Labrador Retriever Breed Information

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DESCRIPTION

The Labrador Retriever is a medium to large sized breed, athletic and short-coupled in build.  They are solid and well proportioned, with a short, hard and easy to care for double-layered coat.  The coat is also very water resistant and can come in the colors: yellow, black or chocolate.  Yellow colored labs come in the widest variety of shadings, from cream to fox-red.  There is a rarer, silver colored lab although there are disputes over whether this is a legitimate mutation, or comes from a Weimaraner influence.  There are two types of Labrador Retriever, the English Lab and the American Lab.  although not considered separate breeds they do have subtle differences.  The English bred stock tend to be shorter and stockier and are more apt for showing, whilst their American counterparts are lankier, with a less blocky appearance.  They have a broad head, ending in a thick nose and display an intelligent, friendly and welcoming expression.  Their eyes are brown or hazel and full of expression.  The head is clean cut and not fleshy, with a pronounced stop, whilst the muzzle is powerful and of medium length, with teeth meeting in a scissor bite.  The thick nose is brown on chocolates, black on blacks, and either black or slightly pink on yellows.  Labradors have pendant ears, set back and low on the skull and hanging close to the head.  The neck of the Labrador is thick and powerful, whilst the chest is fairly broad and the back strong and solid.  The tail of the Labrador Retriever is very distinguishable with its otter like appearance.  It is medium in length, without feathering and is thick at its base tapering to a point at the end and is covered with hair.  The limbs have solid bone structure and the feet are webbed to aid in swimming.

TEMPERAMENT

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the world principally due to its wonderful character.  They are a loving, affectionate and highly intelligent dog, with patience to match.  Loyal, willing and full of character, they are good natured and fantastic with children.  They have a reliable and consistent temperament, that embodies the best qualities we look for in a companion breed, yet they are equally capable of working hard for their masters.  They thrive on human contact and require a family that can give them much time and love.  Labs are renowned for forcing their head in to the line of a stroking hand when other dogs are around.  An easy breed to train, they respond best to positive reinforcement.  Socialization is also important as puppies to avoid reservation with strangers, although this is not a major issue with this breed.  Generally not suitable as guard dogs due to their inherently friendly nature, they can, however make excellent watch dogs, barking as a warning of people approaching.  This breed will be destructive if left too long alone or not given enough physical and mental stimuli.  Some dogs can be aggressive toward other dogs especially in same sex, same breed confrontations however early socialization can reduce this.  Overall the Lab is a wonderful companion dog and is undoubtedly one of the best dogs in the world.

HEIGHT: Dogs 56-61cm (22-24 inches), Bitches 53-58cm (21-23 inches)
WEIGHT: Dogs 27-34kg (60-75lbs), although some can be over 45kg (100lbs), Bitches 25-32kg (55-70lbs)

HEALTH

Labrador Retrievers are somewhat prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially the larger dogs, though not as much as some other breeds.  Hip scores are recommended before breeding. They can also suffer from the risk of knee problems. A luxating patella is a common occurrence in the knee where the leg is often bow shaped.  Eye problems have been noted in Labradors as well, particularly progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy and retinal dysplasia. Dogs which are intended to be bred should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist for an eye score.  Other more rare conditions include hereditary myopathy (a rare inherited disorder that causes a deficiency in type II muscle fibre), autoimmune diseases and deafness, either congenitally or later in life.  Labradors are also renowned for their love of food and will eat and eat, it is important therefore to control their diet in order to avoid obesity issues.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Providing they receive`plenty of good quality exercise the Labrador retriever will do fine in an apartment.  They are moderately active indoors and will do best with an average sized back garden or yard.

EXERCISE

The Labrador Retriever is a breed that loves nothing more than to play or work (both of which it sees as good old fun).  A long, daily walk, at a quick pace is a must or even better take them along as a jogging or bike ride companion.  It is in their very nature to retrieve and so games of fetch are loved.  Labradors are also adept swimmers and love a good paddle.  Swimming is also an excellent exercise for younger dogs as there is no impact on growing joints, we highly recommend swimming as part of your Labradors exercise regime.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-14 years
LITTER: Average of 8 puppies

GROOMING

The Labrador has an easy to care for coat, it requires brushing with a firm bristle brush from time to time and dry shampooing and bathing only when necessary.  Clipping of nails and checking of ears should take place in regular intervals to avoid scratches and ear infections respectively.

HISTORY

The Labrador Retriever is not from Labrador, Canada, as the name may suggest but rather from Newfoundland, Canada.  Some believe the name may have Spanish origins, with the word ´laboradores´ used to describe rural and agricultural workers, whilst others believed it is named after the Labrador region of Canada, as Newfoundland was already taken.  It was in Newfoundland, during the 19th Century that smaller water dogs were bred with the large Newfoundland and this resulted in a dog that was called the St John´s Water Dog (aka St John´s Newfoundland).  This was the predecessor to the modern day Labrador.  These smaller, black, short-haired dogs were adept at retrieving game and fish and other tasks requiring swimming in the icy Canadian waters.  As a result of dog taxes and strict quarantine laws this dog eventually died out in its native Newfoundland, however the breed had been taken to england around this time where it thrived and grew steadily in popularity.  The first and second Earls of Malmesbury, who bred for duck shooting on his estate, and the 5th and 6th Dukes of Buccleuch, and youngest son Lord George William Montagu-Douglas-Scott, were instrumental in establishing the Labrador breed in nineteenth century England. The dogs Avon ("Buccleuch Avon") and Ned given by Malmesbury to assist the Duke of Buccleuch's breeding program in the 1880s are usually considered the ancestors of all modern Labradors.  The name Labrador Retriever became commonly recognised in England around 1870 and the English Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1903.  The breed was further recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1917.  The breed today is the most registered breed in both the United States and the United Kingdom and is testament to the Labradors popularity as a companion dog and its outstanding ability in the field.  Labrador Retrievers are also highly adaptable to tracking, retrieving, hunting, watch dog work, police work, guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, narcotics work, sledding and competitive obedience.

Original article with pictures and more - Labrador Retriever