Posts Tagged ‘Labrador’
There are few breeds among dogs that have achieved the success of the Labrador retriever which has held first place in the most popular American dog stakes for the last 15 years. In excess of 137,000 Labradors are registered with the American Kennel Club. In the novel, Chesapeake, Sir James Michener wrote about a new breed of dog which had arrived in Maryland during the early 19th century. The first registered Labrador retriever in the American Kennel Club appeared in 1917 and originated in Scotland. The dogs name was Brocklehirst Floss although the Labrador Retriever Club would dispute this and name Brocklehirst Nell as the first. The breed was more widely recognized in 1928 as Americans began to appreciate the Labrador retrievers hunting skills both as game finders and water fowl dogs. Originally referred to as English Retrievers, American shooting clubs began to train them in the American way of hunting, which is quite different from methods used in the UK. American Sportsmen were keen to bring more Labradors to the United States as the dogs popularity increased.
In 1931 The Labrador Retriever Club was founded and on the 21st December 1931 the club held a field trials event for the breed on Robert Goelets Glenmere Court Estate in Chester, New York. This first field trial events, was which was held on a Monday attracted 16 entries and was mainly attended by wealthy competitors. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Field won first and second prize in the Open All-Age stake with their Golden Labrador retriever, Carl of Boghurst, whilst the American Bred stake was won by W. Averell Harriman, breeder of Labrador retrievers and owner of the Arden Kennels. His kennels are still considered to be among the best in America where Arden trophies include four dual winners, eight bench winners and five ground winners. Currently , in excess of 150 Labrador retriever field trials are held annually in the United States.
On the 18th May 1933 The Labrador Club of America held the first specialty field trials and attracted 34 competitors. Franklin P. Lord won the competition with his dog – Boli of Black. Boli came from good bloodstock having been purchased from Lady Howe, an English breeder who was the first American Labrador retriever bench winner.
In December 1938 a Labrador retriever named Blind of Arden was the first dog to appear on the front page of Life Magazine. This dog became the first American field champion and his sister, Decoy of Arden, went on to be the first female American field champion. Labradors from the Arden line are much sought after because they have produced so many champions over the years. One notable celebrity Labrador named Shed of Arden is owned by Paul Bakewell and won the National Championship competition three times during 1942 (her first year), again in 1943 and then in 1946. No Labrador has achieved this since. This Labrador bitch was described by her owner as having talent in the field, beauty, intelligence and the ability to produce quality puppies – the embodiment of everything a Labrador retriever should be
There is a wealth of information about Labrador retrievers on the internet for Labrador enthusiasts.
Youâve been faced with that inevitable question more times than you can count and are just beginning to sway towards that wished for yes. Can I have a puppy? Your child looks up at you with those pleading eyes and against your inner voice you hear yourself replying We will see. Having been given that dashing smile full of joy you are left with the task of choosing the newest member of your family. A simple task that is in no way easy. The question is: what are you looking for?
The answer: a companion for your youngster, one that is patient, smart, easy to train, playful, hearty and healthy, and good natured, the perfect pet or as close as you can come. These are the basics in choosing a pet for your family and the Labrador Retriever fits all of them.
This breed is considered the most popular in general as well as for companion and work dogs. They are considered a large breed but do not let this intimidate you in the least. Characteristically these dogs are found to be gentle, intelligent, energetic, good natured, dependable, obedient and talented. They have the high level of patience and tolerance that is a necessity if they are going to interact as a family pet.
However there is something you need to keep in mind: this dog needs training. Any breed needs direction starting out but with this one it is most imperative. Without the attention and direction given to them as a puppy Labs can become boisterous, undisciplined, and stubborn. Labradors are active dogs who need space to run around, play and release their energies. They do best in an environment where they receive quite a bit of attention. They enjoy it and prosper in the light of positive attention and praise. Yet they are independent animals. There is no need to coddle them and in terms of house breaking, they are quick learners and self sufficient. This is the dog who will not only scratch at the door to go out but come to you in your room and stomp his foot demanding it. While they do need training, Labs are quick learners and once learned they stick with it.
An added plus is that Labradors are beautiful animals. An adult male can weigh anywhere from 65-80 pounds while the female usually weighs in at 55-70 pounds. They have smooth almost glossy coats and are short haired animals. Their tails are straight and powerful. Labradors are generally recognized in three colors: black, yellow and chocolate. You can also find them with black and tan coats.
As far as health is concerned they are hearty animals and yet like all breeds they can be prone to certain illnesses and problems. For instance, hip and elbow dysplasia, knee problems and eye problems in some cases. While these should be kept in mind they are in no way definitive and not all together common.
With their great natures, intelligence and companionability, along with their long life spans ( it can be anywhere from 12-13 years or more), this dog breed can easily be described as the perfect pet. At least as perfect to be considered your little ones best friend.
If you are in the market for a pure breed that is an excellent home or hunting companion, then you have to consider the possibility of owning a Labrador Retriever. It is considered one of the worlds most popular breeds and is currently the most widely AKC-registered dog in the US. The Lab, as they are nicknamed, is without a doubt one of the most affable, energetic, gentle, good-natured, and intelligent breeds that you will find anywhere in the world.
Additionally, they rank highly on the companionship meter and integrate well with any age bracket. They are extremely patient and exhibit a high tolerance level for children. All of these personality traits make them outstanding companions as well as excellent service dogs. When obtaining and raising a Labrador Retriever, there are three key aspects to be aware of. Let me elaborate.
1) Labrador Retrievers are like a box of assorted chocolates. You never know what you gonna get as Forrest Gump so succinctly stated. In other words, no two Labs are alike. They come in a variety of colors such as black, chocolate, golden, and silver just to name a few, and despite the vast array of difference in their personalities, Labs all exhibit the following common interests:
hunting retrieving running swimming
Occasionally, you do run across a contradiction such as a puppy that fears the water or one that does not have the typical oral fixation or obsession characteristic of the majority of members of this breed. Instance’s of these occurring are few and far between, so there is not much likelihood that you will encounter one like this.
However, there is one thing that you can say with the utmost certainty where Labs are concerned. Every Labrador Retriever is a very special animal and with the proper attention, love, and training, you will have a wonderful companion that will afford you with the ultimate in affection and loyalty until they breathe their final breath.
2) Labs are the epitome of the natural-born hunter and tracker. Unlike all the other canine hunting breeds, Labrador Retrievers do not have to wait for their masters command to seek out the fallen bird. Not only are they intelligent enough to know exactly where the bird has fallen, they are more acutely aware of their surroundings more so than any other canine that hunts or tracks its prey.
It is a misconception of some owners that Labs are too needy, as they will commonly sit at their masters side, patiently awaiting the next command. Understanding this part of their nature will dispel that misconception, as well as help you realize that, as a hunting dog, this is what they have been bred to do.
3) Thorough training is a requirement with Labs. Despite the Labs inherent capabilities for locating and retrieving their prey, they have to be skillfully trained at specific commands in order to follow the specific commands of their masters. The benefit here is that they will never give up searching, even if the direction to hunt in has not been specified. In so many words, this dog will take the responsibility for completing the job it started.
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To refer to the Labrador Retriever as an extraordinary breed would be nothing short of an understatement. Characteristically, being in tune with their masters is a requirement of their personalities so it is important that the owner understand what the animal was bred to do – namely hunt and retrieve. In order for a Labrador to find birds or ducks that were shot down and have landed out of sight, they must be in tune with their hunter/owner in order to learn their purpose.
This need for harmony in the Labradors life carries over to the home front as well and is not reserved exclusively for their retrieving skills. For the person who is in need of constant companionship, this is the ideal breed of dog. Conversely, if you expect the dog to be able to entertain itself you will be rudely awakened as the breed thrives on canine-human interaction. So that is one of the first things you need to be aware of when deciding if this is the right canine pet for you.
Hounds and Terriers are breeds of hunting dogs that can do with or without human interaction, so if are not capable of satisfying this need of the Labradors you would be wise to choose one of the other breeds. Where Hounds and Terriers hunt by their sense of smell, the Labrador must have that human attention link in order to successfully perform its duties as a retriever.
Labradors that do not respond well to their owners commands may take of into the water after a fallen bird or squirrel (as an example) and swim past it – maybe even way past it and vanish from sight. The well disciplined and trained Lab does not often make this kind of a mistake because it is their innate nature to adhere to their owners commands. It follows then that this canine breed is an excellent choice for obedience trainees as well as being service dogs (i.e. one of the better seeing-eye candidates).
So how will you know if a Labrador Retriever is the right dog for you and your family? For one, you have to have the capability as its owner to deal with a strong connection and dependency factor. Additionally, it must have human interaction and leadership. Most breeds of dogs exhibit a propensity for companionship, but the Labrador demands much more than other breeds. Whether they are indoors, outdoors, or a combination, they will not survive well physically (and psychologically) if left alone to their own devices, so you should be extra certain that you can handle this responsibility.
The bottom line with Labrador Retrievers is that if they are left alone for long periods at a time it confuses them. They think that they have lost their family (or pack as it were) and attempt to escape their confines in order to hunt down their owners and be with them.
As you probably know a great choice for a gun dog is a Labrador retriever especially if you want a good all rounder for shooting and hunting. I find these are probably the easiest to train especially for a beginner.
Like all breeds of gun dogs Lab’s have good and bad points, Here are some of the Pro’s and Con’s of training and owning a Labrador Retriever.
The Pro’s
Of all the hunting dog breeds the Labrador is the strongest swimmer, which makes him excellent at duck hunting. The breed was originally bred and trained to jump off fishing boats to bring the fishing nets to shore. Most Labs have webbed feet that aid in swimming
They are affectionate and patient dogs. They are known for being good natured, loyal, intelligent, and friendly. They are also great as a family pet as they are great with children.
Talents include tracking, retrieving, hunting, police work, They also do excellent work as guide dogs for the blind and the disabled. Other activities they are used for are sledding, competitive obedience, and search and rescue.
The Con’s
There is not much not to love about Labradors, maybe the only problem is their love of food. You need to moderate food intake, Labs are big eaters, and may Quickly Become Overweight if given the wrong diet.
Another problem is they need regular exercise. They love long walks and also like to swim whatever the weather, so if you have a lake in your local park it will love a swim a few times a week. Plus plenty of exercise.
The Labrador Retriever may become nervous and destructive if their human owner does not act as “pack leader” or if they do not receive enough exercise, it is best if you at least have a large yard to own one of these great hunting dogs.
There may seem a lot to worry about here but most Lab’s turn into wonderful gundogs and/or family pets. More things you may want to know about the Labrador are below:
Height and Weight
Adult males are usually between 22-24 inches tall and weigh around 60-75 pounds.
Adult females are usually between 21-23 inches tall and weigh around 55-70 pounds.
Life Expectancy
The average life of a Labrador retriever is about 12 years.
Grooming
Their smooth double coat is easy to groom with a brush with firm bristles. Pay attention to the undercoat, and bathe only when necessary. Even when they swim their skin stays dry due to the undercoat. They are also moderate shredders of hair.
History
As I mentioned earlier the Labrador Retriever was breed by fishermen in the 1700′s, originally from Newfoundland and known as St. John’s Dogs, They are now one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Grouping
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Recognition
CKC, AKC, KCGB, ANKC, NZKC, CCR, ACR, UKC, CKC, NKC, APRI, FCI
Training:
The great thing about a Labrador Retriever is the ease with how you can train him as a gun dog. We find the best way to train is to train your Labrador is by doing it in short bursts maybe only 10 minutes twice a day. The only thing to beer in mind is not to many treats if you use treat training as your dog may put on to much weight.
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To totally understand the true character of the Labrador Retriever, dog owners must have a solid grip on the three most important aspects that make up this animal’s temperament and character.
Three Things You Can Always Rely On When Raising A Labrador Retriever
1. Labs Are Like A Box Of Cookies: The most important thing to understand with Labrador Retrievers is that they are peculiar and not every Lab is the same. A Labrador is like a box of cookies, they come in all sorts and you never know just what you will get as they become adults.
Many Labs demonstrate the same interests in the following: hunting, running, retrieving, and swimming, but oftentimes you may get a Labrador puppy that may completely hate water. If you are lucky enough, your Lab may not have an oral fascination, which causes many of these dogs to eat anything they can get a hold of.
One thing you can positively count on is that every Labrador Retriever is special and through proper training, attention, and love, you will have a wonderful dog that will show the utmost in loyalty and affection until its last day on earth with you.
2. Labs Are Natural Born Hunters: Unlike most other hunting dog breeds, Labs do not just wait for its human hunting companion to command them to retrieve fallen birds. These dogs have to be so love that they can mark the fallen foul themselves.
Many people believe that Labrador Retrievers are more aware of their surroundings than other hunting dogs because of their heritage. When hunting, Labs await for the right signal from their hunter in order to find their prey. While at home, they regularly wait by their owner’s side for the next task or command, regardless of what it is. It could be to walk, eat, etc. This is what makes Labrador Retriever dogs just a little too needy for some owners.
3. Labs Must Be Well Trained: As hunters, Labs have to be able to follow specific rules in order to find birds. So, even if they do not have a direction to move in, they will keep hunting without giving up. So, basically, a good Lab literally takes matters into its own hands to get the job finished.
These characteristics are great for dog owners to enjoy having a service dog that can take on its own in certain situations. Alternatively, it’s bad for dog owners who are not able of providing absolutely no direction whatsoever. This is where most issues lie with new Labrador owners.
Several people see well-trained Labs at the beach or walking with their owners and think to themselves “I should get one of those dogs. They’re so well trained!” Little do they know that these pets are never born trained. It takes regular progressive dedication to exact training protocols, all based on a Labrador’s genetic make up. For many people, this can prove too much work for to handle. They will more than likely end up with nothing but issues and annoyance with their dog.
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