Labrador Retrievers
Breed: Labrador Retriever Size: Large (22 ½” -24 ½” in height) Weight: 55-80 lbs.
Although the name suggests it, the Lab did not originally come from Labrador. It originated on the Island of Newfoundland and was bred from the St. John’s Water dog, which is also an ancestor of the Newfoundland dog. The white chest, feet, chin, and muzzle that is characteristic of the St. John's Dog occasionally manifests itself in Labs, and will often appear in Lab crossed dogs. The Lab’s were used for retrieval and for pulling in fishing nets from the water. This smaller water dog had smooth or short-hair that was preferred over the Newfoundland because the long hair of the Newfoundland became encumbered with ice on coming out of the water in cold weather. The Labrador’s coat can shed water off like oil. They also have a thick tail like an otter, making them excellent swimmers for hunting and water sports. These dogs are not small dogs. Lab’s can be all black, yellow or chocolate in color, and they have a short, thick, dense coat. They are strong and muscularly built and have a wide head. They are extremely good swimmers and have a lot of power and strength. They are also extremely intelligent and tend to have a good disposition. Since this is a larger breed of dog, if you are considering a Lab puppy, be aware that it will grow and will require proper exercise on a daily basis. They are an active dog and love to run and play, with games of fetch and retrieve being the preferred play. They also love to swim. Labrador Retrievers tend to have a good reputation for being a very gentle, mellow, social breed of dog. They get along well with children and tolerate rough handling well. They are not overly territorial, insecure or aggressive. They also get along well with other animals in the household. Although they will bark on hearing strange noises, they tend to tolerate strangers well. They are quite clever and easy to train, but because they are a powerful dog it is wise to train them from an early age. Labrador’s can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasias which are potentially crippling abnormalities of joint formation that can be inherited from the dog’s parents or relatives. They have also been known to have inherited eye defects called Progressive Retinal Atrophy that could lead to vision loss that may gradually develop over time.
Choosing a Lab as a family pet is a popular choice in many of today’s households. They make a good pet, a good companion and a good friend.
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