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 ...
My chocolate lab has had a tower feeder and unrestricted access to her food for her entire life, over 10 years now. She weighs 57 pounds and has never had a weight problem. The vet says she is at the perfect weight and is in great shape.
I can leave food on a coffee table and my chocolate lab will never touch it. She has unrestricted access to a tower feeder and had never been overweight.
My Old Jack was a Black Lab/Newfoundland mix; he about gave my wife a heart attack the time she gave him a leftover 2 pound cimichanga.
Old Jack slurped that monster down without a single chew.
Bonnie about fainted, and I laughed until I couldn’t breath.
Lost Old Jackie last December 30th (he was 24 years old); quite a site I guess, 66 year old Marine, crying like a 13 year old schoolgirl.
My chocolate lab is 10 years old, is at an ideal weight and never chews anything other than her own toys. She never chewed any of the grand kids' balls or toys. She can always differentiate between her toys and grand kids toys. But she is slowing down a little. She takes a break from fetch the ball every now and then.
YUP; on a digital camera they are invisible, especially at night, even with the flash.
So thankful I have a GSD. No counter surfing, waste basket delving...I can drop food on the floor and she won’t touch it. She’ll only eat what I personally give her. I yelled at her once for finding a missing piece of pizza from the coffee table. Turned out my daughter had taken it. She won’t accept food from strangers, either. If I’m late feeding her, she just lays in front of her food bowl till I notice. Stellar dogs, GSDs.
I’m always amazed how our mutt (black lab, great dane) knows which toys are his and has never bothered the stuffed animals, socks, etc. Our previous mutt was pretty good too, but on a few occasions would chew a stuffed animal. One that I recall was more of a statue - stiff, of a tiger. Turns out it was some sort of real animal hide that had been dyed to look like a tiger. My daughter at the time was devastated - it was bought by her Nana on a vacation.
Thank goodness for Ebay - and the exact replica is on her shelf still. Although she never loved it like the original!
Both never went into the kitchen or bothered food on the dining room table. The first mutt would eat food left low on the coffee table or the floor when the kids were little.
I’ve read where sugarless gum is real bad too. A friend had a small dog that ate just a few of them and died.
With our first mutt I recall when he got into the kid’s Halloween candy and my wife understood how bad it could be and freaked out. The vet said to try to give him some Ipekac to get him to throw up - but he probably won’t like the taste and we might have to bring him in.
He gobbled down one bottle like it was candy - and nothing. So my wife called the vet again. “Well - give him some more until he does!”
We had three kids, and three bottles. After him gulping down the third bottle and still nothing, the vet was amazed. I can’t recall now if the vet said to not worry about the dog - he’s made of steel, or if my wife brought him in to get his stomach pumped or whatever.
I do recall cleaning up the backyard with lots of candy wrappers in his poop for awhile!
Yes. We had a Big Mac stealing boxer.
Don’t pop that thing!
When other family dogs come to our house our lab goes over to his bowl, lays down with both front legs around his bowl until it’s snug against his chest and snarls until you say ‘squirrel!’ and he goes flying out the door.
Weird how labs can eat wood like beaver.
If it were possible for a Golden Retriever to have a guilty look, Jake certainly qualified...
Years ago we had a cat that ate some tinsel off of our Christmas tree. The next day we had to pull those things out as he dragged them around the house.
Yep. Our boy has the "cute" thing down pat.
Our Golden is huge. We had increased his exercise and cut back on his food until he was on half rations of diet food but he was still gaining. Vet checked his thyroid and he is now on meds, which are helping him lose. Older Goldens are prone to thyroid issues as they age she told us.
They are wonderful dogs, happy and playful even when older. He is a good watch dog too. He sleeps in front of the front door at night and let’s us know if a cat comes on the front porch. lol
A coworker told me about his golden lab who is a counter surfer. He got into some Gorilla glue. That stuff expands. The vet had to do surgery to remove a grapefruit sized ball of glue from his stomach.
Thank you very much...I will hug her for you, any excuse to get another hug in is okay by me!
This would be him in a competition.
LOL! After 3 bottles of Ipekac and nothing happening that vet was right, he had to be made of steel.
Glad to hear it was a good outcome.
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