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Labrador Retriever Information
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Thank you for visiting us at Labrador Retrievers. We try to provide you with the most complete information we can about labs from all over the world. We update our sources constantly. Please scroll down to learn more.
Labrador Retrievers
There is no dog more loving and affectionate than a Lab
Hunting Society Approved
Ashland Kennel
All of our bitches are OFA ( Good or Excellent ) bred only to carefully selected proven titled Field Champions sires. We work hard to ensure your pup is free of hereditary defects; we help with everything - advice about House Breaking, Crate Training, helpful hints on getting your new puppy started on the right track. Contact Ashley at 478.825.PUP5 (7875) and you will find someone who really loves dogs.
The Origin of Labradors
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"A moment later the stevedore appeared on deck leading by a leash one of the most handsome dog ever seen in Maryland. He was jet-black, sturdy in his front quarters, sleek and powerful in his hind, with a face so intelligent that it seemed he might speak at any moment. His movements were quick, his dark eyes following every development nearby, yet his disposition appeared so equable he seemed always about to smile.
"'He's called a Labrador,' Lightfoot said. ' Finest huntin' dog ever developed'"
So wrote James Michener in his novel Chesapeake about the arrival of a new breed of dog to the Maryland marshes to challenge the reign of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as a consummate hunter. The Labrador Retriever has lived up to his billing - for the ninth year in a row, he was the most popular dog in the US with more than 150 thousand individuals and 40 thousand litters registered with the American Kennel Club in 1999.
The Lab actually developed in Newfoundland, from whence he made his way to England, probably with fishermen who worked the rich fisheries off the coast of the eastern Canadian provinces. There, in order to avoid confusion with the larger, heavy-coated Newfoundland dog, he was called the Labrador. The original Labrador Retriever was a versatile working dog, able to rescue drifting nets, bring back shot waterfowl, and haul the catch to market in jog carts.
Once in England, however, his marvelous nose brought him fame as a hunting dog, a job he relishes today. But the Labrador Retriever is far more. In this one breed are combined a smattering of all the attributes needed in a family dog for an active household. He is kind to children, friendly to most people and other animals, energetic, easy-to-train, anxious to please, fun to teach tricks and games, and an easy-keeper. He'll play fetch for hours or lie quietly on the family room floor, content to serve as a pillow for a toddler. Well-bred labs have a stable temperament suitable for work as a guide dog for the blind, an assistance dog for a wheelchair-bound person, or a sniffer dog in fire investigations or contraband searches at airports and border checkpoints. And he is a fine dog for those interested in competition events such as obedience, agility, or hunting tests or trials.
Hunting Society Approved
The Breed Standard
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The Labrador Retriever is a large, powerful-looking dog with a blocky head, drop ears, a sleek, short coat, and a strong otter-like tail that can clear a coffee table in the blink of an eye. Weighing in at 60-80 pounds and standing 22.5-24.5 inches at the shoulder with a thick neck and strong quarters, he is a working dog in need of exercise to stay in shape.
Large nostrils, deep chest, and well-sprung ribs give testimony to his stamina, and his wide jaws and muzzle give him the ability to retrieve even big waterfowl such as the larger races of Canada geese. This is a stocky dog with moderately long legs; he should not be lanky or stubby and should be well-balanced and muscular so he can endure in the field and at home.
The short Lab coat is very dense and repels water, ideal for protecting the dog from chill as he goes about his work. The coat sheds rather more than one might expect, especially around the haunches. The coat comes in jet black, pale to deep chocolate, and yellow, which can range from cream to russet.
Care and Training
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Although the Lab is the epitome of family dogs, he needs a household that is fairly active to satisfy his need for exercise and work. Daily walks, romps in a fenced yard, and games of fetch keep his mind and body in shape. Unless these needs are satisfied, the Lab may become a wanderer, a digger, or a chewer.
Because his body is in almost constant motion, the new Lab puppy should be taught to sit on command to prevent him from jumping on people to say hello. He can also be taught early to shake paws and to fetch; his soft mouth and innate desire to retrieve can provide hours of play. Later on, he can learn to put his nose to use and "find" things that have been hidden for him.
A fast-growing Lab pup reaches almost adult size and weight within six months and can be a handful to train if left to his own devices 'til then. He is an exuberant dog, a behavior that can get him into trouble with other dogs and with the neighbors who do not appreciate his antics. Early training is essential, both on leash and off; if you wait too long, his rambunctious character will be difficult to manage.
Puppy and basic obedience classes are recommended to teach manners, and an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test is a good idea. All members of the family should participate in the training although only one person should handle the pup in the classes. If Mary allows the dog on the sofa when Mom's not around, the dog is going to be either confused or sneaky, so consistency between family members is necessary.
Discipline should be gentle but firm - removing the pup from the scene of the crime, confining her when you cannot watch her, and redirecting her play works better (and is less frustrating) than yelling, smacking with a newspaper, or punitive measures.
Because the Lab is an easy keeper, feeding a pup is a bit more complicated than buying a premium food and letting him eat his fill. A fast-growing breed subject to hip dysplasia, the Lab puppy should be fed a large-breed puppy food or a regular adult dog food of less than 25 percent protein to help avoid joint problems that can occur when puppies grow too fast. Since the pup will achieve his adult size with good nutrition, some veterinarians recommend keeping large-breed puppies a bit thin to reduce the chances of strain on the joints during growth periods.
Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to become obese and so their diets must be closely controlled. An older Lab will enjoy the couch and the fire; if not given enough exercise he will fatten up rather quickly. Food should be measured, snacks should be minimized, and exercise should be part of the daily routine.
labs are prone to hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint that ranges from mild to severe and can cause such pain that major surgery becomes necessary. Dysplastic dogs usually become arthritic. With so many Lab puppies produced each year, it is important to buy from a breeder who x-rays breeding stock for hip dysplasia and only uses those animals with an OFA number or a PennHIP clearance for breeding. Such screening does not guarantee pups free of hip joint abnormalities, but it decreases the chances such problems will occur.
labs are also prone to several eye disorders, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, stomach torsion, and epilepsy. All Lab breeding stock should have an eye test each year and be registered free of eye disease by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.
Breed popularity can also have an adverse influence on temperament when inexperienced owners breed a litter of pups to enhance the budget for the family vacation or holiday expenses. Therefore, although the Lab is well-known for its easy-going manner and adaptation to many lifestyles, it is important to seek a breeder who produces dogs that are sound in mind as well as body.
