For multiple years in a row, the Labrador Retriever has come out on top of the American Kennel Club’s Most Popular Dog Breeds list.
If you are thinking about bringing this gentle and fun-loving dog into your home and changing your life forever, here are 13 things you need to know about the Labrador Retriever.
1) Are Labrador Retrievers From Labrador?
Labrador Retrievers originated from Newfoundland, Canada where they served as hard-working water dogs and duck retrievers for fishermen. It is not known why they came to be associated with “Labrador”. English noblemen in the 1800s saw great promise in the breed so they brought the dogs to England. It was in the second half of the 19th century that they were able to refine and standardize the Labrador Retriever to the breed that we know of today.
2) What Does A Labrador Retriever Look Like?
Labradors are a medium-sized breed with broad heads and long legs, evoking the proper proportion of strength, grace, and balance.
The average height of the breed is between 21.5 and 24.5 inches, with an average weight of 80 lbs. Labs are noted for their “otter tails”, which are thick at the base and tapering to a narrow point at the tip. This tail helps to propel the Lab when they swim in water.
3) What Is The Labrador Retriever’s Coat Like?
The Labrador has a double coat, consisting of a rough, harsh outer coat that repels dirt and water and a soft undercoat that helps regular body temperature.
Labs come in three official coat colors, namely Black, Yellow, and Chocolate. There are also Silver Labs, but this color is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and other Labrador Retriever associations.
4) What Is The Labrador Retriever’s Temperament Like?
Labs are famous for their intelligence and friendly, exuberant, and eager-to-please temperament.
They go well with humans and other animals when socialized early. Although they are great family dogs, they should be trained not to jump on people, especially small children and frail individuals, like the elderly.
There is the controversial notion that temperaments and intelligence vary among the three coat colors.
Blacks are reportedly smarter because of their hunting/retrieving roots.
Yellows are more laid back and make good companion dogs.
Chocolates are said to be not as smart and are more stubborn than Blacks and Yellows, so they are mainly for show.
5) Do Labradors Retrievers Make Good Guard Dogs?
Due to their friendly temperament, Labrador Retrievers do not make good guard dogs. With their low aggression levels, they are likely to just bark a few times at strangers.
However, Labs are known to be excellent guide dogs for the blind, assist in search-and-rescue missions, and in law enforcement tasks, such as drug and bomb detection.
6) Do Labrador Retrievers Shed?
Labrador Retrievers shed all year round. Heavier shedding (known as “coat blows”) can be expected twice a year when their coats change for the winter and summer in regions with temperate climates.
7) Do Labrador Retrievers Smell?
Labs have distinctive body odors because their double coats can trap moisture, dirt, and smells. If they love to swim, you can expect a “wet dog” smell, which can be easily remedied by drying them immediately with a towel and a blow dryer.
8) The Labrador Diet
In general, Labs do well on commercially-prepared dog food. Labs in training especially love kibbles, dried meat jerky, and meat sticks as treats. However, dog owners should be cautious about overfeeding their dogs since Labs have a tendency to become obese, which may cause health problems in the future. Also, if certain dog foods are not agreeable to their tummies, a vet may recommend another kind of dog food or switch them to a raw meat diet.
9) Grooming Your Labrador
Labs require brushing once or twice a week to prevent the accumulation of dirt, tangles, and mats. More frequent brushing may be required if they are allowed to wander outdoors. Bathing and shampooing are only done every three months or if they get muddy or too smelly. Frequent bathing removes natural skin oils which may lead to the development of skin infections.
As part of the grooming regimen, make sure that your dog’s ears are dry and remove excessive wax buildup with a cotton ball. You should also clip their toenails regularly, so it does not hurt their feet when they run.
10) Exercising your Labrador
An energetic breed, Labs need to be taken out for 20 to 30-minute walks on a daily basis. If not, they can release their pent-up energy through destructive behavior. Find a dog park, field, or wide-open space where they can run, play, or swim.
11) Labradors are easy to train
Labs are known for their high trainability. It is ideal to begin teaching them commands and tricks when they are puppies. They should also undergo socialization so that they can easily get along with people in the home, including children, and other animals. Re-training may be necessary for senior Labs because of their failing memories.
12) Maintaining your Labrador’s health
Labs should have complete immunization when they are 1-year old puppies. These include shots for rabies, DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus), Lyme Disease, and Leptospirosis. They also need to undergo deworming, and should be given a preventive medicine for Heartworm. As adults, Labs need to be given Rabies and DHPP every one to three years.
You should also be on the lookout for certain diseases that are common in Labs, including Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts, Cranial Cruciate Ligament rupture, and Obesity.
13) Where to Buy a Labrador
You should only get a Lab from reputable breeders so that you don’t get a pup with genetic disorders. Check the roster of the American Kennel Club. When you find potential breeders, always ask to see the parents and other puppies they have had. You may inquire with other dog lovers who have bought puppies from them in the past to see how they are faring now. Another option is to adopt a Lab from a shelter or animal rescue.
All of this information we have just discussed summarizes everything you need to know about Labradors. You can learn more about these popular dogs by doing in-depth research on the Internet or by talking to fellow dog lovers who are knowledgeable about the breed.
