Posted on 05/04/2016 6:24:06 PM PDT by MtnClimber
A study of labrador DNA revealed more than a fifth of the dogs carry a genetic variation which could predispose them to food-seeking and weight gain.
Labrador dogs are well known for being fond of their food, but new research suggests their greedy nature could be down to genetic mutation.
Labrador retrievers are top dog in the UK, with 32,507 animals newly registered with the Kennel Club in 2015 alone. But the breed is well known for its tendency to develop a portly form, a concern given the variety of health problems - from diabetes to heart disease - linked to obesity.
To find out why the dogs are so food-focused, a team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Cambridge delved into the the dogs’ genetic make up. Their results revealed that more than a fifth of labradors carry a variation in their DNA that could predispose them to weight gain.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
I’ve had several dogs in my life in 55 years. The only ones that remained slim were Snoopy the border collie and Lucky the Belgian sheepdog. Skeezix, our Newfie/Lab mix was a big boy (150 lbs.) and Sturgis, unknown/Lab mix was a big girl (80 lbs.). Our puddin Jack Russell could stand to lose a pound or two. He is 12 with Cushing’s disease so that’s not happening.
In my experience, they all are hungry all of the time, regardless of the breed, especially for people food.
It’s easy to over do it, so I watch their intake and we get out for walks regularly. Exercise is important.
I gave my labs 8 inch rib bones to “chew” on. They swallowed them whole instead! No problem for them.
Mine at light bulbs. And digested them.
I had a male lab husky mix years ago on a construction job. He climbed a ladder to the second story and stole a co-workers wrapped sammich from a cubby in a wall 4’ off the floor.
Grass and Goose Poop are definite Lab problems when on a variable length leash...
Had a black Doberman lab. mix years ago (Called her “Dopey Lab.”). She kept gaining weight no matter what I did with her diet. Found her out one day finally. Neighbor’s huge avocado tree hung over our yard slightly, and the avocados would fall, she would devour them seed, and all. She was over 100 lbs. when we finally found her eating those things. She was YUGE!
That 10k x human olfactory sense can be trouble fur sure....
[permanently residing on my *home page*]
Lightbulbs?? That take’s the cake! Sounds like painful eliminations after that experience.
My Newfie/Lab mix got into the garbage can after I put bacon grease paper towels in there. I did not know that until we took him on a walk during a snowstorm the next day. Good thing I had mittens on. Pulling them out was like a towel dispenser.
I had a friend who’s husband was a heart attack victim and had to watch his diet.
When she got home from work there were always candy kisses missing from her dish and she told her husband to avoid sweets.
She was walking the dog after dark,the dog pooped,and it was full of foil glitter.
Problem solved.
.
The Meth Lab looks like he’s part Great Dane, from the long,flopoy ears.
The sword swallower also pokes his nose into any handbag left on the floor, sniffs out the pack of gum and swallows the package, whole.
Oh, good grief. Someone spent money to figure out that labs are chow hounds.
Color me surprised.
We had guests for dinner one Friday evening and I had picked six small lake trout for our gathering. I had taken the fish out to the grill when I ran out of beer. I set the tray down for 10 seconds inside.
When I stepped back out, there were five trout. I think he swallowed it in one bite.
Very sad, I know what it’s like to lose part of the family, chocolate is a real hazard with dogs.
I don’t know about labs, but my golden is a furry goldfish.
Been there and done that. Now the microware acts as a safe....
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