It’s no secret that Labradors are an incredibly popular dog breed, in fact, for a long time, they were officially the most popular breed in the UK and have only recently lost that mantle to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Labrador breed originated in Newfoundland, Canada where they were initially kept to help fisherman as water dogs not only hauling nets, fetching and retrieving fish but also providing wonderful companionship for their owners.
Their high intelligence, energy, stamina and eagerness to please has made them very useful as working dogs. They can be used for retrieving game, as well as assistance dogs for the handicapped, search and rescue dogs, and sniffer dogs to name but a few jobs.
Being one of the most popular breeds does come with its own issues, one being that there are plenty of dodgy breeders who care much more about making money than they do about the health of their dogs. It's important that you make sure you buy a Labrador puppy from a well-respected breeder who provides all the necessary documents and health checks.
Labradors are well known for their affection and intelligence, which is why their popularity and reputation as the perfect family pet has always been so high.
They're very easy to train, so easy in fact that people often think training isn’t necessary, but that's not the case as they need training as much as any other breed, they just respond very well to it, so you mustn't neglect that responsibility.
Another reason why they're such a popular family dog is that they're very good with children, other dogs, and strangers. In fact, don’t count on them to be guard dogs because they’re more likely to welcome thieves in and lick them than they are to scare them off.
They have bundles of energy, so if they don’t receive the exercise they need, they will soon release their energy in other ways such as barking, chewing, and digging.
Labradors are better suited to living in a home with a garden that they can go outside and play in with their family. They also don't tolerate being left home alone, so they are not a good choice for someone who has to leave the house for longer than an hour or two every day.
Labs are bred for physically demanding jobs and have the energy to match that, so they require lots of exercise and stimulation which means you need to be able to provide at least an hour of exercise every day to keep them healthy and well behaved.
Compared to other breeds, Labradors are easy to groom, but they do shed a lot, so you will need to invest in a quality vacuum and be prepared to brush them daily to reduce the amount of loose dog hair in your house. You should also bathe your lab every two months or so to keep them looking and smelling clean.
Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better to prevent gum disease.
Trim their nails once or twice a month, but always bear in mind, if you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long and should be cut immediately. Not only does trimming the nails keep their paws in good condition, it also protects you and anyone else when they jump up.
They are prone to ear infections, so check ears regularly for any sign of infection which could be redness, sores, or bad odour and gently wash their ear with a cotton wool bud and cleaning solution, but to avoid damaging the ear canal, only clean areas you can see.
They absolutely love to eat and can easily become obese, so a poor diet and lack of exercise can easily turn your lean Labrador in to an overweight dog with multiple health issues.
Split their dog food in to two meals a day and stimulate them by turning treat giving in to a problem-solving exercise.
Labradors are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to some health conditions more than others.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) is an orthopaedic condition caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints.
Improper growth can sometimes be caused by feeding puppy’s growth formula or high-protein foods which unnaturally speed up development.
The condition usually occurs in the elbows but has been seen in shoulders as well. The main symptom is painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend their elbow.
OCD can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months old, so call your vet if you notice your pet in visible pain in the elbow region, particularly when trying to bend.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina.
Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind, with the loss of sight during the day occurring as the disease progresses.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment, but it is known that the condition doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort and most dogs will adapt well to their limited or lost vision, so long as their surroundings and environment stay the same.
Myopathy is a condition that affects the muscles and nervous system of a dog, causing tiredness and stiffness, and they may even collapse after exercise.
Signs of Myopathy usually appear as early as 6 weeks old, and often by 7 months. As the condition progresses, the affected dog’s muscles will ware away, making it so the dog can barely walk or stand.
Sadly, there is no treatment other than rest, and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Cold Tail is a common condition in Labradors and other retriever breeds. Although common, it’s not something that you need to be too concerned about.
It is a benign but painful condition which essentially causes the tail to go limp and your dog may try to bite it.
Generally, the condition will resolve itself after a few days.