99 % of the time, the owner without a lead is accompanied by a lab or staffie when i see this. the only others i always see are 1 american bulldog and 1 border terrier.

we already did

We see this too with Staffy owners around our way. I always cross the road when I see them coming as the only dog I would not trust Parker with is a Staffy and he would start something if they approached him when he's on-lead.

Obviously a macho thing of "I don't need a lead to walk my dog" but irresponsible. My sister knew of an obedience dog that got killed because it was walking off-lead near a road and it ran across after a cat.

We used to have a bloke just round the corner with 2 small terriers that were never leashed and used to charge up to my 2 snapping and yapping. Stopped when I got a pet corrector spray and put a stop to that behaviour. Shouldn't have to deal with other people's dogs' behaviour but mine shouldn't have to put up with antisocial behaviour from their dogs either.

hmmmm....was chatting to a customer recently who has Labs and GSDs. He fund it really hard to get a groomer for his GSDs, but not for his Labs. I've never had an issue bathing and grooming a Shepherd, but Labs are often a wrestling match - so hyper and highly strung. I've never put a muzzle on a GSD, but had to muzzle a couple of Labs. You can't judge a whole breed it's true - but I do wish the idea that Labs are the perfect family dog wasn't so prevalent. They are a working breed after all which require plenty of stimulation. People often have a romantic notion of this faithful family dog. I've had run ins with Labs plenty of times. My male EMD no longer likes black labs after Rio was attacked by one in front of him. It's a real shame, because I have to be on my guard all the time now due to one incident, and of course black Labs are so very popular right now so they're everywhere.

As a lab owner I have to entirely agree with most of what's been said here!!

But there are some good lab owners around too. I know that young labs are often bouncy, OTT characters with little self control & too much joie de vivre. It's just such a shame that they are viewed as "easy" dogs by the general public as perhaps they need more training whilst young, than lots of other breeds!

But as Labs and Staffies (and their crosses) are two of the most popular breeds, it isn't surprisng that you are going to see more of them engaging in such behaviour. Stupid people are everywhere.

[QUOTE=Murf;2207791]Have these people not seen or read Marly and me ...
Only dog to have a proper go at ozzie was a black lab..[/QUOTE]

Same here, try to avoid black ones in paticular.

In saying that I know someone who breeds them and hers are fabulous (all colours)

The trouble with Lads is they are to widely bred, with no thought into the breedding.

Ofcause the Lab should be a friendly happy breed, but reality and the fact so many are bred, its simply not true,

A well bred Lab is a delight to own, we just dont see to many of them sadly!!

I think that is the problem with generalising too much about any breed - there are so many other factors that come into account.

Some popular myths ...

Labs are all friendly, and make great family dogs - not always true.
Border Collies are all easy to train and highly intelligent - not always true
German Shepherds are all protective of their property and family - not always true
Springers are all great with children - not always true
Westies - make great pets for elderly people - not always true.
Etc etc etc ...

The problem with wide generalisations of breeds (especially the more popular ones) means that some people take it as gospel that the breed description they have read applies to all dogs of that breed - then problems occur as they don't adequately research their chosen breed, their breeder, the amount of positive socialisation and training that is required etc. Then of course you also have to take the individual dog's temperament into account.

Labs are still hugely popular as family pets and so you are bound to come across some with less than favourable temperaments, depending on the coming together of many factors. Same as any popular breed really.

Most off-lead traffic dogs I see are collies or older Staffies. the older Staffies just plodge after their middle aged bloke owner, the collies are devoteting every inch of their attention to their middle aged male owner.

The not quite JRT's quite fond of bouncy labs. Means they're good for a proper game with the added benefit of being able to out run them.

I had 32 stitches in my face...courtesy of a black lab!!