Hank's new wetsuit

[Badfish740]

When we take Hank to the lake he still likes to go in the water despite the frigid temperatures-we try to limit it, but eventually he finds his way down to the water's edge. Here's the solution:

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Ah, just let him have some fun. Our lab used to head to the ice and water any time he could and it never hurt him. I did have to rescue him once though when he broke through the ice and couldn't get out.

 

[CALJREICH]

I never met Hank but he doesn't look to thrilled in that picture. Cute but not thrilled. Maybe he doesn't like the camo.

 

[Badfish740]

Ah, just let him have some fun. Our lab used to head to the ice and water any time he could and it never hurt him. I did have to rescue him once though when he broke through the ice and couldn't get out.

He doesn't have the coat unfortunately. Breeders can only concentrate on so many factors (hunting ability, agility, stamina, etc...) and sometimes things like coat fall by the wayside. You can't tell in this particular photo really, but Hank really has no undercoat. The undercoat is what is supposed to keep them warm while the oily topcoat repels water. We actually put fish oil in his food to help his coat with the oils, but he just doesn't have enough insulation. He's really built for upland hunting-not waterfowl.

I never met Hank but he doesn't look to thrilled in that picture. Cute but not thrilled. Maybe he doesn't like the camo.

:lol: That's his "I'm concentrating" face. I was holding a tennis ball in order to get him to pose. You might be right about the camo though-maybe I'll get one in Mossy Oak Breakup

 

[firefighterjake]

I love this pic . . . my sister has a chocolate lab and she has some great shots of him . . . they seem to pose well in photos.

 

[thewoodlands]

Badfish740, nice pic but I think he wants in the water.


zap

 

[Flatbedford]

Where is Hank swimming? It looks like the reservoir near my mother's boyfriend's place in West Milford, NJ off Charlottesburg Rd.

 

[Badfish740]

Where is Hank swimming? It looks like the reservoir near my mother's boyfriend's place in West Milford, NJ off Charlottesburg Rd.

It's actually Round Valley Reservoir in Hunterdon County. I've never made it up to West Milford, but I hear its nice.

 

[Flatbedford]

I looked at a map after I posted and saw that High Bridge, is pretty far from New Milford.

Our Lab breaks the ice on the Hudson River to swim. We asked our vet what he thought about cold water swimming and he said that if the dog was too cold, he would get out of the water. We still don't let him stay in too long anyway. Labs were bred as cold water swimmers. That's why they have such an insatiable appetite. Staying warm uses lots of calories.

 

[SmokinPiney]

I love the ol droopy faced labs! Great pic..

 

[wood spliter]

Great looking dog. I tried to get my dog to go in the water but she hates it.

 

[ColdNH]

Here is a pic of Duke last year hiking, we headed home after this, im sure he was fine, but it was frigan cold out and he doesnt have much of a coat on his underbelly and he never shows pain or discomfort. So i try to avoid icy cold water most of the time!