The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever
Origins
The Labrador Retriever (also called Labrador, Labby, Lab) originates in the Canadian Newfoundland region, in the 16th century. This breed was used by fishermen to pull the nets to shore, and later by hunters to retrieve the game back to them. In the 19th century, the breed was acknowledged in England. The Labradors are known nowadays as excellent assistance dogs for blind people, and are used for drug and explosive detection and tracking, hunting. They enjoy the human affection and respond accordingly, with gentle spirit and interactivity.
Appearance
The Labrador belongs to the big dog breeds category, displaying a height of 55-63 cm and a weight of 26-36 kg. These measures will differ from male to female dogs, and more if you consider the differences between the American breed line and the English line, where Labradors are breed as medium size dogs.
The Labs have a broad skull. The head presents a slightly pronounced brow, long ears (hanging to the sides). The eyes are colored in brown or hazel. The muzzle is semi-sharp, with triangle shaped mouth, powerful jaws.
The body structure is strong and proportionate, with powerful long legs and webbed toes. The body ends in a otter tail, slightly curved upwards.
The body is covered in a dense, oily, dry and short coat, that protects the Lab from cold weather and water. The coat color ranges from yellow, black, chocolate. These colors can be modified by the various pigmentation recessive genes, and generally appear to yellow and chocolate Labradors. These pigmentation modifications appear at the eye rims, tail, nose, gums, lips. The nose that was actually black will turn pink when the Labrador ages.
Grooming
The Lab is a medium to low shedder. This breed sheds twice a wear, and more, especially if the Labrador lives in a temperate climate zone. Grooming should be done once a week, accompanied by a random brushing and coat clipping.
Health Facts
The Labrador dogs have a lifespan of 11-13 years. This breed are prone to various health problems, either encountered or hereditary.
The musculoskeletal system can be affected by elbow and hip dysplasia, knee problems; these can become more frequent if the Labrador suffers from obesity. The lack of exercising and overweight can also lead to osteoarthritis and heart problems.
The eyes can be affected by problems, especially for working Labrador dogs: cataracts, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy.
The ear area is another possible infection target. The symptoms that show that the ears are infected are: brownish deposits, darker pink colored ears. A constant grooming care (even trimming the hair around the ears and ear flaps) should be able to counterattack any disease that can appear in the ear cavity.
Last but not least, many Labradors can develop an allergy to various medical drugs or foods, diverse environment life conditions. If these happen, the best thing to do is seek expertise advice on the matter, and a proper treatment.
Temperament and Lifestyle
The Labrador is known as one of the most adaptable and friendly dog breed, suitable for all ages. The Lab is a really intelligent and gentle dog, calm and responsive, loving and interactive, especially with children and other pets.
The Labrador is intelligent and amazing when it comes to retrieving things, holding and carrying stuff around. These dogs enjoy playing with water, swimming like real water athletes.
The Labradors are enthusiastic and playful, very trainable, doing really well in conformation shows, in dog agility contests; they respond very well to dog obedience training exercises. They are not suited as guard dogs.
They enjoy eating, but a strict alimentation schedule and plenty of exercise should keep these dogs fit and energetic.
More articles on this:
- The Golden Retriever
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- The American Water Spaniel
- The Bloodhound
- The Akita
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