How to care for a Labrador?

Playful and cute Labradors are known to many people - it is simply impossible not to pay attention to them on the street. The kind look of this dog and its friendly character made the breed very popular. If you decide to make yourself such a friend, you should know how to properly care for him. And we will answer most questions about the content of a Labrador.

A Labrador is a dog friend, companion dog. The breed is universal, because these dogs can be used as guide dogs, hunting assistants, and even nannies. It is surprising that the characteristics of these dogs are so diverse and include so many canine "professions".

Ideal for living in a large family with children. They have a great time in the company of people and love everyone indiscriminately. So, perhaps, the only minus that can be found in the description of the breed is their inability to distinguish the enemy from the other. As a caretaker, Labradors will not do, unless they lick up a robber who crept in before he dies.

These dogs love to swim. Nature rewarded them with a special paw structure. They have membranes, which allows dogs to move faster in the water than ducks and not to tire for a long time while swimming. Their tail is like an otter's tail. Labradors twist them in the water and thereby change the direction of motion. Dog hair is also adapted to water procedures - it is thick and multi-layered, and the bottom layer is covered with fat.

The back of the Labrador has a reinforced muscular corset, which allows them to jump high and far. The recorded Labrador jump record is 8 meters long. However, this advantage is overshadowed by possible problems with the joints in the dog’s old age.

Carrying anything in the mouth, the Labradors do not damage it by gritting their teeth. This canine feature is called a “soft mouth.” This is very important for future owners with small children. Labradors are characterized by quite good health, do not fear the cold. They have an excellent memory, are quickly trained and try to take a leading position in the host family.

Many owners of private houses are concerned about where to keep a Labrador. It is unpleasant if the dog will freeze in the winter or suffer from the heat in the summer. In fact, such a breed of dog feels good both in the house and on the street, provided it provides the necessary comfortable conditions.

In a private house or apartment, an active dog can make a serious mess by sweeping away everything in its path with a fluffy and restless tail. Prevent regular pranks only good education and training.

Indoors, the dog must have its own corner, where lies the litter and a pair of toys. The resting place should be located away from the batteries and drafts in order for the Labrador to be comfortable and warm, but not hot.

For adult dogs, several layers of cloth wrapped in a blanket, a piece of thick carpet or a flat pillow can be used as bedding. If there is a removable cover on the litter, then it will be much more convenient for the owner to keep this place clean. It is necessary to clean up after the dog every day, sweeping away the fallen wool. Once a week it is necessary to wipe the floors without using aggressive detergents.

Living in a private courtyard can be a real pleasure for the dog, if you give it space for games and a convenient place to rest. Equipped aviary will help the dog to behave actively, and this means that the Labrador will not be bored. Ideally, the aviary will be located on a lawn with grass, and no more than half of this place will be illuminated by bright sunshine in the summer.

In the aviary, you must leave a bowl with clean water, as a constantly frolicking dog must at any time be able to quench its thirst. Food is better to bring in accordance with the selected mode.

Equipped booth will help protect the dog from the sun and rain, as well as warm on cold nights. Inside the booth should be warm upholstery, and the location of the house should be thought out in advance: a constant shadow or the scorching rays of the sun - not the best option.

And at the time of severe cold is better to give a Labrador overnight stay inside the owner's room.

Labradors are pretty unpretentious dogs. Special care should be made only for the puppy, because it is prone to various diseases and problems. The dogs of this breed are very clean, so taking care of them at home is not a big deal. Let's take a closer look at how to properly care for a Labrador.

Labradors are very active dogs. They need to throw out their energy somewhere, so walking is an integral part of the healthy lifestyle of these dogs. To meet their needs, you need to walk with them at least twice a day for an hour.

A leisurely walk on a leash in the park is not what Labradors need. They need to be allowed to play and run without a leash. The best option would be to find a friend for your dog, the same breed or similar in behavior. Then the Labrador will receive the positive emotions and activity necessary for it.

If the possibility of walking in the company of another dog is not, then the owner himself must assume the role of an active companion. Bring a stick, catching a flying saucer or a ball is perfect for a good-natured dog. But the best entertainment for a Labrador will be swimming in the near reservoir, which has the best effect on his health and nervous system.

The owner is important to remember that the reservoir, according to the Labrador, is any puddle or ditch with mud. therefore you need to be prepared for the sudden and not too pleasant water procedures of your pet, and then - to his thanks in the form of hot and dirty hugs.

A separate article on the care of this wonderful pet - Labrador hygiene. Do not let the state of the dog on its own, to Labrador remained healthy and active throughout his life.

The coat of this breed is rather thick, therefore You need to comb it at least every other day. Puppies should do it every day. Do not bathe the dog with shampoos too often. As it becomes dirty, it needs to be cleaned, but if there is not so much dirt, it is better to remove it with a damp cloth.

For the first time, it is best to perform a claw clipping procedure at a veterinarian to see how to do it correctly and safely. Labrador needs to brush your teeth about once a week with a special dog toothbrush. Ears are a weak spot of Labradors, so they should be regularly cleaned with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine solution with a cotton swab.

Special care should be taken for puppies.. Before walking, their legs must be rubbed with wax, as they are still very delicate and prone to injury. The eyes of the cubs also require additional daily cleaning. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in a special liquid.

Labrador is a rather large dog, so feeding such a pet will cost you a pretty penny. To give your pet everything necessary for life, you must include in its diet all the ingredients in the right proportions. Namely: proteins - 15 g per 1 kg of weight, carbohydrates - 5 g per kg of weight, and fats - 2 grams. The optimal composition of BJU - a guarantee of health of your dog, and it is especially important to observe the correct diet for puppies.

Here are some products that are ideal for eating Labrador every day.

• Meat. Suitable low-fat varieties: chicken, beef, turkey. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to give offal: liver, udder, scar. Sometimes breeders give the meat raw, but to eliminate infections and parasites, it is better to cook it all the same.
• A fish. An indispensable product, and is suitable as a source of easily digestible protein and fatty acids. It is necessary to give only boneless sea fish and boil it well before feeding.
• Krupa. Complex carbohydrates in the form of porridges must be ingested into the dog's body. The best grains for Labrador will be buckwheat and rice, as allergies may occur to oatmeal. In addition to these products, crackers from rye bread can be used as a source of carbohydrates.
• Dairy products and eggs. Labradors every day give chicken yolk, which is mixed with cereal and meat. From dairy products it is better to give preference to kefir, cottage cheese, cheese and sour cream.
• Vegetables. As a vitamin supplement to the diet should be given a variety of vegetables. They improve the digestive tract. Ideal beets, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots and cabbage. They are boiled, ground and given with a spoon of vegetable oil or sour cream.

Labradors also give Complete dry feed. It must be chosen from the species. premium class, as only such food can provide all the needs of the body of an active dog.

It is useful to give labradors special vitamin supplements, which are sold in veterinary stores and pharmacies.

These dogs love to eat and eat everything they offer. However, it is necessary to limit the consumption of such foods by the dog: flour and sweet products, fried fatty foods, smoked foods, spices, bones and rotted foods.

Expert advice will help labrador owners avoid mistakes in keeping dogs.