Posts Tagged ‘Retrievers’
Throughout the whole of the UK and the USA there is one dog amongst all the other dog breeds that stands head and shoulders above the others for popularity, the Labrador Retriever.
If you are fortunate enough to spend some time in the company of a Labrador Retriever you will soon discover why these lovable dogs are proving to be so popular. These dogs are friendly, playful, intelligent and loyal. Labrador Retrievers absolutely adore children and this is why families rate them as one of the best dog breeds around.
The Labrador Retriever is a fun loving breed, they enjoy the water either swimming in it or generally simply splashing around having a good time. Another reason that the Labrador Retriever is such an ideal choice for families is the fact that they are a dog that can just go on for hours, much like children! They love to play fetch and swim. They will keep your children entertained all day long as well as wear them out. Labradors have unparalleled energy. Some have even run until they have given themselves a heart attack. They simply don’t know when they have given their all.
There are numerous dog breeds that make brilliant family dogs but none that are quite as good at filling the vacancy than the Labrador Retriever. These particular dogs do not simply just fill the gap in a family they become companions and friends. Any information on Labrador Retrievers will tell potential owners how mellow these dogs truly are, if you are considering a watchdog then a Labrador Retriever is probably not a good first choice. Intruders would just be covered in licks! They do possess quite a deep bark though and stand fairly tall and if the intruder pays no attention to their exceedingly waggy tail then they could feasibly be worried by a Labrador Retriever.
As far as dogs go the Labrador Retriever is an easy dog to train due to its intelligence. They are a breed of dog that simply loves to please its owner and make them happy and pleased with them. When compared with other dog breeds Labrador Retrievers do not shed as much fur as others, this is always a bonus.
If you read any dog information it will normally tell you of the biggest flaw the Labrador Retriever possesses, its appetite. These dogs are like dustbins on legs! They have a big appetite and are prone to gaining weight quickly. The trick is to monitor their food intake and also ensure they receive enough exercise. This is a clever dog though and will attempt bribery with its gorgeous big, brown eyes.
Labrador Retrievers are prone to several disorders that are associated with too much weight, as are most dog breeds. It is therefore imperative to watch their diet especially the amount of treats consumed. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, a disease that causes the joints to deteriorate. It is very painful for them and often fatal. It is important to have your dog screened for dysplasia before you take them home from the breeder.
The Labrador Retriever is a perfect addition as a family dog due to its incredible nature and temperament.
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds to be kept as pets. They are known for their gentle and loving behaviour and all the information on Labrador Retrievers will reiterate the fact that they are a wonderfully calm dog.
The Labrador Retriever has actually been around for numerous years and commenced their life as assistance dogs to the fishermen in Newfoundland. During the 1800′s these dogs were relied on by the fishermen to help them retrieve the nets and also the fish. Labrador Retrievers have a distinct advantage over most other dog breeds when it comes to swimming in that they possess a water repellent coat. Most information on Labrador Retrievers explains how much these dogs adore the water and it is so true.
Another ‘job’ that the Labrador Retriever excels at is retrieving waterfowl from the water for their master. The dogs are taught to be very careful when they take the waterfowl in their mouths because the hunters do not wish for them to be damaged.
In the end people eventually began to recognize the Labrador Retriever as the perfect dog to have as a pet due to its wonderful personality and nature.
Labrador Retrievers are available in 3 varying colours yellow, black and chocolate. It was during the year of 1899 that the initial yellow Labrador Retriever was born and christened Ben of Hyde. Ben’s line is actually still observed in today’s yellow Labrador Retrievers that are signed up with the breed club.
Then suddenly during the 1940′s brown Labrador Retrievers appeared on the scene seemingly just coming from nowhere, there were comments made about how much their colour resembled the colour of chocolate and that is how this particular dog gained its name.
There are 2 genes in Labrador Retrievers that determine the dog’s colouring. The initial gene decides the actual colour, yellow, black or brown; the second gene is responsible for the pigmentation of the actual colouring of the dog’s coat. It decides whether the Labrador Retriever should be light yellow or a rich dark brown colour.
It does not matter which colour your Labrador Retriever is as they are all the same dog underneath their coat colouring. All the information on Labrador Retrievers explains how wonderful these dogs truly are as members of the family, out of all the dog breeds available the faithful and loyal Labrador Retriever is the first in the queue for suitability.
Many people think of the Labrador Retriever as simply that just a Labrador Retriever, the one dog with no variation at all. They are quite surprised when they read information on Labrador Retrievers and discover that they are actually available in three different kinds. Now there are not three totally different Labrador Retrievers as such because the only noticeable alteration between the three is their colouration, this is common in many dog breeds.
The colour everyone associates with the Labrador Retriever is yellow and this is by far the most commonly observed dog in this breed. Labrador Retriever information surveys carried out on behalf of various dog related magazines report that the faithful and loyal yellow Labrador Retriever is the most common dog owned throughout the United Kingdom and America out of all the other dog breeds.
Yellow Retrievers are dogs that are full of energy and intelligence, couple this with the dogs friendly and well natured personality it is easy to see why this breed of dog is so popular as a family dog. They are great with kids and very gentle. They love to play games as well as please their owners. Yellow Labs are easily trainable. It is due to the Labrador Retrievers wonderfully approachable nature that they are often employed as working dogs. Not all dog breeds are selected for the type of work that this particular dog is as not all dogs are as calm as the Labrador retriever. The normal size of these dogs is approximately 45 – 70 lbs for the female and approximately 60 – 80 lbs for the male.
The breeds in general do have a tendency to gain weight if not monitored as they are obsessed with food. The term yellow is applied loosely because Labrador Retrievers range from nearly white through to almost a red colour. Black Labrador Retrievers are the next dog to look at and these dogs have proved themselves to be extremely well liked as pets of the American people along with the British people. The information on black Labrador Retrievers is much the same as the yellow dog of the same breed.
The black Labrador Retriever is very clever and definitely a high energy dog with a calm and friendly nature. Just like the yellow Labrador retriever the black dogs are often trained to become working dogs. If you read a lot of the dog information available you will also see that the black Labrador Retriever loves the water and that they are similar in size to the previously mentioned yellow dogs. Then trundling along behind is the beautiful chocolate brown Labrador Retriever ranging in colouration from a light shade of brown to a deep, dark chocolate brown colour. This breed of dog is the same size as both the yellow and black Labrador Retrievers and also boasts the same calm temperament.
As you can see the only difference between the three dogs is their colouration, in every other way they are the same wonderful breed. Any colour of Labrador you choose for your household will be a good choice.
Posted in Labrador Retriever Dogs | 
Tags: Coat, Colors, Labrador, Many, Retrievers | 
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Regardless of what kind of dog you are looking for you may want to consider a lab mix puppy. The only type of dog that really does not work for a lab mix puppy are dogs from the toy category. In general these dogs are desirable because of their small size, but when you mix them with a Labrador they will no longer retain that tiny size. However, just about every other class of dog will work in for a lab mix puppy.
Black Dog Omen
Black dog syndrome is used by people who work or volunteer in animal shelters. For some reason, all black dogs, even purebred black Labrador Retrievers are almost always passed over in favor of other colored dogs. Any other color dog does better – even if they are the same breed. This also happens to black Labrador Retrievers, especially in shelters. A golden, yellow, white or chocolate Labrador Retriever will almost always be picked over black Labrador Retrievers.
Superstition
Although we claim to not believe in superstitions, our subconscious proves we do. Quite often, we pass over anything black because of the negative bias towards the color black. The only things that seem to escape this bias are diamonds and horses. However, there are a lot of myths, legends and stories about black dogs being somehow bad. One of these is that vampires can change into black wolves – or black dogs (even black Labrador Retrievers).
Probably the most famous bad black dog was the Hound of the Baskervilles, which went after the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Many scholars and psychologists think the reason why the Hound of the Baskervilles is so famous is because a large black dog fits our subconscious idea of what an evil creature looks like, even a dog with floppy ears like a black Labrador Retriever.
Hecate And Paganism
In some pre-Christian pagan religions, black dogs were seen as sacred. One of the most powerful and respected Goddesses (still worshipped by modern day Pagans) is Hecate (or Hekate), known as the Goddess of Witches. One of her symbols was the black dog. It was said that She could appear to people in the form of either a black snake, a black mare or a black dog.
Whenever Christianity overtook paganism, anything associated with the old Deities was immediately demonized. This is probably what happened to all black dogs, even in this modern day and age, causing the black dog syndrome seen today in pet rescues and animal shelters.
A Good Dog Is Never A Bad Color
If you are considering adopting a dog (and good for you), then please be sure to take a second look at all of the black dogs in the shelter. Perhaps they will look ordinary, but that’s only on the outside. If you specifically want to adopt a Labrador Retriever, be sure to tell the breed rescue or animal shelter that you would accept a black Labrador Retriever. You will certainly gain not only the shelter worker’s respect, but the friend of a lifetime.
Ola Norrman the author of black-dog-syndrome-even-for black-labrador-retrievers has in his site the mission to tell you all about Labrador Retrievers and the black color of the dog as a bad omen. Read about the interesting History of black magic and omens. Read about the Black Dog Syndrome Even For Black Labrador Retrievers.
Posted in Labrador Retriever Dogs |
Tags: Black, Even, Labrador, Retrievers, Syndrome |
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Doggy Odor in Your Labrador
Why does a Labrador have doggy odor?
Like any other animal, dogs will walk, run, and play in areas that might result in their gathering dirt, disease, or odor. The Labrador retriever may begin to produce odor due to a number of factors, such as oily skin, dirt accumulation, ear or anal infections, and dental/plaque buildup. Not only can odor be offensive, it can be a sign of an unhealthy retriever. If a Labrador retriever is not monitored, and the sources of doggy odor are not removed, the Labrador retriever will develop chronic physical problems.
What to do About Doggy Odor?
When a Labrador retriever begins to emit doggy odor, closely inspect the dog from head to tail. Check the retriever’s ears for debris, red skin, and odor. If an ear infection is present, it could be the result of the dog’s ears not being properly ventilated. Ear infections are common in dogs with ears that are floppy or folded over. If the dog’s ears are not properly ventilated, the inside becomes moist and warm, and infection can easily result.
Look in the dog’s mouth for plaque buildup on the teeth, and for discolored or missing teeth. In addition to the well-known “dog breath,” additional odor may be coming from the dog’s mouth as a result of food buildup and poor oral hygiene. Check the retriever’s feet; there may be a cut or infection on the dog’s foot pads. This type of injury should be immediately cleaned and bandaged. Run your fingers through the dog’s coat, and make sure you inspect all sides of the coat. There may be a concealed skin injury underneath the Labrador’s fur. Also, check for an oily or greasy texture appearing on the retriever’s coat. The coat might be producing dandruff or the skin may be flaky.
One of the most prominent areas for odor generation is the retriever’s backside. There could be anal infection, a buildup of feces on the dog’s coat, or the Labrador might be constipated or have diarrhea, both of which will produce significant odor.
As you are inspecting the retriever’s body, take detailed notes on what you see, smell, feel, and hear. These notes will become valuable when you take the dog to a veterinarian. Also, it will document signs or symptoms that you might forget to tell the veterinarian.
If your dog is exhibiting odor and is found to have an infection or illness, take proactive measures to protect your Labrador retriever. Take action and make a dog-care schedule for your Labrador.
Dogs need to be kept clean, but caution must be taken not to give the Labrador too many baths. If the dog is bathed every week, the retriever’s coat is deprived of natural oils. As a result, over- bathing a Labrador can increase odor. A dog should be bathed once a month.
Part of maintaining a clean home includes washing animal bedding, play toys, and the dog’s collar. After washing the Labrador’s bedding, make sure that the bedding is completely dry before allowing the dog to sleep on it. If the bedding has been removed from the dryer or brought in from a clothes line, vacuum the bedding with a small hand vacuum; this will remove any debris that was left by the dryer.
A Labrador retriever should be monitored when it goes outside, especially if your home is in a rural and/or wooded area. The dog might be picking up odors from discarded garbage or a dead animal carcass. Odors from rotting food or meat are extremely pungent. Also, they can induce vomiting if eaten. If your Labrador is allowed to go into wooded areas or alleys, follow the dog to see if he is eating carrion or miscellaneous garbage.
When dogs have odor emitting from their teeth or gums, it can be treated with a professional brushing which can include removing plaque from the dog’s mouth. Ask the vet about dog treats that are designed to help keep teeth and gums clean. Make teeth inspection a regular part of your dog’s cleaning schedule.
When your retriever has been playing in dirt or mud, keep two or three old towels ready to clean the dog’s coat. One towel can be put in water and used to clean the dog’s coat, and the other towel can remain dry and used to dry the dog’s coat. Dogs enjoy physical attention and respond well to having their coats cleaned.
Brushing the retriever on a daily basis helps to reduce smell, remove excess fur, and stimulate new hair growth.
Finally, ask your veterinarian about changing the Labrador’s diet. Dog food that contains solid meat promotes healthy skin, teeth, gums, and stools. High-quality food is available through a veterinarian or at large-scale pet shops. When shopping at a pet store, ask the store staff for recommendations.
Animal odors can result from a number of different sources. To make sure that your Labrador retriever is free of odor, it is necessary to perform regular visual checkups. The doggy odor will be removed when the dog’s body is inspected thoroughly, cleaned regularly, and taken to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
For more information, refer to
Labrador Retriever Facts and Information
Today I fell into a trap that I should never have allowed myself to get into. I actually trusted my dog, my Nikki, a 3 year golden retriever.
Nikki is an amazingly affectionate dog, even more than normal for a golden retriever. She is gentle, good natured and behaves pretty well.
She loves going out for car drives, and she is a very well behaved dog in the car. She sits beside me, head hanging out the window and gently watching the world go by. She never gets agitated, restless or excited, even when she spots another dog out the window.
The other day, I took both Nikki, and Benny my black lab out for a drive. This time Benny was sitting in the front. Nikki was in the back. As usual I had the back and front window open.
I drove around the corner, and pulled into my driveway. And, what do I see…Nikki, sitting by the front gate. She must have jumped out the back window as I was pulling around the corner and ran to the gate.
I had absolutely NO clue she had even jumped out. Never before did she ever show any signs of jumping out.
Needless to say I was freaking. I mean, with a little imagination, I could imagine what could have happened.
Rule number one: Don’t trust your dogs. No matter how well behaved your dogs are, they are still dogs. Look out for their safety. Always make safety your first priority.
I should have known better. I try to make dog safety and dog training and dog nutrition my priorities. I have 3 dogs, 2 black labs, and my Nikki, a golden retriever. Dukie, one of my black labs is blind. Oddly enough, when I walk my 3 dogs and my neighbour comes and joins me with her dog, Dukie behaves the best. He loves walking and going for car rides. If you are observing him, you would never know he is blind.
The Labrador Retriever (“Labrador” or “Lab” for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, and are the most popular breeds of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The breed is exceptionally friendly, intelligent and good natured, and as a rule these qualities mean that Labs love people, handle children well, and therefore make excellent family and service dogs. Benny, my black lab and Nikki are both Certified Therapy Dogs. They visit the elderly in homes.
Labradors are relatively large with males typically weighing 60 to 80 lb (27 to 36 kg) and females 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). They are energetic outgoing dogs, and are black, yellow, or brown (called “chocolate”) in color, in that order of frequency. Their fur is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make him an excellent swimmer. Their interwoven coat is also waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing directions. Yellow labs can have black or pink noses; chocolate and black labs’s noses match the coat color.
As with some other breeds, the English and the America lines differ slightly. Labs are bred in England as a medium size dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger dog. I have both, one English, My Benny, and one American, my Dukie.
Famous Labs
