There are some dog breeds that are unusually popular no matter where you are on the globe, be it for their looks, intelligence, or their ability to be friendly and playful. The Labrador retriever family of breeds or “collectors” is, no matter which specific breed it is, they are one of them. Many people do not know it, but they are called collectors because they were originally bred as hunting dogs, with a great ability to retrieve the prey shot down by the hunter, to bring them to him.
The appearance of retrievers changes ostensibly according to their racial variations, but in general they are medium and strong dogs, with hanging ears, and a very high learning capacity as well as learning different functions. The most popular of this breed is the Golden Retriever, much loved and appreciated in various cultures worldwide, but this time, we will focus on the second most popular. This is everything you need to know about the Labrador retriever and its characteristics.
Origin of the Labrador retriever
The Labrador retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the world, also known as the Labrador retriever, or simply Labrador. Although the Labrador retriever comes from Canada, from the province of Newfoundland, the origin is somehow entrenched in Great Britain. It is said that in a city of the Canadian province, called Saint John, the dog of Saint John (Saint John’s Dog), of which the Labrador is a direct descendant, is in turn a descendant of British Water Dogs. These dogs would have been taken to the island of Newfoundland by English fishermen, where the San Juan dog would have developed, which was also used to help in fishing activities and later, the Labrador would originate.
These dogs had to be hardy, hard-working and good at swimming. They also needed thick fur to protect them from the frigid conditions of northern waters, and thick tails to help them in the water. It is then that in the mid-nineteenth century some dogs from San Juan were exported to England, where a group of breeders. With the intention of obtaining the “perfect” retriever, they were carefully bred and mated and after several generations, the Labrador retriever as we know it today was born.
Characteristic
- Height at the Withers: From 56 to 57cm for males and 54 to 56cm for females.
- Weight: From 27 to 34kg for males and from 25 to 32kg for females.
- Coat: Smooth, short, dense and hard, black, cinnamon, brown, yellow or very rarely gray.
- Skills: Hunting, working, assistance, tracking and substance detection, rescue and pet dog.
- Size: Large
- Life expectancy: 10-12 years
How to recognize a Labrador retriever
The Labrador retriever is a dog that can be medium or large, with a muscular, strong and proportionate body. His chest is wide and deep, and his back is straight, this breed is slightly longer than tall. With a broad head, its snout is elongated and also wide, it has a scissor bite and strong jaws. Its ears are medium and hang to both sides; the eyes have a vigorous expression and are brown or chestnut in color.
Its tail is thick at the base and ends in a point, with abundant fur that gives it a round appearance; it should never be curved on the back, but with a downward parabolic tendency. The colors of the Labrador are between black, chocolate and yellow, the latter varies between many light and dark shades, even reaching some reddish tones. It is normal to get small white spots on the chest.
How to take care of a Labrador retriever
- Bring him to the vet every 4 months (or when you think it’s necessary).
- It is important to clean their ears continuously.
- Control your diet, to avoid obesity.
- Cut his nails every once in a while.
- Bathe him at least twice a month.
The health of the Labrador retriever
The Labrador is a relatively healthy dog and can last a long time if given proper care. However, due to excessive inbreeding (being linked between dogs of the same offspring) to which this breed was subjected. It usually causes genetic diseases, which unfortunately come to the fore when you get older. When the dog is a puppy we must provide him with his first vaccinations, and be attentive to how often he has the following ones. In this way we can prevent him from suffering some of the most dangerous activities for dogs.
For the Labrador to enjoy an enviable state of health the ideal would be to go to the vet twice a year, to make sure that everything is fine. And through good home care, we can avoid many diseases and unfavorable conditions. Finally, it should be noted that the Labrador is very prone to gaining weight, due to his insatiable appetite and affinity for sweets. If left unchecked and you don’t get enough exercise, it can make you obese.
Living with a Labrador retriever
Something that stands out about this breed of dog is its remarkable charisma and popularity. Since it is considered one of the most playful dogs in the world. The stability in his character has allowed him to strengthen great ties of friendship with humanity, collaborating as rescue dogs, therapy dogs, assistance dogs and much more.
The Labrador retriever is a loyal, intelligent, active and fun-loving dog. He is very easy to train, which is why it is particularly entertaining to spend time with him and have his company in the house. He gets along well with people and generally also with other dogs, but the fact of being properly socialized from a young age should not be neglected, as he is usually an excellent friend and company for children.
As it is a very energetic dog, it requires a lot of exercise and activity. For this reason, although it can adapt to living in small places like an apartment, it is necessary to take it out for a walk and interact with other dogs. The Labrador is naturally fond of water, and also an innate collector, that is. Who has a predisposition to learn quickly to bring things? He has very good qualities, but tends to ask for attention frequently, so they can be a bit counterproductive for those who do not like to spend too much time with their pets.
Conclusion on Labrador Retrievers.
If you want a playful and friendly dog that shares with you, the family and the kids constantly with outdoor activities, this breed is an excellent option. Its ease of training makes it particularly functional to serve as a help, and to teach tricks and games. The only emphasis that must be made is that it is not a recommended dog for people with an excessively sedentary life. Because it ends up negatively affecting your physical and mental health.
We hope that you have found the information that we have presented today interesting. In relation to everything you need to know about the Labrador retriever, and its characteristics. If you are not from the last group of people that we have mentioned, surely you will be the next happy owners of a Labrador puppy in the next few days. That he will grow up as part of the family in record time.
