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Top Dog Why Americans love Labrador retrievers.
Slate ^ | July 14, 2005 | Brendan I. Koerner

Posted on 07/14/2005 7:15:45 AM PDT by libstripper

Not too long ago, Labrador retrievers were considered a tad exotic. In the 1950s, the sporty mid-size breed was a suburban rarity, popular mainly among upper-crust Anglophiles who liked the idea of owning a dignified hunting dog. Today, however, Labs are the Levi's jeans of purebred dogs. They've topped the American Kennel Club's list of registered canines for 12 years straight. And not just topped, but dominated: The number of registered Labs is nearly three times the number of golden retrievers, the second most popular dog on the list

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: akc; animals; beau; bo; companiondogs; doggieping; guidedogs; labradorretrievers; pets; servicedogs; topten
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To: kellynla

One of the shelters in the area have a Bassett/Lab mix. Looks like a short Lab basically.


301 posted on 07/14/2005 11:36:28 AM PDT by pnz1
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To: libstripper

I had a beautiful red-haired Golden Retriever about a decade ago when my first son was born. She was gorgeous and friendly and rambunctious. Today we have a male Boxer who honestly thinks he's a 10 year old boy! He's positively human - I've never seen anything like it! I'm not much of a dog person in general, but I sure do love MY dog. :)

I have to throw in a vote for Boxers - they're smart, loving, playful, and all-around fabulous!!!!


302 posted on 07/14/2005 11:42:34 AM PDT by American Cabalist
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To: ClearBlueSky

I agree.

I got ticked off when they came out with HO trains instead of standard 0 gauge.

This is America - everything should be big anyway.


303 posted on 07/14/2005 11:50:46 AM PDT by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
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To: armymarinemom

She looks like my Solly , even the little white spot under her chin.


304 posted on 07/14/2005 11:53:04 AM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Democrats haven't had a new idea since Karl Marx.)
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To: HairOfTheDog; ZULU
You are correct - a Champion in Britian has to pass a hunting test - the Challenge Certificate - to get the "Sh." taken away from their title.

It's pretty easy, and it's nothing like, say, our Junior Hunter test or the UKC's Started test.

But it's a start! At least they have to be "birdy" and bring something back!

305 posted on 07/14/2005 11:55:11 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: libstripper

Labs are great dogs - as long as you can wait two years to get them out of the 'puppy' stage.


306 posted on 07/14/2005 11:56:57 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: TASMANIANRED
She looks like my Solly , even the little white spot under her chin.

Aww. Dudley didn't always have the white spot. He was about 12 when that photo was taken. He never did develop a lot of grey hair on this face.

307 posted on 07/14/2005 11:56:58 AM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghanistan Honor Roll students.)
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To: martin_fierro

LOL He looks like he is smiling.


308 posted on 07/14/2005 11:57:55 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: libstripper

Popularity destroys dog breeds. The Irish setter and Cocker Spaniel were once legitimate hunting breeds until overbreeding ruined the line.

I wish the suburbanites would latch on to some other kind of dog to ride around in their SUV. If you don't hunt with it, you don't have any business having a Lab, IMHO. Flame away folks.


309 posted on 07/14/2005 11:59:10 AM PDT by kms61
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To: cloud8

Mine was Thanksgiving weekend 2003.

Still crying over her.


310 posted on 07/14/2005 11:59:23 AM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Democrats haven't had a new idea since Karl Marx.)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

You mean way back when? I love all animals, but I hate to see so many wonderful animals destroyed when there are homes for dogs and cats but people prefer purebred.


311 posted on 07/14/2005 12:01:02 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Not that I am saying everyone does not have a right to whatever pet they want. I am not putting down those who prefer purebred animals.


312 posted on 07/14/2005 12:02:03 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
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To: basil

Cute and she looks like she has personality.


313 posted on 07/14/2005 12:03:22 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Democrats haven't had a new idea since Karl Marx.)
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To: Goodgirlinred

I just got a crazy wave file of a lab biting his own foot. I sould email it to someone that would know how to post a link to it, REALLY FUNNY.


314 posted on 07/14/2005 12:04:45 PM PDT by phil1750 (Love like you've never been hurt;Dance like nobody's watching;PRAY like it's your last prayer)
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To: Mr Rogers

Your fur baby is making me want another puppy.


315 posted on 07/14/2005 12:06:40 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Democrats haven't had a new idea since Karl Marx.)
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To: mtngrl@vrwc
He's saying, "Get off of that computer and come throw me the frisbeeeee!!!!" Lol!

You're actually right about that. He's a real workhorse, and loves to chase after that frisbee! When I say to him, "You wanna throw the frisbee?", he goes through this routine of stretching and then jumping up on me while panting excitedly and smiling.

316 posted on 07/14/2005 12:10:02 PM PDT by marvlus
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To: marvlus

Saffron (our yellow lab) knows the F word (Frisbee) and when we say that word she goes and gets it and brings it to us. :-)


317 posted on 07/14/2005 12:15:57 PM PDT by mtngrl@vrwc ( We cannot change the direction of the wind... but we can adjust our sails.)
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To: ClearBlueSky

Don't just pick up a pup yourselves and hand it to a kid, on a celebration day.

Don't give animals directly as presents.

OT1H, you're putting a poor pup in a confusing situation w/lots of people right after they left their sibs and mommies. This could be rather overwhelming for the baby. He should be able to go to a normal home situation and adapt to that rather than being thrown into a raucous party.

OTOH, you're not letting the kid - the actual potential owner - check out pups and pick. 1 should I think always go sight-seen, not blind (altho alot of big dog dealers buy any old dog from 3000 mi away if it has the ped they want). Let her choose; lots of times what you both approve of and fall in love w/is the best way to go. She mite not like the baby you pick up as much as another; her instincts mite point her to the best choice for her (altho children need guidance so as not to pick the "cutest" puppy - fearful, overaggressive, sickly, etc).

Give her a raincheck. Say you owe her a puppy and you'll go look at some and pick 1 out w/her.


318 posted on 07/14/2005 12:17:12 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue.)
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To: Fierce Allegiance

just went to the site and loved the looks of "Andy"...


319 posted on 07/14/2005 12:17:59 PM PDT by bitt ('We will all soon reap what the ignorant are now sowing.' Victor Davis Hanson)
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To: phil1750

Don't look to me. I am computer illiterate. My tech doesn't even like to answer my calls anymore. :(

Why is the dog biting his foot? Is there a thorn in it or something?


320 posted on 07/14/2005 12:22:21 PM PDT by Goodgirlinred ( GoodGirlInRed Four More Years!!!!!)
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