That it’s a year ago since I posted on Champdogs desperate for advice regarding our 6 month old Chocolate Labrador puppy who, we had been told, needed major surgery on his hips!! This time last year nobody in the family was looking forward to Christmas with the same enthusiasm as normal.
However, I am so pleased to say that our puppy has now grown into an 18 month old fit, strapping, energetic dog. It is lovely to see him running along the beach and swimming in the sea when a year ago it seemed like an impossibility. We love him to bits! (Surgery was deemed not the best way forward and we now have a super Orthopaedic Surgeon who we can call on for advice, if necessary.)
One tiny question………….
Finn has only ever barked three times and one of those was in his sleep, but it was very impressive!! Is this normal? Our previous Lab barked from day one.
Merry Christmas to everyone
Best wishes,
Sally.

Glad things are working out for you and your boy. A working Labrador should NOT bark! After all if one barked on a shoot the birds would disappear into the next county! Don’t worry about it, take it as a plus point! And don’t worry about him defending you in an emergency, Labradors will usually look after their own but in a quiet determine way rather that using loud aggressive tactics.

Regards, John

My Chocolate Lab Min did her first woof when she was 8 years old! She was looking out the back of our car as we were reversing out of a working Farm.They had logs carved into the shapes of Pigs ! She shocked herself so much when she did it ! She will only very occasionally woof now and it will be just one very deep woof ! She is a bit of a looney dog !!

Met a Choc. Lab. in the vets this morrning, she never stopped barking, got her seen quick though. Now Elkhound are expected to shout the odds, but mine did make a sound so we had to wait. LOL JH

My eldest one Mars is a right woofer ! I ended up picking her up early from the vets on Friday after an OP because she was howling and woofing. She stayed the night once at the vets and the nurse ended up sleeping with her to shut her up ! She just doesn't like being away from us! I think that is why Min never learnt to woof as Mars always did it for her !!