Are my labs healthy?

Labradors are often a popular choice among dog owners with an active lifestyle; this breed is known for demanding plenty of activity, so they are often found outside running, playing Frisbee, and even swimming with their owners. They are also known for their sometimes ravenous appetites, which can lead to weight problems, especially in the later years. Injury or other diseases can also contribute to obesity due to lack of physical activity. Just as people battling obesity are prone to heart and respiratory problems, obese dogs are also at risk, so it is very important to learn how to combat obesity in older Labradors.

Healthy adult Labradors weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, with females weighing slightly less than males. Most healthy Labradors live 10 to 12 years, and in some cases, they can even live to 14 years. This breed usually reaches full maturity after about 3 years of age, so they will be especially active in these early years. Labradors are by nature one of the most active dog breeds, and as such, they have healthy appetites and require plenty of activity to balance their intake. They can become depressed when deprived of an outlet for their activity, so owners who are away from home for several hours throughout the day are recommended to get a dog run for their Labradors. Because of their activity levels, this breed is often predisposed to obesity, which is an essential point that any Lab owner should keep in consideration when choosing a dog.

Labradors are not picky eaters, which is one reason why it is not hard for them to become overweight. Owners who make a habit of feeding leftover table food to their Labs should keep this in mind; these dogs usually can and will eat whatever they are offered. If not carefully monitored, this can eventually make the dog overweight or even obese.

My lab loves to eat everything!

The older a Labrador is, the more important it becomes to monitor its weight. Labradors are a very active breed with healthy appetites, so they tend to be predisposed to obesity. Usually, if it occurs, it will happen later in life as the dog ages and becomes less active. To prevent or reverse obesity in a Labrador, especially in the later years, careful monitoring of food intake and exercise if and when possible are the best ways to ensure a dog’s health.

Another factor that can cause obesity in Labradors is injury or disease. As dogs age, they are prone to arthritis and other degenerative disorders, and when their activity levels drop off, they can easily become overweight if their intake is not monitored. These disorders can sometimes lead to obesity; to prevent a snowballing of health problems as the dog ages, it is crucial to have the dog scheduled for regular veterinary visits so the vet can recommend a proper diet according to the dog’s age, activity level, and health status.

If the Lab is injured and cannot burn off extra food intake with exercise, the best way to combat obesity is through proper diet. If the problem is severe, it will even require the owner to actually track calorie intake for the dog.

Labradors love to please their owners

Your Labrador retriever is smart and wants to learn tricks, if for no other reason than to please you. Happy, well-adjusted dogs are the ones who are allowed playtime, romping, running, games and learning to keep their minds and bodies agile. A bored dog will exhibit signs by digging, chewing, wandering off or barking incessantly. It will help everyone in your family, especially your Lab, if you take the time to train them, discipline them and love them in equal measures.

You can start this process with a good standard obedience course, both on-leash and –off. Labrador retrievers are strong dogs when adult-sized, so it would behoove you to teach him manners before he gets big enough to push you around. Once your puppy is trained, maintaining the training into adulthood should become routine. No one wants a dog jumping up on strangers, nosing where they shouldn’t be nosing, digging up a garden, chewing on the baseboards or barking like a maniac at the slightest provocation. Training early on will establish with your dog who is the master in the home and out, and will help the dog be more secure, knowing there is a strong hand taking care of the big decisions and safety of the family.

Training a puppy to do tricks can be learned by reading books, from the Internet, or in a class specifically designed to help you. Labs can generally learn to sit, play fetch, shake “hands” and roll over with a minimum of effort, because they are smart and willing to learn and please. Retrievers have excellent noses and can be trained to find lost items; and retrieve them (hence the name). You can learn to train the dog tricks either with food rewards or affection rewards, both bringing the results you desire within a relatively short period of time. The affection/praise system of training might be desirable in Labrador retrievers simply because of their propensity for becoming overweight. Labs tend to load the pounds on if their diets are not strictly maintained, so food rewards should be closely monitored.

Labradors are smart and learn new tricks quickly

Consistency is a big part of teaching a dog tricks. Firm, patient instructions and discipline given without a raised voice is an important tool. Frightening your dog will certainly not make them learn any faster; it will simply confuse them and make them insecure. You want the dog to respect you and bond with you and your family, so patience and consistency is key among all family members. If you are not at home, you want the comfort of knowing that the dog will respect everyone in the home, so it is important to let every family member be a part of teaching the dog. Familiarity and respect will come to your dog with even exposure to everyone in the house, so go on family walks and play in the park. Teaching your dog to fetch a tennis ball is great exercise for him, and a valuable opportunity for him to bond with you and the whole family.

Adorable yellow lab puppies

So you want an adorable, cuddly, bouncy, drooling Labrador puppy. Are you sure it has the right temperament for you and your family, and do you know how to tell one delightful little puppy’s personality from another? As a rule, Labradors are less whiney and insecure than other breeds, and not prone to territoriality or possessiveness. They do grow to be quite large however, and will chew (on just about anything) as puppies. They are evenly tempered and great with kids, and will run like crazy when you give them room. If you need a slobbery tennis ball retrieved, this is the breed for you.

That said, puppies, like people, are all different and their personalities should be gauged before you bring him or her into your home. Here are a few helpful tests and trials that you can perform to determine what kind of puppy you’re looking at.

Hopefully, you’re buying or adopting a dog from a place that will let you spend a little time with one or several candidates. You need hands-on checking of certain things. For instance, sit still and see which puppy comes to you. Is the dog timidly approaching, or confidently walking or running up with his head and tails and ears up? This can be an indicator of the puppy’s comfort level around people. Ask the owner or breeder’s permission before administering the next tests…

Play with the puppy for a little while. Offer a toy and see how aggressively he grabs it. Is he willing to hand it back over or is he hanging on to it for dear life when you try to take it back? It’s not “normal” for a Labrador to not give back a toy; hanging on can indicate an aggressiveness that you may not want. Offer a little treat. Does the puppy want to take it from you? Eagerness to take it from your hand indicates the ability to train him. Once the puppy is a little more comfortable with you, rub his belly and see how comfortable he is with that. Does he flinch when handled? Pick up his feet and rub his ears, run your hands all over his body. Does he has a negative reaction to your attentions?

Roll the puppy onto his back. Does he wet himself nervously, or struggle and bite? You do not want a dog that is too submissive, or too aggressive. A well adjusted puppy should struggle and kick for a few seconds before settling down into submission under your hand. Remember, be gentle! You don’t have a force a puppy to submit, they will do it on their own, simply because you are bigger.

How can you resist this adorable face

Pick the puppy up and walk away from his littermates. Does he get overly anxious and whiny, or squirm vigorously to get back to the pack? This may indicate that he’s not ready to leave his canine family, or simply that he’s going to be a little more insecure than his brothers and sisters.

Labs are very loving towards other dogs and people

Overall, how comfortable are the two of you together? Do you seem to “click” and have a rapport together; are you getting solid vibes from this little bundle of drool? It’s partly common sense and partly intuition that will tell you which puppy will be the best fit for you and your family. Do some reading online or at the library, and get advice from folks who already own Labradors, and good luck on your choice.

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• Guide to owning a Chocolate Labrador Retriever

Labradors can be very active dogs

Labradors may be the most popular large dog breeds. Easy to care for, friendly and intelligent, Labradors offer years of companionship to their owners. One thing sometimes holds people back from selecting a Labrador as a family pet:  Grooming.  Luckily, grooming a Labrador can be easy, if you just know how.

First realize that a properly groomed Labrador is in no need of occasional trims or shaving. Caring for their coat will ensure it remains healthy. That being said, the nails of the Labrador will need to be occasionally trimmed. This should always be handled by a professional. Cutting a dog’s nail improperly can cause pain and lead to other health problems. It is always best to bring your Labrador to a professional groomer to have their nails clipped.

The biggest grooming chore will actually be controlling shedding. Depending on the breed, your Labrador may shed only once or twice a year or shed every day. While it is a common myth that labs don’t shed, they do and learning to control the shedding will help keep your home clean and your dog comfortable.

Grooming can be a positive experience for you and your dog.

1. Place the dog in a tub of warm water. The water should not be scalding hot, but should be as warm as you and the dog can handle. Use a sprayer or cup to completely wet the dog from head to tail.
2. Use your fingers or a rubberized grooming tool to begin to work the lab’s coat. This process is aimed at loosening dead hair and skin from the lab’s coat. Using a tool works well because it will allow you to work the entire length of the coat, including the root area.
3. Rinse the dog with lots and lots of warm water while continuing to massage the coat and skin before removing the dog from the bath.
4. Use a hairdryer set to warm (avoid the hot setting) to dry the coat. While blowing out the hair, use your fingers to work the coat, always working in the opposite direction from the hair growth. This step can be very messy, so if possible do it outside.

This process should be repeated once a week until you are sure the majority of the fur has been removed. Once you have removed the majority of the shed fur, you can simply maintain it. By using proper maintenance techniques, you can typically avoid having to bathe the dog again. Use a grooming tool once or twice a week to work the coat and remove shed fur. This regular brushing will also help to distribute the natural oils produced by the lab.

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Labrador Retrievers love to have fun, and do require a bit of guidance to begin with when they are puppies. Providing direction in a fun, firm way at a young age will make the Lab into the most loyal dog, well-behaved, fun dog that an owner could wish for. Labs want to please their owners, so positive reinforcement and lots of love is always the way to train your dog.

Labs need to exercise every day

Labs need some type of exercise every day. A bored dog can become a restless or destructive dog. The excess energy that they build up can be worked off with some games or an afternoon jog. Additionally, the dog and the master can both have fun, and get a great workout. There’s nothing like going for a long run down the road with your Lab, or throwing a stick or a ball on the beach. Labradors are retrievers, and love to play fetch. Remember, when the retrieve the ball and bring it back to you to reward them with kind words or even a hug.

There are ball throwers that are sold at the pet store that make the dog fly clear across the park with ease. My dogs love this gadget, and it has been a life saver. The dogs will get a great workout.

Labs do love to eat, and an overweight dog is an unhealthy dog. Owners need to know the correct amount of food for the weight and the activity level of their dogs. If you can afford it, try to buy premium dog food. When I upgraded the food that my dogs were eating, their coats looked better, their eyes looked clearer, and their overall health seemed to improve. My dogs are my family, and I want them to live as long as possible. For me, it’s worth the extra money.

You have to be careful with some labs “counter surfing.” My 1 year old puppy has jumped up on the counter and grabbed full loaves of bread (plastic included) when I wasn’t looking. She is also very fond of anything chocolate which can be dangerous, so be careful where you leave food items. My food stores have all moved either into the refrigerator, or into the higher cabinets.

Showing your Lab that you care by spending some time together is very beneficial to both you and your dog, and in the long run will help when it comes to your dog’s behavior. Puppies will be puppies, and do need to be disciplined, especially when their behavior can be dangerous to themselves or to others. My puppy liked to chew on computer cords, which can be very dangerous. A quick “no” , and removing her from area usually worked. I also used a few sprays that were designed to repel dogs, and that helped. Bitter apple is a type of spray that works well.

Dogs need to learn socialization skills at an early age.

It is also important to socialize your lab to be around other people, as well as other dogs. Many Labs start out as being a little bit shy when they are puppies, so owners must take the time and energy to teach them to be around others and be comfortable. Positive reinforcement and patience are extremely important in these situations.

Labs do excite easily and if a young dog decides to bowl over their new companion, the master needs to firmly, yet gently set some limits. Normally, a gentle push away of the Lab from the person will work. If my dogs jumps on me when I walk in the door, I just turn away, and she calms down almost immediately.

On the other hand, some Labs like to do things like digging huge holes under the fence in the back yard. Usually this is a sign of boredom on the Lab’s part—so it is time to up the ante on exercise, with some extra love and attention as well.

If you are having trouble setting limits, and you feel that you are losing control, there are always classes to help with training techniques. You can do this in a group or individually.

Labrador Retrievers are people pleasers and basically need love, attention and a little bit of effort to get the desired behavior. They are loyal and loving animals and worth every effort you take to teach, train, and just be with them.

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Yellow, Chocolate and Black Labs

Within the USA, there are a lot of breeders of Labradors, but when it comes to answering the question ‘who are the top Labrador breeders in the USA?’ there are differences of opinion. That’s to be expected, because a lot of people like the specific breeder that they have or they only use a breeder that’s near them. They might not realize that there is a better breeder, because that person is clear across the country from them. It’s difficult to travel that far for a puppy, and most people won’t do that. They’ll simply look for the best breeder near them, and that’s who they’ll purchase from. For example, Chambray Labradors claims to be the best breeder in Florida when it comes to champions. There is also a company called Premium Breeders that you can visit online so you can find the best breeders in your area.

How to Pick the Best Breeder

When it comes to determining who the top Labrador breeders in the USA are, there are questions you’ll want to ask. The best way to know what to ask is to research Labradors and research the breeders that you’re considering. Breeding Labradors isn’t something that just anyone can do in his backyard – not if he wants to have champion dogs. The conditions should be very clean, the dogs should be well-cared-for, and their shots should be up-to-date. The papers should be in order if you’re looking for a dog registered with the AKC or another dog-registering body. If you haven’t done your research, you might end up with a Labrador that isn’t capable of showing well. That’s fine if you just want a family pet, but it’s not good if you’re looking for a champion dog that you can take to shows.

Knowing Who to Trust for Your Labrador Puppy

Any breeder that you consider may or may not be the best, because that’s a matter of opinion. The Internet is full of companies and individuals claiming to be the best breeder. The truth is that there are thousands of people and companies out there that breed Labradors and other types of puppies. To pick the right breeder you need to make sure that you do your research, ask the right questions, and travel out of your local area if you need to. Picking a top breeder in the USA isn’t the same thing as picking the best (and possibly only) breeder in your area. If you choose a breeder simply because of location you may end up with a puppy that has problems, isn’t in good health, or struggles with behavioral issues.

Labrador puppies are hard to resist

For people who show Labradors, getting a puppy from one of the top Labrador breeders in the USA is very important. It helps to assure them that the dog will be healthy and will have a good temperament, which gives it a better chance of becoming a good show dog that can win prizes and make its owners very proud.

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Full Grown Black Lab

It isn’t something you see everyday, a dog that nearly dwarfs his dog trainer, but that is what happens when you look at Giant George. The Great Dane is so big that recently, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded him the title of Worlds biggest dog. His dog trainer, George Nassar is ecstatic.

Big George has been submitted to the competition before, always losing out to Titan, another large dog pup that seemed to be nearly ¾ of an inch taller than Giant George. After some wrangling, Guinness officials sent officials out to meet with Giant George and owner George. After the official measurement, Giant George was proclaimed the winner.

So just how big is Giant George? From paw to shoulder, he measures in at a whopping 3 foot seven inches! When you add in his weight – a stunning 250 pounds, what you end up with is one big dog.  So big he dwarfs not only his competition, but also practically his owner.

According to research, Giant George is simply head and shoulders taller than typical members of his breed. Average Great Dane males typically measure between 30 and 34 inches and weigh between 120 and 200 pounds. These measurements are slightly less for females who typically grow to an average height of 30 inches and a weight of 115 pounds.

Labradors can get quite large

So how tall does a Labrador retriever get? Usually, Labradors grow to be about 55-60 cm, or as much as 25″ tall. This makes them quite a bit smaller than Giant George, but they can still be pretty big dogs. They usually weigh in at anywhere from 55-75 lbs!

Dog owners typically consider the size a dog will achieve at full height before settling on a breed of their own. If you are considering adopting a dog, be sure to consider not only the animal’s growth potential but also your ability to care for an adopted dog. If you live in a small house or apartment or don’t have access to an exercise area, you may want to consider sticking with a smaller breed.

The question becomes, just how big is your dog? From miniature poodles to great Great Danes, dog owners have a preferred size. So? Can you hold FiFi in your hand or does your puppy need a bed of his own? Tell us how big your Labrador is. Give us your Lab puppy stories, and tell us how big Labs get.

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• How to determine the personality of a Labrador puppy
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Mom Lab with her pup

The Labrador Retriever could have key health concerns as well as major health issues. Examples of these health issues are cataracts, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, osteochondritis dissecans, hip and elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, or muscular dystrophy.

Young dogs as well as adult dogs can develop cataracts. The presence of juvenile cataracts in young dogs is generally hereditary and can be diagnosed through an opthalmoscopic exam. Providing the health of the animal is good, cataracts can be surgically removed with very good results.

Retinal dysplasia is an abnormal development of the retina. Retina problems can usually be revealed with a retinoscopic examination.

Gradual deterioration of the retina is called progressive retinal atrophy. PRA can be diagnosed by a retinoscopic exam or by means of an electroretinogram. In the beginning stages of PRA the dog may become nightblind or lack the ability to see in dim light. During later stages, the affected dog is unable to see in daytime. If the environment of the animal remains constant as the vision deteriorates, the affected dog can adapt very well.

Canine hip dysplasia is a skeletal problem resulting in abnormal development of the hip joint that prevents the femur from fitting into the pelvic socket. CHD can exist with or without clinical signs. This malformation of the hip joint can cause the dog pain in one or both rear legs. Elbow dysplasia is perhaps due to improper development of the three elbow bones. Both hip and elbow dysplasia can result in painful arthritis.

Fast growing, young dogs, usually six to nine months of age that belong to the larger lab breeds can sometimes develop osteochondritis dissecans. OCD is a degeneration of bone underlying the cartilage layer of joints. OCD can affect elbow or ankle joints as well as the shoulder. If the dog is overweight, this could be a contributing factor along with physical impacts such as jumping off of high objects. OCD can be very painful causing the dog to limp, become lame or even develop arthritis. Several suggestions for relief would include controlling diet, complete rest and limited playtime activities. If symptoms continue, surgical removal of torn away cartilage pieces is another effective treatment.

Vets love Labradors

Large, deep chested breeds can develop a condition called Gastric Torsion or Bloat (Gastric dilatation volvulus GDV). GDV is caused by a twisting of the stomach causing contents and gases to be trapped in the stomach. Pain is caused from the rapid swelling of the abdomen and if left untreated can result in death. Persons owning a deep chested breed should be aware of the exact emergency procedures for gastric torsion from a veterinary hospital.

Muscular Dystophy is another condition involving progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles. ARMD is not usually fatal and can be identified through a blood test, electromyography or muscular biopsies.

When considering a Labrador breed of dog, check out reputable breed clubs with a code of ethics. While there is no guarantee for a perfect animal, these diseases can be brought under control by testing and clear breeding practices.

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Do I want a puppy or a full grown Lab?

The recent protest by PETA during the Wesminster dog show highlights a serious concern among dog owners. By using dog breeders, what are we doing to our pets?

The PETA argument suggests that by buying pets from breeders, rather than adopting from shelters, many pets are unnecessarily euthanized every year. Another argument, such as the one made in this BBC documentary (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44215931) suggests that by buying pets from breeders, we are encouraging breeds to develop traits that are unhealthy for them, or even potentially fatal.

Of course, we love our Labrador Retrievers, but how can we make sure that we’re making the best decision when it comes to buying a Lab puppy, Vs. rescuing a fully grown Lab? Well, for starters, many people should realize that adopting a lab may not always be in the best interests of the dog. They should also consider that buying a puppy from an unethical breeder will only encourage unethical behavior. You are not ’saving’ dogs by buying them from petshops or puppy mills, you are only encouraging bad business practices. So how do we know what is best? Well, there are a few guidelines that may serve as a starting point:

It’s best to buy from a reputable Lab breeder if:

• You have another grown dog that may not get along with a rescue dog. Puppies can socialize more easily.
• You have small children in your home, or children that come to visit
• You don’t have the experience to deal with pre-existing issues or problems

However, if these conditions don’t apply to you, a rescue lab may be more appropriate. Look into rescuing if:

• You don’t have other pets or children
• You are prepared to love an older dog

Lab and her pup

Choosing a ‘reputable’ breeder can be very hard. Some show dogs may sire hundreds of litters of puppies during their lifetime. The best way to get an idea of the possible health and personality of a puppy is to look at both parents (who should not be related). If a breeder is willing to let you meet one or both parents, then you can get a good idea of potential congenital problems. If a breeder will not discuss lineage with you, then it’s a big red flag. Also, if the health of your dog is your primary concern, be sure you’re aware of your puppy’s history going back at least a couple of generations.

Also be sure that all dogs the breeder owns are in good health. It’s a good indicatory that your new family addition will be, too.

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• PROS and CONS of Labrador Retriever

The problem of an overweight animal can usually be solved quickly and easily with the right diet and exercise plan, of course, just like humans—except with dogs, the problem is solved much more quickly due to the fact that someone else has total control of the diet and that pesky wavering will power never comes in to curse the situation. However, if you’re the owner of a dog with pica, a disorder which causes dogs to eat very strange, and usually inedible things, the cure is not so simple.

While many dogs are capable of having this disease, the most common breeds are Labradors and Retrievers. Pica usually manifests itself in the form of your dog chewing and sometimes even ingesting non-edible items such as shoes, furniture, books, etc. Although it seems like your pup is just being rebellious, dogs with pica are actually chewing and eating these strange items in an attempt to get rid of stomach nausea. That being said, if this becomes a habit for your dog and normal treatments such as adjusting food intake and taking proper disciplinary actions have not worked, it is highly recommended to see a vet to make sure there isn’t a more serious problem as well as seek further advice.

So we’ve covered why Labs are sometimes prone to seeking out strange items as a side dish to their main course, but let’s take a look at a couple cases which are slightly more extreme than your average case of “Rover’s got dad’s shoes again.” One dog owner reported that her dog would not only chew on, but regularly swallow pebbles, rocks, and even pieces of asphalt from the side of the road! That doesn’t seem like much of a cure for an upset stomach if you ask me. Along these lines, there have been several accounts of dogs, Labs specifically, who often eat dirt, sticks, and anything else from the yard they can get their mouths around. Let’s just hope the neighbors’ cats don’t take a nap in these dogs’ yards. In addition to these yard items, there have also been cases in which dogs have eaten some very dangerous items, from an 11-inch-long steak knife, to a lightbulb, to batteries, and even a cell phone. A couple other dogs, these with more expensive taste, were reported to have eaten a 2-carat diamond engagement ring and a Rolex watch. Now that’s an expensive form of medicine. Last but not least, once dog even decided he needed a little more protein in his diet, and turned to eating a live pet turtle. And that’s survival of the fittest for you.

Do you have a dog with this disorder? Is there anything we missed on our list of dog food gone wrong? If so, share your story and we’ll add it to our list!

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