On Pawpedia this time, we are here to talk about one of the most popular breeds – labrador retrievers. They are known for being extremely friendly yet loyal. They love being around people and get accustomed to new people and surroundings fairly easily. Labrador retrievers are not only capable of being energetic, but they are also very
History and Origin:
The Labrador retriever as a distinct breed dates back to at least the early 19th century. This breed was derived when St. John’s Waterdogs bred by European settlers were bred with British hunting dogs. They have been fairly popular ever since even among the royalty. Although originally it was bred with the intent to make it a sporting and hunting dog, labrador retrievers are largely kept as companion dogs since their existence.
Description:
Labrador retrievers come under the category of dogs that are medium to large in size. They are also categorized by their strong jaws that are slightly drooping lower jaws. They are largely black or cream in color, but brown is also a color labradors can be found in. Interesting, puppies of all these colors have the possibility of being born in the same litter. They have water-resistant coats which means they have slightly oily and thick fur that are not easily drenched.
Average weight:
Males: 25 – 36 kg
Females: 24 – 32 kg
Average size:
Females: 21.5 to 23.5 inches
Males: 21.5 to 24.5 inches
However, like any other breed, there are chances that some Labradors might go slightly larger than the usual size expected of them.
Average lifespan:
11 to 13 years
However, the longest-living Labrador Retriever is known to have lived for over 28 years. Just like humans, the healthier food they eat and the healthier their lifestyle is (unless they already have genetic predispositions for diseases), Labradors can live a long and fulfilling life.
Activity:
Labradors love playing and engaging with their family. They are energetic and gentle dogs and can respond positively if they are given engaging and slightly smart games to play. They love playing fetch almost endlessly. They are great swimmers so if you are looking to engage your labrador with some swimming activities, they might enjoy it very much.
Temperament:
Labradors are known for being excellent family dogs because of how kind and outgoing they are. They do not have extreme tempers and almost all labradors, unless raised differently, are safe to be around children and adults alike. For 2-3 years of their initial lifetime, they have an abundance of energy that might be misconstrued for hyper behavior, however, they usually become much less energetic post their maturity period.
Vocalness:
They are not suggested to be kept as guard dogs since they can be trusting with strangers. They enjoy human interaction might be construed as boisterous by a lot of people. Therefore, there are not extremely vocal as they are not very territorial. However, they have strong and loud barks which they use according to the situation.
Shedding:
Although shedding is minimal all through the year, they do go through seasonal shedding which might sometimes be excessive. They need to get groomed at regular intervals or as recommended by the vet to ensure their constant comfort.
Training:
Labradors retrievers require training to ensure that they do not startle new people that they come across with their energy. Since the love physical activity, they can go through slightly hardcore trainings according to their needs.
