Labrador

Overview

Height

22.5-24.5 inches

Weight

65-80 pounds

Life Span

10 and 12 years

Excercise

2 Hour Dail

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs in the world for good reason. They’re friendly sociable, non-aggressive, great with kids, and have been used as service dogs for the blind for years. There are two types of Labradors available – the English Labrador Retriever (heavier and thicker) and the American Labrador Retriever (taller and lankier).

You can get all three colors in the same litter (Black, yellow and chocolate). All Labradors love the company of their humans and are typically very affectionate. Labradors are also good with meeting new people especially if they are well socialised from a young age.

They are intelligent, and training comes easy for them. They are also even tempered, gentle, outgoing, trusting, kind and agile. They’re the kind of dogs that do well around babies, as well as the sick and elderly. They are also often used as working dogs for everything from therapy and guide dogs through to disaster recovery dogs. There really is no end to their talents as they are super adaptable.

The breed typically loves swimming and needs lots of exercise as a younger puppy. They also have a huge appetite and will need to be watched as they have a tendency to overeat. In fact they love their food so much that the only time they will skip food is when they are ill.

Labradors Are Loved By All

These dogs have also starred in many Hollywood blockbusters, such as 1987’s Fatal Attraction, 1992’s Single White Female, and 2008’s Marley & Me, since they’re so trainable, and follow commands so well! It isn’t hard to see how they have become the most popular breed of dogs in both the UK and the USA.

If you want a friendly dog that suits the family this is the one for you. There is a good chance you’ll find them either eating or swimming in the pool!

History

The origins of Labrador Retrievers lie in Newfoundland Canada, where they were bred as waterdogs to retrieve ducks, and help catch fish. They became exceptionally popular in the early part of the 19^th Century when English nobles took notice of them in Canada.

They went back to England with a few “Labrador Retrievers” in tow, and during the latter half of the 1800s, the breed was refined and standardized.

They were bred to have coats that were short, dense, and water-resistant to suit the Canadian winter. They required a coat that would work well with the North Atlantic’s icy waters.

The Kennel Club of England recognized the breed in 1903, and it was registered by the AKC in 1917. Since 1991, Labrador Retrievers have been America’s favorite breed.

Health

Labrador Retrievers are generally quite healthy dogs and responsible breeding includes checks for conditions like hip dysplasia (which is a very common condition among many breeds), disorders of the heart, muscle weakness (known as myopathy), and eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy.

Certain young adult Labs can get exercise induced collapse (EIC for short). All that’s needed to check for this, is a DNA test, as this will indicate the condition to breeders. They will then plan their breeding to avoid carrying the condition down the line.

Labradors are deep-chested dogs that can also develop bloat. If bloating occurs, they will often need to be seen to by a vet immediately.

If you are planning to get a purebred Labrador Retriever, make sure that the breeder has made sure that it has had a hip evaluation, an EIC DNA test, an ophthalmologist evaluation (for its eyes), and an elbow evaluation.

Interesting Facts

Labradors are the number 1 dog in both America and the UK.
They come in all different colors (yellow, chocolate and black)– even in the same litter!
“King Buck” is the name of a famous Labrador who was the first of its kind to appear on a US postage stamp.
They are used as guide dogs more than any other breed.
They have webbed toes, which make them amazing swimmers.