Labrador Retriever for sale

Labrador Retriever for sale: rasa

The warm and intelligent Labrador Retriever is America's number one breed registered with the American Kennel Club. Even people without dogs can recognize a Labrador.

Built for sport, the Labrador is muscular and athletic. It has a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor and lots of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labradors are loving, people-oriented dogs.

The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeast Atlantic coast. Originally named St. John's, after the capital city of Newfoundland, this breed was bred to help local fishermen - hauling nets, catching ropes and retrieving fish that have escaped from nets, as well as to be a family dog.

Today, most Labradors skip the hard work and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some still serve as indispensable working dogs.

The Labrador's sweet nature makes it an excellent therapy dog, and its intelligence makes it an ideal assistance dog for people with disabilities. It also excels as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to its athletic build, strong nose and courageous nature.

There's one job that Labradors are hopeless at: guarding. In fact, owners say their sweet and helpful labrador is likely to greet an intruder and happily show him where the goods are.

Labrador retrievers have proven their usefulness and versatility throughout history, moving easily from fisherman's companion, to retriever, to show dog, to modern working dog. One role has remained constant: companion and wonderful friend.

Labrador Retriever for sale: brief history

The Labrador retriever originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeast Atlantic coast. Originally named St. John, after the capital of Newfoundland, the Labrador has served as a companion and helper for local fishermen since the 1700s.

The dogs spent their days working alongside their owners. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe St. John was related to Newfoundland and other small local water dogs.

Foreigners noted the dog's usefulness and good humor, and English sportsmen imported several models to England to serve as hunting retrievers. The 2nd Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first to bring Labrador retrievers to England around 1830.

Amazingly, the Labrador, now the most popular dog in America, was almost extinct by the 1880s, and the Malmesbury family and other English fanciers are credited with saving the breed. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared due to government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and ownership of a bitch was taxed, so female puppies were discarded.

In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in 1903. The American Kennel Club followed in 1917, and in the 1920s and 1930s, British Labradors were imported to establish the breed in the United States.

The breed's popularity really took off after World War II, and in 1991, the Labrador retriever became the most popular dog registered with the American Kennel Club and has held that distinction ever since. It also tops the list in Canada and England.

Today, Labradors work in drug and explosives detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance for the disabled and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competition: show, field, agility and obedience.

Labrador Retriever for sale: size

Males are between 57 and 62 cm and weigh between 29 and 36 kg. Females are between 55 and 60 cm and weigh between 25 and 32 kg.

Labrador Retriever for sale: personality

The Labrador has a reputation for being one of the sweetest breeds. It is friendly with both humans and other animals.

In addition to a winning personality, he has intelligence and a willingness to please, which makes him easy to train. Training is definitely necessary as this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. This breed needs both physical and mental activity to be happy.

Like any dog, the Labrador Retriever needs early socialization: exposure to lots of people, sights, sounds and experiences when young.

Labrador Retriever for sale: health

Labrador retrievers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all dogs will have any of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.

If you buy a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you the health papers of the puppy's parents. Health certificates show that a dog has been tested and recovered from a particular ailment.

• Hip dysplasia: This occurs quite frequently in Labradors. Many factors, including genetics, environment and diet, are thought to contribute to this hip joint deformity. Some dogs affected by this problem may be able to lead a normal, healthy life, but some may require surgery to move around easily.
• Elbow dysplasia: this is a hereditary condition common to large-breed dogs. It is thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can cause great pain. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain.
• Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD): This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but has been seen in the shoulders as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point where the dog is unable to bend its elbow. It can be detected in dogs as young as four to nine months of age. Overfeeding or using high-protein foods can contribute to its development.
• Cataracts: As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the lens of the eye that can grow over time. They can develop at any age and often do not affect vision, although some cases cause severe vision loss. Usually cataracts can be surgically removed with good results.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA is a family of eye diseases that involves gradual deterioration of the retina. At the onset of the disease, dogs become night blind. As the disease progresses, they also lose their vision during the day. Many dogs adapt very well to limited or complete vision loss, as long as their surroundings remain the same.
• Epilepsy: Labradors can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild to severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior such as frantic running as if being chased. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. It's important to remember that seizures can be caused by many things other than idiopathic epilepsy, such as metabolic disorders, infectious diseases affecting the brain, tumors, exposure to poisons, severe head injuries, and more. Therefore, if your Labrador is having seizures, it is important to take him to the vet immediately for a checkup.
• Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD): TVD is a congenital heart defect that has increased in prevalence in the Labrador breed. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live without symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to find out how prevalent it is in the breed, as well as treatment.
• Myopathy: Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen as early as six weeks of age and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when walking. He may collapse after exercise. Over time, muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no cure, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred as it is considered a hereditary disease.
• Gastric Dilation: This is a life-threatening condition that can affect a Labrador Retriever, especially if he is fed a large meal a day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water and then exercises vigorously after eating. Some believe that many meals a day and the type of food could also be factors for dilation. This problem occurs more commonly in older dogs, but can occur at any age. Gastric dilatation occurs when the stomach is expanded with gas or air and then twisted. The dog can't burp or vomit to get rid of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is prevented. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die. Gastric dilatation may be suspected when your dog has a distended abdomen, drools excessively and burps without vomiting. He may also be restless, depressed, lethargic and sluggish with a rapid heart rate. It's important that your pet gets to the vet as soon as possible. There are some indications that gastric dilatation is inherited, so neutering dogs that develop this condition is recommended.
• Acute moist dermatitis: acute moist dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. Treatment includes hair cutting, bathing in medicated shampoo and antibiotics.

Labrador Retriever for sale: care

The Labrador needs to be around his family and is definitely not a backyard dog.

Labradors show some variation in their activity levels, but they all need activity, both physical and mental. Daily 30-minute walks, a stroll in the dog park or other games are some ways to help your Labrador burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks.

Labradors have such a good reputation that some owners think they don't need training. This is a big mistake. You'll need to take special care if you're raising a Labrador puppy. Don't let him run and play on very hard surfaces such as pavement until he is at least two years old and his joints are fully formed. Normal play on grass is fine.

Labrador Retriever for sale: feeding

Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals.

Note: How much your dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and not all dogs need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one. The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the dog food, the more nutrients and satiety it will provide, without you having to constantly check the bowl.

Labrador Retriever for sale: coat color and brushing

The sleek and easy-care coat has two layers: a short, thick, straight coat and a soft, weather-resistant layer. The double-layered coat protects against cold and damp.

Labrador retrievers come in three colors: chocolate, black and yellow. Black was the preferred color among early breeders, but over the years, yellow and chocolate Labrador have become popular.

Labradors need a bath every two months.

Brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurks inside. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Remove your nails once or twice a month. Start getting him used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Frequently handle his paws and check his mouth. With a positive experience full of praise and rewards, you'll lay the groundwork for easy vet exams and other maneuvers when he's an adult.

Labrador Retriever for sale: relationship with children and other animals

Labradors not only love children, they enjoy the excitement they bring. They will happily attend a child's birthday party and will even willingly wear a party hat. Like all dogs, however, they need to be trained how to act around children, and children need to be taught how to act around the dog.

As with every breed, however, you need to teach children how to approach and touch dogs and always supervise any interaction between them to prevent any biting. Teach your child never to approach the dog while eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food. No dog, however friendly, should be left unattended with a child.

If a Labrador has had plenty of exposure to other dogs, cats and small animals and has been trained how to interact with them, it will be friendly with other pets.