Are You Looking to Adopt a Labrador Retriever?
With a gentle, loving demeanor and a highly intelligent personality, it’s no wonder that the Labrador Retriever continues to rank as the most popular breed in the United States according to AKC registration statistics. This friendly hunting dog that originated in Canada comes in three different coat colors: yellow, chocolate and black. Their eagerness to please their master and easy ability to be trained makes them ideal not only as hunters and family pets but also for more specific roles such as search and rescue, guide dogs for the blind, narcotics detection and law enforcement. Perhaps no other breed has enjoyed such universal appeal and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
History
The Labrador Retriever dates as far back as the 1830s when they were first bred by European settlers in the Newfoundland province of Canada. At that time, they were mostly black in color. The liver, or chocolate, color first emerged in the late 1800s and the yellow color in 1899. They were originally used to assist fishermen in pulling in their nets and catching fish that escaped from fishing lines. They were eventually crossed with other specific breeds including Spaniels, Setters and other Retrievers which helped further define their skill as pure retrievers.
Temperament
Known for being highly affectionate, outgoing, friendly and energetic, Labrador Retrievers are considered to be an ideal family dog. They get along well with children and because they are so intelligent they are easy to train, making them a great choice for first time owners or older owners. As a sporting dog, the Labrador Retriever makes a perfect hunting companion. It is a double-coated breed, and its thick, water resistant coat is a great aid in hunting and retrieving. Easy to housebreak and very good with other dogs, it is easy to see why millions of Americans are proud Labrador Retriever owners. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train and makes it easy for all family members to join in the training process.
Environment
Labrador Retrievers can be good apartment dogs but they require daily exercise so they tend to do better in a home with a large yard where they can get out and stretch their legs. If you do have your Labrador in an apartment, you’ll need to find a nearby dog park where they can let their energy out. Because they are very social dogs, Labrador Retrievers don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time so if you work outside the home you’ll need to consider hiring a dog sitter or dog walker to provide the necessary attention.
Exercise
As an active and intelligent breed, the Labrador Retriever requires about one hour of exercise a day in order to get their built-up energy out. As hunting dogs, swimming is a great form of exercise that they take naturally. A good walk or time to run around off leash in a fenced in yard can also suffice. It’s important to remember that Labrador Retrievers are instinctively high energy and always raring to go, which means that they may have a tendency to overdo exercise leading to joint issues. As a highly intelligent breed, they also require regular mental stimulation. Fortunately, they are eager to learn and easy to train so it shouldn’t be difficult to find activities to keep them mentally sharp.
Grooming
As a double coated breed, Labrador Retrievers tend to shed quite a bit, making regular grooming a necessity. In general, Labrador Retrievers shed twice a year, in the spring and fall for several weeks at a time. To help control shedding you should brush your Labrador once a week. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you may need to brush it more often. Bathing your Labrador Retriever every couple of months will help to keep his coat in good condition.
