Labrador Retriever dogs are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities and make great family pets. Labrador Retrievers are also very versatile dogs and can be used for a variety of activities, such as hunting, tracking, and agility.
If you are considering adding a Labrador Retriever to your family, here is everything you need to know about this wonderful breed.
Labrador Retriever Appearance and Characteristics
Labrador Retrievers are medium-to-large sized dogs with a strong, muscular build. They have a thick, water-resistant coat that can be either short or long. Labrador Retrievers typically have black, yellow, or chocolate color coats.
Labrador Retrievers weigh anywhere from 55 to 80 pounds and according the American Kennel Club, this breed can stand 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder.
One of the unique traits of the Labrador Retriever is its otter tail, which is long and muscular. This helps the dog to swim powerfully. The tail is also covered in thick fur, which keeps the dog warm in cold water.
What is the temperament of a Labrador Retriever?
Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. Labrador Retrievers are also very active and need plenty of exercise.
They enjoy swimming, fetching, and playing tug-of-war. Labrador Retrievers make great family pets and get along well with children and other animals.
Health
Labrador Retrievers are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions.
Some of the most common health problems seen in Labrador Retrievers include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and obesity. Labrador Retrievers typically have a life expectancy from 10-12 years.
Care
Labrador Retrievers need plenty of exercise and should be taken on a daily walk or run. They also enjoy swimming and playing fetch. Labrador Retrievers should be fed a high-quality diet that is appropriate for their age, activity level, and any health problems they may have.
Labrador Retrievers also need to have their teeth brushed regularly and their nails trimmed.
If you are looking for a friendly and outgoing dog that will be a great addition to your family, the Labrador Retriever is the perfect breed for you!
History and Origin
The Labrador Retriever was originally bred in Newfoundland, Canada in the early 1800s. They were originally used as working dogs on fishing boats and helped pull in nets of fish. Labrador Retrievers were later brought to England where they became popular hunting dogs.
In 1903, the Labrador Retriever was recognized as an official breed by the English Kennel Club. Labrador Retrievers were first introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and have been one of the most popular breeds ever since.
Labrador Retriever Popularity
The Labrador Retriever is the #1 most popular dog in the U.S. according to the AKC. We just love the labs and think they’re one of the cutest. They’ve been featured in a number of movies, most notably “Marley”, in Marley and Me.
Labs are notorious swimmers, but what we didn’t know is that they have webbed toes and an otter-like tail that helps make them good swimmers. The tail also serves as rudder to help steer into the right direction.
Labrador Retrievers have a special hair coat which makes them waterproof. They have a double coat—the soft undercoat is weather-resistant and acts as an insulating layer that protects the dog from: extreme cold, from getting wet, or from any type of terrain or ground cover.
Its dense straight outer coat is coarse reinforces the hair coat’s waterproof quality. The soft undercoat also allows the body’s natural oils to repel moisture.
Do you have a great story/stories to share about your lab? We’d love to hear them!
Does your lab have any favorite toys or other things? Please let us know!
Already a proud Labrador Retriever parent? Here are some links to products that are great for labs. We’ll fill this list up as we find more cool products for labs (feel free to suggest some!). I’m specifically wondering if there is a “tail guard” for coffee tables? With all that wagging, I’m sure there must be a lot of spillage.
Products for Labrador Retrievers:
- Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Dry Dog Food
- FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs
- Dog Safety Harness for Car Travel
- Eukanuba Labrador Retriever Nutrition Dog Food
- KONG Squeaker Tennis Balls Dog Toy
- Slo-Bowl – Slow Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl
- Book: 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities with Your Dog
- Midwest iCrate Single-Door Pet Crate
- Action Water Resistant Dog Collar
We’re starting a new series of articles that are breed specific. Why? Dogsized is honing in on it’s name to give you content based on the “size” of your “dog”. We’re trying to get closer to your specific needs and figured we’d do some breed-specific content. We’d greatly appreciate any input you have!
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