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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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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Ear infections are easy to detect. It is a good idea to visit your vet the first time you suspect a problem. Your dog may continually attempt to scratch their ear, or shake their heads violently in an attempt to ease the discomfort an infection can cause. There may be a foul odor, wax build up or a brown or yellowish discharge coming from the ear. The normal pink coloration of the ear may look red and irritated. Any of these signs are good indications of infection, and if left untreated, an ear infection can cause serious damage.

Yeast infections, mites, allergies, excess moisture and foreign substances can all contribute to infections. Labs also love water, and when water seeps into their ears, it causes a breeding ground for germs. You should routinely check and clean your labs ears. Your vet can demonstrate the proper way to clean and maintain healthy ears, and suggest a good cleanser that is safe for your lab.

Although you can purchase medication from your vet or pet store, you can also make your own cleanser using a few common ingredients. This formula is from “Woodhaven Labs”, and the “We Love our Labs” website.

Purple Power Ear Solution

16 oz. bottle of Isopropyl alcohol

4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder

16 drops Gentian Violet Solution

Just combine all ingredients in the alcohol bottle and shake well.

At the first sign of an infection:

Treat 2X daily for the first 2 weeks, then treat 1X daily for the next 1-2 weeks, and as a preventative use once a month. Just fill your dog’s ear with the solution and gently massage the medicine in the ear. Use cotton balls to clean out any dirt, or discharge from the inner ear. Make sure that the cotton ball doesn’t go any further than the part of the ear canal that you can see. Fill ear with this solution a second time without massaging it in. This solution will stain your carpet, so make sure to use it in a tiled bathroom or outside to minimize any damage. You may also need a helping hand with this task. This is probably not going to be very comfortable for your pet who may already have some pain and discomfort due to the infection.

Remember if you have any questions, or your lab does not seem to be improving, call you veterinarian. The health and well-being of your dog may depend on it.

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Black Labradors have the most common color characteristics of the Labrador breed. Most Labradors are black, however Yellow and Chocolate Labradors are not uncommon. Black Labradors have a thin layer of fur close to their skin, and a thicker layer of fur on top of that. Despite this fact, and the thickness of their coat, they are still considered short hair dogs. Having two layers of fur allows for the Labrador to swim in the cold while retaining most of its body heat.

TEMPERAMENT

Many people claim that Black Labradors are the best of the Labrador breed, but there is no evidence to suggest that fur color affects any other aspects of a Black Labrador’s personality. Black Labradors have a constant need for human companionship, which gives them an unparalleled sense of loyalty. They are very friendly with humans, including children, which makes them a very popular dog for families. Though they have an active oral fixation (the need to have objects to chew/carry), they also have good control over their jaw muscles, being able to carry delicate objects without damaging them. This is another reason why they are favored for hunting retriever dogs, since they are able to return the fallen game un-damaged.

Because of the Black Labrador’s ability to learn both simple and complicated commands, they are used extensively in law enforcement, rescue agencies, as well as servicing disabled and blind patients. They make very good “therapy dogs” as well, because of their naturally loving and gentle temperament.

WEIGHT/HEIGHT

Black Labradors are a medium to large breed, usually having an athletic build. Labradors are generally 21-24 inches, varying between gender and specific breed-based characteristics. The average weight is from 55-75 pounds, though there have been records of dogs weighing more than 100 pounds.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

Black Labradors do have a few breed specific health problems, like most purebred dogs. The hip, elbow, and knee joints tend to be the most common of problems. They can be severe, though not as bad as the hip problems inherited by other breeds (such as German Shepherds). The scientific term for this condition is “dysplasia”, which is a disease in the cartilage connecting select joints. This term can also refer to developmental abnormalities in the joints which become apparent when a Labrador is several years old. Black Labradors can also develop some serious eye conditions, such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (gradual loss of eyesight), and retinal dysplasia (a non-progressive condition that negatively affects eyesight).

LIVING CONDITIONS

Black Labradors are very active dogs, and should have a good amount of space to play. Playtime for labs is a very important time, given there loving nature. Labradors can easily become overweight from excess feeding, thus it is recommended they are fed in moderate rations throughout the day. This allows for a faster metabolism, resulting in a fit dog.

EXERCISE

As with any pet, exercise is important for Black Labradors. Since they’re very energetic and active, it’s important to exercise a Labrador on a regular basis. An ideal exercise routine would involve a brisk 20-30 minute walk on a daily basis. This is important for pet owners as well, and can be a good bonding experience between owner and pet.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

The average life expectancy is 12-13 years, it is possible for Black Labradors to live much longer with a healthy lifestyle and proper care. The oldest Labrador on record is Scoop who is 24 years old as of this writing, and still alive.

GROOMING

Grooming a Black Labrador is important for several reasons. The primary reason is that it promotes a beautiful outward appearance. Another, perhaps more important reason, is that it assists in building a strong pet-owner relationship bond. Keeping your Black Labrador clean and trim will keep your dog attractive, as well as leave you with less shedding to deal with. Labradors should be brushed daily, and have their nails trimmed manually on occasion. A Labrador can be bathed by hand, but this should be kept to only a few times per year. Too many baths will remove the natural oils from their fur, which can bring on additional health-related problems.

ORIGIN

Historically, the Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland. The breed was first formed as a cross breed of Newfoundland dogs and the small water dogs that populated the area. During the 1800’s, the Labrador was brought from Newfoundland to England, where it began to gradually grow in popularity. Today’s Labrador actually evolved from the “St. John’s Waterdog”, a breed that was used primarily for water hunting/fishing and game retrieval. In England, these dogs would retrieve fish that had escaped from fishermen’s hooks, and also assist in dragging heavy, fish-laden nets from the ocean to the shore.

Labradors became famous as a hunting dog, and for this reason were soon brought to America. In 1917, the first official registration of a Labrador in America was documented. The special skills of the Labrador in game retrieval for hunters greatly assisted their increase in popularity, as they eventually displaced the previously popular American hunting dogs; the Chesapeake Retriever and the Springer Spaniel. During World War II, the number of Labradors registered in households skyrocketed, their popularity continuing to climb even to this day.

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