One of the most loved dog breed across the world, Labrador Retrievers are cute, friendly, loyal and intelligent. They are affectionate with children and are highly cheerful making it one of the best family dogs. Historically considered as a “working dog”, Labrador Retrievers are also intelligent which makes them very easy to train.
Fast Facts On Labrador Retriever
Origin
United Kingdom and Canada
Weight
Male: 29 - 36 Kg Female: 25 - 32 Kg
Height
Male: 57 - 62 cm Female: 55 - 60 cm
Coat
Double Coat
Skin Colour
Black, Yellow & Chocolate
Life Span
10 - 14 years
Labrador Retriever Characteristics
Energy Level
High Energy
Exercise Needs
Medium
Playfulness
Very Playful
Affection Level
Very affectionate
Friendliness With Other Dogs
Very Friendly
Friendliness Toward Strangers
Very Friendly
Tendency to Bark
Low
Tendency to Drool
Low
Watchdog Ability
High
Guarding Potential
Not Very Protective
Grooming Needs
Low Maintenance
Cold Tolerance
Medium
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Veterinarian Visit
Frequent
What Are The Best Foods For Labrador Retriever?
Food For Newborn Labrador (Birth to 8 Weeks)
Labrador Puppies need to be bottle fed with canine milk replacer which can stimulate the mother’s milk. They need to be fed every 2-3 hours. Following are some of the best foods for Labrador Puppies:
Labrador puppies need complete and balanced nutrition to stay healthy and active. A diet rich in protein is essential to them for supporting overall growth and development. Some of the best foods for Labrador Puppies are:
As Adult Labradors are very active, it is important to have essential vitamins and minerals along with Omega fatty acids in their diet for assisting superb bone and joint function. Protein and Fat requirements remain more or less the same as that of puppies. Below are some of the best foods for adult Labradors:
Senior Labradors show a slower metabolic rate, therefore their diet should have lower calories (unless the lab is underweight) and high fibre content. Their food should have small traces of anti-oxidants which will give anti-ageing effects and a strong immune system. Below are some of the apt foods for senior Labradors:
Labradors possess a strong smelling sense and often follow the path of the scent until they find its origin. This trait helps them to be used as detection dogs to track down thieves, terrorists, smugglers and black marketers. They are vulnerable to chewing objects (though this can be eliminated by proper training). Labradors are even-tempered breed and are known to be affectionate with children making them as great family dogs. Puppies exhibit high energy levels, and it can be mislabelled as “hyperactive”, which is often not the case. Owing to its high enthusiasm, it is important to leash train them at an early age to prevent pulling. Labradors are generally not noisy, though they sometimes bark at noise especially from an unseen source. They are often easygoing and trusting nature against strangers make them not so suitable guard dogs. Labradors are excellent swimmers and possess an ability to tolerate extreme cold water for an extended period of time.
Are Labrador Retrievers Easy To Train?
Labradors are highly intelligent and pleasing making them easy to train. Their will to do things just to get the reward is helpful while teaching them tricks. It is advisable to start the training from simple commands like Sit and Stand, and then on to the more complex ones. Clicker Training is good for acknowledging their behaviour acting as a positive reinforcement to them. Exercising them regularly helps them to calm down and induce good behaviour.
Do Labrador Retrievers Shed?
All Labradors shed. Their dense coat over time paves way for excessive hair fall and it is important to regularly groom them. Dead undercoat when removed keeps strong hair and roots. Occasional bath also maintains healthy skin and coat.
How Much Physical Activity Does A Labrador Retriever Need?
A healthy adult Labrador needs a daily physical activity of up to 1 hour. They are a highly energetic breed initially bred for retrieving games for hunters. This natural instinct still remains on the breed and due to this reason, they need a good amount of walking and running. Their pent up energy if not given an outlet can lead to unwanted behaviours like chewing and digging. Their voracious eaters and therefore playing games like fetch can burn off the excessive calories. Senior Labradors are quite vulnerable to arthritis, therefore gentle walking is enough for them. One should not overfeed a senior Labrador as it can put more pressure on the joints.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Having A Labrador Retriever ?
Pros
Labradors are gentle, affectionate and easy going making them as great family dogs.
They can adapt to any climate due to their double coat.
Labs are exuberant and full of life making the right dog breed to take along for a picnic.
Their highly intelligent characteristic supports easy training.
Cons
Labradors are heavy eaters. One needs to keep a check on their diet or else they pose a high risk of obesity.
If they are not given their daily dose of exercise, they may have destructive behaviours like chewing and digging.
Labradors need frequent grooming as they shed a lot.
Some Interesting Facts About Labradors
Labradors are America’s favourite breed as they come in the top position in the list of most registered dog breeds in the US.
The breed was used for fishing, as their water-resistant double coat and webbed feet making them perfect swimmers.
Regardless of their parents colour, a single litter may consist of black, yellow and chocolate puppies.
Labs are excellent guide dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs and above all, great family dogs.
Labradors are known for their quick sprints and can hit a speed of 20 Km/hr in just 3 seconds!
History Of Labrador Retrievers
St. Johns Water Dog, a domestic dog from Newfoundland Canada in the late 18th century is considered to be the early ancestor of Labradors. St. Johns dog had an oily waterproof coat, although its ear carriage was wilder and forward facing. They had a white chest patch which is still prevalent on modern-day Labradors. They had an excellent fishing ability which was noted by Earl of Malmesbury who got impressed by their retrieving skills. These dogs were able to get anything from the water and give it to their owners. Later St. Johns breeds were transported from Newfoundland to England, which was then Crossbred with other dogs to create the Retrievers.Modern Labradors are also in the sporting group of the American Kennel Club. Americans in the early 19th century used Labradors for hunting skills on the land. Today, modern Labradors are used for their retrieving skills in police and military services, especially for detecting bombs.
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