Fat Labradors give clues to obesity epidemic

[Northerner]

The Labrador retriever, known as one of the greediest breeds of dog, is hard-wired to overeat, research suggests.

The dog is more likely to become obese than other breeds partly because of its genes, scientists at Cambridge University say.

The gene affected is thought to be important in controlling how the brain recognises hunger and the feeling of being full after eating.

The research could help in the understanding of human obesity.

"About a quarter of pet Labradors carry this gene [difference]," lead researcher Dr Eleanor Raffan told the BBC.

"Although obesity is the consequence of eating more than you need and more than you burn off in exercise, actually there's some real hard-wired biology behind our drive to eat," she added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36170267

 

[Pumper_Sue]

A lot of Labradors also have eyes that are bigger than their tums and can hypnotise their owners into giving them more food then is needed. If fed and exercised correctly they do not get fat.

 

[Copepod]

I well remember a labrador guide dog whose owner was visiting a friend in hospital. She took harness off dog, who promptly headed towards food trolley and got its nose inside, between trays! So, nurses had to grab collar and return dog to owner, who was very apologetic! Apparently, it had previously grabbed a swiss roll off a low coffee table, when 4 blind friends got together for tea.

 

[Sally71]

A friend of mine had a black Labrador which is so sleek and trim it almost looks skinny. She said to me that it's the right weight for a Labrador and that most others are overweight. Clearly she doesn't feed hers an ounce more food than it needs, and as they live in the countryside and have a huge garden it gets loads of exercise!

 

[Contused]

We've had two gorgeous Labradors. The second dog was an incredible canine dustbin. He once 'hid' half a pound of butter in his mouth, stolen from a bag of shopping. He 'asked' to be let out of the kitchen into the garden. We discovered the paper wrapper in the garden some time later.

 

[Diabeticliberty]

A friend of mine is a river keeper and has 3 labradors. He absolutely maintains that they do not need to be overweight if they are not overfed and get enough exercise. His are actually working dogs. At a country show last year a rather irate lady approached him and demanded to know his name and address. He duly provided this and she went on to tell him that she was reporting him for animal cruelty as his dogs were starving and obviously completely abused. Sure enough 2 days later a gentleman from the RSPCA knocked on his door and introduced himself and demanded to see his dogs. He took the inspector to the back garden and the cage where the dogs are kept. The dogs at that point looked very sorry for themselves as when caged his dogs always do. He insisted that the door be opened upon which all three dogs ran at him tails wagging and smothered both of them with endless affection. The RSPCA man just laughed and drove away. He did comment that regarding healthy labradors their ribs should be visible through their coast if they are at a healthy weight. Most of the labradors I ever see you could not see their ribs with an astronomical telescope

 

[HOBIE]

Should try them on Celery . How much does it cost for this research

 

[Bloden]

A lot of Labradors also have eyes that are bigger than their tums and can hypnotise their owners into giving them more food then is needed. If fed and exercised correctly they do not get fat.

Our flabrador, Mary, would stand in front of the cupboard where her food was kept and poke her nose in its direction saying "Gizza treat, gizza treat". The saying 'it never touched the sides' was made for her! 🙄 What a fab dog...😛