Labrador Retriever Information & Facts – Everything To Know
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So, you’re thinking about adding a Labrador Retriever to the family. Well, before you do so, there are a few things you’ll want to be aware of. That is why we’ve made this hub containing all the Labrador Retriever information you need to be aware of.
As always you can check our main information page for more info, tips, tricks and more all related around your furry friend!
In this article we will be breaking down everything you need to know about Labrador Retrievers, what they’re like, if they’re active dogs, the difference between colors and so much more.
Labrador Retrievers are incredible dogs and once you’ve been around one, you can quickly see why. They’ve topped the list of the most popular breeds for an amazing 28 years straight. They are friendly, working dogs, and are great around children.
My dog Jack (a black lab) was non stop all day, everyday. No matter if it’s raining, snowing or 90+ degrees out… He was always up for a walk and always wanted to play fetch. Now I am sharing this here with you now because I want you to be aware of how active some Labrador Retrievers can be.
On the surface, Labrador Retrievers seem like perfect dogs for anyone and any situation, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
So are you ready to breakdown the A to Z guide on everything about Labrador Retrievers
Where Do Labrador Retrievers Come From
Labrador Retrievers were originally brought to Britain from ships in the 1830s. The Canadines & Poole in Dorsetshire were trading during this time. The Newfoundland region of Canada is actually where the breed can be traced back too. Newfoundland is just above the US’s Northern border an is a short boat or plane ride away.
In the end, European settlers in Newfoundland breed the Labrador Retriever with St. John’s water dogs.
Basic Labrador Retrievers Information
Coming in at Number 1 for the most popular breed in America is the Labrador Retriever. For a anyone looking for a medium-to-large dog, labs are a popular choice. They are friendly, outgoing, and affectionate companions with plenty of love to go around.
Depending on whether they are males or females will play a role in how big they are. The average height of the Labrador Retriever is 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. The thick, hard coat is available in three main colors that include chocolate, black, and yellow.
Labrador Retrievers get along well with the entire family and are amazing housemates. Labrador Retrievers are high energy, athlete dogs who needs lots of exercise, such as swimming and non stop action of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit.
The Two Types Of Labrador Retrievers
There are actually two different types of Labrador Retrievers, which many people are unaware of. These are the American and British Labrador Retrievers.
The American Labs are more athletic and agile, with longer legs, a longer muzzle, and a narrower head.
British Labradors have thick, straight tails, whereas American Labradors tend to have thinner, occasionally curving tails. The British Lab typically has a thicker coat.
The differences between the two Labs go beyond just height, coat, and shape, though.
British Labs are calmer, quieter, softer, and less active than American Labs, which are more active, energetic, and driven, according to breeders and breed clubs. English Labs frequently still possess a lot of vigor.
American Labrador Retrievers are bred for work and are active. They have more energy and drive. This makes them more popular with farmers, hunters, and people who want an active dog.
American Labrador Retrievers are frequently referred to as working or field dogs, whereas English Labrador Retrievers are typically referred to as show dogs.
Just keep that in mind as the two types of labs can actually be quite different on how they react.
What Were Labrador Retrievers Bred To Do?
Following their return to England in the 1800s as duck retrievers, labs were bred by the British as hunting partners. They can now work in a variety of environments, including waterfowl hunting and game hunting, frequently for long periods of time, and are excellent retrievers.
What To Expect When Getting A Labrador Retriever
Having a dog is a responsibility not just a privilege. They deserve so much because they depend on us for everything from their food to shelter. You must be aware of the commitment required of dog owners before bringing a dog into your life.
Especially when it comes to Labrador Retrievers, as we stated above they require a lot of exercise daily. So be ready for daily walks and plenty of throws of fetch.
Colors Of Labrador Retrievers
Black, chocolate, and yellow are the three primary colors of Labrador Retrievers.
Different shades of these colors can be achieved through breeding darker tones to deeper hues, as with the red fox Lab, or through genetic variations like diluted genes. The typical Labrador Retriever colors are made paler by diluted genes, giving you Labs that are charcoal, silver, or champagne in color.
Some Labrador Retrievers may have incorrect markings, giving you a white splash on the chest, paws, or toes of your black, yellow, or chocolate Lab. Today, we’ll examine the origins of color and what it means for your dog’s character, wellbeing, lifespan, and temperament. We’ll show you images of all the different Labrador Retriever colors so you can choose the one that best suits your pup!
Original Labrador Retriever Color
Black is the original, classic Labrador color and the one that is most common or dominant. In fact, it was the sole acceptable color from the time the breed was created in the early 19th century until the turn of the 20th. Yellow and chocolate puppies were frequently put to death right away. How then did they avoid extinction completely? We must examine the genetic variance between black and chocolate Labs to comprehend this.
Labrador Retriever Color Genetics
Both kinds rely on eumelanin, a pigment, for their color. Black labs have a lot of the eumelanin pigment in their coat. They appear brown if they have a little less. The B locus in a dog’s DNA contains the genetic code for being either black or brown.
The word locus simply refers to a particular location in an animal’s genetic code. We use letters to distinguish between each location, sort of like giving each locus a unique zip code! A pair of genes known as the B genes reside at the B locus. Your Lab’s mother gave birth to one of the pair, and their father to the other. Your lab may acquire one of two types of B genes in their pair:
Does Labrador Color Affect Their Personality?
There are many different color variations of Labradors, but do these colors actually affect their temperament or personality?
No, it doesn’t matter what color a Labrador’s coat is. Despite the widespread belief that a Lab’s color determines their personality, no research has ever proven this to be true.
Labrador Retriever Breakdown
Weight Range:
Male: 60-85 lbs.
Female: 55-75 lbs.
Height at Withers:
Male: 24
Female: 22
Coat / Furr:
Length: Short
Personality Characteristics: Flat, double coat, dense.
Colors: Black, Yellow, Chocolate.
Overall Grooming Needs: Low
Day To Day:
Exercise Requirements: 1 hour/day.
Energy Level: High
Longevity Range: 10-12 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: Not much.
Tendency to Snore: Not much.
Tendency to Bark: Above Average.
Tendency to Dig: High.
Social/Attention Needs: Average.
These dogs love there owners. They’ll want to stay inside and spend their nights as close to you as possible, if not on you. They enjoy going outside to play, but you shouldn’t leave them unattended for too long as they could show a trouble maker side. Sturdy chew toys and fetch will become a life saver in helping tire your lab out.
Be ready for a world class digger with your lab. These dogs love to dig and you’ll end up finding them rolling around in the dirt after they dug a hole two feet deep.
Labrador Retriever Temperament
Labs are a friendly dogs that are eager to please their owners. They get along well with strangers and animals. Labs are the best in terms of personality and intelligence, making them very trainable. Although they do have a lot of energy, which means you’ll need to keep active with them, they are also content to unwind at home with family movie night.
Health Of Labrador Retrievers
With a lifespan of 10–12 years, labs are a fairly robust and healthy breed. There are some common conditions to be aware of, though, as with all breeds.
Labs may also be afflicted by hereditary myopathy (or muscle weakness), arthritis in there joints that can be aided with some of these tips, and retrievers are also high risk breeds to develop cancer.
Additionally, due to their size and deep chest, labs are susceptible to the potentially fatal stomach condition known as bloat. Labs can also get cold tail, ear infections, and hot spots, also known as acute moist dermatitis.
Some Facts About Labs
Labs Love To Swim
Actually, laboratories were made for it! They can swim quickly thanks to their webbed feet, and they stay warm even in cold water, like the chilly Newfoundland waters where they were first bred. Their thick tail acts as a propeller and is sometimes referred to as a “otter tail.” These qualities make Labs excellent swimmers, hunters, and Dock Diving competitors!
They can thrive in the dreary November weather thanks to their coat. Even when we think it is too cold for us humans to swim, they can still swim thanks to their waterproof coat. Due to this, labs are the ideal pets for dog owners to take hunting in the woods.
They Love To Play Fetch
They adore this. They’ll play all day. My Jack would want to play fetch all-day and all-night. They were bred to retrieve, and they enjoy doing it. They also make excellent hunting partners because of this.
Be prepared to play a lot of fetch every day if you’re thinking about getting a Labrador Retriever.
They Are Amazing Family Dogs
Labs have one of the best temperaments of any dog breed, being intelligent, hardworking, kind, loving, playful, and gentle. The American Temperament Test was administered to more than 92% of labs, and they all passed with flying colors.
Given these characteristics, Labs make excellent family pets, offering devoted company to both adults and children.
Most owners of Labs complain about their dogs’ excessive friendliness and enthusiasm. Chewing, jumping up, and running off to greet strangers are significant problems that some families deal with. Fortunately, running away and jumping up can be easily fixed by training from a young age. Furthermore, chewing can be controlled with toys and diversion.
They Are Sporting Dogs
Because of their intelligence, obedience, and eagerness to please traits, Labradors excel in a variety of dog sports. They frequently do well in agility, rally, and obedience tests in addition to dock diving and hunting competitions.
Health Issues Of Labrador Retrievers
Despite generally being in good health, there are a few health conditions that Labradors are more likely to develop than some other breeds.
Fortunately, the majority of these are avoidable if you take proactive measures to monitor your dog’s health conditions, feed them appropriately, and take them to the veterinarian. You should be aware of the following concerns if you are thinking about getting a Labrador:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Cataracts
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
- Obesity
The not so good stuff:
A Labrador Retriever’s risk of getting cancer is high. Jack, who was my dog, died of spleen cancer.
The disease is known as hemangiosarcoma. Hemangiosarcoma, is a highly dangerous and quickly-growing cancer of the blood vessel walls, can cause tumors anywhere on a dog’s body, though heart/spleen or skin tumors are the most frequent. The breeds that are most susceptible to it are German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers.
Labrador Retriever FAQ
What do I need to know about owning a Labrador?
You need to know you’re getting an amazing dog who loves to play and will require exercise. There is a lot, but that is why we wrote this article that explains what you need to know before getting a Labrador Retriever.
Are Labrador Retrievers good for first-time owners?
The Labrador Retriever is one of the best dogs for first-time owners. They make great family dogs because of their amiable, playful personalities, which make them excellent playmates for both kids and adults.
What is the lifespan of an Labs?
Lifespan of Labradors is between 10 and 12 years.
Are Labradors clingy?
Labradors are known for their laid-back demeanor and attachment to their owners. They will travel with you wherever you go. Your dog will undoubtedly love you forever if you give them plenty of time to play, exercise, and hang with them.
Are Labradors easy to potty train?
Due to their intelligence, high levels of socialization, and desire to please, lab puppies are not difficult to housebreak. They also enjoy mental and physical stimulation. As one of the smartest dog breeds, they will have no trouble housebreaking as long as you create a routine and use consistent training methods.
What should I Feed My Labrador Retriever
When it comes to feeding your lab, you need to make sure you’re giving them high-quality dog food, whether bought at a pet store or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s approval. To see what we recommend you feed your lab, read this article here.
Conclusion
The Labrador Retriever are fabulous dogs. They make loving, active, funny and amazing devoted friends.
I can’t recommend Labrador Retrievers enough to anyone looking for a dog to join their family, an active companying, or a hunting partner because they’re second to none in my opinion
Labrador Retrievers are incredibly intelligent and capable of learning anything.
We hope you now have a good understanding pf some of the basic Labrador Retriever information!
As always, Jacktra is dedicated to instructing, demonstrating, and changing the lives of millions of dogs. Keep using Jacktra to continue having an impact, and as always, enjoy every day with your dog!
