Sam is my 4th Labrador , I`ve always had a mix of gundog breeds ( including ESS ) and terriers . All my previous Labs have been so typical of the breed description ; Happy go lucky, clowns , always happy to meet and greet etc . until Sam : Dont get me wrong , I adore my big beast, but sometimes , I wish he were more expressive, more happy looking , if this makes sense He was a serious puppy, never a bounding ball of excitement as my other Lab pups were and has turned into an even more serious adult dog, to the point that I worry that maybe he has some mystery illness, but Vet checks have dismissed this possibility, so I just have to accept that he will not bother getting off his bed when we return after shopping, unlike Millie who acts like she hasnt seen us for months . Accept that he doesnt wag his tail much , or seem enthusiastic about anything . Just sometimes, like now , he will clamber onto the sofa , getting as close as he can to me and put his head on my lap , thats about the extent of his fussiness There is an exception to his sombre disposition , and thats when we are out and about, especially doing training , he then becomes a different character altogether , eager, waggy tailed, focussed on me but once home, he reverts to the serious dog he is, oh how I wish he would bound up and greet me and look happy to see me , I guess its just the way he is , I love him anyway
Re: Differing characters in the same breed That's a lovely description of Sam, Kate. In many ways he sounds just like Lady. She never gets out of bed to say hello in the morning. Just rolls over for a tummy rub with a hint of tail wag. And if we've been out and about she doesn't move a muscle when we come home to her. But she will come for a cuddle. Lady is just like Sam in training too. You wouldn't think it was the same dog. Very eager and tail a blur! maybe it's a working line trait, do you think?
Re: Differing characters in the same breed Just like the people we love, I guess - they come in a package - so you have to appreciate the wonderful bits and ignore the bits you wish were different (or go with it, and appreciate those bits too - let's face it, there are huge advantages to a labrador that doesn't jump up!). Sam's got enough wonderful bits!
Re: Differing characters in the same breed They are all very different, and each wonderful in their own unique way. Poppy is completely different to my old boys - I sometimes miss their exuberance. But then sometimes I am just thankful that she is a rather more reserved character! I'm sure you feel the same about lovely Sam.
Re: Differing characters in the same breed Kate, please send Sam to me. I am packaging up Obi as we speak. You'll enjoy having a wet Lambie to the face at 6am, being body slammed in the shins during walks, incessant bids for attention as you drink your morning cuppa, dirty paw prints on your work clothes as you walk out the door, being pinned to the sofa as you attempt to quietly read (and kicked in the thigh as said dog makes a bid for more room), whines, groans and moans because dog wants the leftover potato that he knows is unattended in the kitchen, assorted footwear being presented to you during critical moments in your favourite TV show and, when you finally fall exhausted into bed, struggling to find sufficient duvet coverage for your hindquarters as dog has somehow appropriated 95% of the real estate for himself.
Re: Differing characters in the same breed [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7122.msg97776#msg97776 date=1406544383] Kate, please send Sam to me. I am packaging up Obi as we speak. You'll enjoy having a wet Lambie to the face at 6am, being body slammed in the shins during walks, incessant bids for attention as you drink your morning cuppa, dirty paw prints on your work clothes as you walk out the door, being pinned to the sofa as you attempt to quietly read (and kicked in the thigh as said dog makes a bid for more room), whines, groans and moans because dog wants the leftover potato that he knows is unattended in the kitchen, assorted footwear being presented to you during critical moments in your favourite TV show and, when you finally fall exhausted into bed, struggling to find sufficient duvet coverage for your hindquarters as dog has somehow appropriated 95% of the real estate for himself. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D [/quote]
Re: Differing characters in the same breed An unfussy Lab! Most unusual Tatze loves a fuss, but - more than anything - she love a DOG! Humans are a poor subsitute and, if she finds a dog who wants to play, she's in heaven! Fifi is simply perfect in every way. She will play by herself if Tatze or I are not available, throwing and catching toys for herself. She loves a fuss and rubs up like a cat, but she never demands or even asks for fuss, just really enjoys it when it happens. She wees and poos on demand and never, ever does either on a walk. She never even looks at food which is not hers, never mind asking for it. All this and she's only seven months old! The sad news is that she's only with me for ten days as she's a Guide Dog puppy in training and is off back to her Puppy Walker on Wednesday :'(
Re: Differing characters in the same breed [quote author=Boogie link=topic=7122.msg97797#msg97797 date=1406547445] Tatze loves a fuss, but - more than anything - she love a DOG! Humans are a poor subsitute and, if she finds a dog who wants to play, she's in heaven! [/quote] yup...got one of those too...
Re: Differing characters in the same breed [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7122.msg97799#msg97799 date=1406548288] Fifi sounds amazing. [/quote] She is! And this is the level I have to get my Guide Dog puppy to when I get my *own* - erk!! no pressure then!! Just in case you missed her photo on the other thread -
Re: Differing characters in the same breed She is beautiful. I think I might pack my two off for a summer of guide dog training......or send them off to Cousin Sam for a good example to copy....
Re: Differing characters in the same breed She is divine , gorgeous pupster ;D I love Sam just the way he is and ok, it would be lovely if he were to be more fussy, more enthusiastic and demonstrative , but I guess we should be thankful for small mercies
Re: Differing characters in the same breed Sam sounds lovely and eager to train Harley is ball obsessed - dogs come over to say hello and play - she will say hello then come straight to me for her ball....she rarely wants to play with other dogs, but when she does it's great. It is nice that she's focused on me during our walks just wish I could stop the jumping up when people come into our house, but love how eager she is to greet us when we come home My friends lab - Bruno (10 years old), has never been overly fussed when someone goes home - he sounds very much like Sam
Re: Differing characters in the same breed I would rather have Sam ;D My two think visitors are the very best and exciting thing in the world and I can't think why! They do greet me with enthusiasm but are not overly affectionate physically, once they have said hello to me they settle down, but not with visitors! Poor training on my part.
Re: Differing characters in the same breed Isn't it funny how (just like with kids) we always see the bad bits of ours, the good bits of someone else's but never the less, still wouldn't swap our own for the world
Re: Differing characters in the same breed You never get the same dog twice do you. Sam sounds great when he's out and about and enviably peaceful at home! Mags - Fifi sounds stunning in her good behaviour.
Re: Differing characters in the same breed [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=7122.msg97889#msg97889 date=1406572635] Isn't it funny how (just like with kids) we always see the bad bits of ours, the good bits of someone else's but never the less, still wouldn't swap our own for the world [/quote] Yup, you have to love what you have - you can't return them....
