General Description
(Lab,
Black Labrador Retriever, Yellow Labrador Retriever, Chocolate Labrador
Retriever, ) The Labrador Retriever is a strong, medium-sized dog with
an athletic, well-balanced appearance. They are a short-coupled breed
with a body that is the same or just longer than it is tall. Their back
is strong, their topline is level, and their wide, strong loin denotes
flexibility. They have a comparatively long neck that is muscular and
rises in an arch from the shoulders. Their underbelly is almost
straight, with little to no tuck-up being present in adult specimens.
Forequarters of this breed are well-muscled, balanced, and sturdy. They
have shoulders that are well laid-back and form a 90 degree angle with
the upper arm. In addition to enhancing mobility of the dog’s forelegs,
this angle allows the dog to achieve a strong forward reach. When
perceived from the front, the Labrador Retriever’s front legs are
straight and well-boned. Elbows of this breed are located directly under
the withers. Their compact feet are strong and feature a set of
well-arched toes and well-developed pads. They have sturdy, well
let-down hock joints that do not slip or hyper-extend when the dog is
standing. The angulations of the stifle and hock joints are designed to
achieve ideal balance, drive, and traction. The tail of the Labrador
Retriever is thick at its base, and it gradually tapers toward its tip.
It is of medium length and it extends no longer than to the hock. The
tail’s peculiar and distinctive appearance is often referred to as the
“otter” tail. The skull of the Labrador Retriever is wide and
well-developed. They have a slightly pronounced brow that prevents the
skull from being in a straight line with the nose. Their wedge-shaped
head is clean-cut and the skull’s bony structure is well-chiseled
beneath the eyes. They have a well-proportioned muzzle and a wide nose
with well-developed nostrils. Teeth of this breed are strong and close
in a scissors bite, and eyes are medium-sized, set far apart, and are
brown or hazel in color. The breed’s ears are set relatively far back,
somewhat low on the skull, and are well in proportion. They hang
comparatively close to the dog’s head. The Labrador Retriever’s coat is
short-haired, straight, and very dense. They have a soft,
weather-resistant, protective undercoat. Coat colors for this breed
include black, yellow, and chocolate. A small white patch on the dog’s
chest may be present.
User added info
There
are two different types of Labradors, English, which are calmer, and
stockier (much better for families) and American which are taller and
leaner. (Better for hunting) If you are just looking for a family dog,
you should go with a good English Lab breeder. Also the Labrador
Retriever is the ideal pet to have around children. They are very good
with large and small families. On a side note, Silvers Labs are
registered as Chocolates and are a diluted gene of chocolate. Red labs
are registered as yellow labs.
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Character
The
Labrador Retriever is an exceptional family companion. They are sweet,
affectionate, and patient, and they constantly aim to please. They are
highly intelligent, good-natured, and they love to play. Their
temperament is reliable and friendly, and they get along very well with
children and other dogs. They need to feel as though they are part of
the family. This breed is very easy to train. They are not natural guard
dogs, but they will bark if they detect a threat. If left unattended
for extended periods of time, the Labrador Retriever can become
mischievous. Potential owners of this breed should ensure they purchase
specimens from a reputable breeder.
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Labradors
are some of the best sniffers in the world and make great hunting
companions. They love a job or a task that keeps them mentally and
physically active. Since not everyone is a hunter, a great substitution
could be playing fetch or teaching them to swim. Labradors love the
water! Labradors require jobs otherwise they tend to become a bit lazy.
They are also known as one of the most affectionate and intelligent
dogs. Labradors have a beautiful temperament although they may not do
well with cats unless raised with one because they love to hunt and
track.
General Health
Like
many other large dog breeds, the Labrador Retriever is prone to hip and
elbow dysplasia. Other health concerns include eye problems like PRA.
This breed typically lives for 10 to 12 years.
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The
average litter size is 8 puppies. Labradors can live more than 12 years
if their body weight is kept under control and the dog undergoes
regular natural mental and physical exercise. They enjoy freely running
on an open field, searching for toys and sniffing practice. Proper diet
is also a major factor in long life. Some Labradors may be prone to
epilepsy and all are prone to bloat.This breed is prone to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures of the knee. Avoid running them down hills and never throw toys underhand, forcing them to jump.
This breed is also prone to ear infection. Buildup will occur in the folds of the ear and will need to be cleaned regularly.
Average life expectancy is 10-13 years.
History
The
Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds throughout the
United States. Originally from Newfoundland, the breed was initially
used to haul fisherman’s nets to shore. Specimens were brought to
England in the 1800’s by ships coming from Labrador, the place where the
breed’s outstanding retrieving instincts were honed and developed.
These dogs are exceptional family companions. They have a number of
natural talents and abilities, and they excel in drug detection, guide
work, and service work. They are excellent obedience and field trial
competitors.
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Labrador
Retrievers have taken over Golden Retrievers in the American Kennel
Club list of the most popular dog. Golden Retrievers come in a close
second while German Shepherds come in third. (as of 2009
Maintenance
The
smooth, short-haired, double coat of the Labrador Retriever is easy to
groom and take care of. It should be combed and brushed regularly with a
firm bristle brush, and extra attention to be given to the dog’s
undercoat. This breed should be bathed or dry shampooed only as
necessary. They are average shedders.
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About
80 percent of Labradors love water and enjoy splashing in their water
bowls. The other 20 percent of Labradors do not like water as tested by
veterinarians. The results show that yellow labs are more likely to
dislike water. Exposing labs to swimming at a young age is recommended.Labradors won't swim until there about 3-5 months old. Be sure to give them a lot of praise when they do and they will become masterful swimmers.
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