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Small Framed Lab #7198650 06/15/18 05:40 PM
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wacoducks Offline OP
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Looking into a small framed lab only around 50lbs full grown. Was curious if anyone had any input on benefits of disadvantages of them.

Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7198671 06/15/18 05:55 PM
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Are you looking at a started dog or a puppy and are you looking for a male or female?
If you're buying a puppy, it's kind of a crap shoot as to what you get.
I can't thinking of any real negatives or positives of a small dog vs a large dog other than room and just physical presence on the couch/house or boat or a duck blind.
Typically, smaller dogs have a longer life expectancy, but again, that's a crap shoot on the overall health of a dog.


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Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: Mud Shark] #7198677 06/15/18 06:03 PM
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wacoducks Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Mud Shark
Are you looking at a started dog or a puppy and are you looking for a male or female?
If you're buying a puppy, it's kind of a crap shoot as to what you get.
I can't thinking of any real negatives or positives of a small dog vs a large dog other than room and just physical presence on the couch/house or boat or a duck blind.
Typically, smaller dogs have a longer life expectancy, but again, that's a crap shoot on the overall health of a dog.



I am looking at a started female right now sorry I should've been more clear with that in the initial post.

Last edited by BradleyMcCaw; 06/15/18 06:04 PM.
Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7198807 06/15/18 08:06 PM
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Most field bred females are under 60lbs and many around 50.

I don't see any real disadvantages to a lab around the 50 lb range. They can do anything the bigger dogs can do.

You shouldn't have a problem finding a dog in that weight range. I wouldn't consider my females small and they are all between 50-60 lbs.

I have seen some 35-45 lbs but even those can handle pretty much anything as well but the standard is 55 lbs so I would try to stay around that weight.



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Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7199366 06/16/18 03:47 PM
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The only real difference I am aware of ( regarding size) is smaller dogs eat less. So they are cheaper to maintain.

Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7199994 06/17/18 11:26 AM
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I have a 57lb female , she has retrieved birds in 10 different states from teal to giant geese. No problems at all, even sand hill cranes. I think being small framed also helps out in NE & SD pheasant hunting.


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Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7200846 06/18/18 12:58 PM
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I have a 3yr old 53lb choc bitch that is very well bred (Bayou Chopper/Ten Bears) and she is nothing short of remarkable. Best dog I've ever owned. I was searching for a small frame and got lucky with the last of a litter. I am pretty sure she was the runt although I never saw the complete litter.

The only clear advantage to owning a large frame Lab would be if you hunted big river water with strong currents. Or if you just preferred a large dog.

I wouldn't take anything for my little girl.

Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7200882 06/18/18 01:36 PM
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I have one friend with a 48 lb female and another with a 55 lb male that is very thin. The only issues with both dogs was the extreme cold. You could put neoprene vests on them and it still wouldn't matter. You could hear their teeth chattering the entire hunt.

How much of a problem is it? I don't really know as when it gets really cold (no more than a hunt or 2 a year) we just leave his dog at home and use mine as the only dog for those hunts.

Re: Small Framed Lab [Re: wacoducks] #7203971 06/21/18 02:44 PM
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Check into British Labs, they tend to run smaller


There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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