| Is a Lab the Right Dog for
You?
The Labrador Retriever is considered a large, stocky
dog, standing between 22-25 inches and weighing between
60-80 lb. Labs, as they are affectionately called,
have a block head, drop ears, webbed feet, short coat,
and a strong "otter tail." Their fur is
dense and designed to repel water. They come in three
colors, black, chocolate and yellow. Blond, fox red,
vanilla, golden are all just variations of the yellow
color.
The Lab originated in Newfoundland. Their heritage
was to work with fisherman, retrieving nets from frigid
waters. Commonly they are used to bring back downed
waterfowl. Their large noses coupled with a willingness
to work make them ideal drug sniffing or search and
rescue dogs. Their eager personalities, high intelligence
and thoughtful disobedience make them great service
dogs.
Most of all, Labrador Retrievers make great pets
for young, on-the-go families. They are great with
children because they are friendly and love to play.
Labs are easy to train and willing to work. They love
to retrieve and will play ball for hours. They are
natural, strong swimmers and love nothing more than
retrieving a ball, or a dummy, in water. Because they
don't play favorites they are very accepting of all
members of the family and adjust well to new babies
or children leaving for school. They are not guard
dogs, but their size and loud bark are protective.
Sound ideal? It is, as long as your family is active
and has the ability to take care of the dog's exercise
needs on a daily basis. Labs need a place to romp,
thus do better in homes with a fenced yard. They love
to go for daily walks, and because they are prone
to obesity, need those walks and play time to keep
their weight in check. Labs can be diggers and chewers,
and their need to retrieve can lead to items in their
mouth disappearing down their throats. A lab's appetite
knows no bounds so they are prone to bloat, ingestion
of dangerous substances such as chocolate and intestinal
blockage secondary to sock eating.
Without a fenced yard a Lab can become a wanderer.
They don't do well with electric fencing, being all
to willing to suffer a small shock in order to see
the world. And they stay puppyish longer than most
dogs, a lab doesn't mature in personality until around
three years of age. That is a long time of puppy like
behavior. Fortunately labs take well to training,
are willing and fast learners. Anyone who adopts a
lab puppy should join a puppy class, if you adopt
an older dog, think about taking obedience classes.
Large pet stores such as Petsmart offer these short
training courses, as do independent dog trainers and
dog clubs. It is fun to work with your dog, and makes
him/her a better pet.
Also, labradors are prone to bone disorders such
as hip dysplasia, elbow problems and early onset arthritis.
Feeding the dog premium dog food, exercising correctly
and keeping the dog at ideal weight all help. Hip
dysplasia is an inherited condition, so purchase your
puppy from a great breeder who has tested both parents
for this trait in their line of dogs. This is called
Penh clearance or having an OFA number between fair
to excellent.Ê NEVER PURCHASE YOUR PUPPY FROM
A PET STORE. No matter what they tell you about the
parents, puppies in pet stores ALL may come from Puppy
Mills, which are a national disgrace.
Labs also are prone to eye disorders the most serious
one is PRA or progressive retinal atrophy. Make sure
the parents of the puppy you purchase both have had
yearly eye test and are registered to be clear of
eye disease by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.
But labs are wonderful dogs. So if you are willing
to work with your dog, enjoy an active, friendly,
exuberant, warm type dog, and will research in order
to find that outstanding breeder or a labrador rescue
group from which to obtain your labrador - go for
it!!!
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