The labrador retriever

Lab stats
More about the labrador breed
Video: should i choose a labrador retriever
Video: how to care for a labrador retriever
Video: labrador retriever

Originally bred as a hunter and water retriever, Labs are still hugelypopular gun dogs, as well as being a firm favorite in the family dog arena.

When it comes to work, Labradors aren`t just excellent hunting companions. They also make superb search and rescue dogs and service dogs..... jobs which they do with enthusiasm and skill, and that well-known grin.

The breed gets it`s name from it`s birthplace... Labrador, a Province on the east coast of Canada.

Theseare working dogs, bred to help fisherman in the cold, Canadian waters.From there, Labs were taken to England and then eventually to the UnitedStates (and of course they`re also now found just about everywhereacross the globe)

Originally all Labs were black in color. Duringthe late 1800`s the first yellow pup was born in England (at thatpoint these were called `Golden Labradors`), and the first chocolatecolored pups appeared during the 1930`s.

Lab Stats

AKC Group: Sporting Group

Country of Origin: Province of Labrador, Canada

Size: Medium to Large

Height: 21.5 - 24.5 inches

Weight: 55 - 80 lbs (some males, especially the English type can reach over 100lbs)

Color: According to the official breed standard there are three colors.... Black, Yellow (anywhere from light cream to fox red) and Chocolate. Some breeders produce white & silver Lab pups but these are unusual, and are not able to be registered with the AKC.

Temperament: Sociable, loyal and loving

Activity Level: High (particularly during puppy hood)

Grooming: Minimal. Regular brushing.

Special Needs: Labrador Retrievers need plenty of exercise, puppies especially LOVE to play. Regular obedience training.

Possible Health Problems: Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, obesity, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)

More About The Labrador Breed

The Labrador Retriever is consistently #1 in the popularity stakes for lots of reasons.

They`re a greatall-round dog for families of all shapes and sizes. They`re hugely versatile and can excel at competitive obedience, hunting trials, flyball and more.

A Lab love the whole world and everyone in it, and they rarely meet a person (or another dog) that they don`t like.

Friendly, intelligent and eager toplease these dogs learn commands quickly and are one of the most straightforward breeds to train.

They are an active breed, and regular daily exercise is a must (as is lotsof love and attention). Some Labs can be a little high-strung andnervous, this seems to occur more often in chocolate labs than it does in the black or yellow varieties. BUT it`s a genetic trait and this type of personality can show up in a pup of any color.

There is quite a noticeable difference in looks between English Labrador Retrievers and those from American lines. In general American labs tend to be lighter in terms of build, and the muzzle is more narrow. These are generally `Field Lines` which means they`re bred primarily as working dogs.

As with many other breeds, dogs bred from `working/field lines` tend to be more high-energy and intense than those from `show lines`. This means that they`re likely to need more exercise, structure and training than those bred basically for shows or as pets.

Of course ALL puppies need exercise and training, but show lines or pups bred purely as pets rather than as working dogs are likely to be calmer and less excitable, which makes them a better fit for low-key family life.

This photo below shows the difference between the head shape and the muzzle width of the American-style Lab (left) and the English-style (right).

head type of American and English Labrador Retrievers

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons License

A bored Lab can become very destructive (as can just about a pup ofany breed), and the potential damage done by their very strong jaws andpowerful urge to chew shouldn`t be under-estimated.

As a child weowned a Lab who got bored one day while my parents were at work andliterally chewed a hole through the kitchen wall!

If you want amore laid-back little guy, with the truly blocky, otter-tail type`look`, you`re more likely to find him in Englishbloodlines.

However, neither is `better` than the other and it`s a personal choicewhich comes down to what your plans are for your Labrador Retrieverpuppy, and which look you prefer.

They`re a very `mouthy` breed, and this can make them `nippy` as puppies. Luckily they`re quick learners and proper no-bite training is usually very effective.

Theycan be inclined to want to eat rocks, sticks and dirt, and often loveto carry something around in their mouths (they`re hard-wired Retrieversremember!). Lots of sturdy chew toys are also a must for these puppies.

One other thing you need to know about this breed, is that they shed! Of course, most dogs shed (unless they`re a hairless breed) but some lose more hair than others, Labs are definitely among the `some`.

Video: Should I choose a Labrador Retriever

I`m not sure if there`s any `official` statement on this, but from my experience and research, it would seem that yellow labs are the worse offenders in terms of shedding, and chocolates probably the best (the chocolate coat is often a bit finer and silkier which may account for this). Black labs are somewhere in the middle.

Unless you`re super house-proud this isn`t a big deal (and most dog owners are used to having dog hair on, under and in everything!), but if you want some tips and advice on keeping loose hair to a minimum, check out my Dog Shedding & How To Handle It page