Gentle giants
The breed is known for its gentle nature. The Labrador Retriever has a very soft mouth. These dogs are so soft that they can hold an egg in their mouth and carry it safely without breaking it. The breed is prized for its uniform temperament and its great ability to safely interact with children when supervised. Labrador Retrievers or “Labs” as they are often nicknamed, love to work and are eager to participate in whatever “work” the family can foster. These dogs excel at sports and games such as agility, frisbee or flyball. They are also very good and enjoy playing catch-up games. These dogs require moderate exercise.
They strive to please
Labs are overly friendly dogs that generally don’t feel anxious about strangers and love to greet new people and animals enthusiastically. Because of this, they are not good watchdogs, but will occasionally bark at sudden noises or a sense of danger. Due to their popularity, Labrador Retrievers are prone to being stolen and it is recommended that each dog be tattooed with a microchip to prevent dogs from sleeping.
Protecting Your Dog: Tattoos Versus Microchip
I suggest the inside of the groin (for tattoos) and the dog’s back (for microchips). Sometimes tattoos will be placed on the inside of a dog’s ear, but I advise against this because some who take dog naps have been known to cut off the dog’s ear, discard the tattoo, and then claim that “their” dog always likes it. one ear was missing. . This is a very unfortunate circumstance.
A Canadian breed
The Labrador Retriever originated on the island of Newfoundland, Labrador, Canada in the 16th century. At the time they were known as the St. John’s Water Dog and were thought to be a mix of English, Irish and Portuguese working dog breeds.
Hard working dogs with jobs
The St. John’s Water Dog played an important role in Newfoundland fishing boats. The dogs were used to retrieve and remove the fishing nets from the water. They also carried ropes between the boats for the fishermen, and even towed the small fishing boats when needed. The fishermen admired the loyalty and hard work of the breeds.
The Breeds Spreading Popularity
The St. John’s Dog gained popularity and arrived in England in 1820. The breed’s loyalty and enthusiasm for working and pleasing its owners impressed many important political figures of the time.
Important political figures who love labs
The first and second Earls of Malmesbury breed Labrador Retrievers because they found great value to the dog’s ability to regain play. The 5th and 6th Dukes of Buccleuch and Lord George William Montagu-Douglas-Scott’s youngest son were credited with developing the St. John’s Water Dog into the Labrador Retriever as we know it today.
The devotion of an earl
The Earl of Malmesbury was so impressed with the Labrador Retrievers’ ability to work in water and on land that he dedicated his entire kennel to developing and establishing the Labrador Retriever breed.
The Labrador Retriever breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1971.
Possible health problems for Labradors
After many years, Labrador Retrievers can be prone to health problems as they age. Some of the health problems to anticipate can be:
– You may need surgery and supportive measures to control pain and maintain mobility. You may need medicine to control pain.
– Muscles change in or around the larynx, causing the dog to have difficulty breathing or change his bark; owners often describe a “honking” sound. The dog may cough or have an exercise intolerance. This condition can be life-threatening and may require surgical repair.
– Joint pain, requires pain management and potentially therapy such as aquatic therapy to maintain range of motion and flexibility in the surrounding joints and muscles.
– The thyroid gland, located near the throat, stops making enough T3 or T4 hormone. This is known as an endocrine disorder. The dog may gain weight, lose hair, and become very lethargic. Treatment is a lifelong prescription drug to replace T3 and T4 levels in the body.
– Treatment depends on the amount of cartilage and joint damage. Conservative treatment may be appropriate for less severe cases, with a regular regimen of strengthening and flexibility exercises. Or surgery in the most serious cases.
– Seizure precautions to protect the safety of the dog when seized in the family home. Medications to prevent seizures must be taken daily.
– It can be controlled with radiation or chemotherapy and drugs to control pain and nausea. Not all cancers are curable and will become terminal.
Thinking About Your Labrador Retriever’s Health
Most labs will be healthy as puppies, but it is not unusual to experience some common breed illnesses as your dog ages. Not all Labrador Retrievers will develop all of these problems, this is just a general idea of the most common breed medical problems. Are you prepared to take care of your dog if he gets sick? Do you have a trustworthy vet that you trust for tough discussions? Have you considered how long you would “hold out” in regards to your dog’s quality of life?
Comfortable and discreet Fitbark technology so that you know the health of your dog
Some dog owners enjoy using the FitBark to monitor their Labrador’s health and fitness. The FitBark device is a lightweight, discreet, comfortable and portable technology for your dog. Data is easily synced to your smartphone, watch, and other devices to monitor your breed-specific health and activity. You can even set the app to combine both – your stats and your dog’s so you can stay healthy together!
Fitbark continuously monitors your dog’s activity, sleep and nutrition in real time and provides you with measurable results. You may find it helpful to have daily results to discuss at veterinary follow-ups and to plan specific breed health and fitness goals. Fitbark is consistently rated the # 1 Dog Monitor in consumer reviews and 4.5 / 5 stars by various platforms, and many vets “like” them! Designed by veterinarians and animal researchers, this innovative technology is the first to analyze dog kinetics and behavior for measurable results. Fitbark uses intuitive technology to track steps and is the only health monitor that realizes the value of sleep quality in holistic health.
So whether your lab is getting older and you want to monitor activity and sleep to guide pain management, or you’re in the early stages of meeting your new Labrador puppy, Fitbark gives you answers your dogs wish they could! tell him! Take the guesswork out of raising your dog, with the most comfortable technology (for your dog to use) and the most valuable information for you to monitor his health and fitness.
Labrador Retrievers are still the most popular because …
Today you learned that Labrador Retrievers are popular dogs all over the world! Including countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Labradors are friendly dogs that are easy to train and love adventures! This makes them ideal for families with young children or teenagers. Labs love water and are specially bred to excel at water sports, but enjoy recreational swimming. The servant originated in Canada but spread to the rest of the world quickly due to his docile character, motivation to “work” and ease of training. . Labs have their share of common health issues, but with healthy planning and lifestyle and diet these dogs should thrive for many happy years in a loving family home.
What do you love the most about your labrador retriever?