Labrador Retrievers, Water Clowns Extraordinaire

No matter which color you prefer, the dog is the same. If you can, get a dog with a lighter frame, a less bear like head. These dogs are likely to have better hips and joints, which is a common problem within the breed. All of them love to swim and have webbed paws for greater water mobility. The tail is broad and flat, with the coat sporting an oily covering that keeps the dog warm and waterproof while in the water.  This oil also keeps the hair from floating in the air reducing the problems for those of us with dog allergies. Make sure if you want a lab that you can handle the hours of tennis balls and water ballet they love to do. They make a great hunting or jogging companion, and are gentle soft mouthed pets for kids.

These guys are so irresistible.  This one is a silver lab, an apparently new color to the breed.  Start these guys as soon as possible on a quality feed, I prefer the Royal Canin Product.  They get little puppy food when they are small, and then go to the special formula Royal Canin makes just for Labradors.  This is important because the feed they get will be determining what their joints look like later in life.  These puppies will learn and grow at an exponential rate, so if the pup will hunt with you start him now.  Don’t break him hard, but take this time to introduce a love for learning that the pup will carry with him for the rest of his adult life.  Teach him to track, with pieces of bacon and table scraps.  Make sure his obedience is good, even if he won’t be hunting.  This is a must do for any dog of any age.

I have seen labs do anything, Frisbee competitions, hunting and field trials, dock diving, obedience, confirmation showing, you name it.  The sky is the limit with you and your lab, get in with a good group of people and let her fly, find a group of folks you enjoy and do something you love.  Get your dog out often, especially while he is young, let him meet lots of people. 

You have to breed animals clear of these problems, or you are perpetuating the issues facing the breed.  A decade of being America’s most popular breed has certainly not done labs any favors, watch for these in your program.  I think about the dumbest thing I hear breeders say is that you shouldn’t make money on your dogs.  That is ridiculous, make sure you are recouping your money on your animals, free market and a better product is the only incentive for making them a better species.  Genetic disorders include Progressive Renal Atrophy, Corneal Dystrophy, Retinal Dysplasia, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, and Luxating Patella.   Only breed well structured dogs with fin hip bones.  Never breed a female with a weak pelvis.