| |
 |
Breed
Information
Things
you should know about Labs
- Labrador
Retrievers (Labs) are a highly intelligent, athletic
and an active working breed. They are NOT typically
lap dogs (although many will try and sit on your
laps).
- Labs
are companion dogs in the truest sense. They thrive
around and must be with their people a majority
of times. Denying a Lab interaction with people
is quite simply denying them part of their livelihood.
- Labs
are bred to be a versatile and loyal companion and
working dog. They have high retrieving drives that
help them excel in the field, great athleticism
that can be shown in agility trials, high intelligence
helping to make them great search and rescue and
companion animals, and temperaments so gentle and
loyal they are great family pets.
- Labs
are not dogs that can be left to their own devices.
They require an ample amount of exercise, training,
and attention for them to be happy. A solid balance
of exercise (such as walks and fetch) and mental
enrichment (obedience or therapy dog training) for
it not to become an annoyance.
- Labs
(as with other dogs) can and do get destructive
when they are bored. Remembering that a tired dog
is a good dog will ensure a great and lasting relationship
with your Lab.
- Whether
you get a puppy at 8 weeks from a responsible and
reputable breeder or you rescue a Lab from your
local shelter or rescue, it is essential to give
the dog a good amount of time and attention.
- You
should have your dog spayed or neutered at the appropriate
age (usually at around 18 months for dogs and before
a first heat for bitches, unless it has been done
for you). You should always keep your bitch that
is in season away from all other dogs and watched
closely.
- Labs,
as well as many other larger breed dogs, are prone,
both genetically and environmentally, to a number
of joint and ligament disorders. Among those disorders
are elbow and hip dysplasia.
- A
“purebred” Lab is considered a Lab that
has no mixed heritage in it’s ancestry. Just
because a dog is a purebred and registered doesn’t
mean that it is a breedable specimin. Being a registered
purebred dog means just that. It’s purebred
and the registry recognizes it.
- If
you are considering getting a Lab or any other dog
for that matter, you must recognize the financial
and time committment a dog requires. They can live
upwards of 15 years, and needs to have time dedicated
to them. The time required by each individual dog
varies. Puppies require much more time than older
dogs.
back
|
 |
