All about Labrador Retrievers

The Labrador Retriever is a dog that has the most versatile performance. Breed in recent decades has become one of the most popular among our compatriots. This is not surprising, because Labradors are truly universal: they are used in search and rescue operations, they serve as good guides, and are indispensable in the work of the police, customs services and drug control structures. And in the house, these dogs will become good companions for walking and playing with their big and small owners.

Despite the fact that there are persistent associations between the name of the dog breed and the famous North American peninsula, no correlation between them was found by the researchers. The first mentions of this dog appeared on the island of Newfoundland. The origin of the breed is explained by a variety of theories. According to one of them, the black dogs were the first to appear - the color of their wool resembled deposits of igneous rock, labradorite, widespread in those parts of the mountain. In accordance with another theory, the Europeans gave the name to the animals, who did not particularly understand the toponymy of the New World, so they named the dogs on the grounds that these animals arrived in Europe on ships sailing from the shores of the Labrador Sea. There is a third opinion - some data indicate that both of these breeds arose at about the same time, but due to the annoying confusion of dogs from Newfoundland they were called by the name of the neighboring island - Labrador, and vice versa.

It is believed that the distant ancestors of Labrador retrievers were the water dogs of St. John. Unfortunately, to study their history for the expiration of the years is no longer possible, but dog experts believe that this variety was the result of numerous interspecific crossbreeding of dogs of various breeds that have appeared on the American coast since the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries.

The first researchers to set foot on the shores of Canada were seafarers from Portugal. Most likely, thanks to their efforts, Kan-di-Agua emerged here - water dogs, bred back in the Middle Ages to help navigators. They often served as postmen between ships of the same flotilla, delivered letters to land, helped pull things out by chance, and even participated in the cod pen in distributed fishing nets. These dogs felt great in the water, even at great depths, so Canadians often resorted to their help in the search for drowned people. Unfortunately, a whole galaxy of prohibitive laws that imposed increased taxes for dog breeders led to a significant reduction in the number of these animals, and subsequently their complete disappearance.

Labradors came to the European continent from merchant ships. For a long time between England and Newfoundland, there were strong economic ties - on the shores of Britain, Canadian fishermen were selling their cod. Known for their love for the hunt, the British immediately turned their attention to nimble dogs that are easily trained - this is how the import of “small Newfoundland” dogs began in the 19th century. The designation of the breed, adopted at the present time, appeared only in 1870, around the same period, the source of the “influx of fresh blood” gradually began to dry up, and a few years later, in 1895, the country adopted a quarantine act, according to which the import of animals without semi-annual quarantine the country has been banned. Since then, breeding dogs has become possible solely through internal breeding.

The very first breeders were representatives of the two largest families - the Duke Bachlu and Count Malmesbury, and it was thanks to their efforts that the breed became popular among the English aristocrats. In addition, it turned out that short-haired dogs from the island of Newfoundland became ideal helpers during the hunt for small game. They were distinguished by their gentle disposition combined with endurance, they had the ability to quickly find and aport the shot game and other prey. The great success of large dogs contributed to their exceptional exhibition qualities.

For several decades, there was a complete mess with the assignment of dogs to a particular species. Often there were situations when puppies from the same litter were assigned to different branches of the retriever, but in 1903 the breed was officially recognized, a club of dog breeders was created and several nurseries were organized, the Labrador breeders Club appeared - this organization is still active, tirelessly taking care of maintaining the breed characteristics and purity of the lines.

During World War I, these dogs set off across the ocean again. They quickly became popular in the United States. Gradually, the American type of breed appeared, the disputes about belonging of which do not cease to this day.

Labrador retrievers are very active and nimble dogs of strong build.

When determining the breed cleanliness, experienced breeders in all countries follow the accepted standard of the International Cynological Association. In 2011, its latest edition was approved.

The head is not very massive. The transition from the head towards the face is quite clearly expressed. Nose with large nostrils. The size of both jaws is medium, the canines grow strictly vertically, the grip is strong. The incisors located on top completely overlap the lower ones.

The eyes are small, but not small, the iris is hazelnut or brown in color. Their expression is very clever, reflecting the nature of the pet.

Ears are medium, hanging type, laid back, at the same time, tight to the head.

The neck is strong and muscular, the transition lines are soft.

The top line of the hull is horizontal. The loin is shortened, moreover, it is wide and muscular. The region of the sternum is powerful.

The forelegs are straightened from the elbow to the ground, the bones are strong, the shoulder region is long, slightly oblique. The blades are compact, elongated, thanks to this, a wide step at 90-150 degrees is provided, the paws are round, the pads are developed.

The hind limbs are strong and powerful, with no signs of tilting the croup to the tail. Knees with pronounced angles - 110 degrees, this determines the optimal structure for the correct movement of the back. Hock joints are rather low. The structure of the hind legs corresponds to the front.

In Labrador Retrievers, the tail is quite strong near the base, smooth-haired, it becomes narrower towards the end. This form is called the reverse "otdrovaya."The size is average, usually kept low, ringing is not typical for a dog of this breed.

Retrievers have a very thick, but short hair, rather stiff, and the undercoat is thick, so the dog is protected from frost in the winter. Its color is usually monophonic, most often black, fawn or brown. Fawn is allowed in a variety of colors from pale beige to reddish brown, brown is presented in two colors - chocolate and liver. Allowed a small whitish spot in the region of the sternum.

In accordance with the standards, the growth of males at the withers corresponds to 56-57 cm, females - 54-55 cm. Not so long ago, Labradors with a height of only 50 cm began to appear in European countries, and this trend is of concern to cynological specialists. Body weight is not regulated by standards, but usually the weight of dogs varies from 29 to 36 kg, and the female - from 25 to 32 kg.

It should be borne in mind that Labrador Retrievers differ among themselves not only in the existing official typology (for example, American and English, classical and modern), but also depending on the class of the animal. For example, show dogs, which are bred for competitions and exhibitions, are usually heavier than workers, but the latter are more athletic and their legs are a little longer.

To the main advantages breeds include:

• mental equilibrium;
• friendly character;
• dedication to his master and his family members;
• simplicity in the care and maintenance;
• the ability to easily get along with other pets;
• the ability to use dogs as a guide;
• high intelligence;
• good learning;
• developed hunting instincts;
• strong immunity (subject to successful heredity).

Labrador retrievers have drawbacks. These animals are quite capable of nibbling children's toys and personal belongings of their owner, and in addition, they require walks at any time of the year, regardless of the weather. If an animal has poor genetics, then it is prone to some hereditary pathologies, including oncology. Most owners of Labradors are scared away by the fact that they shed very strongly and also have a rather unpleasant pungent smell.

Argued that Labrador retrievers are animals with a short lifespan. This is not the case; retrievers are healthy animals, and if diseases happen to them, in most cases hereditary, and they can develop not only in adult dogs, but also in puppies. These problems include:

• hip dysplasia - a disease of cartilage tissue, which is expressed by lameness and persistent painful sensations in a dog;
• arthrosis of the knee - is the complete or partial destruction of the articular cartilage in the knee; most often it is imperceptible at early stages, therefore it is diagnosed already in an advanced course;
• retinal atrophy - eye pathology, which in most cases leads to blindness;
• epilepsy is a pathology of a neurological nature, most often hereditary, but in some cases it can develop with adverse life factors;
• Dermatitis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to mistakenly attack the skin of the animal.

There are cases of severe allergies in Labradors, usually food, but sometimes the animal's body reacts to a particular irritant in the environment.

If we talk about the nature of the retrievers, they are distinguished by reliability, loyalty, intelligence and activity. It is rather difficult to find a dog with a softer and more livable character than a labrador.These animals are extremely friendly and in every situation they try to please people. The manifestations of aggression are unusual for them, therefore there are absolutely no difficulties in the house where there are already other pets.

These animals are good to children, their reputation in this matter is truly impeccable, and applies to all children without exception. Labradors are great babysitters, they don't divide babies into friends and foes. With the master children, they “do not spill water” - these are the best companions for games. Away from children, they miss, and being close, they are ready to play with them all day long.

Labradors are also very positive about strangers. On the one hand, this is a plus, since very few people will like to come to visit and be out of favor with a big dog. But at the same time, this is a disadvantage - there is probably no other breed that would be so sincerely happy for strangers - this makes it impossible to use an animal as a watchman.

Labradors are not suitable for protection. The love for people in them is so great that dogs don’t even have an idea that a stranger can hurt them or their owners. The maximum that a dog owner can count on is a light warning bark, but almost immediately he turns into a tender whine and attempts to kiss the stranger.

These are incredibly playful animals, especially in childhood, so it should be noted that these dogs grow up very late, retain all puppy habits up to 3 years old and behave accordingly. Many Labrador breeders even call them “40 kilograms of unmanageable joy,” as they try to throw out all their positive energy at every convenient and uncomfortable event.

The Labrador Retriever is considered an ideal guide for people with disabilities, in particular for the visually impaired, and dogs also have strong therapeutic abilities for people with autism. These animals are often used as service animals during search and rescue operations.including on the water. Labradors have a good scent, so they often help special services in the search for drugs and explosives.

The memory of generations makes an animal excellent friend dogs - they are able to quickly find the hit animals and bring them to hunters. However, if you are not fond of shooting, then you can replace it with active games with your pet - you will only need to regularly sort the balls and sticks away. This is an ideal training for Labradors, which will not only entertain them, but also relieve them of excess calories.

By nature, Labradors are attentive and obedient, they are ready to learn and in any situation to obey the ownertherefore, the training of dogs of this breed can be practiced even at home without recourse to the services of experienced dog trainers. The first thing that the dog must understand for himself is his nickname. Before the end of the vaccine quarantine and, accordingly, before the first exit to the street, the pet must also learn the command “to me”, with the help of which the owner calls the dog.

Professionals point out that the main mistake of breeders is to assume that their dog is intelligent and clever. Of course, Labradors are endowed with intelligence, but when it comes to training, you should not endow dogs with human qualities. The fact is that dogs of this breed are able to distinguish intonation, but it is important to keep in mind that even single-root words always sound differently to them.Therefore, before starting the upbringing, you need to choose a single option for the team and never to incline it, not to substitute it in other words, synonyms. Try to consistently and systematically train your pet to one team by repeated repetitions during the day and only after the animal learns it, you can proceed to the next.

The very first lessons on the street are best spent in a deserted place where no one can distract the young Labrador. It will be better if the training takes place in the form of a game, then the dog will remember all the basic requirements much faster.

After the baby gets comfortable on the street, you need to deal with its socialization. To do this, it should be displayed in places of general walking of dogs. Labrador should form an adequate response to other people's animals and strangers.

Some owners of Labrador retrievers do not go deep into the issues of upbringing and training their dogs, because they believe that natural loyalty, a desire to please the owner and his family members, and the absence of aggression already make dogs adapted to life among people. In this case, they are limited to the development of basic behavioral skills in crowded places. Others, on the contrary, make every effort to get a well-bred dog - then you should turn to professional trainers. It will be quite useful to take a course together with your four-legged pet.

It is important to establish once and for all for your dog the limits of what is permitted. If a puppy is forbidden to pass into some room in the house, for example, into a bedroom, then it only means that access to it must always be closed, regardless of your mood and behavior of the dog.

The vast majority of dog handlers agree that Labradors themselves are a type of retriever, where besides them, includes a few more breeds.

• Golden retriever - this animal has a lot of external similarities with a Labrador, but its coat is slightly longer, and its temperament is more calm and balanced.

• Straight Hair Retriever - exceptionally intelligent and friendly dog, but it is distinguished by suspiciousness and extreme emotionality.

• Chesapeake Bay Retriever - this dog is often called that kind of special forces in the family. The animal was bred specifically for work in the military and rescue departments for use in the most difficult climatic conditions. This species, in comparison with its closest relatives, has greater stamina and a rather severe disposition.

• Curly Coated - Another long-haired retriever in the service, but mostly burglar. Of all the numerous family of retrievers, only this dog has the potential of a guard and guard.

• Novoshlotsky - can also be used as a guard dog, but to a lesser extent than his fellows. This breed is more difficult to train. In our country and in the neighboring countries of the former CIS is not widespread.

Given the hereditary tendency of Labrador retrievers to many diseases, it is necessary to take the choice of a puppy as responsibly as possible. First of all, it should have a fluffy, soft and silky coat with a pleasant smell. Not allowed to discharge from the eyes and ear canals. A good indicator of health will be the activity of a young Labrador - if the pet is cheerful, playful and restless, it means that he has good health. If you are offered a languid and atypical dog, feel free to refuse such an acquisition.

See how the dog reacts to you. Normally, a puppy should not show any signs of fear and shyness when meeting a new person. If you are offered the smallest puppy from the entire litter - this is also a reason to refuse, most likely, the animal is defective.

Usually a puppy is taken from the mother at the age of 2-3 months. Do not buy a newborn Labrador, because in this case, he has not yet received the necessary maternal nutrition. If you take an animal at an older age, it is possible that the puppy did not socialize, but spent all these months in the aviary, then, most likely, the pet will grow aggressive or, on the contrary, too nervous and timid.

Labradors gain the final mass closer to 12 months, and the exterior is formed only by two years, so you can not judge the potential exhibition qualities of a dog in 5 or even 6 months. If you intend to participate in the exhibition activities and pursue the career of your four-legged friend, it is best to attract a competent specialist who will give you the necessary advice when buying a dog.

Usually for exhibitions buy dogs. They look much more spectacular and larger. If your goal is breeding retrievers, it is better to give preference to females. Labrador girls are unlikely to shine at shows, but they can pass on their good heredity to future litters of retrievers.

Since most of the health difficulties of labradors is hereditary, the most basic criterion when buying a dog is the state of health of the parents. Retrievers must be purchased exclusively in nurseries specializing in Labradors, always with a good reputation. There are not many certified breeders in our country, but most of them can provide a pedigree and a veterinary passport for their animals. Even at the stage of absentee selection, make sure that the puppy's photos correspond to reality - often unscrupulous sellers put up images of the strongest and healthiest puppy in the ad, and offer another. It will not be superfluous to ask for an additional photo, for example, in a normal setting, in the circle of his brothers and sisters, and even better, the video.

Before you start a Labrador Retriever, you should create decent conditions for him. Be sure to get a collar, leash and harness, jumpsuit for winter walking. In addition, you immediately need to buy all the necessary equipment for grooming - a furminator, as well as a comb and a clipper - it will be useful to you if the dog walks exclusively on soft ground.

You need to prepare a corner for your pet. First you need to hide all the wires, removing them in special boxes. Do not forget to hide all charges from gadgets and plugs from household appliances, otherwise your pet in the shortest possible time will gnaw through them.

Be sure to set the zone of personal space - the place where the pet will lie must be lonely.It is not necessary to draw up a bench where the household constantly go, next to a working TV, where there is a constant draft or heating devices are located.

Prepare all the necessary utensils - feeders and drinkers. Given that the dog has a very strong sternum, you will not interfere with racks with adjustable height. Bowls can be plastic or metal. Install latches and locks on the doors in those premises, the entrance to which will be prohibited for the pet.

In a private house will require additional preparations for the maintenance of the animal. It is very important to prevent escape - for this you should fence off the open-air cage and make sure that there is only one way out of it, that the fence material is strong and the dog has no loopholes that would allow it to leave its corner without permission.

If the animal will be kept in a booth, then it must be spacious, insulated, with a waterproof roof. It is better to install feeders under a canopy on a flooring.

Try to arrange for your baby entertainment band, which would allow him to frolic while you are not. If possible, organize a small artificial pond - Labradors love water treatments and will not fail to swim in the hot season.

Both types of content retriever have their own subtleties. Thus, in the apartment it will be easy to realize the animal’s need for socialization and constant contact with the owner and his family members. At the same time, we should not forget that Labradors are quite large animals, so with all, even a very big desire, in a small apartment it will be too crowded. In a fenced enclosure, your four-legged friend will receive much less communication than he wants, moreover, the retriever's fur is designed to protect from moisture, but not from the cold, so in any case, in winter, the dog will need to be relocated to a heated room.

Labrador retriever is quite unpretentious in care, because some special skills for the maintenance of this animal is not required. His eyes need to be cleaned once a week with a weak solution of furatsilina or chamomile extract. Ears are occasionally treated with a cotton swab dipped in boric alcohol or veterinary lotion.

Retriever claws usually grind off on their own while walking on a hard surface, but if a dog spends a lot of time on a plot with a grassy lawn or you walk mostly in a parkland, you will have to cut the claws with a special pruner from time to time.

Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the teeth of the pet. From early childhood, puppies should be taught to clean them at least once a week. If you feed your dog dry food, then you can carry out this procedure less often - pellets help clean up tartar. When feeding "naturalkoy" in the diet should include special dental sticks, cartilage and bone, which also relieve plaque.

A little more attention needs pet grooming. Particular care should be taken not to guard the hair, and the undercoat, which is usually thick, fairly dense and waterproof. These properties create a favorable breeding environment for parasites, so these dogs are more likely than others to suffer from fleas.

It is very important to periodically carry out preventive treatment of the dog, at least twice a week brushing it out with the help of a brush-furminator. If you do not pay enough attention to this procedure, then faded hairs will begin to irritate the skin of the dog and ultimately lead to the development of dermatitis.

It is necessary to wash the dog 3-4 times a year or as needed, while it is better to use specialized shampoos intended for thick-haired dogs.

In spring and summer, it is possible for the animal to become infected with mites, so after each walk you should definitely inspect your pet. In addition, once a quarter, as well as before mating, dogs are dewormed.

In 2-3 months labradors put the first vaccinations, then do the vaccination in 6 months and a year.

Labrador is an active dog, which, by virtue of its genetics, is intended for vigorous activity and existence in difficult natural conditions. But the realities of life in city apartments create a significant imbalance between the calories received and the energy lost. All this is becoming a frequent cause of obesity, problems with the heart and blood vessels, as well as joints. To keep the dog healthy for as long as possible, he needs a balanced diet. It is best to give preference to ready-made feeds - they contain all the necessary nutrients in optimal dosages.

If you are a supporter of natural food for the dog, then keep in mind that at least 70% of the diet should be lean meat - veal, beef, lamb or chicken. A couple of times a week it is allowed to replace one feeding with offal - liver or heart.

The remaining 30% is accounted for by cereals and vegetables. It will be useful to add chopped greens or germinated cereals to the mash.

Once a week it is allowed to include low-fat cottage cheese or kefir in the menu, as well as eggs.

In order for the pair for mating was chosen correctly The following principles should be followed.

• Both animals must match each other in the return category.
• Male and female should have a similar exterior.
• Both dogs must be healthy - their physical and mental state should not cause the slightest doubt.
• The fitness of the manufacturers must be satisfactory. Overweight or underweight is not allowed.
• When choosing the optimal pair, you should determine in advance all the advantages and disadvantages of each animal.
• The pedigree of pets must be compatible.
• It is very important that animals have similar weight and weight parameters. Too much difference in these parameters of both parents often causes progeny dysplasia.

Usually, the first estrus occurs in the bitches of Labradors about a year, but at this age it is not recommended to let them become pregnant, since carrying and giving birth only wear out the dog and harm its health and the offspring will turn out weak and sick. It is best to plan a mating for the third estrus, which takes about 1.5 years.

Prices for Labradors are quite high - even the cheapest options with hands cost no less than 15 thousand rubles. However, such pets do not have a passport and pedigree, because there is a high risk that the animal has poor health.

A dog with all the necessary papers, but some defective signs can be a wonderful pet., but will not be able to participate in exhibitions and competitions, and they are unlikely to use it as breeding material. The cost of such dogs is about 25-35 thousand rubles.

Dogs of the show class, whose parents are recognized champions that meet all official breed standards, will cost the owners 40-60 thousand. In this case, your dog will not only be an active participant in exhibitions and competitions, but will also be able to be used for breeding.

Labrador retrievers are not suitable for every family. The owners of a private house with a large plot will become ideal owners for the animal. Fresh air, space and the opportunity to warm up at any time is a real paradise for a retriever., therefore the animal will rush on a site all the days. Keep this in mind if your house territory is planted with flowers, vegetables and young fruit trees.

If the owners' lifestyle is sports, frequent jogging, cycling, hiking and relaxing on the water, then your labrador doesn’t need anything else for happiness. These animals will always find common language with older children. If they love and appreciate sports games, animals will happily race with them and carry out all their teams.

Labradors are suitable for retirees, but only with relatively good health. Pensioners do not go to work - labradors need constant contact with the person, pensioners often walk - Labradors appreciate walking in the street. Especially good companions they will be for people of mature age, doing Scandinavian walking, fishing and swimming.

But the breed is not for everyone. So, it’s better to turn your attention to other animals in the following categories of hosts.

• Resolute gardeners - These people are engaged in bedding and growing crops all day. Labrador at this site will have to keep on a leash, because the dog will not be able to evaluate the efforts of its owners and will be worn around the site, sweeping and breaking all the landings that fall under its paws. If you are from this category, it is better to get yourself a neat lapdog.
• Too busy people - like many other dogs, Labrador retrievers sincerely become attached to their owner and require constant contact. If the dog is alone all day, it can become apathetic, ill, or simply go insane. From a feeling of loneliness, the dog begins to look for things that smell like a master, and communicate with them. If you can not give your pet enough attention, be mentally prepared for the fact that the dog gnaws your shoes. Careerists and workaholics should pay attention to the Greyhounds, Dachshunds or French Bulldogs.
• Families with the youngest crumbs - Of course, a child’s Labrador will never hurt a child specially, but in a fit of playfulness, a dog of such large size may not quite calculate his strength and injure a toddler. In addition, too noisy kids can irritate the Labrador, so young parents should opt for intelligent and well-educated Cocker Spaniels.

For more on the features of the breed, see the following video.