The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever tops the AKC’s list once again this year for most popular breed. It is easy to see why this breed is so popular. These dogs are loving, gentle and loyal. Their intelligence makes them one of the easiest breeds to obedience train.

A very important point to keep in mind when deciding on whether a Labrador retriever is the right fit for your family and lifestyle is that these dogs are high energy, especially as puppies. These dogs thrive on companionship and affection. They have a high need to interact with humans. They will not be content to just sit in the backyard. A dog that is bored or feels ignored will have a tendency to become destructive. Labs can be heavy chewers (especially when young) and the shelters are filled with dogs that have chewed through the furniture. A friend of ours had a Lab that took to stripping the living room wallpaper while she was at work!

If you have the time for appropriate training, time for walks, play and affection this breed of dog can easily become the love of your life!

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Appearance & Grooming

The Labrador retriever is low maintenance when it comes to grooming. The coat of a Lab is short, close fitting and sleek. They are generally moderate shedders, although they do have a period of heavy seasonal shedding twice a year. In the fall they tend to loose a lot of thin, downy coat that is replace with a thicker, slightly coarser coat. It is at this time of the year that my dog tends to look heavier in appearance. The coat comes in so thick he actually looks as if he has gained weight!

Springtime brings the heaviest period of shedding. It will help during this period if you brush your dog daily and use a de-shedding type of tool.  We like to do this outside on warm days.

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Care & Feeding

The best advice I can give any Lab owner is PLEASE do not overfeed your dog. Hip, elbow and arthritis are common problems in this breed; Overweight dogs will suffer greatly from these conditions. Keeping your Lab at the proper weight will not be easy. These dogs are chow hounds!

It is a good idea to provide your dog with a daily supplement of glucosamine (for the joints) from the time they are a puppy. The glucosamine will help keep the joints lubricated and prevent early onset of arthritis. This would be beneficial for any large breed of dog. You should give this in addition to a daily multi vitamin.

The recent recalls on dog food have frightened many owners. We had always fed our Guinness fresh cooked food mixed in with a low calorie commercially prepared kibble. Now more than ever it is important to choose these products carefully.

We really want to educate dog owners as to the quality and safety of commercially prepared dog foods. Since we can no longer provide links for this information from our About Me page, we urge you to contact us for a list of resources to help you make the right choice for your dog.

Did you know the proper nutrition can add as much as 8.4 years to your dog's life?!

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