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.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Origins
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (also named Cavalier, Cav, Cavie) has its origins in England, in the 16th-17th century period, taking the name from king Charles I. This breed was depicted in many artworks and was a favorite pet for noblemen and royalty. The breed was eventually introduced in other parts of the Europe and in United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

Appearance
The Cavalier belongs to the medium dog breeds category, having a height of 36-42 cm at the withers and a weight of 5-8 kg, but these measures differ from males to females. The Cavalier is considered to be the largest toy breed, a toy dog Spaniel.

The body, legs and head are covered with a naturally and moderate length silky coat, many times curled and wavy. The coat also covers the legs, chest, ears, tail and feet. The coat varies in color, from rich white, tricolor nuances (white and black with tan markings on the legs, tail, cheeks, eyebrows), tan and black, or red-brown all over the body.

The neck that supports the head is abit arched, strong. The head is almost flat, with a semi-sharp muzzle, lively large eyes, a defined nose. The feathered ears are dropped along the sides. The tail is long and well-feathered, not docked, carried downward the legs or aloft.

Grooming
Due to the length of the coat, the Cavalier needs a constant grooming attention. Brushing and combing the coat should be done once a week or more, if your Cavie is a showdog. Also, take care of the coat excess in the pads and tail areas, clipping the coat twice a month.

Health Facts
This breed is prone to several genetic health defects. One of them is the mitral valve disease, a disease in which the heart murmurs (the heart muscle contractions are irregular) and eventually the heart fails to beat properly, causing heart failure and death.

The second genetic defect is the syringomyelia (SM). This disease is actually a malformation of the lowerback of the skull (reducing the space available to the brain), and it affects the spine and brain areas, leading to paralysis and severe pain. The fluid pockets (syrinxes) formed by this space compression create a sensitivity in the neck, head, shoulder areas: these are important symptoms to discover the disease.

Other health issues are:
- paroxysmal hypertonicity disorder (also called episodic falling): a type of epilepsy in which the muscles are unable to relax;
- hip dysplasia and luxating patellas: genetic diseases of the bone system;
- eye problems: keratoconjuctivitis sicca – the tear glands reduce the production of tears; corneal dystrophy, entropion, distichiasis, retinal dysplasia;

Temperament and Lifestyle
The Cavalier KC Spaniel is one the best companion toy dog to choose for your family. These dogs require constant love and affection, because they can not spend a long time all alone.

They behave really well with children and humans, being able to adapt to any living conditions. They can chase other animals and birds, but this behavior is mostly seen in Cavalier dogs who are bred for hunting purposes.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a very friendly figure and attitude, being intelligent and jovial, playful and energetic, a true toy dog for you and your family.