labradors

moneylover

I have always loved labradors and am at last in a position of being able to have a dog. A labrador is one breed I am seriously considering However my friends lab smells quite a lot - I have no idea if its just her dog or whether big dogs smell more and whether smell is controllable with keeping them clean giving right food etc.
I know all dogs have some doggie smell but I am just wondering if smelll is breed related at all? I wouldnt want the whole house smelly!
I dont like to ask my friend, it seems a bit rude!
many thanks

sarah*a

My MIL has labs - lots of them (5 at the last count but has lost 2 to old age in the last 12 months) and her dogs/house don't smell any more doggy than normal.

I do think it's how you look after them and can be the food too - mine, for example, have been stinking the house out over the last few days and I think its the food It's not a new brand to them but it is a new flavour and I don't think we'll buy it again

You could subtly find out your friends grooming routine and feeding habits by asking what she does with her dog under the pretext of 'advice' before you get your own dog - and then don't do that :rotfl:

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect doggy friend

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Youdontseeme

I agree with the above.

Different foods can make dogs a bit wiffy (and certain foods can also make them get the truly awful dog breath!) but its a case of what suits the dog, which is the case with any breed.

Labs dont smell any more that any other dog, not sure if they do have the rolling in anything dead, sheep or fox poo, the dirtiest muckiest stalest stinkiest puddle they can find "gene" more than any other dog but of you have one, chances are you think it will!

Luckily most love water and don't mind the odd hose down or swim or if really bad a bath!

Just do your research, they can be be extremely intelligent loving easy to train dogs, they can also be the dumbest most mischievousness little beggars and they need A LOT of exercise, which I'm sure you know already.

If your planning on getting a pup, then make sure you do all the relevant checks, but there are a lot of labs in rescue which I think is always worth checking out!

They are my favourite breed and I am incredibly jealous of you being in the position to have one, if you do decide to go ahead I want piccies!!

Good luck!!
YDSM

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manda1205

I have a 18mnth old lab. She smells, but I love it! I dont think she smells any different to other dogs. Unless shes been splshing in something (which is often) but then she has to have a bath! I agree with above and think that food and grooming effect their smell and the look of their coat too. I feed my dog James Welbeloved and she has lovely looking glossy coat.
If you seriously want to get a Lab, worrying about the smell is last of your worries, lol. I always said I wouldnt have a dog in the house cos of smell and hairs, but once getting ours, that all goes out the window, and shes now allowed everywhere (including my bed at weekend).
Cant wait to see some pics on here if you do get one tho.

murphydog999

Beautiful dogs, ours didn't smell, we fed him on dry food and chicken.

Lirin

My lab doesn't smell any more than any other dog (Certainly less than the Rough Collie). She's fairly fastidious as well.

As above have said, it depends on what you feed and bathing routines. Mine get charcoal biscuits from time to time if their breath is a little pongy.
The worst we have with her is fur- lots and lots of it. It gets everywhere, and if I don't brush her for a bit, you can see it trailing in the air behind her....Keep a few rolls of sellotape handy for defurring clothes.

Mine loves showers (had to ban her from upstairs for that reason- a huge lab suddenly sitting beside you in the bath with her tongue lolling can be fun to deal with.)

They are loveable, intelligent and obedient dogs, and fantastic around children- mine is very protective of my step-daughter, and would have been fast over to her with a lick on the face if she tripped when she was younger.

Agree with youdontseeme- they are mischevious. Mine will sit and beg occasionally for scraps, and if you turn away, her butt moves just so slightly towards the food.... They do need a lot of exercise though- regular walks or runs in the park burn off the energy nicely.

vivh

We are on our third lab now, first two living to a good age. Due to lack of knowledge we fed our first two on meat and mixer which was the norm then, they both were a bit smelly (breath and bottom). After a LOT of research we are feeding our 2 year old black lab on Burns complete dry food. It's the best in our opinion, labs don't seem to be able to tolerate a lot of protein in their diet and this is a lower protein feed than many others. He doesn't smell at all from either end, his coat is shiny beyond belief, no scurfy bits. He looks amazing. He sheds hair much less on this food than any other but be warned, any lab owner will tell you you could knit a new dog everyday just from what they shed.:rotfl: Also, if your dog is to be left alone for extended periods get a crate or it could destroy your home (speaking from experience).:eek: Have fun if you go ahead.

Sid_Wolf

big dogs dont small more, my sibes dont have doggy smell at all, well Grey did when we got him, but he's on a much better food now and has had a good bath, and now he doesnt have that nasty odour lol

I dont really bath my dogs much, they dont need it, i just feed a high quality food and brush them often

ka7e

Washing the dog's bedding regularly keeps them, and the house, smelling fresher! Females tend to have a definite niff when they are in season. Even better than a bath, I found a run on a beach got rid of doggie smells - but NOT if you let them near the water or tidal mud.

Pinkdebster

I have to agree with everything that's been said above. Dexter is my black lab, which we got a year ago when he was eight weeks old. He is obviously MUCH bigger now but I can honestly say, hand on heart, that he doesn't smell bad! I too was paranoid when we made the decision to get a dog and I continually kept asking friends/family if the house smelt of "dog" when they called. Now I don't worry!!

He LOVES water - his favourite thing - I too have a similar problem with him trying to get in the shower and bath with me. The biggest thing we find is his fur everywhere so we brush him ............ a lot! He has mainly dried food with the occasional half tin of wet food - this has come about through trial and error - ALL wet food upset his tummy and did create a few smells!!

I hope this helps - enjoy your puppy - I can put my hand on my heart and say it's the best thing we ever did. We are continually amazed by how much he has bought to our lives!!

Youdontseeme

Pinkdebster wrote: »

I can put my hand on my heart and say it's the best thing we ever did. We are continually amazed by how much he has bought to our lives!!

Now that is a post I would thank 100 times if I could!!

YDSM