Whether black, yellow, or chocolate (all colors can come from the same litter), the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular American Kennel Club breed in the United States for 15 years running. It has almost three times as many registrations as the No. 2 dog, the Golden Retriever.
Life with Labs
Understanding the Labrador Retriever’s need for work, activity, and human companionship is essential to living successfully with one. The breed’s original rugged determination and retrieving instinct still characterize the Labrador Retriever today. “You just can’t expect this breed to lie in a corner all day,” Foote says. “The Labrador’s origins are to work in partnership with people.”
As puppies, Labrador Retrievers can be a real challenge. “From birth until 2, Labs are rambunctious, and quite frankly, they can be a pain in the neck,” Feazell says. “If you are expecting your Lab puppy to be just like your Aunt Millie’s 8-year-old Lab standing there with her tail gently wagging, you are going to be unpleasantly surprised.”
Labrador Retrievers need early training and lots of human interaction to reach their full potential. Because they are so food-motivated and eager to please, Labrador Retrievers are easy to train. Just keep a pocketful of treats, advises Labrador Retriever breeder Claire White-Peterson of North Stonnington, Conn. Adds Feazell, “Get your obedience training in before the dog is stronger than you are!”
All puppies need to chew, but Labrador Retrievers in particular need heavy-duty chewing time. “This is a mouth-oriented breed. Chewing is a tension reliever, and even my adult dogs will grab a toy and chew very vigorously for a few minutes after eating,” Foote says. Keep acceptable chew toys readily accessible.
The Labrador Retriever coat may be short, but Labrador Retrievers shed a lot. “Sometimes people tell me they heard Labs don’t shed. I respond, ‘That’s very amusing,’” White-Peterson says. “You have to have a very good vacuum cleaner.”
Labrador Retrievers are among the best breeds for families with children, although very small children could get knocked over by an exuberant puppy or a big wagging tail. “I am my Labs’ best friend until my nieces and nephews show up. Then I don’t exist anymore,” says White-Peterson, who trained her 4-year-old niece to stand on a chair and say “No! Down!” to the excited crew of Labrador Retrievers.
Labrador Retrievers typically like other Labs — and many other dogs, too. But when it comes to birds and small animals, the hunting instinct kicks in, so pet owners must protect these pets.
When White-Peterson took her chocolate Labrador Retriever, Madeline, to earn her hunting certificate at the tender age of 6 months, the show dog had no training in hunting. Yet, when she heard the first gunshot, it was “as if suddenly she knew what she was bred to do,” White-Peterson says. “She dashed out on command, found the bird, brought it right back. It was truly in her blood.”
Guarding isn’t in the Labrador Retriever’s blood, however. “They will hold the flashlight for the burglar. They don’t normally make good guard dogs, although there are exceptions,” says Feazell, remembering her black Labrador Retriever, Dominic, who long ago cornered the milkman on top of the washing machine.
Healthy and long-lived
Labrador Retrievers can be prone to orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia (degenerative joint diseases), but feeding puppies the right way can make a big difference in your Labrador Retriever’s future bone and joint health. Talk to your breeder or veterinarian about large-breed puppy foods for slower bone growth, to build denser, healthier bones and stronger, deeper joints. “Give them good food, and you will spend less time and money at the veterinarian’s office,” White-Peterson says.
The food-loving Labrador Retriever can also pack on pounds, so monitor portions and limit treats. “This breed is genetically programmed to live on very little food,” Foote says. An overweight Labrador Retriever is more prone to arthritis, heart disease, and other health problems. If you can feel your Labrador Retriever’s ribs easily but you can’t see them, your Labrador Retriever is in good shape.
Because Labrador Retrievers originally come from the chilly North, they don’t tolerate heat. When outside in warm weather, Labrador Retrievers must always have access to fresh, clean water. “Give them a trough or a kid’s swimming pool, anything to cool them off, and be sure they always have shade,” Feazall says.
Lab for life
Sure, Labrador Retriever puppies can be a challenge, but this breed bonds strongly to its people.
