Educational Articles

Labradors

by Faith Hughes, DVM

Labrador retrievers (labs) are one of the most common breeds in the country. If you know a Labrador, then you know why they are so popular. They are friendly, loving, energetic, smart, and good family pets.

If you are planning to get a lab, you'll choose from 3 colors...yellow, black, or chocolate. Everyone has their favorite, but I have a soft spot for yellow labs. Chocolates are usually a little harder to come by. Because of the popularity of the Lab

breed, you'll always be able to adopt a labrador from a shelter. Expect to pay several hundred to buy a puppy from a breeder.

Labs love to chew, so provide them with plenty of safe chew toys. If they don't have a chew toy, they'll chew on things like shoes, furniture, and wood doors. I prefer toys made of a tough rubber. Kong is one brand of toys that are safe and come in many different shapes and sizes. Some toys are hollow and you can fill then with treats, then the dogs learns that chewing on the rubber part is fun. The great thing about these toys is that they are safe for the pet's teeth and too big for them to swallow (get bigger sizes for your big dogs). Tennis balls have a very rough surface that will grind the dog's teeth down.

Labs also love to retrieve, that's what they were bred to do. My lab, Rocky, would retrieve until he passed out! Try sticks, frisbees, or toys. These dogs have so much energy, retrieving is a great way to wear them out. Swimming comes naturally to labs. We are lucky to have plenty of beaches, rivers and sink holes.

It's important to do some obedience training with labradors. They have so much energy and are so big that you have to be able to control them. Just learning the basics with Lab

help tremendously....sit, stay, "no jump", and leash training. You can find tips on obedience training in books and on-line. Puppy classes and private trainers are great, too.

Man has learned to put this intelligence, energy, and desire to please to good work. Labradors are used by hunters to retrieve ducks, dove, and quail. They are trained as assistance dogs for handicapped people. Law enforcement uses them to sniff out drugs and to find missing people. A recent ABC news report showed the Italian Coast Guard using labs to perform water rescue. Labradors love to have a job, what better then to swim then retrieve a person.

If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, find out if the pups parents have good hips. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) will review Xrays of dogs hips and issue certificates for pet's with no hip dysplasia. Puppies are too young to have their hips certified, but if both parents have good hips then the pups has less chance of developing hip dysplasia. Lab