How to Select a Labrador Retriever
Originally from Newfoundland, this very popular dog was bred to jump into the water and haul fishermen's nets ashore. Today, besides being good family pets, Labs are hunting dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, guide dogs and police dogs, used for detecting drugs and bombs.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Dog Carriers
- Dog Collars
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Nail Clippers For Dogs
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Choose a Lab if you want a friendly, loyal and affectionate companion. They're not good watchdogs but will bark if there's a reason.
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Try a Labrador if you're looking for a good family dog. They're excellent with children.
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Feel confident in adopting a Lab if you have other pets; they get along well with everyone.
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Anticipate your adult Lab weighing 60 to 70 lbs. and standing about 23 inches at the shoulder.
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Expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a good-quality dog.
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Consider adopting a Lab from a rescue group. Most of these dogs are already housebroken and finished with the chewing stage. There's usually nothing wrong with the dog; the owners didn't research the breed and later discovered that they and the dog were incompatible.
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Remember that Labs tend to be somewhat stubborn, which means that you must be consistent and patient while training them.
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Note that Labs are enthusiastic puppies and are sometimes mistakenly thought to be hyperactive. The main reason people give up their Labs is that they're too active.
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Be prepared to spend a fruitful 10 to 12 years with your Lab, as this is the average life expectancy of a Labrador retriever.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising your dog.
Provide your Lab with a secure yard. Keep the dog indoors or out. Labs are moderately active and will be happy in a yard or a house.
Labs come in black, chocolate and yellow. There's no such thing as a golden Labrador - it's a yellow Lab. Some yellows, incidentally, are closer to red than gold.
These dogs love to swim. Keep a towel handy!
Avoid buying a "rare silver Labrador" or any other rare coloring. Silver Labs are usually light-colored chocolate Labs or a Lab/weimaraner cross. Don't buy from a person who sells these supposedly rare colors, since a responsible breeder wouldn't get involved in such a scam.
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Comments
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Leilani Luckett
May 10, 2010
@ahalouand I agree. Silver Labs are not Lab/Weimaraner crosses. They are a dilute chocolate. Only ingornat people think that silver labs are mixed breeds. DNA tests have been done! -
02SmithA
Jan 28, 2009
I love my black lab... great dogs they are! -
reagann
Sep 24, 2008
Good article. I own two Labs, and I would like to add that they can be protective (not aggressive). My black put himself between me and three steers when one of them threatened me by pawing dirt and lowering his head to charge. He has also chased coyotes from my farmhouse. Labs are energetic and intelligent and usually get into trouble when bored or lonely. It is not a breed to leave alone most of the time. Do not get a Lab if you can not spend a lot of time with him. Obedience training is a must. They are eager to please which makes training easier. I assure you it is time well spent. Also, forget cute little squeaky toys. They last two minutes. Go for rawhide or the toys labeled for heavy duty chewing. The Lab is the number one breed in America for good reason. My "boys" are great companions. -
omarg
Sep 24, 2008
i have a 2 n 1/2 old lab cross called murphy, presented to me by my late father. he is so loveing that i consider him my own brother much to the amusement of my friends n realations but who knows maybe in a past birth he was my blood brother. -
omarg
Sep 24, 2008
i have a 2 n 1/2 old lab cross called murphy, presented to me by my late father. he is so loveing that i consider him my own brother much to the amusement of my friends n realations but who knows maybe in a past birth he was my blood brother.