Choosing a Dog - The Labrador Retriever

When choosing a dog to include in your family home, it is important to choose wisely. This article outlines a few facts about choosing a Labrador Retriever as a pet.

If you have made the decision to add a dog to your family home, it is very important to select a dog breed that will fit into your lifestyle and family. The pet you choose will be a part of your family for a long time so it is important to make an educated decision. When buying a puppy it is not uncommon for common sense to go out the window, especially when children are involved. Although Labrador Retrievers are considered sporting dogs, they can also make good family pets.

As the name suggests, the Labrador Retriever did not come from Labrador, but rather from Newfoundland. These small water dogs had smooth or short-hair that was preferred because in the cold weather the Newfoundland’s long hair became encumbered with ice on coming out of the water. The Labrador Retrievers close coat seemed to shed water off like oil and they had a thick tail like an otter, making them excellent hunting and water sport dogs.

Labrador Retrievers are not small dogs, but generally weigh between 60-75 lbs. and stand about 22 ½” – 24 ½” in height. Labs can be all black, yellow or chocolate in color, with a coat that is short, thick and dense. They are strong and muscular in stature with a wide head. Labs are extremely good swimmers and have a lot of power and strength. They are extremely intelligent and tend to have a good disposition.

If you have decided that a Labrador Retriever puppy may be the right choice for your family, there are a few other things that you have to consider. You need to be aware that your Lab puppy will grow and will require proper exercise on a daily basis. Do you have the space in your house to accommodate such an animal, or a fenced in yard so that your dog can go out safely? Will you have enough time to spend on grooming your pet, and also on the training that may be required? Are you willing to spend the resources the keep your pet healthy?

Also, making an informed decision and choosing the right puppy for your home is important. Labrador Retrievers can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia which are potentially crippling abnormalities of joint formation that can be inherited from the dog’s parents or relatives. An x-ray examination of both parents and as many ancestors as possible indicating that they are free of this abnormality will help you avoid this condition in your pet.

Labrador Retrievers have also been known to have inherited eye defects called Progressive Retinal Atrophy that could lead to vision loss that may gradually develop. It may be wise to have a veterinarian specializing in Ophthalmology examine your puppy for potential future problems, or give an opinion on the health of the eyes of your puppy’s parents.

When choosing your Labrador puppy, be sure to check out the temperament of the parents. Although Labrador Retrievers tend to have great temperaments for being around a family home and children, pay special attention to how the puppy’s parents behave. Behavior traits can be inherited and good behavior in the parents can indicate the future temperament of your puppy.

Choosing a Labrador Retriever to share your home may be one of the most rewarding choices you will make—a good pet, a good companion and a good friend.