Why does a Laborador Retreiver Fetch?

wilthrill · 08-29-2007, 06:02 PM

OK it sounds like a stupid question but stick with me for a moment.

Every dog I have owned in my life had to be taught to fetch. Then last year I got a chocolate lab puppy (10 weeks old) for my son. The very first time I threw a stick he ran , grabbed it, and brought it straight back to me.

Big deal wilthrill look at the breed's name you dumbass. A Labador RETREIVER retrieves because it was bred to. It is a genetic trait that breeders have encouraged in the dog.

Which got me to thinking, why would nature favor a trait in an animal that led the animal to fetch? You see the theory of natural selection says that genetic traits are classified as good or bad by nature and good traits are encouraged while bad ones are discouraged. For example a gazelle with longer legs can run faster, is thus more apt to survive and breed, and thus its genes (long legs) get passed on to its children. An albino alligator on the other hand is poorly camouflaged in swamp terrain, is probably spotted first by predators and dies before he can pass on his genetic traits. Thus albino alligators are RARE.

But pretty much every trait that I can think of is related somehow to survival of the species. So how is the genetic disposition to fetch a stick in any way related to survival and if it isn't then why does it exist?

Razz · 08-29-2007, 07:06 PM

OH! I can answer this one.

It is my personal opinion that US American Citizens and the such....

Oh wait...I actually have no idea! Certain pure breeds are trained a certain way for zillions of years but why it sticks with them I dunno.

Maybe your puppy was recycled?

wilthrill · 08-30-2007, 07:56 PM

Ah yes, reincarnation is responsible...

The Wayniac · 08-31-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilthrill

But pretty much every trait that I can think of is related somehow to survival of the species. So how is the genetic disposition to fetch a stick in any way related to survival and if it isn't then why does it exist?

Probably not the fetching of the stick that makes it a survival issue. Maybe just the playful nature of the dog in general.
Over the past 2000 years or so that humans have kept pets in residential areas, The genetic playful friendly Labs were bred and kept around. While the mean dogs stayed wild.
SO, I guess if im trying to answer your question, I would have to say that human selection of playful Labs is the reason they do that today; as opposed to ancient times when Labs probably didnt' do that.

(or maybe im completely wrong. )

Penelope · 09-18-2007, 09:38 AM

Yes, and if they weren't cute and did silly tricks we'd take them to the pound to the gas chamber. So it is a survival tactic in a way...

madhatter · 09-25-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penelope

Yes, and if they weren't cute and did silly tricks we'd take them to the pound to the gas chamber. So it is a survival tactic in a way...

I agree because if the dog doesn't go fetch the friggin' stick when i tell him to, ima gonna rat-ta-tat-tat his ass with a rolled-up newspaper...same thing if he shits on the floor...

therefore, we can safely deduce that Labs are intelligent/fast learners...but they won't go near a newsstand!

Lerxstcat · 03-19-2008, 07:00 PM

They were originally bred as hunting dogs, I bet. You NEEDED a dog that would go fetch and retrieve the bird you just shot with your bow and arrow, or the rabbit or whatever that ran into the woods a ways and then bled out.

Better to send the dog to get it than to go slogging after it yourself. And the dogs that weren't good at it probably became the stew while the ones that could were treasured and bred.

So fetching the stick today is kind of a vestigial response of something that used to be necessary for the dog AND its human to survive. I'm just guessing here but it makes sense.

ambergirl · 03-19-2008, 08:56 PM

I never thought of that.

savereno · 03-20-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lerxstcat

They were originally bred as hunting dogs, I bet. You NEEDED a dog that would go fetch and retrieve the bird you just shot with your bow and arrow, or the rabbit or whatever that ran into the woods a ways and then bled out.

Better to send the dog to get it than to go slogging after it yourself. And the dogs that weren't good at it probably became the stew while the ones that could were treasured and bred.

So fetching the stick today is kind of a vestigial response of something that used to be necessary for the dog AND its human to survive. I'm just guessing here but it makes sense.

Thank you... some of these answers... sheesh!

Yes, Labradors were trained (or already had favorable traits) to hunt and retrieve game. Some dogs herd, some dogs hunt, and some are just fluffy.

ambergirl · 03-20-2008, 03:16 PM

I like the little cute ones.

08-29-2007, 06:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
wilthrill Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 765 Rep Power: 42	Why does a Laborador Retreiver Fetch? OK it sounds like a stupid question but stick with me for a moment. Every dog I have owned in my life had to be taught to fetch. Then last year I got a chocolate lab puppy (10 weeks old) for my son. The very first time I threw a stick he ran , grabbed it, and brought it straight back to me. Big deal wilthrill look at the breed's name you dumbass. A Labador RETREIVER retrieves because it was bred to. It is a genetic trait that breeders have encouraged in the dog. Which got me to thinking, why would nature favor a trait in an animal that led the animal to fetch? You see the theory of natural selection says that genetic traits are classified as good or bad by nature and good traits are encouraged while bad ones are discouraged. For example a gazelle with longer legs can run faster, is thus more apt to survive and breed, and thus its genes (long legs) get passed on to its children. An albino alligator on the other hand is poorly camouflaged in swamp terrain, is probably spotted first by predators and dies before he can pass on his genetic traits. Thus albino alligators are RARE. But pretty much every trait that I can think of is related somehow to survival of the species. So how is the genetic disposition to fetch a stick in any way related to survival and if it isn't then why does it exist?

09-18-2007, 09:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Penelope Band Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 3 Posts: 656 Rep Power: 41	Yes, and if they weren't cute and did silly tricks we'd take them to the pound to the gas chamber. So it is a survival tactic in a way... __________________ The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep...

03-19-2008, 08:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
ambergirl Productive GCB Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Escatawpa, MS Age: 29 Posts: 1,874 Rep Power: 44	I never thought of that. __________________ You've Got Questions. We've Got Ambergirl. www.myspace.com/pajamasakapj

03-20-2008, 03:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
ambergirl Productive GCB Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Escatawpa, MS Age: 29 Posts: 1,874 Rep Power: 44	I like the little cute ones. __________________ You've Got Questions. We've Got Ambergirl. www.myspace.com/pajamasakapj

08-29-2007, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Razz Productive GCB Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Age: 29 Posts: 1,115 Rep Power: 44	OH! I can answer this one. It is my personal opinion that US American Citizens and the such.... Oh wait...I actually have no idea! Certain pure breeds are trained a certain way for zillions of years but why it sticks with them I dunno. Maybe your puppy was recycled?

08-30-2007, 07:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
wilthrill Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 765 Rep Power: 42	Ah yes, reincarnation is responsible...

03-19-2008, 07:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lerxstcat Band Whore Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 311 Rep Power: 21	They were originally bred as hunting dogs, I bet. You NEEDED a dog that would go fetch and retrieve the bird you just shot with your bow and arrow, or the rabbit or whatever that ran into the woods a ways and then bled out. Better to send the dog to get it than to go slogging after it yourself. And the dogs that weren't good at it probably became the stew while the ones that could were treasured and bred. So fetching the stick today is kind of a vestigial response of something that used to be necessary for the dog AND its human to survive. I'm just guessing here but it makes sense.