Labrador Retriever owners - undercoat possible insulation?

**ShadowAlpha** · 01-05-2011, 22:46

Ok - so anyone who owns a Labrador retriever - must find those tumble weeds of their dogs undercoat in the corner of the room?

It got me thinking -- if I brush my dog everyday (yellow Lab), I should have enough insulation for a summer quilt in no time.

The undercoat is key since it is the soft fluffy part of their coat & it is what keeps them warm. when I sweep it it lofts good! and flies around like down

thoughts? How much would I have to collect?

**skoalbandit30** · 01-05-2011, 22:51

dont know about lab, but ive heard of people doing the same thing with husky fur, just had to be treated with something to help with the wet dog smell. as i have 2 huskys and a malamute, thought about it myself.

**Alan** · 01-05-2011, 22:55

You think Labs are bad with shedding?!? You ought to try living with a GSD!

My family plays a game called, "Where's the strangest place you've found dog hair today?" It's like sand from the beach: it's everywhere, in everything, and you can never get rid of it all.

**ShadowAlpha** · 01-05-2011, 22:55

Originally Posted by skoalbandit30

dont know about lab, but ive heard of people doing the same thing with husky fur, just had to be treated with something to help with the wet dog smell. as i have 2 huskys and a malamute, thought about it myself.

Husky's, Yes! another good breed with ALOT of undercoat. Probably German Shepherd dogs too

I wouldn't know how to figure out how much to use -- for example in a summer UQ?

RE: Doggy smell. give them lots of baths? then brush them all week?

<-- looking for the dog brush

**tbone** · 01-05-2011, 23:04

Originally Posted by Alan

You think Labs are bad with shedding?!? You ought to try living with a GSD!

My family plays a game called, "Where's the strangest place you've found dog hair today?" It's like sand from the beach: it's everywhere, in everything, and you can never get rid of it all.

Try living with 2. I find in the winter time if I pull the hammock out of the sack the static charge pulls every bit of dog hair in the house right to the hammock. Instant insulated hammock.

**kayak karl** · 01-05-2011, 23:07

my ceiling fan looks like its wearing a fur coat.

**gunner76** · 01-06-2011, 07:52

My wife wants to get another Lab as our 2 are getting old but I told her no as we do not have enough room in the bed

**TinaLouise** · 01-06-2011, 07:59

You guys got it easy!! My dog is a Bouvier (do a search and see what they look like!!), they're nothing but hair!! They don't have fur, and yes, it's hair. It grows.... and grows.... and grows.... The length is only determined by when I cut it. Most dogs have fur and it grows to a certain length then will shed. Not Bouviers, they don't shed. Their hair does fall out, just like people's hair does, year round. He has to be brushed every day or it tangles. And in that brush is a ton of hair. Plus he's got an inner coat of soft down like hair. I've often thought, if I only knew how to knit, I'd be able to make some lovely sweaters. One thing I have found that I can use this for is cushioning around my toes when wearing my hiking boots. Oh, and I have to vaccuum every other day just to keep the dust bunnies controlled, I've not been able to completely get rid of them though. These are great dogs though, just very very high maintence.

TinaLouise

**KerMegan** · 01-06-2011, 08:01

I have a story about a spinning lady who mixed some Samoyed hair into a woven sample, and it 'bloomed' just like angora, once it was washed and dried...

ps What breed is GSD?