Knowing And Understanding Your Labrador Retriever
If you are in the market for a pure breed that is an excellent home or hunting companion, then you have to consider the possibility of owning a Labrador Retriever. It is considered one of the worlds most popular breeds and is currently the most widely AKC-registered dog in the US. The Lab, as they are nicknamed, is without a doubt one of the most affable, energetic, gentle, good-natured, and intelligent breeds that you will find anywhere in the world.
Additionally, they rank highly on the companionship meter and integrate well with any age bracket. They are extremely patient and exhibit a high tolerance level for children. All of these personality traits make them outstanding companions as well as excellent service dogs. When obtaining and raising a Labrador Retriever, there are three key aspects to be aware of. Let me elaborate.
1) Labrador Retrievers are like a box of assorted chocolates. You never know what you gonna get as Forrest Gump so succinctly stated. In other words, no two Labs are alike. They come in a variety of colors such as black, chocolate, golden, and silver just to name a few, and despite the vast array of difference in their personalities, Labs all exhibit the following common interests:
hunting retrieving running swimming
Occasionally, you do run across a contradiction such as a puppy that fears the water or one that does not have the typical oral fixation or obsession characteristic of the majority of members of this breed. Instance’s of these occurring are few and far between, so there is not much likelihood that you will encounter one like this.
However, there is one thing that you can say with the utmost certainty where Labs are concerned. Every Labrador Retriever is a very special animal and with the proper attention, love, and training, you will have a wonderful companion that will afford you with the ultimate in affection and loyalty until they breathe their final breath.
2) Labs are the epitome of the natural-born hunter and tracker. Unlike all the other canine hunting breeds, Labrador Retrievers do not have to wait for their masters command to seek out the fallen bird. Not only are they intelligent enough to know exactly where the bird has fallen, they are more acutely aware of their surroundings more so than any other canine that hunts or tracks its prey.
It is a misconception of some owners that Labs are too needy, as they will commonly sit at their masters side, patiently awaiting the next command. Understanding this part of their nature will dispel that misconception, as well as help you realize that, as a hunting dog, this is what they have been bred to do.
3) Thorough training is a requirement with Labs. Despite the Labs inherent capabilities for locating and retrieving their prey, they have to be skillfully trained at specific commands in order to follow the specific commands of their masters. The benefit here is that they will never give up searching, even if the direction to hunt in has not been specified. In so many words, this dog will take the responsibility for completing the job it started.
Written by Jeff Nenadic from My-DogShop.com
Black Dog Syndrome Even For Black Labrador Retrievers
Regardless of what kind of dog you are looking for you may want to consider a lab mix puppy. The only type of dog that really does not work for a lab mix puppy are dogs from the toy category. In general these dogs are desirable because of their small size, but when you mix them with a Labrador they will no longer retain that tiny size. However, just about every other class of dog will work in for a lab mix puppy.
Black Dog Omen
Black dog syndrome is used by people who work or volunteer in animal shelters. For some reason, all black dogs, even purebred black Labrador Retrievers are almost always passed over in favor of other colored dogs. Any other color dog does better – even if they are the same breed. This also happens to black Labrador Retrievers, especially in shelters. A golden, yellow, white or chocolate Labrador Retriever will almost always be picked over black Labrador Retrievers.
Superstition
Although we claim to not believe in superstitions, our subconscious proves we do. Quite often, we pass over anything black because of the negative bias towards the color black. The only things that seem to escape this bias are diamonds and horses. However, there are a lot of myths, legends and stories about black dogs being somehow bad. One of these is that vampires can change into black wolves – or black dogs (even black Labrador Retrievers).
Probably the most famous bad black dog was the Hound of the Baskervilles, which went after the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Many scholars and psychologists think the reason why the Hound of the Baskervilles is so famous is because a large black dog fits our subconscious idea of what an evil creature looks like, even a dog with floppy ears like a black Labrador Retriever.
Hecate And Paganism
In some pre-Christian pagan religions, black dogs were seen as sacred. One of the most powerful and respected Goddesses (still worshipped by modern day Pagans) is Hecate (or Hekate), known as the Goddess of Witches. One of her symbols was the black dog. It was said that She could appear to people in the form of either a black snake, a black mare or a black dog.
Whenever Christianity overtook paganism, anything associated with the old Deities was immediately demonized. This is probably what happened to all black dogs, even in this modern day and age, causing the black dog syndrome seen today in pet rescues and animal shelters.
A Good Dog Is Never A Bad Color
If you are considering adopting a dog (and good for you), then please be sure to take a second look at all of the black dogs in the shelter. Perhaps they will look ordinary, but that’s only on the outside. If you specifically want to adopt a Labrador Retriever, be sure to tell the breed rescue or animal shelter that you would accept a black Labrador Retriever. You will certainly gain not only the shelter worker’s respect, but the friend of a lifetime.
The Great Labrador Retriever – Your Ultimate Companion
The Labrador is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog also called Labrador Retriever, Labby, or Lab for short. The term â??Retrieverâ? refers to any one of several breeds of Sporting Dogs. Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without any damage. The American Kennel Club lists the following breeds of retrievers: Chesapeake Bay, Golden, Curly-coated, Flat-coated, and Labrador retriever. Labrador Retrieversâ?? willingness to please and trainability made them the most popular breed among all assistant dogs in the world. They are natural hunters and are equipped with an exceptional sense of smell. Because of their great â??noseâ?, they also work in narcotics as a drug sniffing dogs, search and rescue dogs, as guide dogs for the blind, and as a service dog for the disabled.
Labradors are relatively large, with males typically weighing 30â??36Â kg (65â??80Â lb) and females 25â??32Â kg (55â??70Â lb). Labradors come in two varieties; the English “show” line and the American “field” line. The English bred (show-bred) labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American bred (field and trial-bred) Labs are longer legged, lighter, and more lithe in build.
The Labrador Puppies Retriever is a double coat breed. The color of the coat comes in chocolate, black, and yellow. Their short and smooth double coat is easy to groom with a brush with firm bristles. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, even when they swim their skin stays dry due to their water-resistant undercoat. They are also moderate shredders of hair.
Labradors are happy in the great outdoors and are tremendous swimmers. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make them excellent swimmers. Labs are big eaters and need regular exercise and moderate rations to avoid a tendency to become overweight.
Labradors are a devoted breed that can be a wonderful asset to a family but having a Labrador puppy is a huge responsibility. It requires energy to keep up with the pup, as well as the patience to work with him as Labrador puppies are very energetic and want to explore everything in their surroundings. Their excitement about everything often causes them to do certain activities that can annoy you but this can be corrected through proper training and supervision. You must teach him what to put in his mouth and what not because they eat digestible and non-food objects alike and are prone to chewing objects. Your furniture and belongings may suffer if not trained properly at an early stage. Furthermore, their strong build can make them hard to control later in adulthood.
Labradors are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not usually suitable as guard dogs. However these are one of the best family dogs and canine companions because of their gentle, friendly and lovable temperament. They are exceptionally affable, intelligent, energetic and good natured and is the perfect to an active family. Labs have a high intelligence and willingness to work hard to please their owners. This is why they are widely used by police and other official bodies too.
For more information about Labrador Puppies please click here pets4you .
Doggy Odor in Labrador Retrievers
Doggy Odor in Your Labrador
Why does a Labrador have doggy odor?
Like any other animal, dogs will walk, run, and play in areas that might result in their gathering dirt, disease, or odor. The Labrador retriever may begin to produce odor due to a number of factors, such as oily skin, dirt accumulation, ear or anal infections, and dental/plaque buildup. Not only can odor be offensive, it can be a sign of an unhealthy retriever. If a Labrador retriever is not monitored, and the sources of doggy odor are not removed, the Labrador retriever will develop chronic physical problems.
What to do About Doggy Odor?
When a Labrador retriever begins to emit doggy odor, closely inspect the dog from head to tail. Check the retriever’s ears for debris, red skin, and odor. If an ear infection is present, it could be the result of the dog’s ears not being properly ventilated. Ear infections are common in dogs with ears that are floppy or folded over. If the dog’s ears are not properly ventilated, the inside becomes moist and warm, and infection can easily result.
Look in the dog’s mouth for plaque buildup on the teeth, and for discolored or missing teeth. In addition to the well-known “dog breath,” additional odor may be coming from the dog’s mouth as a result of food buildup and poor oral hygiene. Check the retriever’s feet; there may be a cut or infection on the dog’s foot pads. This type of injury should be immediately cleaned and bandaged. Run your fingers through the dog’s coat, and make sure you inspect all sides of the coat. There may be a concealed skin injury underneath the Labrador’s fur. Also, check for an oily or greasy texture appearing on the retriever’s coat. The coat might be producing dandruff or the skin may be flaky.
One of the most prominent areas for odor generation is the retriever’s backside. There could be anal infection, a buildup of feces on the dog’s coat, or the Labrador might be constipated or have diarrhea, both of which will produce significant odor.
As you are inspecting the retriever’s body, take detailed notes on what you see, smell, feel, and hear. These notes will become valuable when you take the dog to a veterinarian. Also, it will document signs or symptoms that you might forget to tell the veterinarian.
If your dog is exhibiting odor and is found to have an infection or illness, take proactive measures to protect your Labrador retriever. Take action and make a dog-care schedule for your Labrador.
Dogs need to be kept clean, but caution must be taken not to give the Labrador too many baths. If the dog is bathed every week, the retriever’s coat is deprived of natural oils. As a result, over- bathing a Labrador can increase odor. A dog should be bathed once a month.
Part of maintaining a clean home includes washing animal bedding, play toys, and the dog’s collar. After washing the Labrador’s bedding, make sure that the bedding is completely dry before allowing the dog to sleep on it. If the bedding has been removed from the dryer or brought in from a clothes line, vacuum the bedding with a small hand vacuum; this will remove any debris that was left by the dryer.
A Labrador retriever should be monitored when it goes outside, especially if your home is in a rural and/or wooded area. The dog might be picking up odors from discarded garbage or a dead animal carcass. Odors from rotting food or meat are extremely pungent. Also, they can induce vomiting if eaten. If your Labrador is allowed to go into wooded areas or alleys, follow the dog to see if he is eating carrion or miscellaneous garbage.
When dogs have odor emitting from their teeth or gums, it can be treated with a professional brushing which can include removing plaque from the dog’s mouth. Ask the vet about dog treats that are designed to help keep teeth and gums clean. Make teeth inspection a regular part of your dog’s cleaning schedule.
When your retriever has been playing in dirt or mud, keep two or three old towels ready to clean the dog’s coat. One towel can be put in water and used to clean the dog’s coat, and the other towel can remain dry and used to dry the dog’s coat. Dogs enjoy physical attention and respond well to having their coats cleaned.
Brushing the retriever on a daily basis helps to reduce smell, remove excess fur, and stimulate new hair growth.
Finally, ask your veterinarian about changing the Labrador’s diet. Dog food that contains solid meat promotes healthy skin, teeth, gums, and stools. High-quality food is available through a veterinarian or at large-scale pet shops. When shopping at a pet store, ask the store staff for recommendations.
Animal odors can result from a number of different sources. To make sure that your Labrador retriever is free of odor, it is necessary to perform regular visual checkups. The doggy odor will be removed when the dog’s body is inspected thoroughly, cleaned regularly, and taken to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
For more information, refer to
Labrador Retriever Facts and Information
The author, Nancy Richards, is a dog lover and dog trainer for the last 8 years. Learn All about Labrador Retriever Behavior, Adoption, Training, Diet and Health Care from her website
TrainPetDog.com
There is No Such Thing As Golden Labrador Retriever Purebreds
Believe me or not, that’s the plain truth. According to the various Labrador Breed Associations and national kennel clubs, Labs come in just three recognized colors – and golden is not one of them.
However, if you go browsing through advertisements for dog kennels, you can’t help but notice that there are many ads that loudly proclaim that they breed golden Labrador Retrievers. And by that, they do not mean a Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mix (which are also known as Golden Labrador Retrievers). They actually saying a golden colored PUREBRED Labrador Retriever.
Suspected Scam
The only three recognized colors of purebred Labrador Retrievers are yellow, black and chocolate (which used to be called liver). Yellow Labrador Retrievers have there are many shades of their yellow hair. Some are so pale that they are called “white”, even though their papers will call them yellow. The darkest shade of yellow is sometimes called “gold”. But still, even the darkest golden Labrador Retriever will not compare to the luster of a Golden Retriever.
Sadly, like PT Barnum said, “there’s a sucker born every minute”. These kind of people will believe whatever they are told. If they are told that there is such a thing as a purebred golden Labrador, they will break open their wallets and buy one. Even when they can clearly see that the puppy’s color is yellow, they think the “golden” label means “premium” and they will buy the so-called “golden Labrador Retriever” at higher price, over the identical-looking “yellow Labrador Retriever”.
Golden Lab Is Not Always Better Than A Yellow Lab
If you do discover that your pricey “golden Labrador Retriever” is simply a yellow Lab, take it easy. Your dog will still be loyal and comical and loving. Keep the dog. But by all means, complain to the Better Business Bureau about how the dog was represented. It would help if you had a copy of the original ad that lead you to the kennel and a copy of the contract. You did get a contract with your “golden Labrador Retriever”, didn’t you? If not, there’s ANOTHER thing to complain about.
If you had your lab from a rescue shelter and your lab was listed as a purebred golden Labrador Retriever, the staff just made a common mistake. Don’t rip into them about it – they are doing the best they can. You could write a thank you letter about how well you are getting on with your rescue dog and just casually mention that, officially, there is no such thing as a purebred golden Labrador Retriever. Once that is done, concentrate on building up a great friendship with your new Lab of whatever color.
Closing Words
If you already have a golden labrador retriever, don’t stop caring for your lab even now you know that he (or she) is not a purebred. Telling about this fact you have just learned to people around you that is considering to buy a labrador retriever would be something valuable. For them and for yourself.
Goldens and Black Labrador Retrievers,
Today I fell into a trap that I should never have allowed myself to get into. I actually trusted my dog, my Nikki, a 3 year golden retriever.
Nikki is an amazingly affectionate dog, even more than normal for a golden retriever. She is gentle, good natured and behaves pretty well.
She loves going out for car drives, and she is a very well behaved dog in the car. She sits beside me, head hanging out the window and gently watching the world go by. She never gets agitated, restless or excited, even when she spots another dog out the window.
The other day, I took both Nikki, and Benny my black lab out for a drive. This time Benny was sitting in the front. Nikki was in the back. As usual I had the back and front window open.
I drove around the corner, and pulled into my driveway. And, what do I see…Nikki, sitting by the front gate. She must have jumped out the back window as I was pulling around the corner and ran to the gate.
I had absolutely NO clue she had even jumped out. Never before did she ever show any signs of jumping out.
Needless to say I was freaking. I mean, with a little imagination, I could imagine what could have happened.
Rule number one: Don’t trust your dogs. No matter how well behaved your dogs are, they are still dogs. Look out for their safety. Always make safety your first priority.
I should have known better. I try to make dog safety and dog training and dog nutrition my priorities. I have 3 dogs, 2 black labs, and my Nikki, a golden retriever. Dukie, one of my black labs is blind. Oddly enough, when I walk my 3 dogs and my neighbour comes and joins me with her dog, Dukie behaves the best. He loves walking and going for car rides. If you are observing him, you would never know he is blind.
The Labrador Retriever (“Labrador” or “Lab” for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, and are the most popular breeds of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The breed is exceptionally friendly, intelligent and good natured, and as a rule these qualities mean that Labs love people, handle children well, and therefore make excellent family and service dogs. Benny, my black lab and Nikki are both Certified Therapy Dogs. They visit the elderly in homes.
Labradors are relatively large with males typically weighing 60 to 80 lb (27 to 36 kg) and females 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). They are energetic outgoing dogs, and are black, yellow, or brown (called “chocolate”) in color, in that order of frequency. Their fur is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make him an excellent swimmer. Their interwoven coat is also waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing directions. Yellow labs can have black or pink noses; chocolate and black labs’s noses match the coat color.
As with some other breeds, the English and the America lines differ slightly. Labs are bred in England as a medium size dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger dog. I have both, one English, My Benny, and one American, my Dukie.
Famous Labs
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