The Labrador retriever is a favorite dog breed
of many families and it's easy to see why as this intelligent and
loyal dog makes a great family pet. Originally from Newfoundland
this dog's initial job was to jump into the icy waters to help
pull in the fishing nets. Today they are used for many other
things including seeing eye dogs, working with the disabled and
sniffing out drugs.Part of the
American Kennel Club sporting group, the Labrador Retriever was
admitted into the AKC in 1917. According to the breed standards
this dog should be between 21 and 24 inches tall and weigh between
55 and 75 pounds. With proper care, the dog's life span can be 10
to 12 years.
There are actually two types of Labrador
Retrievers, the English and the American. The American breed is
taller and leaner than its English counterpart but both have solid
muscular bodies with a short water resistant double coat. This dog
is characterized by a broad head and wide muzzle and has a very
powerful neck. The Otter shaped tail and webbed feet help the dog
be the excellent swimmer that it is. The Labrador retriever comes
in three colors solid black, yellow or chocolate.
This lovable and patient dog often gets bad
marks because it can be destructive if left alone. He needs to be
part of the family and if you include him in your daily family
activities and don't let him get lonely then you will have a fine
pet. These dogs are very smart, very loyal and can also be high
spirited. They have a gentle temperament and are great with other
dogs as well as children. Since they are intelligent, they can
very easily be trained.
This breed has very few health issues that
can be prone to hip dysplasia in the eye disorders.
Even though the Labrador Retriever is a very
active dog they can adjust to apartment living as long as they are
given sufficient exercise. It is better, though, if you have an
average sized yard that the dog can run around in. Regardless,
you'll need to take him for walks and if you can find a place for
him to play in the water even better.
The short coat is easy to groom and merely
needs to be brushed regularly using a firm bristled brush. The dog
should only be bathed with either wet or dry shampoo when it is
absolutely necessary.
It's easy to see why the Labrador Retriever
with its intelligent and gentle disposition and easy to groom coat
is a favorite family pet. If you are considering adopting one into
your family, just be sure that you will have the time to spend
with it as this dog does need a lot of human interaction. Also, be
willing to commit to give them the proper veterinary care that
these wonderful pets deserve.
