Officially the world’s most popular dog by a long margin, the Labrador Retriever suits anyone who can keep up with their high exercise demands…
The Labrador Retriever (more commonly known as just the Labrador or “Lab” for short) is officially the world’s most popular dog due to their adaptability and appeal as a family pet. They are also known to come in three distinct colors – yellow (being the most popular) chocolate and black (which was once preferred but now not so much). The breed came into existence during the 1800s, and they were first bred for the chief reason of working with fishermen to pull nets and retrieve fish.
Just a few of their most unique characteristics are seen as their gentleness and eagerness to please as well as their patience with kids – which help make the Labrador Retriever a popular dog breed for a family pet and as a guide dog, search and rescue dog or police dog. Below are a few fast Labrador Retriever facts:
Trainability & Intelligence:
Friendliness With People:
Compatible With Animals:
Daily Exercise Required:
Grooming Requirements:
Suitable For A Family Pet:
Suitability As A Guard Dog:
Origins Of The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever originated in the island of Newfoundland and was used by English, Irish and Portugese fishermen with the goal of pulling in nets to retrieve fish. They are thought to be a consequence of crossing the St. John’s Water Dog and a mix of other English, Irish and Portugese working breeds.
Average Size Of The Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are classed as a large-sized breed of dog. The recommended standard size for the Labrador Retriever male is 22.5-24.5 inches high from paw to shoulder and a weight of 65-80 pounds, whereas the recommended size for female Labrador Retrievers is 21.5-23.5 inches tall from paw to shoulder with a weight of 55-70 pounds.
Temperament Of The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is well-known for their gentle and outgoing manner. They are generally trusting and easygoing with unfamiliar people when properly socialized, which can make them somewhat unsuitable as a guard dog.
The Labrador Retriever is also accepted to be highly intelligent – placing 7th in comparison with other dogs in terms of their capability to be taught obedience instructions. They are also well-known to be patient with kids – which makes them very suitable and popular as a family pet. The Labrador Retriever is usually companionable with animals such as other dogs.
Grooming Requirements Of The Labrador Retriever
Grooming the Labrador Retriever is a fairly simple task. They need a small level of brushing every week and complete grooming every 8 to 12 weeks. The procedure for fully grooming the Labrador Retriever can be described as:
- Cut the tips of their nails and file away any rough edges.
- Use liquid cleaner on a cotton ball to clean the ears and wipe away any accumulated dirt or wax.
- Remove any dead hair by brushing the entire coat.
- Bathe them with shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
- Towel them down until only mildly wet and then finish the job with a dryer.
- The tail may then be trimmed to accentuate its “otter-like” appearance.
- Conditioner may be applied to the coat to give it added shine (particularly for black and chocolate Labradors).
- If desired, the whiskers can be removed.
Living Requirements For The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever can be kept happy with a medium to large yard (and perhaps even a pool) to give them room to run, though they are suitable for living in an apartment just as long as they are given adequate exercise.
Health & Life Expectancy Of The Labrador Retriever
Like most large-sized breeds of dogs, the Labrador Retriever is by and large shorter-lived with a life expectancy of 10-12 years. The most severe health problem for Labrador Retrievers is commonly proven to be hip and elbow dysplasia – especially in larger dogs. They can also be vulnerable to conditions that include knee problems, eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or cataracts and deafness in a small number of cases later in life. They are also commonly known to love their food, so careful feeding is necessary to avoid excessive weight gain.
Exercise Needs For The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever benefits from hobbies such as swimming and chasing after balls or frisbees. They have a high (some would say hyper, especially as puppies) quantity of energy and this necessitates exercise each day in the shape of long walks or jogs to preclude hyperactivity, obesity and other destructive behavior problems.
Who Should Own The Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever could be the right dog for an active family or owner. They are fit to anybody who is prepared to carry out a small amount of grooming and allow time to provide them with early socialization and obedience training as well as take them on long daily walks and bestow a good amount of love and attention. Although they may be to some extent out of place for a guard dog or with less active owners and retirees, if you are able to meet their high exercise demands then the Labrador Retriever may well be the ultimate dog breed for you.
Posted by Brent McCoy on November 21, 2011