Misty B. - A New Owners Guide to Labrador Retreivers

The Labrador Retriever, commonly known as the Lab, was originally bred to retrieve fishing nets from the water, and to catch fish which jumped off the hook. The lab insured a greater catch for fishermen who had a retriever in their care. As the breed evolved, Labs rapidly gained popularity as a hunting dog and as a companion. Today, its intelligence and their ability to be trained which have made the breed indispensable in a wide variety of fields.

Raising Labradors is a rewarding experience for a multitude of reasons. First, labs are extremely popular, and thus very easy to market. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club's rankings , they have been the most popular dogs in America for more than 20 years. They are energetic and loyal companions that appeal to a variety of owners because of their varied skill set. They also have a fantastic personality, as they are typically mild-tempered and extremely intelligent.

Labrador retrievers are available in a variety of colors. They can be found in black, chocolate, yellow and white varieties, all of which have the same endearing personality. Lighter colored labs often have pink skin on the nose and around the eyes, rather than having dark brown or black skin features.

Labs are a medium to large breed dog, which ideally reach a mature weight of 60 to 90 pounds, and height of 22 to 25 inches. Males in the breed are markedly taller and broader than females. Dogs over 100 pounds are considered obese or flawed by the American Kennel Club and other breeding clubs, but it is not uncommon for a large male to exceed this weight.

Labradors have a short slick coat, which fully sheds twice a year. However, ongoing shedding is typical for Labradors in temperate climates. The individual hairs are thick, and straight. The undercoat and overcoat run in different directions, creating a coat that is interwoven, and very tight.

Some of the most unique and remarkable physical attributes carried by the Lab breed are directly related to their early use by fishermen. The distinct interwoven pattern of their coat has unique waterproof qualities. Moisture will bead up and roll off their coat making it easier for them to swim without resistance. It also provides a unique layer of insulation, as water does not penetrate the inner layers of the coat so that labs stay both dry and warm in damp conditions. Labrador retrievers also have webbed feet which make the excellent swimmers, and which make them more sure-footed on rough or slick terrain. Finally, their tail is wide and flat; designed to be used like a propeller behind the body while swimming.

Basic obedience training should always be completed before expecting a lab to learn a special skill set. Obedience training should begin at about eight weeks and continue until the dog is well behaved and consistently responsive. New skills, which target specialized purposes, like service or hunting, can then be added.

There is a separate and distinct set of standards for dogs that will be used as service animals. Before a lab can qualify as a service dog, it must undergo emotional stability assessments, control and dexterity trials, exams for physical soundness and more. These tests should be performed before training begins for service skills. Dogs are trained for service between eight months and a year old, and generally go into service between the ages of 18 months and two years.

Families can apply to become part of the training or breeding programs for service dogs through Assistance Dogs International .

For hunting dogs there is a less clear distinction for when to train. Puppies should be exposed to bird scent, fetching and water at a very young age, as early as ten to twelve weeks. More strict hunting practice and training is suitable to a dog that is more mature. It is generally recommended that hunt training in the field begin at about six to eleven months of age, depending on the individual dog and its attention span.

Labrador retrievers are a pleasure to own because their personality is typically both mild and highly interactive. Labs are high energy dogs, which require a high degree of physical activity and active play. They also mature slowly, creating a long adolescent phase. This means that the dogs stay playful longer, maturing into lazy pets only in later life. Labradors are extremely loyal, and known for their even temper. They typically handle a variety of people and other animals well, very seldom engaging in aggressive behaviors. They are affectionate and greet owners with a tail-wag and compassionate eyes, but are not given to pouncing or licking demonstrations of affection. They are independent and do not need constant companionship, so they make a good pet for a one dog household, but they may become destructive if bored. They are intelligent and have a willingness to please, which makes them very easy to train.

Owners should be prepared to offer labs a large variety of physical activity opportunities. Labs cannot be ignored, or taken for a short walk alone. They need opportunities to fetch, chase, swim and work. Hunters, police officers and other professionals who will regularly put labs to work, those with special needs that the lab can serve, or families with several children who will provide a highly energetic level of play are best suited to lab ownership.

Labs have an excellent sense of smell and can be trained to hunt down a variety of objects and animals. They are commonly used as retrievers for duck and other fowl. In more serious pursuits, they have been used to sniff out drugs, bombs and other social threats.

The lab breed, as a whole, has a willingness to serve has also made it popular as service dogs. They are used to find survivors in the rubble after a natural or man-made disaster, which leaves people missing or trapped. Labs are also commonly used as personal service dogs to help the blind, or ill maneuver through their home environment.

Whatever the case, labs need to feel a sense of purpose and complete that purpose on a regular basis. Failure to provide this high level of interaction and physical activity may lead the dog to less productive pursuits. Labs that are bored are notorious for developing a chewing habit, destroying furniture, shoes and almost anything else they can reach.

According to the Dog Training Secrets website , it is never too soon to begin potty training your Labrador puppy. Labs have a fairly large bladder and are capable of bladder control from a very early age. Begin potty training lab puppies as soon as they arrive at their new home, or as soon as they are weaned from the mother. Most lab breeders suggest using the crate training method, because the natural instinct not to defecate where they sleep is very strong in lab pups. Start by keeping the puppy in the crate for short periods of time. When releasing them from the crate, take them outside to do their business first, and then interact with them lovingly when their business is done. As the puppy ages, extend the period of time they are left in the crate until you are able to leave them crated for extended periods, like while you are away at church or work.

Handle the lab puppy daily from the time it opens its eyes, until it is ready to find a forever home. When it is old enough to get around well, begin introducing it to other stimulus like vacuums, people of different ages and races, the television and other disturbances related to human contact. At about seven weeks, start allowing the pup to regularly ride in the car.