What You Need to Know About the Black Labrador Retriever

one of the most sought after colors. There is no difference between them, though, besides the color.

The black lab offers dog owners a calm demeanor and friendly attitude. They are a good family dog. Black labs may be big, but they are very gentle, especially when it comes to children. While it is important to monitor any animal with a small child, a lab can put up with a fair amount of tail and ear pulling from a child. Many labs simply lie down and take it. However, any dog can snap at any time. Therefore, it is important to make sure your children understand when to leave the dog alone.

The black Labrador retriever is built with a sturdy frame, making it a good dog for the outdoors. On average, a female lab weighs between 55 and 70 pounds. Males weigh about 5 pounds more than the females. The average shoulder height for females ranges between 21 and 22 inches and the males fall between 22 and 23 inches. The dogs have webbed feet and a tail that helps them to swim well. Therefore, if you are looking for a dog to play in the water, the lab may be the right choice for you.

The Labrador retriever breed can experience some health problems, though, especially as they grow older. While any dog can become ill, some breeds are more prone than others are. For instance, the lab breed is more likely to experience hip problems, certain cancers and eye problems. Some of these problems, such as hip problems, are due to the larger size of the breed.

If you decide that a black Labrador retriever is the best option for your family, it is best to educate yourself about the breed so you know what you understand the level of commitment you are about to undertake. Knowing the typical temperament of the dogs, as well as the maximum size of the dog when it is full-grown can help you know what to expect. As long as you aware of the potential health problems you may deal with when the dog gets older, the Labrador retriever makes an excellent family dog.

Jessie & Sam...The House Labradors

Before I even had time to write the article about how Jessie tore her CCL, and how we picked the surgeon, or how scared we were when it happened, I could go on and on, the journey is starting. A quick recap….

The Players

Jessie (female Labrador Retriever), is one the two house labs. Sam (also a female Labrador Retriever), is the older sister, at 4 1/2. Jessie comes in at 2 1/2 years old (human years).

The Dog Park

Just like I do every weekend, I took the the two to the dog park; they chase balls, while I walk and chat with the PDPM Group (yes we have T-Shirts).

Just Like That…

30 to 45 min. after we were there, she tore it. How she did it? I don’t know! I heard somebody yell that Jessie was limping, and the next thing I knew I was trying to carry a 76 1/2 pound dog, out of the park, in 90° heat! I didn’t make it very far. She limped on three legs back to the car (I think she felt sorry for her old man).

Emergency Animal Clinic

Labrador Health (the price tag):  $479 later, the vet said she tore her CCL, and referred us to a surgeon for a consult, but was certain she needed TPLO Surgery.

TPLO Consultation

Two consultations later, not including the one on the phone (who diagnosed her without looking at her) and here we are.

Thanks for everyone’s kind thoughts!

I will post updates later…

Firstly, do not panic! You can prevent further injury to your pet if you act fast. Think logically and try not to let you emotions cloud your judgment. A clear head is the best line of defense when fighting for Labrador health. Any major injury to your Labrador is going to necessitate an emergency visit to the vet’s office…Making sure you keep your wits about you will help ensure safe passage for both you and your pet.

Check your pet’s airway. Listen for breathing sounds and watch the chest move up and down. If you hear blockage, use a finger to clear the air passageways and help your pet to breathe.

If there was a loss of blood, check to see if your pet is in shock. A dog in shock needs to get medical help immediately, as it can worsen rapidly. If your Labrador exhibits the signs of shock (rapid heartbeat, pale or blue gums, weakness or lethargy) try to prevent the loss of any more blood and get it to a vet fast.

To control hemorrhaging, apply direct pressure by putting your finger or hand over the bleeding wound. Find a pad or towel, anything clean you can use to apply pressure. If your Labrador is bleeding where it’s possible to apply a tourniquet, wrap a piece of cloth just above the wound but do not leave it on for more than 30 minutes.

If your dog has a broken or fractured leg, you can immobilize the limb; try wrapping a section of newspaper or a magazine around the limb to support it. This will reduce the damage on the way to the vet’s office.

The best treatment for severe burns is cooling with water and keeping the dog warm with blankets or towels. To keep the risk of infection down, dress the wounds with sterile pads and prevent too much movement in the area of the wound.

As always, a veterinarian is best qualified to care for your injured pet. Set your Labrador up for safe travel and get to the vet’s office as quickly as possible.

Like all Labs, Black Labs are super intelligent.  Recent years have shown a huge increase in the number of Black Labs being used as service dogs.  Police departments are turning to this specific breed to assist them with their investigations, and many organizations who train service dogs for the blind or disabled believe the Black Labrador is the best breed choice for their needs.  For the everyday owner, this super intelligence means training is relatively easy.

Labs are adorable as puppies and always seem to have paws that are slightly too big – they grow up though.  It’s important to remember that your Black Lab male will weigh between 65 and 110 pounds. The females weigh slightly less.  The dogs are athletic and muscular.  Their coats are quite dense and, unfortunately, prone to shedding, sometimes year round.  Proper diet and grooming can help keep your black lab healthy and happy and prevent extra shedding.

One of the benefits of the breed is their lack of aggression.  They are known for their gentle and peaceful natures, making them ideal for families with small children.  All Labs love to chew, so in order to protect your furniture, shoes, and other items, be sure to provide plenty of chew toys and train your pet pal to use them.

Black Labradors serve a variety of purposes, from assisting the police to playing with a child. Learning a bit about them before you purchase one will make the decision easier for you.

Take some time to recognize one of the leading culprits behind lumpy Labrador zits:  plastic dog bowls.  As odd as it sounds, changing from a plastic bowl to a glass or china bowl can actually have a huge impact on the number and severity of breakouts faced by your dog.  Plastic bowls are perfect for collecting oils and bacteria which can lead to increased break-outs, so toss out the plastic and opt for something less like to lead to embarrassing zits! It’s also a good idea to clean food and water bowls each day to remove any build-up.

In the event your Labrador does develop a bad case of acne, it is important to keep an eye on it.  Failing to regularly clean the affected area may lead to a burst pimple.  This can become inflamed, crusty and bleed.  If your pups pimples get to this state, take the time to clean the area and dab hydrogen peroxide to prevent infection.

The truth is, a zit or two isn’t going to cause Rover anxiety.  They might, however, cause YOU some.  Take the time to gently wash Rover’s face with a warm cloth several times a day to help prevent any pimples from bursting and remember, they don’t bother your little friend anywhere near as much as they bother you!

This problem is further compounded by the number of dysplastic animals that develop arthritis.  These problems are so prevalent that many industry leaders believe that anyone purchasing a puppy from a breeder must carefully research their options.  It is critical that Labradors puppies are only bred from stock which has been x-rayed and examined for the disorders and that only dogs with PennHIP or OFA breeding clearings.  While these requirements will, by no means, guarantee that a puppy will never develop this often painful disease, they do significantly reduce the risks.

Eye health is critically important for a happy dog.  Unfortunately, many labs suffer from cataracts or retinal atrophy.  Again, it is critically important that breeding stock by tested each year for these disorders to lessen the risk of future vision problems. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation maintains a registry for this purpose.

Anyone interested in purchasing a lab for their family should spend a good deal of time research available breeders.  The best carefully screen all breeding stock animals for all of the ‘at risk’ diseases and disorders.  Remember that purchasing a Labrador from an above par breeder means purchasing a dog that can fit into a wide range of living situations. They are extremely intelligent, obedient and agile.  Labs make ideal ‘helper’ dogs.  Make sure that you and your family have the perfect pet pal by carefully researchig the breeder before falling in love with a new, adorable pup.

So, what would a Labrador like to do the most when let loose for fun?  Where are some of the best places to take them?  How can you keep them coming back to you?  Well, with some thought, and proper training, you won’t have any problems at all.

City dwellers might find it hard to take their beautiful Labrador out in the springtime for a great round of fun, unless there is a dog park nearby.  These parks are built specifically for dogs to have a run in, meet up with each other, and go for a walk with their owners.  Yes, the owners have to stay with them and stay on clean-up duty, but it’s worth every minute to see the literal joy on the dog’s face.

Living in the suburbs, however, will make it easier on Labrador owners in the springtime.  They will be able to open their doors and let the dog out into the yard for a good, old-fashioned run.  One thing must be kept in mind though, is how to keep the dog safe for these runs.

Using safeguards such as fencing and training will help to keep the Labrador from running out into the street, or into a disapproving neighbor’s yard.  Sadly, there are people who don’t like dogs and would prefer not to have them running around.

Some owners choose to use a simple chain-link or wooden fence, although others are opting for the electronic fences instead.  Training is needed either way for the Labrador—but they’ll still be pleased with their springtime exercise!

Learn how you can help and read up on the breed; knowledge will help you in a number of ways.  First, you will find out that there is so much to love about the lab in the first place.  Discovering more information about lab rescues will be something that you will find very satisfying, and there is quite a bit of information on rescue of not only this special breed, but just about every other breed out there.  Quite often it is up to the Humane Society or local animal cruelty prevention society to take care of rescuing animals of all types from abusive owners.  That is not always the case, though.

Other rescue groups do exist in a number of areas specifically for the purpose of Labrador rescue.  On our website, you’ll find a list of several different websites—some are very localized, others are national.  One is even a Canadian website.

Helping Labrador Retrievers find safe homes after they have not been well-treated is something that is not always an easy thing to do.  These dogs will quite often need lots of patience and loving care after what they have gone through, and you and your dog may need to learn some new coping skills.

Typically, Lab rescue will yield a dog, or dogs, that have been malnourished and mistreated in any number of ways by the owners.  The websites that are listed on our sites are no-kill shelters, and will work to find homes for these beautiful animals that will suit them.

All animals, especially Labs, are loving—and these particular dogs can

provide all sorts of other things for the owners.  Protection, fun, and a general sense of well-being can be had because of playing with this wonderful breed.  Whether it’s mixed or full-bred, they’re wonderful and are great with kids and adults alike.

Your Labrador was born to work, being a sporting breed that loves the water and loves to run.  Given their unique coats that shed water and their tails that move a large amount of water, their swimming abilities have made them a favorite working hunting dog since the 19th century.

Nowadays, it has been discovered that Labrador Retrievers are uniquely suited to being assistance dogs.  Their medium to large size and athletic physique makes them ideal for sturdiness for infirm human companions, while their gentle nature and intelligence means they are patient and easily trained.  An assistance dog might mean a guide dog for the blind or visually impaired, a hearing dog for the deaf, or a service dog, who assists people who have medical alert situation or need special psychiatric assistance.

The training is highly specialized for each of these animals, and there is a strict Code of Federal Regulations which define the service animal and direct the requirements for their training.  Some breeds are better at this than others, and Labradors are highly sought-after companions because they are so trainable and easy-going.  The specialized training is intended to create a service animal that is not easily rattled, maintains a friendly demeanor unless his master is threatened, and can resist distractions and temptations.

There are hundreds of service dog organizations in the United States, and a little bit of quick research can help you either find a dog to help you, or find the training that will allow your Lab to help others.  There are more medical and psychological conditions that might be helped by a service dog than you might have imagined. It is a rewarding experience for both animal and handler, with the human’s needs being met and enabling them greater independence, and the dog’s needs being met by making it feel needed.

The ownership of a Labrador Retriever can be a wonderful addition to your family.  Yet like any other ‘new addition,’ either human or animal, a Lab brings with it a whole host of duties and responsibilities.

As is the case with any pet, you as a dog owner will be responsible for the feeding, grooming and exercise of your Labrador

Before you purchase or adopt your Labrador Retriever, research the type of dog food that would be ideal for your lab (and have plenty of it on hand, as these dogs are strong, sturdy and typically quite large). I strongly suggest opting for a higher quality dog food. You will see the benefits in your Lab’s healthy coat (it will shine), your dog’s eyes will be clearer and will minimize health problems later on in your Labrador’s life.

The Labrador has a double coat, so sheds all year round.  Brushing and occasionally bathing your Labrador will help, but not completely alleviate the shedding. Keep a broom and a lint and hair remover for your clothing handy. It’s a little extra work, but it is a small price to pay for the love and dedication these dogs provide.

Labrador Retrievers are known as active and athletic dogs that need daily exercise whether it be a long walk, or playing fetch in the back yard. They are also smart dogs, so mental stimulation, i.e having them search for hidden treats, or just learning basic commands will help keep them busy. Their main goal is to please you, and most destructive behavior arrises out of boredom.

As with any dog, a Labrador Retriever puppy will need the greatest level of care and attention.  You as the owner will be responsible for the dog’s behavioral conditioning, teaching the Lab not to bite, bark excessively or chase people or other animals.  Labs are generally good-natured animals, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.  And, of course, potty training will be a major issue.

In navigating your way through these first, precious weeks in the life of your Labrador Retriever, it may help to seek the assistance of an animal behavioral book or expert.  You and your puppy may even want to head to the classroom, investing in a few weeks of obedience training at a certified school in your area.

It may also be a good idea to involve your entire family in this process, ensuring that all members assume a role in the care of your Lab.  This will be a learning experience for all of you, as you learn how to make your Labrador Retriever a helpful, beloved and valuable member of your family.

For more information about how to care for your Labrador Retriever, visit the Labrador lover’s community at http://www.clublabrador.com