What Do You Know About the Labrador Retriever? Before moving on to learning all about this gentle, intelligent, and family-friendly dog breed, try testing your knowledge! Can you pass this Labrador Retriever quiz?
Learn More About the Labrador Retriever
So how’d you do on the quiz? Pretty good? Not that great?
If you keep reading, you’ll get a quick rundown of some of the more important aspects you’ll need to know about the Labrador Retriever.
With technology always at our fingertips and information accessed so quickly with the push of a button, you may be feeling nostalgic and want to go old school. If you do, there are plenty of books about Labrador Retrievers you can purchase at Amazon.
Origin / History / Ancestry
NEWFOUNDLAND
EARLY 1800’S
The Labrador Retriever dog is a retriever in the class of sporting dogs considered to be a ‘flushing’ dog that will go ahead and retrieve the game for the hunter once it is down. The Labrador Retriever history is traced upon the island of Newfoundland, a northern region of Canada. It is here that the Labrador Retriever is believed to have originated.
Original Purposes for the Labrador Retriever
This dog is famous among hunting enthusiasts. The original purpose of the breed was mainly to assist in the hunting process by capturing killed or injured animals and bringing them to the hunter. Mostly, they were used to hunt both waterfowls and upland game birds. Others refer to the dog as a gun dog, retriever, and an all rounded hunting dog that helps hunters while hunting.
Intelligence
7th
When it comes to intelligence, Labradors seem to be one of the best. Psychology Professor Stanley Coren who doubles up as a dog intelligence expert argues that Labs rank among top 10 most intelligent dog breeds on the planet. Based on obedience and working intelligence, Labradors are the seventh highest breed on the canine intelligence scale.
Size: Height/Weight (both male and female)
Height: 22.5-24.5 inches; Weight: 60-80 lbs
Height: 21.5-23.5 inches; Weight: 55-70 lbs
On matters of height, Labrador Retrievers are mainly medium-sized and short-coated. An adult male can grow to a height that ranges between 22.5 and 24.5 inches with a female growing to a height of 21.5 to 23.5 inches. A healthy adult male weighs approximately 80 pounds with a female weighing about 70 pounds.
Health Concerns and Regular Vet Care
Labrador Retrievers can live for more than 10 years. Some of the most common health conditions that affect them mainly include patellar luxation, osteochondritis dissecans, and canine hip dysplasia. Others include joint problems, cancer, and conditions related to obesity.
Labradors are also prone to be affected by inherited and environmental health conditions such progressive retinal atrophy that causes blindness, and their environmental origin.
Regular vet care is also important since these dogs are athletic and curious. Vet care will help owners identify whether they have cracked or fractured teeth, tartar build-up, or root abscesses.
Labrador Retriever Appearance / Standard
Labrador Retrievers are mainly yellow, black, or chocolate in color with some slight variations from fox red to light cream. They have a well-balanced body, and sport a double coat that shields them from cold and wet weather conditions. Their undercoats are soft while their top coats are short, thick, and straight. They have a wide muzzle, broad head, and pendant ears.
If you are interested in showing your Labrador, The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a very thorough description and standard, which can be viewed or downloaded here.
Maintenance: Grooming/Shedding
Throughout the year, Labradors shed heavily. It is recommended that labs be brushed daily as well as their nails clipped regularly. Common grooming equipment consists of a pin and slicker brush, and nail clippers similar to the ones below that can be easily found on amazon or any other well stocked store carrying pet supplies.
Pin Brush – Amazon
Slicker Brush – Amazon
Nail Clippers – Amazon
Constant grooming will also keep flies away, and household vacuum cleaners are necessary to clean their excessive hair. Labs enjoy getting dirty while outside and baths are needed quite often.
Temperament / Personality
On matters to do with temperament, Labrador Retrievers are known to be kind, gentle, trusting, intelligent, outgoing, and agile. They are even-tempered dogs, and fun to have them around. Their personality is important to know also. Labradors are known to be loyal, happy, lovable, and friendly to everybody that they meet. Coupled with their temperament, their personality makes them one of the popular breeds.
Activity / Energy Level
High Energy
As noted earlier Labrador Retrievers are more of hunting dogs, and for this reason, it means that they thrive on matters to do with activity. This breed requires both mental and physical activity in order for them to be happy.
There are some variations in the activity levels of Labradors. Some of them are rowdy in nature while others are a bit laid back. This dog breed is bred to have a lot of energy and to be very active.
Food Consumption
Labrador Retrievers are widely known for their love when it comes to food consumption though scientists believe that their behavior with overeating could be due to a genetic fault as opposed to the generosity of their owners to give them a lot of food.
However, as we have seen, Labradors are athletic breeds with a lot of energy, and to compensate for this, they have to eat a lot of food, especially if the food is not restricted.
Stage of Life Awareness (as puppy, adult, and senior)
As puppies, life awareness of Labradors is low. All they do is to eat, suckle, and sleep. Nothing much revolves around them at this stage.
As adults though, their life awareness is on the top of the scale. Here, Labradors become acquainted with almost everything that goes around their environment.
As seniors, their life awareness begins dropping again due to old age and other health concerns. Much of a senior Labrador’s time is spent resting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do Labrador Retrievers Shed?
A: Labrador Retrievers shed a lot of hair, and at times, they do so profusely to be quite overwhelming.
Q: Are Labrador Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
A: Labrador Retrievers are not hypoallergenic at all. They are less likely to incite some sort of allergic reaction in an individual.
Q: How big do Labrador Retrievers get?
A: Labrador Retrievers can grow to be quite huge, especially if it fed well and kept healthily. A full grown male can reach62 cm, and a female can reach 60 cm.
Q: How long do Labrador Retrievers Live?
A: The life span of a Labrador Retriever is mainly 10 to 12 years. However, some can live up to 14 years. This is a long life span considering that other breeds may not live for all these tears.
Q: How much do Labrador Retrievers cost?
A: The cost of this breed varies depending on availability, stage, and jurisdictions. However, purchasing a Labrador Retriever can cost as low as $300 to $1000.
Q: Are Labrador Retrievers good with kids?
A: When it comes to friendliness, Labradors are one of the best dogs for kids of all ages as they are good-natured and kind.
Q: Are Labrador Retrievers good with other dogs?
A: Known to be one of the least aggressive breed of dogs towards another breed of dogs, Labrador Retrievers are friendly and accommodating to other breed of dogs.
Q: Are Labrador Retrievers good with other cats?
A: Not known for being high prey dogs, Labrador Retrievers may still chase some cats.
Q: When do Labrador retrievers stop growing?
A: At around nine months of age, a majority of Labradors stop growing in weight and size.
Q: Are Labrador Retrievers easy to train?
A: If there is a breed of dog that is very easy to train, then it is the Labrador Retriever. This dog ranks high on matters regarding intelligence, and if it comes to training, it one breed of a dog that can master tricks with ease.
Similar Breeds
Golden Retriever
German Short-haired Pointer
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
