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.

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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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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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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chocolate labrador

The Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in many countries. They are, after all, typically friendly, well balanced, and athletic by nature. This makes them a great match for most families and owners. Still, owning a Labrador retriever requires some decision-making, effort, and maintenance on your part. Chocolate labs, the rarest of the bunch, are no exception to this.

One of the first decisions you’ll have to make regarding your Labrador is the role he/she will play in your home. The beginning of a positive relationship with your pet is to decide what kind of interactions he/she will have with the members of the household, neighbors, friends, and strangers. Making this decision early on allows you to more readily assess and solve any problems that arise.

You may need to train your Labrador out of a few standard bad behaviors. Labradors, for example, have the proclivity to chew things. If you find your lab doing this, you can look up procedures for home training or enlist a professional. Labradors mature around three years of age. Up to this point, they’re more likely to possess an extremely enthusiastic and energetic demeanor. You should be prepared to present a firm hand in case this energy gets out of hand. It’s also recommended that you teach your lab leash etiquette early on to prevent pulling when he/she is an adult (and much larger). Their fearless rowdiness can get out of hand if unchecked. Worry not though- training labs is usually easy since they’re eager to please.

Similarly, Labradors are a naturally curious breed. Their desire to chase after the unknown can easily lead to separation. To prevent loss or theft of your lab, microchipping is recommended; a tag and collar are essential.

Labradors are infamous as well for their massive appetites. They will often eat whatever is available. For this reason, you should carefully control and monitor the amount of food you give your dog. Keeping your pet healthy can help avert the occurrence of hip and joint problems when they’re older. It’s also been estimated that Labradors kept in shape live an average of two years longer than their obese counterparts. Apart from food control, you can maintain your pet’s weight by engaging him/her in activities traditionally favored by Labradors- swimming, running, and playing catch.

Another element key to the Chocolate Labrador’s health is grooming. Twice a year (typically when the weather changes), a lab will shed its coat. During these periods, a simple (yet thorough) brushing every other day is recommended. For the rest of the year, once a week should suffice. And while chocolate labs tend to shed less than yellow labs, you may, for your own vanity, still want to invest in a few lint rollers to minimize the amount of hair lingering on clothes and furniture. Nail trims are another part of the grooming process and should take place every week or two.

During these grooming sessions (or when you’re simply relaxing with the lab), check the ears to make sure they are a healthy light pink color. Ear infections are common in chocolate Labradors because of the floppy architecture of their ears. Regularly making sure that the inside isn’t darker, inflamed, or brown-spotted is an easy way to control this issue.

Once you’ve built a relationship with your chocolate Labrador retriever, and a routine for things like grooming, walking, and feeding, the responsibilities of owning a dog should become much easier, and more like a second nature. The important thing is to make sure the pet-owning experience is rewarding for both you and your lab.

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Labrador retrievers, as any owner will tell you, are in fact very friendly, laid-back dogs. It is a feature of the breed. They are as well-known for their easy-going nature as they are for their intelligence, loyalty, and their love of exploration (which can sometimes lead to trouble!).

While each dog has his own special temperament and needs, in general, labradors do not tend to be very territorial, sensitive, or aggressive, which are all traits that strongly (positively) influence a dog’s interactions with other breeds. For example, if you’re looking for a second dog, a labrador is often a good match, unless, for example, you are limited to smaller dogs.

Note that some lines of labrador are exceedingly high in energy, which should be considered when exposing them to other breeds. If, for example, such a dog is put in the yard with an over-sensitive or aggressive dog, these playful high spirits might lead to trouble.

Speaking to the norm, though, labradors tend to be very friendly with other dogs, and cats, too — the real question tends to be not so much how well the labrador will get along with the other dog, but rather, how the other dog will get along with the lab.

To check your labrador’s disposition and to see how she falls with regard to the norm, take her out to a dog park and observe her interactions with other animals. Is she friendly or more of a loner? Does she initiate extended play?

Pay attention to her activity level, too, as she may get along best with dogs of a similar activity level — or is she instead stimulated by interactions with a more fun-loving pup?

Since labs are a larger breed, some people prefer to get a second dog of a similar size. A second dog can often help keep your original dog in better shape, in this way leading to a longer and healthier life for the dog.

A lot really depends upon the space and time that you have dedicated to dog-time, as well as what you expect from the new dog. Do you have a large yard for the dogs to play in? Are you looking for a different breed to eventually replace the aging lab as the family pet, before the lab (eventually) passes away?

Since labs are such an amiable breed, matching them with another lab seems like a very logical (and a positive) choice. Once you’ve had such a friendly, easy animal in your life, it can be difficult to transition to a more difficult pet.

Why not go with a breed that you already know to be easy-going? You know that your current lab is unlikely to have a problem with the new dog — and if the new dog’s a lab as well, then you shouldn’t need to worry about that dog either.

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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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