The Labrador Retriever puppies are among the most widespread, but also one of the most appreciated breeds, whether in the UK or in the rest of the world. The Labrador Retriever puppies are above all adulated for their gentleness, bonhomie, and constant joy. They are as much a working dog as an ideal member of a family. His good mood will be contagious, you will not have any more melancholic days with this big brown glance put on you.
Physical Characteristics Of The Labrador Retriever Puppies
The Labrador is a heavy, strong, and robust dog. He has a broad skull and a head that is generally proportionate to his body, well shaped, with not very fleshy cheeks. His ears hang close to his head, set back, neither large nor heavy.
The thorax is ample, close to the ground, with barrel-shaped ribs. It has a straight back and a tail that is very large at the base, tapering more and more towards the tip. This tail has no fringe, but is covered with short, thick, dense hair, which can give it an otter tail effect.
Its eyes are of medium size, oscillating between brown and dark hazelnut, always filled with kindness and intelligence. The coat is short, dense and relatively rough. Three colors are allowed by the breed standard: brown (known as chocolate), sandy, and black coats. Its size varies according to its sex: 57cm maximum for a male and 55cm for a female. Its weight is around 30kg, whatever the sex.
Origins And History of the Labrador Retriever puppies
A strange myth surrounds the Labrador. It is said to be the result of a unique cross between a newfoundlander and an otter. This legend is based on several characteristics of the Labrador retriever: his love of all things aquatic, his webbed feet, his waterproof coat and the structure of his tail, which he can use as a rudder once in the water.
In fact, its origins date back to the 18th century. A dog was used as an auxiliary by fishermen. It was used to search for fish that might have jumped overboard. This happened in st. John’s, newfoundland. A few years later, in 1814, newfoundland dogs were exported to england, where they were used as working dogs.
They were named “Labrador” by the count of malmesbury, referring to the name of the breed in portugal, cao de castro laboreiro (a breed that still exists today, being a little different from the french Labradors).
Throughout the 19th century, the breed was crossed here and there with english hunting dogs, especially retrievers. The breed was established in the early 1900s.
The breed is recognized by the kennel club in 1903. They were imported into france from 1896, and the french club was founded in 1911. The Labrador retriever is now the most widespread breed of dog.
The Labrador Retriever Puppies: Physique, Health
The puppy should avoid too much exercise, for example, he should not be allowed to climb stairs. His heart can’t handle the high energy expenditure. Once he grows up, he tends to keep an iron constitution. As with other retrievers, make sure that the tip of its tail is dry after swimming.
It is preferable to check its hips, eyes, and elbows annually, especially for broodstock. These are sensitive areas for the dog, and even if health problems are rare, prevention is always better than cure. The goal is to minimize the risks as much as possible.
It is good to manage the rations given to a Labrador, he will tend to always ask for more. Do not rely on the speed at which he devours his meal, as long as you have given him what the breeder has prescribed, you do not need to increase the doses. A Labrador has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.
Character And Aptitudes of Labrador Retriever Puppies
If the Labrador retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the world, it is not for nothing. They are cheerful and playful dogs, but they are also good workers. For him, everything is a game, and everything that surrounds his relationship with his master makes him happy. He is therefore safe for children, but it is better to teach him to take care of the little ones. He is not necessarily aware of his own strength or weight.
He can live in a house or an apartment. However, be careful in his younger years, he can be unruly, and therefore lack space in a small space. As he grows older, he will become quieter, while still being very playful.
However, it would be preferable to be able to offer him a garden. In any case, his attitude will adapt to your lifestyle. He will be sporty if you are, and can stay by your side on the couch if you prefer the quiet. Beware however, he is not a very efficient guard dog, he will prefer to lick the hands of intruders!
Education And Behavior With Other Animals
Because the Labrador is very playful, the best way to train it is through play and reward. It is easy to train him because he is very receptive to emotions. If you’re happy, he’ll be happy too and will be happy to repeat any exercise. He learns very quickly and is very intelligent. There is no question, however, of taking advantage of it! Be gentle with your dog and teach him one exercise at a time.
He is very sociable, both with humans and with other dogs and animals. As is often the case when living with a feline, the cat is more likely to start fights. Once the cat understands that your dog is not of the same breed, the contacts will be much friendlier.
As explained above, there are no problems in the family, as long as you set limits with the children. If the dog should avoid too abrupt contact, so should the child. The Labrador is a patient and emotional dog and will let the child do what he wants with him. At that moment, it is educating the child that becomes important. A dog is above all a member of the family, not a toy.
Finally, he tolerates solitude quite well. You will have to explain to him that your departure is not an end in itself. The first few times can be difficult, like learning how to “stay”. If he’s not sure you’re coming back, he may be stressed. So don’t hesitate to exercise your absences with him by gradually increasing the length of your departures.
Grooming And Care
The Labrador does not require a lot of maintenance. They moult in the spring and fall, which may require daily brushing if you don’t want to find real hair twirlers walking around your home. It is advisable to use a wire brush to capture fallen hairs.
As for his claws, he will tend to shorten them himself by scratching them on a hard floor. If you notice that they are too long in spite of this, do not hesitate to use pliers provided for this purpose.
In general, two baths a year are sufficient, unless he is involved in dirty activities. His greatest fragility is in his ears. It will be necessary to think of monitoring them regularly to clean them with a product advised by your breeder or veterinary surgeon. This omission could lead to chronic ear infections.
Finally, it will be necessary to think of taking it out regularly. He is sociable and needs to walk to stay healthy. Meeting other dogs is a real pleasure for him. You can even let him run in a large field, if you taught him “recall” at a young age.
The Labrador retriever is an extraordinary dog. He possesses a true joy of life which will be communicative for all those around him. He will be eternally grateful to you for taking care of him properly. And that’s the least you can do.
His antidepressant effect doesn’t stop at his presence in a family, it’s sometimes his everyday work! Among other things, he is used as an assistance dog for the handicapped (visual and physical), as a rescue dog, as a police dog, and even as a truffle dog! He has long been used as a hunting dog and has a competent sense of smell, he can also swim like no other breed.
The Labrador is known for its “soft tooth”, the ability to hold an egg in its mouth without breaking it! This sums up this dear Labrador retriever quite well: 30 kg of softness!
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