A famous saying about dogs goes, dogs are the only animals that love you more than they love themselves. Looking at dog owners’ past experiences around the globe where dogs have jumped in headfirst to save their owners in life-threatening situations only makes this saying truer. There are also many children’s stories like that of the hunter and his dog, which further adds depth to the saying.
For many people, adopting a dog is like having a child; for others, having a dog means having a best friend, so choosing to adopt a dog is an enormous decision. In this quest, people want to make a decision that they do not regret later. And so the search begins for some of the most friendly and popular dog breeds.
They shortlist their decision to three or four breeds with the top being Labradors. If you are one of those people or you are still searching for more information on Labradors, we have got you covered. This article aims to briefly inform you of Labradors, from a pup to a full-grown dog.
Labradors breed profiles:
There are some dogs that look aggressive and give off an intense aura which sometimes makes it hard to have fun with the dog. However, Labradors look friendly and give off a calm aura which makes everyone around them comfortable.
Basic information on Labradors:
- Colors of Labradors:
The Labradors come in three colors, yellow, chocolate, and black. - Height of Labradors:
he height of Labradors is one of the things that is unique to the gender of Labradors. For the male, the height ranges between 57-62 cm and as for the female, the height varies between 55-60 cm. - Weight of Labradors:
The weight of Labradors also varies depending upon the gender of the dog. The male Labradors have a weight range between 29-36 kg and that of female labrador, 25-32 kg. - Life expectancy:
Labradors are known to have a life expectancy of 10-14 years. - Health issues:
Now that we have the basic information out of the way, let us shed some light on the various health problems that Labradors may face.- Obesity.
- Heart disease.
- Joint problems.
- Ear infection.
- Coldwater tail.
- Ligament injury.
- Retinal Atrophy.
- Bloat.
- Cancer.
- Ultimate guide on a Labrador puppy:
In this section, we will be going over some of the difficulties that most people encounter when choosing or taking care of Labradors puppies. - Choosing a Labrador puppy:
There are many difficulties in adopting a Labrador puppy, especially the one with good health, and so, what are some things that you need to make sure of before buying a Labrador puppy? - Features of a healthy puppy:
An essential element of a healthy puppy is its eyes. The eyes of the puppy should be bright, white, with a glossy coat. Moreover, the puppy should have no tick or parasite problem and should be energetic and clean. - Temperament assessment:
Temperament assessment should be done of the dog. Some dogs have the habit of chewing or biting, which can be troublesome in the long run and so, a clear assessment should be made about what you are looking for in a dog. - Well-socialized assessment:
Sometimes the puppies get spooked or frightened when they encounter someone they have not seen before. Before buying a puppy, try to cuddle or hold your furry friend to get an idea of the dog’s socialization. - Vaccinated:
This is also one of the most crucial steps to check before getting a puppy. Ask for a proper vaccine certificate outlining the vaccines given to the dog and also ask if the puppy has been treated or given medicine for deworming. - Drawbacks of getting an overly active puppy:
Some people jump into getting the first puppy they see which is the wrong way. Anyone who is getting themselves a puppy should first assess what his needs are for the puppy. Labradors are mostly hunting dogs which makes them active by genetics. And so, if you are someone who does not do many activities or you have very busy days, then look for some puppy that is not overly active. - Some puppies need daily exercises, long runs, and a big space. If your busy schedule does not allow for these activities, it can lead your dog to get frustrated and show destructive behavior which may get you scolded for ruining the new sofa or breaking the new set of expensive glasses that you got for the anniversary.
- Unique attributes of Labradors puppies:
Some of the most distinctive features of Labradors are:- Weather-resistant coat.
- Otter tail
- Broad back skull
- Powerful jaws
- Friendly eyes
- Calm temperament
- Clean-cut head
- The ultimate guide to adult Labradors:
After looking at the information on Labrador puppies, we will now be looking at the Labrador adults and answering some of the most common questions. - What is the behavior of adult Labradors like?
Labradors are known to have excellent and friendly behavior. They are extremely intelligent and sweet animals that assess the situation at hand and never get aggressive. However, some destructive behavior may be seen at some points in a Labradors’s life. Yet, these issues can be solved by proper training and affection towards your furry friend. - What is the best environment for Labradors?
Labradors are very loving animals, and they can adapt to whatever their owners need. Labradors can also live in apartments and small places with their owners. However, an ample amount of daily exercise is recommended for Labradors. - What are the exercising needs of Labradors?
The exercising needs vary from dog to dog. An average healthy dog needs to exercise/play for about 1 hour daily; a relaxed Labrador needs 45 minutes of exercise. In contrast, active Labradors need almost one and a half-hour training, which ranges to swimming, playing fetch, running, and other activities aside from walking. - Are Labradors safe with children?
Labradors are known to be one of the most friendly dog breeds for the children. Labradors are known to be enthusiastic and friendly. However, these dogs are also energetic, jumpy, and require a lot of exercises which should be kept in mind. - How much grooming is required for Adult Labradors?
As many of you may be aware, Labradors have thick fur around their body. In winter, this fur protects them from the cold, and in spring, the extra coat starts to shed, which means that Labradors adapt to the weather. Naturally, you should always plan to have a vacuum at your disposal. Other than that, there are all the other grooming needs like nails, teeth, and other needs like every other breed of dog. - The ultimate guide to senior Labradors:
As the dog gets older, the more prone to the diseases he starts to become, which only increases the medical expenses and difficulties for the owner and the dog. - Meals for Labradors:
There is not much change needed in the dogs’ diet, as the dog gets older, the less exercise he requires as he sits or lies around throughout the day. And thus, the owner needs to be more careful in the diet of the dog. As your buddy gets older, the energy requirement will change. - Exercising needs of a senior Labradors:
As you all know, Labradors are energetic and have hunting genes, which makes them want to exercise daily. However, with old age, the exercise requirement decreases. There will be times when your dog will never get tired, but in their latter days, the exercise will probably be limited to light walking for a short while.
Conclusion:
- Here we have presented you with a full guide to Labradors, which will take you through each phase of Labradors, be it in adapting, puppy stage, adult stage, or senior stage.
- Most people have questions about choosing a puppy, what are the exercising needs of a Labradors, and how can you manage Labradors in old age? The answers to which have been presented in this extensive guide.
- Please share your experiences with us in the comments.
- How did you choose your puppy?
- What are the exercising needs of your Labrador?
- And, if you own a senior dog, how are you managing him?