According to the AKC (American Kennel Club) The Labrador Retriever is currently the most popular dog breed among dog owners worldwide. Many dog owners believe that the Labrador Retriever is the ‘ideal’ dog breed, which carries many of the most desirable traits for a companion animal. However, this is largely a matter of opinion. Regardless, the Labrador Retriever is a very popular family dog, which is largely because of the temperament traits of this breed.
HISTORY
Labrador Retrievers actually originate in Newfoundland, when small water dogs were bred with Newfoundland dogs. The resulting breed was initially called the “St. John’s Water Dog”, which was the early version of the Labrador Retriever that we are familiar with today. The Labrador Retriever was selectively bred for its temperament, loyalty and its unique abilities in the water.
APPEARANCE
Labrador Retrievers are a fairly large dog breed, averaging from 55 to 90 lbs in weight (depending on gender). A Labrador Retriever has an athletic build, and is usually seen in three different color variations. The most commonly seen colors in Labrador Retrievers are Chocolate, Black and Yellow. However, the Yellow color variation can range from a light ivory to a fox-like red.
TEMPERAMENT
Labrador Retrievers are said to have one of the most agreeable temperaments of all dog breeds. They are friendly, loyal, affectionate and versatile. The temperament of the Labrador is balanced, with just the right amount of emotional attachment balanced with natural instincts. Most Labradors are not very prone to be aggressive, and instead display mostly affectionate behavior. However, due to their agreeable temperament, Labrador Retrievers are also very prone to becoming overweight. Labrador Retrievers are very skilled at being adorable, and are usually able to easily convince their owners to give them treats. Since Labrador Retrievers are a very active breed, it’s very important that they are given regular exercise to help prevent obesity.
GROOMING
Labrador Retrievers are a short-haired breed, though they have a unique coat. There are two layers to a Labrador’s fur, which help to give the breed its water-resistant properties. The layer closest to the skin is soft and dense, which helps insulate the Labrador from temperature variations. The outer layer of the fur is coarse and oily, which aids in repelling water. Labrador Retrievers are in the moderate shedding category, and need to be groomed at least twice per week. Roughly two times per year, a Labrador Retriever will “blow the coat”, which involves a complete re-growth of their fur. At this time, grooming becomes even more important.
TRAINING
Training a Labrador Retriever is usually very simple, due to this breed’s high intelligence level. It’s very important to use positive reinforcement with Labradors, since they are very dependent on human approval. Most training programs can be accomplished easily by purchasing dog care training supplies that are available at most pet care stores. The use of tools such as a clicker (for clicker training), a leash, collar and treat-bag is a great way to ensure that a Labrador Retriever is able to be properly trained.
Thu, Oct 1, 2009