Labradors love to chase sticks!
If you are looking for an energetic family dog that is highly sociable, then a Labrador is for you. While their origins aren’t exactly clear, many believe they descend from the Labrador region of Newfoundland in Canada. Today, they’re the most popular dogs among registered owners across many developed world countries. Available in black, chocolate, and yellow, Labradors are undeniably attractive, but are more prone to certain types of diseases than other breeds. As gundogs, they’re natural instinct is to retrieve items, making them fun to play with.
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Labrador stats
- Life span: Up to 11 years
- Colours: Yellow, chocolate, and black
- Size: 25 – 32 KG
- Training: Easy
- Coat: Smooth, short, hard, and easy to care for
- Shedding: Average shedders, easy to groom
- Exercise requirements: Moderate to high
Choosing the right Labrador pup and exercising them
Both dogs and bitches are friendly across the Labrador breed, but dogs tend to be more loyal and bitches are usually quieter. It’s also worth considering that bitches season every six months, so there’s potential for more pups.
From the beginning, your pup will need exercise. Until around six months, it’s okay to rely on the exercise they get from toileting in your yard. After six months, they’ll need around 30-minutes’ free time in the yard, plus an hour’s walk each day. As Labradors are athletic by nature, they can take as much exercise as you’re willing to give from 18 months onwards. As such, they’re ideal for athletic types.
What type of households do Labradors suit?
Thanks to their friendly and loyal nature, Labradors are particularly suitable for family households. Because they’ve evolved as gundogs, they’ll love playing catch with kids. However, it’s also worth considering they’re naturally athletic. Therefore, they’re particularly well suited to owners who are able to exercise them frequently, and are likely to enjoy homes with large yards that allow them plenty of free running time.
Where to buy your Labrador retriever
Like all dogs, Labradors are best purchased from reputable breeders. The best ones are usually willing to offer hip and eye certificates that confirm whether there’s likely to be any future health problems. (Breeders – please contact us to list your website here!)
Health demographics and disease profiles
While bitches grow from 21.5 to 22.5 inches, dogs grow from 22 to 22.5 inches. Dogs are usually heavier than bitches.
In most cases, Labradors are healthy dogs. However, there are some diseases they could suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia: The hip joint malforms, causing pain and arthritis.
- Elbow dysplasia: An elbow that grows incorrectly during the development years.
- Retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts: All are ophthalmic complaints that may eventually lead to visual disturbances.
- Interdigital dermatitis: A type of dermatitis that affects the paws, causing them to become inflamed and itchy.
- Hot spots: Inflamed patches of dermatitis that appear elsewhere on the skin
Training
From the day you take your Labrador home, he or she will require socialization and obedience training. Living in a home with more than one individual can help with socialization; otherwise you can invite guests round or take them to other houses.
As dogs that are sociable from their time as pups through to late adulthood, Labradors are ideal if you’re looking for plenty of interaction. Not only are they easy to train, their intelligence means they’re suited to advanced training. If you’re ready for plenty of exercise and a lively dog, choose a Labrador.
