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 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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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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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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Labrador dog food

Because Labradors have a specific chemical makeup, what you feed your dog can increase the lifespan and the quality of life of your beloved pet.  When choosing a food, the amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are very important.  It is also a good idea to look for dog foods with salmon oil, flax oil and canola oil, all which are great sources of omega 3. These essential fats will optimize the nutritional value of any food, and contribute to healthy skin and a healthy coat.   If you are feeding your lab a well balanced dog food, it should cover all their nutritional needs, and extra vitamins and supplements should only be needed in specific situations.

Choosing the best dog food can be overwhelming. There are hundreds on the market.  The first thing you should look at is the list of ingredients, and the order which they appear on the label.  Meat, poultry, fish or eggs should be the first ingredient.  The protein in these foods is essential for energy and muscle growth, as well as helping transport oxygen through the blood stream and to essential organs.   Inexpensive dog foods are usually loaded with fillers, such as corn, have little nutritional value, and should be avoided.

I have also read that lamb should be avoided in Labrador breeds.  The smell of lamb is undesirable for dogs, so manufacturers usually overcome this by masking the food with artificial flavors and sugars in order to hide the scent.

There are a few conditions inherent to the Lab breed that may require extra nutritional supplementation.  An example is that some Labs are prone to allergies, which can cause skin sensitivity. If your Lab has dry and itchy skin or a thinning coat, you may need to add supplements.  Before adding anything to your dog’s diet, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian.

Labrador puppies go through an accelerated stage of growth and require twice the amount of nutrients as older dogs.  Some owners think that growing puppies need extra calcium, but you need to be careful. Too much calcium can actually be harmful, and may cause serious health problems.  Magnesium and phosphorus should also be added with any calcium supplementation.  Use premium foods specifically designed for puppies, and make sure to weigh your puppy often.  This will ensure that you are feeding them the proper amount.

Some experts believe that the best food for your lab, is food that you make yourself.  By doing this you know exactly what goes into the food, you can include fresh quality ingredients and avoid all preservatives.  Your food should include real chicken, turkey or beef, brown rice and oatmeal, yogurt eggs and cottage cheese.  This can be done in as little as 2 hours a week, and can be less expensive than premium, over the counter dog foods.

Feeding your Labradors higher quality food will save you money in the long run.  Dogs that are fed inferior diets or economical foods suffer from a variety of illnesses including dry, itchy skin as well as yeast infections, and suffer from liver, kidney and thyroid problems, which can add up to expensive veterinarian bills.  Take the time to do some research, and be willing to spend a little extra money now.  Your precious pet and your loyal companion is worth it.

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Labrador Pure Bred

Labradors are wonderful dogs for just about anyone. They make excellent companions and family dogs. They aim to please and are highly intelligent. They are so smart that they need to be trained to complete tasks or tricks to fill their time so that they do not try to find other, more destructive ways, to fill their days. Many people debate over whether to get a Labrador from a respectable breeder to rescuing one of these gorgeous dogs from a rescue. There are solid arguments on both sides of this particular issue, though ultimately, you must weigh the facts and what is important to you and use that information to decide for yourself what is best for you and your family.

Buying a Labrador from a respectable breeder has its advantages. You will know what the lineage of your Labrador is, and will know that it was taken care of, and is free from any major health problems. With the cost of vet bills being sky high, and the common thyroid, skin, and allergy problems that Labradors have, it can be nice peace of mind to know that you have a happy, healthy puppy that is the offspring of happy, healthy parents. A respectable breeder will allow you to visit with the puppies before deciding to make a purchase and also meet the parents of the puppies. The breeder will be able to show that the parents of the puppies are not related, thereby greatly reducing the risks of health problems. This is the type of peace of mind that you can only have if you buy your Labrador from a respectable breeder in your area.

When rescuing a Labrador from a shelter or rescue group, you will not usually be able to learn anything at all about the Labrador’s history. In many cases, even the age of the dog will be a mystery. Since you will have no way of knowing what its genetic lineage is, there will be no way to calculate the risk of your Labrador having health problems that could be very time consuming and costly to manage. However, when you rescue a Labrador, you are giving a formerly unwanted dog another chance at life. For some reason, it just seems as though dogs know that they were saved and have a special connection with the owners that have adopted them from shelters and rescues. This unique bond is what drives many people to adopt Labradors from rescues or shelters. Additionally, most rescue groups and shelters will only allow Labradors to be adopted after they have been spayed or neutered, examined by a veterinarian, and brought current on their vaccinations. Generally, the adoption fee for a Labrador is much less than the total cost of all of the veterinary care that it receives before it is adopted. The cost savings can be hundreds of dollars in many cases. This can be another positive reason to consider adopting a Labrador from a rescue group or shelter.

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Yellow Labrador Retriever

Labradors were originally bred to be hunting dogs. They were trained to accompany hunters of all different types and retrieve game that they had shot. Currently, only some Labradors are used as hunting dogs. Many Labradors are enjoying their lives as family dogs and only hunt tennis balls during a game of fetch. Due to their good nature and intelligence, these dogs are incredibly versatile and make outstanding pets to anyone that can keep up with their constant energy.

According to the American Kennel Club, Labradors were bred to withstand hours of work in the field with their owners retrieving game, have a stable temperament and are not easily excited. All breeders that register their Labradors with the American Kennel Club must strive to have all of these characteristics present in their dogs.

Physically, Labradors are bred to be large dogs. Their height at their withers should be about 22-1/2 inches to 24-1/2 inches for males and 21-1/2 to 23-1/2 inches for females. Males are bred to be 65 pounds to 80 pounds and females are bred to be 55 pounds to 70 pounds. Labradors are bred to be strong dogs. They are expected to be in proportion and extremely muscular. In fact, in order to show Labradors, they are required to be in working condition without any extra fat on their bodies.

Labradors are bred to be black, yellow, or chocolate. Though other color combinations do exist, these were not intentional and are not breed standard. A small white patch of hair on the chest is not intended by breeders, but it is still acceptable to the American Kennel Club for a dog with a white parch of hair on the chest to be in a dog show.

Labradors are supposed to be able to walk and run fluidly and with grace. Labradors are bred so that when the dog runs towards you, there is no sign of it having its elbows out. Quite the opposite is true. Labradors are bred to have their elbows close to their bodies during movement. This makes them better retrievers.

In terms of temperament, Labradors were bred to be strong, stoic dogs. They are bred to be independent and outgoing. The American Kennel Club does not approve of mature Labradors that are shy towards people or even the least bit aggressive. Labradors are bred for their intelligence. This breed of dog is generally so intelligent that it needs to have a job to do to stay busy. This is why they were originally used for hunting and retrieving. If a Labrador is not kept busy with a job to do, the dog will very likely grow to become incredibly bored. A bored dog is a destructive dog. The dog does not destroy things to be mean or spiteful, but because it is bored and needs something to do. This, obviously, is not an intended characteristic, but rather a byproduct of the intelligence that Labradors are bred for.

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Children safe with labradors

Many people have a moral and emotional struggle when they have a Labrador and find that they are expecting to have a baby. This moral and emotional struggle generally arises from wondering if it is safe to have a Labrador around small children. There are many different views on this topic, though it is important to consider the facts, your lifestyle, and the temperament of your Labrador before deciding whether or not your dog and child will be good playmates.

The fear of having a Labrador around small children is that due to the general largeness and hyperactivity of a Labrador, it could be dangerous to put a Labrador and small children together. This argument is valid in many instances. Labradors want constant interaction and do not understand that children are delicate and must be treated with great care. Labradors seek the approval from the people that care for them and try to show affection. A Labrador can generally show affection to an adult without any problems, but if a Labrador were to try to jump on a child to say hello, the child could be seriously injured. Furthermore, children tend to pull the tail and ears of dogs. Though a Labrador generally has a steady temperament, having its ears and tail tugged at could make it anxious and ready to jump or run away.

However, many people have had Labradors and children live together for many years without any problems. The key to ensuring a safe environment for a Labrador and a child is ensuring that they are not left alone together. This is not generally because you are unsure of what the dog will do to the child, but because you are unsure of whether or not the child will antagonize the dog and make it agitated. Whether or not this would be a legitimate concern for you and your Labrador and children would vary based upon the temperament of your dog and your children. Only you will know if your dog and your children have temperaments that will allow them to be safe together. If you have any doubts, then sadly, they are probably not safe together unsupervised.

If you have determined that you would not trust your Labrador around small children unsupervised, you may wish to enlist the help of a skilled dog trainer to work with your Labrador in accepting the small children in the home and being more tolerant of the behavior of children. Some of the wonderful characteristics about Labradors is that they are incredibly intelligent and very much wanting to please their owners. Obedience training can work wonders for any Labrador. In fact, you will find that after your Labrador undergoes obedience training, not only will your children enjoy being around your dog more, but you will, too. A trained Labrador is a happy Labrador because it knows where its place is in the family and what is expected of it. It knows how to please you and gets great joy out of doing so. This makes your Labrador a much safer dog for small children to be around because you know that the dog will listen immediately to your commands.

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My passion is Labradors. I have 2 females, Sammie who is 2 years old, and Jessie who is 5 months.  Each adds so much joy to my life, and each has a special place in my home and in my heart.  They are, however, a lot of work, and can be very destructive as puppies.  Sometimes owners don’t know what they are getting into, and sometimes owners don’t realize that when puppies are given the time and attention they need, they turn out to be great pets, and loving companions.

While doing research for this article, I realized that Labs are the most common dog in the US, and there are Lab Rescue resources in every state and major city.  All rescue dogs are spayed or neutered, and usually microchipped.  Because Labs are people oriented, they quickly adjust to their new surroundings, and their new families.

If you are not able to foster or adopt,  There are other ways to support Lab rescue.

Meet Sheila Wedegis:  Sheila paints beautiful portraits of Labs to raise awareness and support Lab rescue.  All proceeds from her sales go to that organization.

“I was born in Boston and now live in Palm Bay, Florida. Art has been my passion and expression since I was a child. I feel it contains an unmistakable spiritual essence. ‘To touch the soul of one other person, to know they are not alone on this journey is the dedication of my art and the reflection of my life’s journey. I share my home with a menagerie of dogs and cats who inspire me to capture the essence of their souls’. The window to the soul is through their eyes and hence people comment about the eyes of the paintings I do.”

You can see Sheila’s artwork at http://savingalabaday.blogspot.com/ or http://www.labradorretrieverart.com

You can also check with your local pet stores to see if they have fundraisers for rescue pets and shelters.  I know that in my area, Operation Kindness and several Rescue groups visit the local stores with information.  You can always donate there.

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