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 ...
They are working dogs and are supposed to be continually active. It’s their lack of activity that makes them portly.
Funny. My ex didn’t look like a Labrador.
I think all my dogs must be Labradors.
Among many other things, my Buddy’s black lab ate a paring knife.
Luckily, handle first.
Where’s the black lab, yellow lab, chocolate lab, meth lab pic?
Greed? If they insist on labeling a genetic predisposition to overeat as a vice, they could at least get the right one: “gluttony”.
Uh, NO open feeding for Labs....
Gluttony, not greed.
My Lab is hardwired as a con artist to get me to give him treats at any cost.
I’m still working on training the cat to be a Lab....
Bravo! Long love the Lab.
One of our black labs years ago pulled a sock off my foot one evening when we were playing and swallowed the sucker before I could get up and get it away from him.
Called the vet and he said if it doesn’t go thru him by tomorrow evening bring him in the next morning. It went thru. Had to be careful after that. LOL!
My GSD is definitely not food focused. Her focus is love and fun... given no distractions.
Aaaaand this is why I love FR.
That is hilarious. And amazing what they can pass.
Younger kid has a lab mix puppy and he’s definitely got the “I want more food” thing down pat. A regular feeding schedule of a consistent amount (and daily exercise) keeps him in the proper shape.
Same. My black lab used to steal dark chocolate candies and the plant thrlet wrapper on the beagles dog bed. Took months to get wise to it. He was never portly however.
If you overfeed a Lab, they get fat. As mentioned, this is not the breed where you offer free choice, self serve food.
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