Question for Labrador owners

[goofy4tink]

So, do any of you that use that shedding tool on their goldens know of any place that takes all that fur and makes it into yarn for sweaters? The birds just sit there, in the trees in the spring when I brush out my Chappy!! They love that excess hair for their nests! I tried using the shedding tool in the basement just once...OMG!!! Fur everywhere.
As far as the labs go, I really think the chocolate labs have somewhat softer fur (hair). I have a friend who has a goldadoodle...half golden half black poodle. Terrific dog, no shedding, no allergies. He's big though. Very soft hair, and curly.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

So, do any of you that use that shedding tool on their goldens know of any place that takes all that fur and makes it into yarn for sweaters? The birds just sit there, in the trees in the spring when I brush out my Chappy!! They love that excess hair for their nests! I tried using the shedding tool in the basement just once...OMG!!! Fur everywhere.
As far as the labs go, I really think the chocolate labs have somewhat softer fur (hair). I have a friend who has a goldadoodle...half golden half black poodle. Terrific dog, no shedding, no allergies. He's big though. Very soft hair, and curly.

As a matter of fact I do!

http://www.vipfibers.com/

I mentioned that I wanted to have an afghan made out of Chloe hair and my family thought I'd lost my mind. I tried using the "we wear sheep wool and rabbit hair", but they didn't buy it.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Absolutely beautiful! I love his eyes!

 

[MoniqueU]

I have a chocolate and a black. The chocolates hair is definetly more course. The blacks is sleeker. I have no idea why;

 

[transparant]

I have a chocolate and a black. The chocolates hair is definetly more course. The blacks is sleeker. I have no idea why;

If you have pics - I'd love to see them!

 

[PlutoPony]

Has anyone had experience with either Flat Coated Retrievers or Curly Coat Retrievers? They're variations on the lab.... I've seen them a time or two but don't recall what their fur's like vis-a-vie shedding, etc.
Also, I think a Chesapeake Bay Retriever will have fur more like you want.
Our lab has a very thick coat (we've been told he has a "proper" lab coat ) and sheds like crazy. His hair will be with us long after he's gone I suspect...

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Has anyone had experience with either Flat Coated Retrievers or Curly Coat Retrievers? They're variations on the lab.... I've seen them a time or two but don't recall what their fur's like vis-a-vie shedding, etc.
Also, I think a Chesapeake Bay Retriever will have fur more like you want.
Our lab has a very thick coat (we've been told he has a "proper" lab coat ) and sheds like crazy. His hair will be with us long after he's gone I suspect...

I know someone who used to raise flat-coats and they look like black golden retrievers. I think they're a little more high-strung that the golden though.

Not sure about the curlies though.

 

[rt2dz]

Has anyone had experience with either Flat Coated Retrievers or Curly Coat Retrievers? They're variations on the lab.... I've seen them a time or two but don't recall what their fur's like vis-a-vie shedding, etc.
Also, I think a Chesapeake Bay Retriever will have fur more like you want.
Our lab has a very thick coat (we've been told he has a "proper" lab coat ) and sheds like crazy. His hair will be with us long after he's gone I suspect...

Chessies have rotten hair if what you are looking for is less shedding. Their coats are much longer than a labs, although not as long as a golden's. It is also very thick.

Labs shed twice a year. And when they shed it's awful. If a lab is shedding year round, they might have a skin condition (like my black lab) or they could have poor nutrition. Not all dog food is created equal.

Labs should have a coat much like what Transparent posted. Beautiful dog. Our Chocolate Lab is getting older and boy that brings back memories. Makes me want another one. But I promised our oldest DS our next dog would be a Wiemeraner (Even though I can't spell it).

If you are seriously considering a lab, go check out a book from the library on Labs.

 

[Poohnatic]

You all are making me antsy. DH promised we can get our dog once we return from vacation. I want another lab, going through rescue.

Thing is, my last lab crossed the rainbow bridge in '95 and I still have all the grooming stuff-I knew I'd get another lab. I used to joke that I could make another whole dog with what I swept up each week.

Suzanne

 

[kayeandjim00]

Our lab (rescue - no papers but the vet is pretty certain she's a purebred lab) has more coarse curly coat. When we had her groomed once they commented that there are two types of labs - the most common with the typical lab hair and the english (I think) lab which is usually stockier and shorter with a coarse hair. Our lab fits that description perfectly. The shedding is insane and skin/hair problems are not out of the question. We are doing dermacap now and she eats Innova so a good diet but we still have a dry skin problem is pretty typical with labs. They are awesome dogs though. My vet comments that the reason they are so popular is because they are the perfect family dog. Our lab loves us more than life itself - she wants nothing more than to sit by us. They are touch feely and will make you feel very guilty when you leave without them, and they have amazing appetites. I've never met a lab who didn't LOVE to eat

 

[justplaingoofy]

Our yellow labs hair isn't really course. It can be somewhat soft (especially after he gets his bath when he gets his 3 minute miracle conditioning treatment) too funny..he just sits there while I time it!

He is pure lab and his dad is a champion show dog. (not why we got him, we didn't know it until after the fact) we do have papers, but never registered him or anything.

We just wanted a dog that was "oh my god friendly".... and is he ever...
Plus, with a lab you never have to sweep crumbs

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

We just wanted a dog that was "oh my god friendly".... and is he ever...
Plus, with a lab you never have to sweep crumbs

I'm thinking that's a Retriever trait!

The best dogs ever, in my opinion! Of course, it's just ever so slightly biased...

 

[m&m's mom]

Jasmine - see below- is defintely smooth haired but does shred quite a bit.
I am going to look into one of those brushes.
They may shed but are worth it.

 

[maryssasmom]

we have a 6 year old American Lab (there is also an English) named Madison. She sheds but if you brush her, which she loves, it is not too bad.

she is the sweetest friend.....

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

we have a 6 year old American Lab (there is also an English) named Madison. She sheds but if you brush her, which she loves, it is not too bad.

she is the sweetest friend.....

Really? I had no idea! What's the difference between the American and the English?

 

[maryssasmom]

Really? I had no idea! What's the difference between the American and the English?

here is a link to the difference between the two.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

here is a link to the difference between the two.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm

How pretty is this???

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images15/SilverLabradorRetriever03182006008Bday.JPG

A silver labrador??? You learn something new every day!

 

[justplaingoofy]

How pretty is this???

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images15/SilverLabradorRetriever03182006008Bday.JPG

A silver labrador??? You learn something new every day!

Looks like someone else got their 3 minute miracle conditioning treatment!