Initially, the Labrador Retriever served people as an assistant in hunting and finding game, but now the cute large dogs of this breed have earned popularity for their good-natured character.
Pet Labradors will never become angry and biting guards at home, but will not be selfish, caring and devoted friends.
Their main advantages among other dogs are obedience, high trainability, friendliness and activity.
Briefly about the breed
Labradors stand out for their massiveness and proportionality. On average, dogs of this breed reach a height of at least 50 cm and a weight of more than 20 kg.
Their body is powerful and long with a voluminous chest and a wide head. The drooping ears are located slightly back, almost on the back of the head, and the almond-shaped eyes are set far back, which visually narrows the elongated muzzle.The tail, thick at the base, gradually tapers and is almost always in a horizontal position.
The Labrador dog breed is also distinguished by its water-repellent coat.
Such a hard, dense and short coat was inherited from their ancestors living on the cold shores of Canada, and thanks to the well-developed undercoat, it reliably protects them from low temperatures.
Before getting a large pet, you should consider having a large empty space.Numerous photographs of dogs show that Labradors prefer freedom of action, and better yet, constant exposure to nature.
Popular types and their descriptions
Among Labradors, the following types are distinguished:
- American . Most suitable for sports and hunting. He is active, cheerful, playful and restless. A good choice for those who are bored sitting at home.
- English . If you are a homebody, then this type will suit your temperament. He is calm, in England he was instilled with poise and restraint.
In appearance, these two representatives are practically no different from each other; their main difference is in temperament and character.
Three colors of Labrador
According to the standard, Labradors come in three colors:
- Black;
- Chocolate;
- Fawn.
Black coloring is considered traditional and is complemented by brown or hazel eyes and dark earlobes. A dog with such fur shines and shimmers in the sun. The blackness can be diluted with a white spot on the chest or tan marks.
Chocolate Labradors became popular thanks to the American President, who was publicly presented with a puppy with this color.
The “boom” of dogs with brown fur has not yet passed, and more and more people want to have such a spectacular pet.
The combination of chocolate color with hazel or yellow eyes is also interesting. However, “rich” chocolate must be properly cared for: do not keep dogs in the sun for long and feed it with special vitamins.
Labradors with fawn coats come with golden, light cream, red tint or brown pigmentation.
Smooth-haired and long-haired
The standard states that Labradors can only have short hair, and long-haired Labradors must be disqualified.
A breed similar to a Labrador, the Golden Retriever, has long hair..
However, many breeders and experts allow long-haired Labradors to participate in exhibitions; moreover, for many years there has been talk of distinguishing this type into a separate breed.
Labrador wool has the following characteristics::
- Smooth-haired - have a dense and dense undercoat, hard axial hair. She does not form fuzz and does not need frequent bathing or combing. When shedding, its amount decreases significantly and only the undercoat remains.
- Longhaired - have the same undercoat, but their center coat is much longer. It may have feathering in the area of the limbs and tail. It requires more careful care and can become frizzy and frizzy.
The birth of long-haired Labradors means that, at conception, the breeder did not carry out all the genetic examinations to find out whether the recessive gene responsible for such long hair would manifest itself in a given litter.
Labrador Retriever Personality
The Labrador can boast of an exemplary character: calm, intelligent, attentive, intelligent and devoted to its owner. Dogs of this breed are used as mountain and sea rescuers, bloodhounds at customs points, and guides for blind people.
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The friendliness of retrievers makes them excellent nannies for small children. However, their need for communication is so great that they cannot be alone for long.
In the photos presented you can see Labradors' favorite activities: running fast, playing with toys and walking in the fresh air.
Owner reviews
All owners unanimously mention the friendliness and calmness of Labradors, their tireless energy and extraordinary intelligence - they only need to repeat a command a couple of times, and they remember it forever. These dogs cannot stand loneliness, are sad, and love children very much.
Even training lessons for these dogs turn into a holiday, because their beloved owners are next to them.
What to feed a Labrador
Labradors are prone to obesity and “stealing” food, so it is important to feed your pet on time and fully. Dogs of this breed need constant consumption of meat, various cereals and supplements that are beneficial for bones and joints.
If you buy a ready-made diet in a store, then it is better to choose food for large dogs, premium, super premium and holistic.
In any case, hot and cold foods, pasta and potatoes, spicy and smoked foods, sausages, sweets and spices should be excluded from your pet’s menu.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the top five most popular breeds in the world. And it’s not only about the beautiful appearance of the dogs and intense shades of color, but also about the cheerful character of the pets.
Choosing a puppy
First of all, you need to decide what gender the future family pet will be.
Whom to prefer
Many people believe that a female dog is a guarantee of calm and friendliness . It's true. But there is still some stubbornness. And most importantly - estrus, which occurs twice a year. At this time, the owners need to be vigilant and protect her from male dogs. And some buyers believe that a bitch with show potential is a good investment.
The male in the future will become a big and strong dog , active and requiring attention. It is believed that males are more loyal to their owners than females and get along better with other pets.
You need to choose and remember that buying a puppy will oblige the owners to take care of the pet for 10-15 years.
Labrador puppies
Where can I buy
Of course, the most reliable way is to buy a healthy purebred puppy from an experienced breeder in a Labrador Retriever kennel. It is best to look after a puppy who is 6-8 weeks .
The nursery will select a suitable baby and give recommendations on how to properly care for him and maintain his health. In addition, it is possible to see the puppy’s parents and receive all the necessary documents
Key points when choosing
- The puppy should not be angry or timid;
- He must show signs of friendliness ;
- It should be dense , but not thick;
- There should be no damage to the skin or fleas;
- The puppy must have a good appetite .
Is it worth buying an adult Labrador?
If a family decides to take an adult Labrador into their home, they must first weigh some circumstances:
- whether the new owners had to communicate with similar breeds of dogs;
- observe the dog in its usual environment;
- find out if the Labrador has had contact with children and pets;
- does she have any bad habits (she may have to stop going to the toilet at home);
- see how the dog behaves on the street, how controllable it is.
Unusual brown color
How to prepare your home for a puppy
The puppy will need:
- place to sleep and mattress;
- feeding area;
- supply of special food;
- bowls;
- leash with collar;
- toys;
- first aid kit.
Before bringing the puppy into the house, you need to remove carpets from the floor, remove all small objects, needles, threads that the baby can swallow, securely hide electrical and telephone wires, chemicals, and shoes.
It is important to immediately train the puppy to go to the toilet, and not allow him to do things anywhere.
Price of puppies
Three important factors influence the price of puppies:
- Breeding value (i.e. parental pedigree);
- High-quality rearing (keeping conditions, nutrition, vaccinations);
- Exterior of a puppy.
These components make up the price, respectively - 20,000 - 60,000 rubles .
Video about the breed
Photos of Labradors
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How to choose?
Choose a well-groomed puppy with clean mucous membranes and fur; he should be moderately well-fed, not aggressive and timid, but inquisitive. Keep in mind that boys should be slightly larger than girls even at two months of age.
NOTE!
When walking and running, the dog should not experience lameness, and its paws should be placed straight, without any dislocations.
Try to play with the puppy and pay attention to his activity: avoid lethargic dogs that tend to quickly move away and lie down, most likely there is something wrong with their health.
Observe your puppy's appetite . He should eat well and there should be no parasites in his stool.
Look at the parents of your future pet and their behavior. This way you can draw a conclusion about what the puppy will become in the future.
What does color affect?
The color has absolutely no effect on anything. It may seem that black dogs are more stern, while white dogs are good-natured. However, appearances are deceiving. All dogs are very friendly and can easily become full members of the family. They are excellent hunters and swimmers, and are also easy to train. Therefore, choose a color based on personal preference. Regardless of what color the dog is, you will get an excellent companion.
We recommend the article: What to look for and how to choose the right Labrador puppy
Unusual colors
In addition to those described above, there are species with unusual colors. These include Dudley, spotted and silver Labradors. The main difference between Dudley and the standard is the pinkish tip of the nose and light pigmentation of the gums and eyelids. Golden dudleys are most common, but they also come in black and cream. The eyes of these animals may even be green, which is unacceptable for the standard.
Spotted dogs are also considered an unacceptable deviation from the standard, although they look quite cute. But the silver Labrador, which is not included in the breed standard, is quite popular at the moment. Although it will not be possible to participate in exhibitions with him, many people want to buy a dog of this particular color. And demand, as you know, creates supply, so silver dogs can be purchased at a very high price. Although you will not be able to participate in dog shows with a pet of non-standard colors, this does not mean that such a dog will not become a loyal friend and family member. In addition, by purchasing an animal of an unusual color, you will spend much less money.
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Price
A retriever puppy can be taken from its mother as early as 1.5 months. At this age, he is strong enough to live without mother's milk. There are 2 purchasing options - from and in the nursery. The first option is more affordable.
The price of a Labrador without a pedigree in 2022 is from 8 to 14 thousand rubles. There are nurseries for these charming dogs in every post-Soviet capital. For example, their cost in Moscow (with pedigree and veterinary passport) is 35-50 thousand rubles.
In some countries, newlyweds get Labradors as a symbol of the personification of a happy family
