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As a child growing up, we had Labrador retrievers.  Our Labs were both a family pet and my father’s loyal hunting companion.  My love for this incredible breed began as a child and has grown deeper through the years.  Having married a dedicated hunter, we chose the Labrador breed as our hunting companion and our family dog as well.  Our dogs are as much a part of our family as any other member of the household.

When choosing a family dog it is important to remember that the dog is going to be a part of your family.  If you’re going to have a best friend it’s only fair to him and to you that you find out all about him.  You are going to be living together for a long time.

The cost of a purebred dog might be a determining factor in deciding whether you want a pedigree or just a dog. Regardless of what you pay, the purchase price of your new friend is the smallest of your canine expenditures.  Be aware of  “bargain” dogs if you are wanting a good blood line and a pedigree.  You will get what you pay for.  Breeding is everything and it does not come cheap.

Examine the puppy’s eyes.  Are they clear?  Make sure there is no heavy discharge from the pups eyes or nose.  Run your hands through the puppy’s hair to make sure the dog is free from parasites and the skin is soft and pliable.  The hair should be soft and shiny.  Check his bite and make sure that bite is even, his teeth are regular, and the uppers and lowers fit in the form of a good bite.  The teeth should be white and the gums pink.

Make sure if you are purchasing a dog with a pedigree that the breeder is reputable.  The breeder should be willing to show you the pedigree, provide a health certificate, show proof of the health of the eyes, hips, elbows, and evidence of all vaccinations.

The Labrador’s temperament is kind, outgoing, eager to please, and non-aggressive towards children, adults, and other animals.  The Lab appeals to people because of his high level of intelligence, gentle disposition, and adaptability.  According to many experts the Lab is one of the least likely breeds to bite.  They are durable and athletic.  With training, the Lab is one of the most dependable, obedient and multi-talented breeds in the world.

Everyone who owns a Labrador retriever puppy knows training them is the very first thing you should do when you get your puppy. You may want to get your puppy professionally trained, but let’s face it, unless you are rolling in dough, you may want to consider training them yourself. Labrador retriever puppy training is not hard to do, and while saving you money, you will also bond with your puppy which is very important to do when they are young.

If you’re wondering where you should start, I recommend you start with house training. If your puppy is going to be living in your home, and in America alone 90% of our dogs do, then you will need to make sure your lab has good house manners. Labradors are a very loyal breed of dog and will listen to you well which makes training them a breeze… sometimes. Nevertheless, it still takes patients from you the trainer but if you set a routine and stick to it, you should have no problems.

Obedience training should also be on your list of things to teach your Labrador. After all, you don’t want your lab to grow up to be a big bully, jumping on guests, barking all night, it really becomes a pain. The easiest solution is to train them when they are young. It’s never too early to start training your lab; unless they are younger than 8 weeks, if that’s the case you may want to wait.

The Labrador retriever was bred to be a hunting dog retrieving game from the water and bringing it back to the hunter, so getting along with people is in their nature making them a great family dog. They do however require exercise regularly though; otherwise they may become bored and want to act out. Swimming is the best way to keep your puppy in shape. It’s easy on their delicate joints and will give them a good workout.

Exercise can be a bad thing to. While your puppy is still less than 18 months of age, the bones and joints in their legs are not yet fully developed. If they are taken for long walks on hard surfaces like a road, these joints may become damaged causing problems later like arthritis. Keeping this in mind is important and a good rule of thumb is to exercise your lab only 10 minutes a day until they get a little older.

As you can see Labradors make great pets… but you already knew that. While training them is important to do, don’t forget to spend some quality time with your puppy. As I mentioned before, bonding with your lab early on is important to do, your lab will respect you and listen to you better, and if you keep it up, you will have the dog you always wanted in no time.

www.sitmeanssit.com Labrador Retriever puppies can retrieve birds from a very young age as you can see in this puppy video. ‘Kohl’ was 3 months old at the time of this video. He will do hunt tests when he gets older.

Your new Lab puppy will worm his way into your heart in a flash and become a member of your family from day one!  The bond, love, and good times will grow daily.  You may not have stopped to think about it, but that cuddly bundle of happiness will grow up, grow older, and has a life expectancy just as humans do.  The life expectancy is based on averages and the average life expectancy of most dogs is from 10 to 12 years.  Your Labrador Retriever falls in those averages.  Much of your new Labs life span and quality of life depends on how you care for your dog.  Diet and exercise will play an important part.  Another extremely important factor is good breeding and genetics. 

The first 2 years in your Lab’s life is the growth stage.  Your best friend is developing physically and mentally.  Nutrition is important throughout the life of the dog.  However, in the first two years nutrition is critical.  It lays a foundation for a healthy life span.  Many people think a chubby dog is a happy dog.  Do not allow your pet to become over weight.  This will shorten the dog’s life span.  Exercise is important but don’t overdue it.  Moderate exercise is recommended.  Imposing extreme exercise on the dog prior to their second year can cause hip dysplasia, joint problems, and possible ligament damage later in life.

Do not feed your pet table scraps, chocolate, or other foods intended for humans.  Choose a high quality food with a balance of nutrition and stick to it.  You can add flax or fish oil to the dogs diet.  This will increase the beauty of their coat and is great for their joints.  In addition, using a glucosamine supplement after the age of two with your pet helps insure good joint health and quality of life for your dog.  A good pet vitamin with antioxidants is wise to consider too.  These are suggestions that will lower risk factors, improve the quality of life, and possibly increase the life expectancy of your Labrador.

Your dog will be with you for a short span of time compared to human life span.  Love and enjoy every moment with them.  The Pointing Labrador Retriever’s most dominant trait is their desire to please you.  Your lab will bring to you and your family unconditional love and joy!

Did you know that if you have purchased a Lab puppy with good breeding you should not see any hyperactivity?

Just like humans, dogs are unique.  You will find some more active than others.  You will find that the lab pup is full of energy. Start obedience training and guidelines with your puppy from the start.  Don’t allow kids to tease the dog.  By about the age of 18 months your puppy will phase out of the active stage and you will experience a more mature settled dog.

Did you know that Labs shed?

Labs have two coats.  The undercoat is soft and downy and acts like insulation for the dog.  The outer coat is coarser and called the guard coat.  The guard coat has a natural oil that helps to repel water.  Normally the Labrador will shed in the fall and spring.  They shed in the fall so that they can produce a heavier coat for the cold month and then in the spring to get rid of the heavy winter layers and prepare for warmer weather.

Did you know that you do not need to bath a lab except when absolutely necessary?

Brushing your Lab once a week will help to prevent the shedding and keep your dog clean and looking great.  You should also keep their toenails clipped.  Put the dog shampoo away and only bath your Labrador if it is absolutely necessary!

Did you know that Labrador retrievers make a great family dog?

Labradors are excellent with kids and are the country’s most popular family dog.  Because of the Labs gentle nature they are chosen year after year by families.  The Lab is also a good guard dog. They will normally be protective of their home family.  As with all pets you want to always exercise caution and have an adult present.

4 minutes in the life of Gemma, the puppy Labrador Retriever back in June 1999

Labrador Retriever puppy retrieving tennis ball from swimming pool.

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The Labrador retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the United States. They are also by far the most popular dogs in The United Kingdom with over 45,000 registrations. There is a lot of information available about the Lab in a variety of areas. Labs are great pets in general…they adore kids and they are faithful servants. Labs love to exercise, run around and play but they also require some maintenance.

Labs need to be exercised every day…whether it is a play in the park, a swim in the pool, or a walk around the block. A home with a securely fenced in yard is the perfect environment for any Lab since they need a lot of room to run and play. In most instances Labs just love other pets too! They are fantastic with children and they are great watchdogs.

Labrador retriever’s often develop some health problems such as epilepsy, skin tumors, canine hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders, and skin allergies. Labs are no more prone to illness and disease than any other dog but each dog breed has its own group of health problems and these are what Labs seem to get most often.

The Labrador has a coat of hair that repels water; it is also thick and needs to be brushed regularly. Labs also need for their owners to brush their teeth for them or provide them with dental chews that do the trick instead of brushing. This helps to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth and thwarts periodontal disease. Their toenails also need to be clipped regularly. A healthy and cared for Lab will usually live about 12-15 years. This life span requires that the dog gets proper nutrition and exercise as well as great medical care and good living conditions.

The American Kennel Association first registered the Labrador in 1917. The Lab originates from Canada and was used by fishermen to haul in the fishing nets from the extremely cold waters. They were also used by hunters to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl. They are also used as guide dogs for the blind and therapy dogs.

The difference between English and American Labs is that the English Lab is a bit smaller and shorter but their face seems to appear fuller. The American Labs have a more overexcited personality. The typical characteristics of the Lab are that they are very smart, compliant, docile, friendly, and trustworthy. They are also very full of life particularly when they are puppies. Labs have a wonderful disposition. They are non-aggressive, playful and constantly willing to make somebody’s day.

Conversely, if you want a family pet but don’t want the hassle or the commitment of taking your dog running, biking, or swimming then it is best that you do not buy a Lab because they really need this interaction with their master to thrive.

Labrador retriever’s require a great deal of camaraderie and dislike being left home unaccompanied for more than just a little while. When they are, they can be very destructive so if you are gone a lot then you may want to reconsider buying the Lab.

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Toby, a Labrador Retriever has fun plying tin the water.