Labrador Retrievers are very popular dogs in the United States of America. This is because they are very affectionate dogs that are eager to please their owners. They have highly exceptional intelligence and are very people oriented dogs. Labrador Retrievers are said to have originated from Newfoundland where they are close relatives of the Newfoundland dogs. They were originally used as retrievers of water fowl when their owners went hunting and are still used for that purpose today although some treated as companion dogs already.
Standards of The Labrador Retrievers
The height of Labrador Retrievers should be approximately 21 ? inches to 24 ? inches from the withers. Their weight should be around 55 to 80 pounds and they should be compact and well proportioned. Their coat shall have short, dense fur and the accepted colors are black, yellow and chocolate.
Labrador Retrievers¡¯ heads are generally broad and have well pronounced stops and brows. They should have brown or hazel colored eyes which have an intelligent and kind look to them. Most Labrador Retrievers have very expressive eyes and expressions. The ears are pendant and hang close to the face, a little above the eye line. Labrador Retrievers¡¯ muzzles are medium in length and a bit broad with powerful jaws and neck. Despite this, they are noted to have gentle mouths and handles people gently when they take their hands in their mouths.
NEWS FLASH - 2012-02-10Dog Kidney Failure
The last thing that any dog owner wants to hear is that their dog has kidney failure. Most people don't even want to think about the possibility that it can happen to them, but the truth of the matter is that nine out of 1,000 dogs suffer from this unfortunate chronic renal disease.
Types of Terriers Safe For Small Children
A lot of children these days have quite the affinity for pet dogs. They would like to play around with them, hold them and generally pet them around. To little ones, these are their first best friends. Yet, it isn't all the time that the feeling is returned. At times, what would be a kind gesture or show of affection for us can be taken in a different way by our dogs. At worst, this would result in tragic results. Needless to say, any dog can be trained and raised to become your most devoted companion, but you have to understand that not all dog breeds are actually safe for youngsters.
Golden Retriever Puppies: What You Need to Know Before Adding a Golden Retriever Puppy to the Family
Golden Retriever puppies are commonly looked for because of their friendly personality. Besides being well-tempered, Golden Retriever puppies are also extremely intelligent and make amazing hunting dogs. In the mid-eighteen hundreds, a Tweed Water Spaniel (a now extinct dog breed) and a yellow Retriever were bred together to create the Golden Retriever as we know it today.
The most notable physical feature of Labrador Retrievers is their tail. It has been described as otter-like in the sense that it is plump and slightly tapering to the end and the Labrador Retrievers use it to steer them where they want to go. It is covered by the dense short coat of the animal.
Temperament of the Breed
Labrador Retrievers are exceptional dogs that are loyal and devoted to their human families. They are usually good tempered and agile dogs that love the company of people when properly socialized as puppies. They are often boisterous and fun loving which can result o many good times and excessive energy when they do not get enough exercise.
Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to be overweight because they love to eat. Their superior intelligence and willingness to learn make them great working dogs for search and rescue and Seeing Eye dogs. They are often used for police work and as hunting dogs, as they were originally meant to be. Dogs these sizes are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Labrador Retrievers may also have some eye problems and ear infections.