The distinctive characteristics of the Labrador breed make its representatives popular and desirable pets of man. Due to their friendliness, cheerfulness and strength, animals are suitable for different performance activities, and are suitable for different owners, including children who love dogs, and quickly become attached to them.
Puppy size
Labrador has excellent working qualities, ease of movement, impeccable, harmonious body type, besides the dog is well trained, so the breed is considered universal.
There are official standard parameters developed for puppies of these animals by experts RKFnecessary to monitor their development and growth.
The table below is an approximation, and yet you should adhere to the specified values set for small Labradors from 30 days to 10 months:
Age, months | Puppy weight, kg | Height at withers, cm | Head circumference, cm | Chest, cm | Muzzle length, cm | Girth of the muzzle, cm | Size of pasterns, cm |
1 | 3,5-3,8 | to 23.5 | no more than 28 | 37–38 | about 4 | 17 | 9 |
2 | 7–8 | 30–32 | 29–32 | 45–56 | 4,5-5 | up to 22 | 10–11 |
3 | 12–14 | 39–42 | 34–36 | 51–56 | about 7 | 23–24 | 11–12 |
4 | 17–19 | 44–46 | 39 | 60–65 | 7–8 | 24–26 | 11,5–12 |
5 | 21–22 | 48–51 | about 42 | 66–68 | 7,5–8,5 | 25–27 | 11,5–12,5 |
6 | 24–26 | 50–55 | 42–43 | 67–70 | 8–9 | 27–28 | to 12.5 |
7 | 26–28 | 52–56 | 43–44 | 70–74 | 8–9 | 28–29 | 12–13 |
8 | 28–30 | 54–57 | up to 46 | 70–76 | 8–9 | 28–30 | up to 13 |
9 | 29–32 | 54–58 | 46–48 | 70–77 | to 9.5 | 28–31 | up to 13 |
10 | 30–36 | 54–58 | 46–55 | 70–84 | no more than 10 | 28–32 | 11,5–14 |
In the future, the animal is considered an adult, however, some pets continue to grow up to a year, and males are much larger and heavier than bitches.
Any deviations from the norm lead to disqualification of a pet, therefore, when choosing a puppy, you need to take into account many similar nuances. However, in fact, of course, there are differences in the parameters of each small pet, due to individuality due to heredity.
It is advisable to carry out measurements periodically by month, with the help of a specialist, or independently, so as not to miss important points of growing up the dog and the associated changes.
Requirements for the exterior of adult animals
Looking at an adult animal, the Labrador breed gives the impression of a strong, and at the same time compact beast, with a large head, a powerful chest and wide, strong limbs.
The breed standards are:
- flat back with a wide loin, deep chest;
- a thick tail of moderate length gradually tapering towards the tip;
- straight forelimbs with long oblique shoulder;
- low hind paw joints, muscular and well developed;
- a large wide skull with a powerful blunt snout, strong jaws and upright teeth;
- ears - hanging, but not heavy, located behind and adjacent to the head;
- powerful, strong neck;
- hoisted rounded, with developed pads;
- thick, dense coat with waterproof undercoat, without hairs and waves;
- the eyes are small, brown or light walnut, smart and friendly.
Standard color - black, brown. Yellow color provides many shades: from light cream to bright red, the presence of light (white) spots on the chest is allowed.
If you plan to take your pet to the exhibition, you should know what disadvantages a Labrador can disqualify:
- tail bent over the back;
- “Cow” set hind legs;
- fleshy cheeks;
- longitudinal skin folds;
- other deviations from the above standards.
The height of the adult cable at the withers is usually about 56–57 cm, the bitches of the Labrador Retriever are slightly lower, their height is 54–56 cm.
Labrador record holders
Unique animals of this breed, characterized by extraordinary size and superpowers, are listed in the Guinness Book of Records.This is partly due to genetics, but in some cases - the result of long-term training under the guidance of a person.
Here are just some examples of such wonderful animals.
- It is known that the Labrador is a hunting dog, able and loving to swim. But two Labradors - Kai and Gypsy exceeded all expectations. Record holders were able to swim across a 15, 6 km wide bay, and they did it in 6 hours and 18 minutes. The owner of the animals was constantly with them, and encouraged their pets.
- The longest time of active work as a guide has worked a girl named Cindy-Clio from Tel Aviv - 14 years and 8 months.
- Golden Retriever Trepp managed to detain more than 100 criminals, and also to detect drugs in the amount of 63 million dollars during his time in the police service.
- Widespread fame pet named Tabbi brought his work to protect the environment from pollution with plastic containers. For six years, Labrador has collected more than 26,000 bottles.
- The heaviest labrador in the world is registered in Australia. Black dog Sampson weighs 85 kg. However, due to its weight, the animal cannot move, it has shortness of breath and high pressure. The reason for this was improper nutrition. Now the dog lives in a shelter, and doctors help her to lose weight in all available and safe ways.
In addition, along with the German Shepherd, Border Collie, Poodle, Doberman and Husky, Labrador is recognized as one of the smartest dogs with high intellectual potential.
How to measure dog parameters
If the weight of the animal is clear, then other parameters should be dealt with.
- The height of the animal, that is, its height, is measured at the highest point of its withers. For those who do not know what the withers are, you should know that this is the division of the body, where the slope of the shoulder blades converges and the lower point of the neck.
- When you need to measure a pet's head, take the width of the head in the cheekbones - you need to attach the tape to the center of the forehead, and then stretch it into the zygomatic arch in front of the ears.
- The length of the muzzle is measured from the interorbital depressions to the tip of the nose along the lines of the inner corners of the eyes.
- To measure the metacarpus, the tape is passed below the wrist, but above the base of the fifth finger.
- When measuring the chest, the tape should pass around the elbows of the dog behind its shoulder blades.
Height, weight and other parameters of a young dog should be measured regularly. To keep the animal calm, the procedure is carried out before eating, stimulating the animal with delicacy. We can not allow the growth of a puppy stopped or he lost weight. Most often this is due to unbalanced nutrition. However, if you notice that the puppy is not only stunted, it also became sedentary, sad, does not want to play and walk, and also if there was an incorrect setting of the paws, this can signal such an unpleasant disease as rickets.
This disease appears at a young age from a lack of vitamin D, as well as phosphorus and calcium.
The bone mass “does not have time” to grow beyond the muscular one, as a result, the bones become fragile, the back sags, the legs are bent, the growth stops.
How can you help your pet? Contact the vet who will adjust the diet and recommend calcium phosphorus supplement. Also it is worth more often to display a pet in the sun. In the autumn-winter period, this is quite problematic, so you can buy an ultraviolet lamp and once a day irradiate the puppy's tummy, covering its eyes with a dark cloth. You need to start from 5 minutes a day, then add a minute every day; The maximum warm-up time is 10 minutes.
All about breed Labrador, see the next video.
