A Labrador Retriever is an exceptional breed of dogs that come in several variations. They well mannered dogs with an affable disposition and are highly intelligent and affectionate with their owners. They make great working dogs since they are always eager to please and also even greater companion dogs for children and adults alike. The Labrador Retrievers were originally bred to be water retrieving dogs so they have a natural love for water and make good ¡°fetch¡± playmates. They are still noted for their aquatic and retrieving abilities until today.
Standards of the Labrador Retriever
A Labrador Retriever standard weight is approximately around 27 ¨C 36 kilograms. They have a tendency to be overweight so owners must be careful of their diet. They have a naturally smooth and short coat that comes in several solid colors, namely black, yellow and chocolate. These are the only accepted colors in the American Kennel Club and others are technically disqualified as not belonging to the breed.
The Labrador Retriever has a typically broad head with a dominant stop and brow. Eye colors are usually hazel and brown and very expressive and kind-looking. The breed has droopy triangular ears that hang close to their heads. The dogs¡¯ muzzle is powerful and of medium length. Labrador retrievers usually have muscular often stocky bodies with a topline that is level.
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 tail of the Labrador Retriever is one of its most distinguishable features. It is supposedly thick at the base and tapers towards the tip. When it is down it should not be longer than the dog¡¯s hocks. The overall appearance of the Labrador Retriever¡¯s tail is rounded and plump.
Disqualifications of show dogs are as follows deviation from the height and too much weight. An overall pink nose or the lack of color or pigment in the nose also causes disqualification. The dog¡¯s eye rims must have pigment or color and docking of the tail or clipping of the ears are considered grounds for disqualifications. The breed only comes in three solid colors, namely black, chocolate and yellow. Variations of the primary color may be accepted (light or dark).
Health and Temperament of the Breed
The disposition of a Labrador Retriever is the most highly appreciated of all its characteristics. It is kind and sweet tempered with an outgoing nature. It tries so hard to please its human family that it is sometimes in the brink of worship. The Labrador Retriever is also intelligent and very gentle towards other living things. It is hardly aggressive and seldom shy.
