Labrador Retrievers have long been used as a domesticated pet for many people. Labs are one of the more friendly types of dogs you can have, which is why so many people buy them for companions. In this article, I will discuss general information about the Labrador Retriever.
When and where did the Labrador Retriever first appear?
The early eighteen hundreds are when people first started to mention Labrador Retrievers. Whether or not Labs existed before this is unknown. As for where the Lab first originated that honor goes to Newfoundland, which is located in Canada. From here, the Labrador Retrievers spread throughout the world.
What are Labs used for?
Labrador Retrievers are mostly used for hunting or companionship. Labs love to go hunting, and their nose offers them the ability to easily track their prey. Mostly, Labs are specifically used for bird hunting. The Labrador Retrievers do just what their name implies, they retrieve the birds that are shot by their masters. And the Labs are quite good at it. Though, at times, they can be albeit stubborn when it comes to giving the bird back. Just instinct, I guess.
And then there is companionship. Children love Labs because they’re so lovable and energetic. So it’s a match made in heaven. Labs also make wonderful pets for the elderly. What’s better is the fact that Labs can be trained to help out their elderly companions.
The Lab can also be trained to be the eyes for a blind person. You see blind individuals walking with dogs all the time, and usually a Lab is the chosen dog. But companionship and hunting is not the only thing Labs are good at. Thanks to the Lab’s keen sense of smell, emergency crews and police officers often use Labs in their line of work. Whether the Lab needs to search a ruined building for survivors or for drugs such as marijuana, these dogs can do it. And they do it well.
Colors.
There are three main colors that Labs consist of. The first color is yellow. Occasionally people confuse yellow with white because some Labs have a really pale yellow coat. But rest assured, it’s yellow. The next color is brown. Some people refer to this type of color as chocolate. And the final color is black.
How long will a Lab live?
Usually, Labs will live to be around fourteen years of age. It will depend on their environment, and how well you care for them. There will be extremes, of course. But for the most part, a Labrador will not live beyond fourteen or so.
Labradors typically eat almost anything. And what’s worse is the fact that Labs don’t know how to stop eating. So you need to be careful when feeding your Lab, or your dog might become fat. Typically, dry dog food will suffice for Labs. Sometimes Labs develop digestive problems, and you may want or have to feed them canned dog food. Labs are extremely healthy, for the most part. Again, this will depend on the environment that they are subjugated to. But overall, they are very healthy and rarely become ill.
Size and weight.
Labs are very big dogs, and they can become quite heavy as well. Usually, Labs are about two feet high and weigh between fifty five and eighty pounds. But don’t forget about the extreme cases. Some Labs can be around three feet high and weigh around a hundred pounds.
Bad habits.
While Labrador Retrievers are wonderful animals, they do have their vices. For instance, Labs have a very loud bark. And they can use this bark albeit too often for some people. Another problem is the fact that Labs love to dig holes in the ground. Labs mostly dig holes in order to cool off, but they enjoy it too. Especially when it comes to digging up gopher holes.
Labrador Retrievers have been around for centuries, and they provide us with many things. Companionship, helping the elderly, aiding emergency crews, and hunting are just some of the job titles that Labs hold. So if you’re thinking about getting a new dog anytime soon, consider purchasing a Lab. You will not regret your decision.
