The Labrador Retriever is a versatile breed that may be a devoted family pet or a hardworking service animal. In the past, they frequently acted as fishermen’s helpers, whose duties included dragging nets, bringing up ropes, and retrieving fish from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.
Modern-day Labs continue in their predecessors’ traditions of being friendly and hardworking, making them the most popular dog in the United States. These days, Labs aren’t just used by hunters as retrievers— they’re also service dogs, show dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
If you’re searching for a medium-to-large dog, a Labrador retriever is a great choice. A Labrador Retriever can be anywhere from 55 to 80 pounds in weight and stand 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder, depending on gender. The thick, tough coat is available in yellow, black, and rich chocolate. A large muzzle, bright eyes, and a strong, tapering ‘otter tail’ are all identifying traits of this adorable breed.
Quick Facts About the Labrador Retriever
- Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
- Class: Mammal
- Diet: Omnivore
- Weight: 55-80 pounds in weight
- Height: 21,5 – 24,5 inches tall at the shoulder
- Intelligence: Of very high intelligence
History of Labrador Retriever
There is a common misconception that Labrador Retrievers originated in the province of Labrador in Canada, which would explain how the breed earned its name. However, this is not the case.
The Labrador Retriever Club has officially recognized St. John, Newfoundland, Canada, as the birthplace of the Labrador Retriever dog breed. Indeed, this is the initial inspiration for the original name, “St. John’s dog,” which was later changed to labs.
In 1700, local fishermen were the only people who had one of these St. John dogs. These canines assisted their owners by finding and bringing back lost fish and ducks, pulling up fishing nets, and bringing back ropes. St. John’s dogs have a murky pedigree, with some believing they descended from small water dogs and native Newfoundland mutts.
The second Earl of Malmesbury imported these dogs to England around 1830 to be used as retrievers; the third Earl of Malmesbury popularized the name “Labrador” for this breed. In 1880, when this breed of dog was booming in England, it nearly went extinct in Newfoundland. Burdensome tax regulations and government regulations led to this catastrophic predicament.
The government of the time even mandated that each household could only have one dog as a pet and that if the dog were female, the owner would be subject to a hefty dog tax. Nonetheless, the breed survived, and in 1903, the kennel club recognized it as a distinct species.
Alarmed by the frighteningly low population of Labrador Retrievers, Breeders in the United States and Canada started importing labs from the United Kingdom. It was not until 1991 that the National Breed club of America recognized Labrador Retrievers as the most popular breed of dog in the United States.
Appearance of the Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are distinguished by their thick, short- to medium-length coats and broad skulls. The webbed paws of a lab make it an ideal water dog, and the otter-like rudder of their tail makes them excellent swimmers. The webbing on their feet acts as a “snowshoe,” preventing snow and ice from becoming trapped between their toes, further aiding their comfort in colder areas.
Yellow, chocolate, and black are all possible Labrador Retriever puppy colors. Although extremely rare, there are also silver Labrador Retrievers with a beautiful grayish color with piercing blue eyes. Despite its misleading name, a “golden Lab” is a hybrid breed created by crossing a Golden Retriever with a real Labrador Retriever.
There are two distinct physique types among Labrador retrievers. The “American” kind refers to the working or field variation. This type is characterized by smaller, more delicate bones, a longer, less thick coat, a narrower head, and a longer muzzle. They are typically more active and anxious as well.
The “English” or show type of Labrador Retriever has shorter legs, a denser coat, and a wider head than the working or sporting variation. As a pet, this type is preferable.
Personality and Temperament of the Labrador Retriever
When it comes to personality, Labrador Retrievers are charming and entertaining since they are optimistic, playful, emotional, and perceptive. These dogs thrive on activity because they boast lots of energy. They will follow you aimlessly when they have nothing better to do with their time.
However, the energetic character of these dogs is sometimes mistaken for clinginess, which is not the case. Labrador Retrievers can be left at home alone for up to 8 hours. Just make sure there’s someone around to feed them after a few hours and that they have easy access to a garden or someplace where they can do their business. These dogs don’t know when to stop eating, so don’t overfill their bowls.
While Labs can be left alone, you should still spend time with them daily. If your Lab is bored and unattended, they may rapidly develop separation anxiety.
Labrador Retrievers need sufficient physical and mental stimulation. If not, they’ll become bored, manifesting as destructive behaviors like chewing doors and items, digging, winning, running, growling, and barking. Labs are known for being friendly and outgoing, but they also make excellent watchdogs with the right training. However, the same dog may aid the intruder in entering your home if it has not been properly trained.
Labrador Retriever Health
Although the Labrador Retriever is generally regarded as a dog that enjoys good health, they are at risk of developing the following conditions, just like most dog breeds.
#1 Hip Dysplasia
Most cases of hip dysplasia occur in large, powerful dogs with boundless energy reserves.
A dislocation of the hip joint and thigh muscles from the pelvic socket characterizes this medical ailment. As a result, your dog has discomfort and restlessness whenever it walks or uses its hind legs.
If his condition continues to deteriorate, they may lose all use of their back and legs. Surgery is the only known treatment for this disease. To ensure it doesn’t get passed on to future generations, get a DNA test done on your healed Lab before using him for breeding.
#2 Elbow Dysplasia
This is an inherited condition that is prevalent in dogs of large breeds. It is believed that this condition is brought on by the dissimilar growth rates of the three bones that comprise the dog’s elbow, which results in joint laxity. This can result in a painful condition called lameness. Your veterinarian may suggest that you have surgery to fix the issue or medication to help manage your dog’s pain.
#3 Centronuclear Myopathy
Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is a congenital disorder that affects skeletal muscle in extremely uncommon cases.
The inability to walk or run normally is a clinical symptom, as is an irregular gait. This muscle weakness is exacerbated by colder temperatures. Labradors often show the earliest signs between two and five months. By the time a dog reaches age one, the muscles in its head, neck, and legs will have atrophied, resulting in weakness and persistent gait problems.
#4 Cataracts
Cataracts in dogs, like people, appear as foggy areas on the eye’s lens and can worsen over time. They can appear at any time in life, and while they usually don’t cause any visual impairment, they might in extreme circumstances. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist should inspect breeding dogs to ensure they are healthy. Cataract surgery has a high success rate and can permanently restore vision.
#5 Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Labrador Retrievers increasingly suffer from tricuspid valve dysplasia, a heart condition. Your dog will be in a lot of pain due to a faulty right heart valve.
Finding an effective treatment for a congenital condition might be challenging. Despite the odds, some puppies affected by this condition might still make it through the first couple of weeks.
#6 Cold Tail
In this unpleasant ailment, a benign (a non-cancerous) tumor grows at your Lab’s tail, putting them in constant misery. As a result, the tail becomes aggrevated because they bite at it when the discomfort becomes unbearable.
Fortunately, this illness is not serious and will clear up within a few days. It is not just Labrador Retrievers who are at risk for contracting this disease; other Retriever breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, have the same vulnerability.
FAQs
The average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is 10-12 years. However, they can live well into their teens with proper care, nutrition, and exercise.
Yes, Labrador Retrievers are very popular family pets. They are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate with their owners. They are also great with children of all ages.
Yes, Labrador Retrievers need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. It is important to provide them with plenty of mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise. Walks, runs, and fetch are all great activities for Labradors.
Conclusion
Do you want a dog that is full of strength and friendly? The Labrador Retriever is one of the best dogs you can consider adding to your family. They are extremely affectionate and get along well with the whole family, including small kids. Moreover, they are highly intelligent so they will easily be able to pick up various commands and tricks. Although they love company, they can happily spend lots of time home alone, so long as they get their required daily exercise and regular mental stimulation.
Thank you for reading this article! To extend your knowledge even further on various dog breeds, take a peek at our post on the Giant Schnauzer or the Poodle.
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