Breed Profile: Labrador Retriever
The Labrador is one of the most popular family dogs due to their winning personality and love of kids, adults, other pets… everyone. Energetic and sweet these make the ideal dog for those with a large yard.
QUICK FACTS
Height: 53cms – 61cms tall at the shoulder
Weight: 25kgs – 36kgs
Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
Country of Origin: Newfoundland
Breed Type: Sporting Dogs
BREED CHARACTERTISTICS AND SUITABILITY
Exercise Needs
Trainability
Health and Grooming
All Around Friendliness
Adapability
Information reference dogtime.com
Want to trial owning a Labrador? Why not pet sit for one to see if it fits your lifestyle!
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HISTORY
Taken to England in the early 19th century Labrador Retrievers were developed and breed as a hunting dog braving rugged terrain and icy water to retrieve game. Nowadays, this social, highly intelligent and hard working breed uses it’s skills to service the community and is often chosen as police dogs, customs dogs and guide dogs for the blind.
PERSONALITY TRAITS AND BEHAVIOUR
Family: Great for families but a well fenced yard is essential. Labrador puppies may be difficult to control with very young kids or the elderly due to their energetic nature.
Personality: One of the most sweet-natured breeds. Outgoing, eager to please and friendly to both people and animals. Highly social and not suited to being alone for long periods of time. Needs mental and physical activity to keep happy.
Temperament: Naturally social animals, friendly, good-natured and exceptionally affectionate.
Trainability: Easily trained and intelligent, these large and energetic dogs should be signed up for puppy or obedience classes as soon as possible.
Sociability (other pets): Excellent with other dogs and pets
Barking: Medium tendency.
GROOMING
Grooming Needs: Minimal grooming and easy to maintain due to short coat. Need regular brushes, at least weekly, and occasional baths, every two months.
Coat Type: Short, dense coat with weather resistant undercoat. Comes in three colours chocolate balck and yellow.
Moulting: Moderate to high level of shedding.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL NEEDS
Exercise Needs: Daily walks essential, minimum 30 minutes. Labradors need to stretch their legs and run, a large yard and close off the leash dog park is important. Activity levels of labs do vary but without exercise pent-up energy can lead to destructive behaviour in the form of chewing and barking.
Diet: Love to eat and become obese very quickly if overfed. Limit treats, measure out regular meals rather than leaving food out all the time and plenty of exercise.
Average Life Span: 10 – 14 years
Special Considerations: Hereditary problems: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.
To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill or pet store. Why not adopt from your local RSPCA.
TALENTS
Intelligence and trainability make for ideal use in field spots, obedience competitions, as search dogs, as guide dogs and hearing dogs.
PAWESOME FACTS
DID YOU KNOW?
- Labs were original bred for fishing – fishermen used the dogs to bring in nets, pull ropes between boasts and recover escaped fish. Their water resistant double coast provides great insulation making them the perfect water dog.
- They are excellent sprinters and can hit 20 kilometres per hour in just three seconds
- All three colours can appear in a single litter regardless of the parents colours’
- In 1981, a Lab named Bosco won the election to be the honorary mayor of Sunol, California, beating our two human candidates
- They can tell you if you have cancer. Labs have been trained to use their powerful noses to sniff out and identify early stages of cancer.
THE REAL FURBABIES OF AUSTRALIA
Starring Cash and Carter
Emma from Browns Plains, Queensland was drawn to the gentle, loyal, smart, stubborn and goofy nature of her two fur babies Cash and Carter.
Cash and Carter are both water lovers but Cash is keen on pool safety. “With the pool he…will only enter and exit via the steps, where Carter is just all in,” Emma said.
Labradors are very energetic and athletic, and Emma shares Carter is no exception and is on the go 24/7. “[He’s] absolutely ball crazy, I’ve never seen a dog like it. Nothing stand in the way of him and a ball, including a 4-5 foot fence.”
Starring Ego and Pepper
Lyn from Chuwar, Queensland has always loved Labradors for their placid nature and their cute factor. Ego, black lab, and Peppa, yellow lab, were both adopted by Lyn and are typical gutsy Labs.
Labradors are known for their intelligence and trainability. “Ego was an ex bomb detection dog, that failed his 12 months training,” Lyn said. He then became available for adoption and Lyn jumped at the opportunity.
Lyn’s second Lab, Pepper, was adopted from Labrador Rescue as a friend for Ego. “They adore one another. When they want their dinner, it’s like Pepper stirs Ego up to sit and look at us to feed them.”
Find local Vets, store your Pet’s Health, etc, download PetCloud today.
Download IOS: https://apple.co/2PifzXs Android: https://bit.ly/3aFeK2m
