners, our lives will be about our families, home, and dogs.

So we fully intend on being those people who treat their dogs as their children. We're ready to challenge their minds and train them properly from the get-go.

Kitty is even graciously entertaining my suggestion of using her cats to socialize our dogs from a young age. I'm allergic to cats, so I'd need hers. I just have to hope they don't eat my dogs.

Re: Lab companions?

Posted by greenfreak

Yes, I saw that part, and the description seemed tamer than the Weimeraner's requirements. But I see the point here, they are very similar dogs. God, they're so beautiful.

I should have mentioned before, we don't intend on having children. Once homeowners, our lives will be about our families, home, and dogs.

So we fully intend on being those people who treat their dogs as their children. We're ready to challenge their minds and train them properly from the get-go.

Kitty is even graciously entertaining my suggestion of using her cats to socialize our dogs from a young age. I'm allergic to cats, so I'd need hers. I just have to hope they don't eat my dogs.

Re: Lab companions?

Thanks for all your help everyone!

And thank you Gerty for your offer of meeting Misty. You have FM.

Re: Lab companions?

Posted by Gertyrae

Posted by greenfreak

Yes, I saw that part, and the description seemed tamer than the Weimeraner's requirements. But I see the point here, they are very similar dogs. God, they're so beautiful.

I should have mentioned before, we don't intend on having children. Once homeowners, our lives will be about our families, home, and dogs.

So we fully intend on being those people who treat their dogs as their children. We're ready to challenge their minds and train them properly from the get-go.

Kitty is even graciously entertaining my suggestion of using her cats to socialize our dogs from a young age. I'm allergic to cats, so I'd need hers. I just have to hope they don't eat my dogs.

If you don't intend to have children and you want a dog that doesn't shed and you like the look of Weimaraners or Vizsla's...you might want to look at them again.
Honestly, although we walk Misty every morning and she is high energy, she is also an amazing, loving dog. The breed is known for their loyalty and affection. She HAS to be touching us almost all the time. If I'm on the computer, she is sleeping on my feet. On the couch, she lays her head on your lap...even in the car, she likes to have a foot on you.
She is extremely intelligent and was very easy to train...and she had behaviour problems from her previous owner.
She is great with the cat (but does like to go after the outside cats).
One thing you should know - because of their breeding, Weimeraners will chase the "prey" but not catch it. When she gets close to a bunny or cat, she basically gives up the chase and looks at me. Apparently, I'm supposed to finish the job...

If you ever want to meet her, let me know and I'll be happy to.
They are a wonderful dog and very protective and loyal.


Okay...I've definitely bored everyone at this point