Ron Loves Training Labrador Retrievers. He is now training Sam
Almost everyone has seen a Labrador Retriever or at the very least, has heard about the wonderful hunting dog that has made it into the hearts of millions and become a valued family pet.
The Labrador Retriever is the good natured dog of the hunting world. It is an intelligent breed that is eager to please and hard working and it excels at many different areas of training. Labrador Retrievers are still used as gun dogs and actively participate in hunting and retrieving sports and hobbies.
They have also shown that they are intelligent and just independent enough to work well as guide dogs, search and rescue and even drug and bomb detection. When they aren’t hard at work, they are enjoying life as a cherished family pet and their easy nature and even temper makes them an ideal pet for all families, even those with small children.
However, that easy nature can also be very excitable and the Labrador Retriever is known as being a large puppy throughout most of its life span. This means that training should be consistent and that you will need to repeatedly correct bad behaviors such as jumping on guests.
Still, even with their negative qualities, one look at a Labrador Retriever with their athletic build, warm eyes, happy nature, and dedication to their work leaves little doubt as to why this is the most popular dog breeds in America today.
Pro’s and con’s of owning a Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States and has been since 1991. There are many traits that make these dogs a wonderful addition to any home but there are also many traits that are a definite con for the breed. It is important that you understand the Labrador Retriever completely before you purchase one and that you never purchase a Labrador Retriever simply because it is a popular breed.
The Pro’s
There are many pros that make a Labrador Retriever such a popular breed. They are hard working, eager to please and enjoy field work and sitting at home.
• They are eager to please, which can make training easier.
• They are very intelligent and can be trained to work in a number of fields such as guide dog, police work and search and rescue.
• They are very people friendly and make excellent family dogs, even in homes with small children.
• Labrador Retrievers generally do well with other pets, including other dogs.
• They can be easy to maintain. Generally, a Labrador Retriever only needs to be brushed once a week and only bathed once or twice a year.
• They have an even temper and are less likely to be aggressive or timid.
The Con’s
If you have ever read the book “Marley and Me” by John Grogan, then you are probably aware of the more negative behaviors that a Labrador Retriever can have.
• They are average to heavy shedders
• They require large amounts of exercise on a daily basis, usually requiring about 90 minutes each day.
• They are mouthy. This equates to a dog that may nip at hands, carrying objects away and chewing items around the house.
• If they are left alone for long periods of time they can suffer from separation anxiety. This can lead to barking problems and destructive behavior.
• Even a trained Labrador Retriever can become excited easily and begin jumping on guests when they greet them.
• They have been over bred. This means that many Labrador Retrievers suffer from behavior and temperament problems and they can also suffer from many health problems.
• They tend to eat everything and can quickly become overweight if their diet is not watched and they are not exercised properly.
Health Issues:
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular breed of dogs and actually rank Number One by the American Kennel Club and have done so for over 17 years. For this reason, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most over bred dog breeds that are available today. If you are interested in purchasing a Labrador Retriever, it is important that you find a reputable breeder that only breeds healthy dogs that have all clearances since Labrador Retrievers have a number of hereditary health issues.
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans
• Cataracts:
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Epilepsy:
• Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Gastric Torsion (Also known as Bloat)
• Acute moist dermatitis
• Cold Tail
• Ear infections
Height & Weight:
Labrador Retrievers are an athletic breed that should give the appearance of a well-built and muscular dog. They are medium sized and their length should be roughly the same or slightly longer than their height from ground to withers. They should be the essence of a versatile dog. Sturdy and short coupled with the athletic grace of a working dog yet refined enough to win in conformation rings.
The size of the Labrador Retriever is:
Males: 22.5 to 23.5 inches (57 to 60 cm) tall and 65 to 80 pounds (29 to 36 kg.)
Females: 21.5 to 23 inches (54 to 59 cm) tall and 55 to 70 pounds (25 to 32 kg.)
Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.
Grooming:
When it comes to grooming, Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom. They are considered to be average shedders, although there are times of the year when they are heavy shedders.
Generally, a Labrador Retriever only needs to be brushed once or twice a week to keep their coats healthy and free of dead hair. However, it may be beneficial to brush them on a daily basis, especially when they are shedding their coat.
Other grooming steps that should be done on a Labrador Retriever are cleaning their ears since they can be prone to ear infections. Make sure that the ears are free of debris and wax and that the ears are not red or inflamed. After your Labrador Retriever has been in the water, it is important to dry the ears to prevent ear infections. Nails should also be kept short and should be clipped about once a week.
Lastly, it is important to be aware of your Labrador Retriever’s anal glands. Many Labrador Retrievers can suffer from impacted anal glands so occasionally; you will need to clear them during a grooming session.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years, although up to 16 years is not unheard of.
History:
The Labrador Retriever was developed in Newfoundland, Canada and was first discovered by English Sportsmen in the early 1800’s, although the breed was seen as early as the 1700’s.
Although the Labrador Retriever was quickly identified as a viable and valuable hunting dog, its history is linked with fishermen and it was, in fact, used by the fishermen of Newfoundland to pull lost nets, fishing lines and even fish out of the cold Atlantic Ocean. When they weren’t hard at working helping their human counterpoint, Labrador Retrievers showed that they were the ideal family dog by interacting with the fishermen’s families whenever they weren’t working.
In 1814, the Labrador Retriever was finally mentioned in the “Instructions to Young Sportsmen” written by Colonel Hawker. Although he coined the dogs as Labradors, in actuality, they were the St. John’s Dog, which is the foundation breed of the Labrador Retriever. The breed was primarily black and had white on its muzzle and toes.
Shortly after the dogs were “discovered,” the St. John’s Dogs were quickly imported to England where some avid sportsmen began breeding the dogs to produce a versatile and hard working Retriever. It is actually the imported St. John’s Dogs that saved the breed from extinction and more specifically, three breeders; the third Earl of Malmesbury, the twelfth Duke of Home and the sixth Duke of Buccleuch, that ensured that the breed survived and became what it is today.
In Canada, the St. John’s Dog began to see decline under the high taxes that dog owners had to pay. For this reason, the original St. John’s Dog became extinct in 1981 when the last two dogs from the line passed away.
Still, the breed came close to extinction even in England but in the early 1900’s people began to see the wonderful qualities’ that the breed had to offer and efforts were re-established in securing the longevity of the Labrador Retriever.
Although the Labrador Retriever and St. John’s Dog were primarily black, yellow and chocolate were both seen in the foundation breed but many of the miscolored puppies were culled from the litters. The first chocolate Labrador Retriever was not born until 1932 in the United States and 1892 in England. The first yellow Labrador Retriever was born in 1929 in the United States and 1899 in England and since then, the colors have been accepted by kennel clubs around the world.
The Labrador Retriever was accepted by the 1917 and the United States Labrador Retriever Club was formed in 1931.
Grouping:
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Recognition:
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR
For more infomation on Labrador Retrievers click here