Take a look at the Labrador Retriever puppy and its love at first sight. Labrador Retriever, shortly known as Labrador or Labs, is a medium-large strong dog, friendly, active, and intelligent. This dog breed is famous for its loyalty, obedience, and playful composure. Labrador stands as the most popular dog breed in the US, which loves to play games. Labs are useful, bouncy, sporting, outgoing, and high-spirited companions.
This family dog also makes a great service dog, and they form a strong bond with their owners. They have the willingness to learn new tasks quickly, trainability, and versatility. Labradors are commonly used as assistance dogs for the disabled, search and rescue, and tracking down pests for pest control companies. This dog breed can also perform other variety of services like they’re helpful for mobility-impaired owners who need help for grabbing or manipulating items. Labrador deserves all our love and affection.
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Appearances of Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever appears powerful, well-balanced, symmetrical and devoted. This beautiful breed has a short, dense water-repellant coat, and it can be straight or slightly wavy. The head is wide, and its ears are not very large. They sit high on the head and hang just below the jawline. The sweet, calm nature of having glimmer eyes is the hallmark of this breed. Its height ranges from 21 inches to 24 inches at the shoulder, and they weigh about 55 to 80 pounds. Labrador needs daily exercises like walk, jog, or run in beaches. The heavy body and strong legs enable the labs to swim and run powerfully.
Types of Labrador Retriever
Labradors are the perfect pet for any family. They are gentle, trustworthy, agreeable, and easy to train. There is some confusion about whether the Labrador Retriever comes up in different varieties or not? And its answer is yes.
There are two different varieties of Labrador Retriever: English and American. The differences between these two varieties are minimal. They differ mostly physically, but they have similar temperaments. All Labradors are loyal, loving, athletic, playful, patient, affectionate, and attention seeker.
1. English Labrador Retriever
The English Labrador Retriever comes from the English bred stock, which is heavier, blockier, and thicker. English Labradors are common in the UK. Its height ranges from 21.5 to 22.5 inches. The male English Labrador weighs around 65 to 80 pounds, whereas the female weighs 55 to 70 lbs. As compared to American Labs, English Labrador looks more substantial with a heavier look. They have a wider head, fuller face, thicker coat, and shorter body. It is bred for show purposes.
2. American Labrador Retriever:
The American Labrador Retriever is common in the USA. Its height ranges from 21.5 to 24.5 inches with the fine bone structure. The male American Labrador weighs around 65 to 80 pounds, whereas the female ones weigh about 55 to 70 pounds. The head of an American Labrador is narrower, longer, and streamlined. As compared to English Labrador, they have a longer neck, thinner coat, and slimmer body. They are slightly taller and slender in appearance, and it is bred for working ability.
Labrador Retriever’s coat color
The Labrador retrievers coat should be short and dense. The Lab coat has two layers: a quick topcoat and a soft, weather-resistant undercoat. The fur coat is water-resistant so that the Lab does not get cold in the winter and rain. There is color variation among the coat of Labs. They are known for their shiny, dense, and luscious coat looks. The hard coat of Labs is registered in three colors: yellow, black, and lustrous chocolate.
You can also find Labrador retrievers in colors such as silver, fox red, and even brown. The fox red Lab is a yellow Lab in disguise, expressing rich and vibrant red. These colored Labs are not commonly found, but they exist. The color is determined primarily by three genes, B locus, E locus, and K locus.
Weight
Labrador Retriever reaches its mature weight by the age of two, and they have a fast growth rate. The growth of the Labrador puppy is influenced by sex, genetics, diets, lifestyle, and neuter status. A newborn Labrador retriever weighs around 8 to 24 ounces. Labrador’s male puppies weigh about 5 to 17 lbs, whereas female Lab puppies weigh about 4 to 15 lbs. The matured male Labrador weighs about 60 to 80 lbs, whereas female Labs weigh 55 to 75 lbs.
Height
Labrador Retriever reaches its mature height by 1 ½ year. The average Labrador has an overall height of 27 inches to 31.5 inches, withers height of 21.5 inches to 24.5 inches, and the body length of 36 inches to 42.5 inches. Male Labradors are 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall, whereas the female Labradors are 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall.
The lifespan of Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever is a healthy, strong breed with an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
Cost of Labrador Retriever pups
If you are planning to bring home a Labrador puppy then, you should have a large space for the labs to enjoy. Labrador retrievers are not cheap, but the love and happiness they bring to the family are worth it. There is a slight cost difference between purchasing and adopting the Labrador Retriever. The purebred Labrador is more costly than a mixed one. The pure breed of Labrador puppy costs between $700 to $1200. Adopting the Labrador is less expensive than purchasing one from the breeder. It usually costs about $400 to $900.
How to groom Labrador Retriever?
Labrador Retrievers are an easy-going breed, but grooming is not easy. They have short, dense coats, which is easy to care for. They shed profusely mostly in spring and fall, so you should groom your Lab from time to time. Grooming a Labrador retriever is an enjoyable bonding time. A good quality slicker brush, a steel comb, nail trimmer, and spray are some of the basic grooming suppliers of Labrador Retriever. Some of the steps to groom your Lab are:
Inspecting
Begin each grooming session of your Lab with a head to toe massage. Massaging a dog helps to loosen dead hair and skin. Pick up each foot, wiggle each toe, and gently rub each ear to make your Lab feel pleased.
Prepare your Labrador Retriever’s coat for grooming.
This step involves two processes, brushing and bathing Labs. Spend some extra time for the Labrador Retriever’s body where the fur is thick. Brush the coat from head to toe once a week with proper care. Remove matted hair with the help of a sharp pair of scissors. The brushing action simulates the natural oil in the skin and keeps their coat glistening.
If your Labrador Retriever is dirty and smelly then, bath it before grooming. Bath your Lab with a quality shampoo and warm water, once in every two months. Frequent bathing can dry out their skin. After bathing, comb, or brush your Labrador Retriever again to straighten out the coat.
Trim your Labrador Retriever’s coat
A Labrador retriever has a topcoat and water-resistant undercoat, which helps to keep the dog at a comfortable temperature. This combination traps cool air between the coats on a hot day and catches a warm breeze on a cold day. So, avoid trimming your Lab’s entire skin and use a pair of thinning shears for fur trimming. Trim the Labrador’s coat from feet, leg, body, chest, neck, ears up to its tail. Do not trim the fur too short. Trim the length by tapering the coat from base to its tip.
Complete the grooming of Labrador Retriever
The grooming of the Labrador Retriever is not complete without paying attention to its ears, eyes, and nails. If your Lab’s ears look dirty, clean the visible parts with a cotton ball. Check your Lab’s eyes daily for discharge or irritation. Use mineral oil and cotton ball to clean your dog’s eyes, but do not apply directly in the eyes. Take your time and cut your Labrador’s toenails using a good pair of dog nail trimmers. If you don’t want to bath your Lab then apply dry shampoo. To complete the grooming rituals, remember to use flea and tick preventive. Apply pest control products.
Allergies
In addition to the loving nature of labs, they develop some allergic problems. Labrador Retrievers can be allergic to various substances like house dust, food, chemicals, bacteria, and pollen. In response to these allergies, the dog’s immune system produces a protein called immunoglobulin E, which makes their skin itchy, causing inflammation and irritation. The feet, folds of skin, belly, and ears are most affected. Some common allergies in Labs include flea allergies, food allergies, inhalant allergies, and bacterial allergies. Licking the paws, hot spots, frequent ear infections, and rubbing the face are the most common signs of allergies. There are many treatment options available for the allergies, and get your Labrador Retriever checked by your vet.
Infections and diseases
Labrador retrievers are generally healthy, but they are prone to some health conditions like other breeds. Many health conditions and diseases are genetic. Getting a Labrador is similar to having a child. If you are planning on buying or adopting Labs, you should be aware of their health problems, and you need to take good care of it.
1. Infections
Labrador Retrievers are a cheerful breed, but still are susceptible to viral and bacterial infections such as rabies, distemper, and parvo. These infections can be found in other dog breeds also. They are preventable through vaccines, which are recommended based on their age.
2. Dental diseases
Dental disease is one of the common problems in Labrador Retrievers. It starts with the tartar build-up on the teeth that leads to infections of the teeth’ roots and gums. If you don’t treat this disease, then your Lab may lose his/her teeth and damage his/her kidneys, heart, liver, and joints—this further results in shortening the life cycle of Labrador Retriever by one to three years. So, keep those pearly white teeth clean.
3. Obesity
Obesity is a significant disease in Labrador Retrievers. This serious problem causes joint problems, back pain, metabolic and digestive disorders, and heart disease. This problem can be treated by giving affection and doggie treats, playing with your Lab, taking for a walk, or brushing fur and teeth.
4. Parasites
Different kinds of bugs and worms can invade your Labrador Retriever’s body inside and out. Fleas, ticks, and ear mites are some parasites that can infect the ear and skin of Lab. Other pests such as whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms can get into the Labrador’s body by drinking unclean water, being bitten by an infected mosquito, or walking on contaminated soil. They can be transmitted to your family members and is a serious problem. These parasites can cause pain, suffering, and even death. So, take preventive medicine to keep your Labrador Retriever healthy.
Genetical diseases of Labrador Retriever
As mentioned earlier, some of the illnesses are affected genetically to the Labrador Retriever. Some of the disorders are described below:
1. Diabetes
Any dog breed can be affected, but Labs are affected the most by this common disease called diabetes. It is a serious problem, which needs to be diagnosed and treated in the early stage. Diabetes can be diagnosed through several lab tests. Labrador Retriever is unable to regulate the metabolisms of sugar and requires daily insulin injection. The symptoms of this disease include weight loss, along with excessive eating, drinking, and urination.
2. Eye problems
Labrador retrievers inherit different eye problems genetically. Some of the eye conditions cause blindness if not treated in time. This problem is extremely painful. The most common eye disease in Labradors is a late-onset form of progressive retinal atrophy called rod-cone degeneration.
3. Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer, one of the leading causes of death in older dogs, and its symptoms include weight loss, swollen gland, and labored breathing. Lymphoma or Lymphosarcoma makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells. This disease is diagnosed through blood tests and is treated through chemotherapy. Most tumors are surgically removed, and they look similar to skin lumps and lesions.
4. Bone and joint problems
Numbers of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Labrador Retrievers. Dysplasia is an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly, which results in arthritis. You may notice that the Labradors have difficulty getting up from lying down, and they begin to show lameness in legs. This problem causes undue pain and suffering to your Labradors. This problem can be diagnosed through X-rays and treated to prevent illness and suffering. Surgery is the best option to address this problem.
5. Liver problems
Labrador Retriever is likely to suffer from a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). If this disease is seen in your Lab, surgery may be needed, or you can treat it with a special diet and medication. Labrador is prone to a chronic liver disease called hepatitis, which is diagnosed through liver biopsy or blood testing. Hepatitis is treated with special diets and medications.
6. Epilepsy
Labrador Retrievers are mostly affected by epilepsy. There are three different types of seizures: reactive, primary, and secondary. Reactive seizures are caused by the brain’s reaction to problems like organ failure or low blood sugar. Secondary seizures are the result of stroke, trauma, or brain tumor. And primary seizures result in no other cause. If your Labrador Retriever has a seizure, prevent it from injuring himself, and he/she may bite you accidentally. Long medication helps to keep these seizures under control.
7. Heart disease
Some of the Labrador Retrievers can be born with different heart defects. They inherit a heart problem called aortic stenosis, which affects the structure of the heart. It causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow, leaving the heart. Symptoms such as coughing, fainting, swollen belly, and tiredness are seen. If this problem is severe, your dog may have difficulty breathing, may faint, or run out of energy during exercise. They are also prone to a life-threatening heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
How to care for your Labrador Retriever?
You should take special care if you are raising a Labrador Retriever. Make a schedule to care and help your Labrador to stay healthy and live longer. Proper diet and exercise routine are also important for their health.
- Labrador retrievers have good teeth, so brush them at least twice a week to keep them perfect.
- Groom your Labrador regularly. The eyes and ears should be cleaned weekly, even as a puppy.
- Brush the dense coat from head to toe once a week.
- They have a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise.
- Feed them a high-quality diet appropriate according to the age.
- Provide clean and fresh water.
- They are an active breed. Exercise your dog regularly for 20-30 minutes, but do not overdo it.
- Do not let your lab puppy play on the very hard substances until the joins are fully formed.
- Labrador retrievers are mouthy, and they love having something to carry in their mouth. Try giving them a ball, newspaper, or a soft toy but not hard ones.
- If Labrador shows any kind of pain, then, visit the vet as soon as possible.
- Keep your Labrador Retriever in good shape.
Can the Labrador Retriever be mixed?
The answer to this question is yes. The purebred Labrador retrievers are beautiful, and its mixes are amazing too. This versatile breed can be mixed with many other adorable kinds to make some pretty cross-breeds.
Some of the Labrador retriever mixes are:
- Labrador Retriever x Afghan Hound = Afador
- Labrador Retriever x Basset Hound = Bassador
- Labrador Retriever x Border Collie = Borador
- Labrador Retriever x Boxer = Boxador
- Labrador Retriever x Chow Chow = Chabrador
- Labrador Retriever x Corgi = Corgidor
- Labrador Retriever x Doberman = Doberdor
- Labrador Retriever x German Shepherd = German Sheprador
- Labrador Retriever x Golden Retriever = Goldador
- Labrador Retriever x Husky = Huskador
- Labrador Retriever x Poodle = Labradoodle
- Labrador Retriever x Bernese Mountain Dog = Labernese
- Labrador Retriever x Pitbull = Pitador
- Labrador Retriever x Rotweiler = Rottador
- Labrador Retriever x Springer Spaniel = Springador
There are many other cross-breeds among Labrador and other breeds. Among different cross-breed, the best one is Goldador, a mix between Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Goldador is highly intelligent and easy to train, and they have an average lifespan of up to 15 years. This is the perfect pet for your family.
The preferred food for Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are prone to certain health issues, and choosing high-quality food may reduce the risk of health problems. They need a protein-rich diet with moderate fat and calorie content. The Labrador retriever food should be made from natural ingredients, and nutritionally balanced. Keep your Labrador in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them properly in an appropriate amount twice a day. 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals is recommended for Labs. The dog foods are available in Pet shops, online stores, or in some grocery stores.
Some healthy foods for your Labrador Retriever are:
- Small pieces of carrots, raw or cooked.
- Half of the fried or boiled egg.
- Small pieces of fresh apples
- Two tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Some of the best dog food for labrador retrievers is listed below:
- Wellness Core Large Breed Dog Food.
- Sport Dog Active Series Field Dog Formula.
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie.
- AvoDerm Natural Large Breed Adult Dog Food.
- Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Field Dog Diet.
- Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete.
- Orijen Original Dog Food.
- Nutro Ultra Adult Dog Food.