A labrador retriever is a hunting dog that originated in Newfoundland. They are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, especially in the western part of the globe. Labrador retrievers are very recognizable because of their large, drop ears and broad heads. Moreover, they possess several endearing traits. Labrador retrievers are intelligent, highly trainable, and have the desire to help and assist their owners. They are also good family dogs as they always want to be surrounded by people, and they socialize well with other breeds of dogs. Labrador retrievers are prone to obesity if they do not get proper diet and exercise. Continue reading on for more labrador retrievers facts!
- The labrador retriever is a medium to large gun dog or hunting dog.
- It is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
- Labrador retrievers come in three colors; black, brown, and yellow.
- It has originated in Newfoundland, or what is known today as Newfoundland and Labrador, province of Canada.
- Labrador retrievers have double coats or two layers of fur.
- Labrador retrievers have thick and water-resistant undercoats.
- Originally, a labrador retriever is called St. John’s dog.
- A male labrador retriever stands for about 22.5 to 24.5 in (57 to 62.23 cm).
- On the other hand, the female stands for about 21.5 to 23.5 in (54 to 59.69 cm).
- A male labrador retriever weighs about 65 to 80 lbs (29 to 36 kg) while a female is around 55 to 70 lbs (24 to 31 kg).
- Labrador retrievers are known for their “otter tail,” thick toward the base and thinner towards the end.
- They have wide heads and broad, long muzzles.
- Labrador retrievers have medium-sized ears.
- Labrador retrievers have an average running speed of 14 to 18 mph.
- Its average lifespan is from 10 to 12 years.
- The American Kennel Club recognized the labrador retrievers as a distinct breed in 1903.
- A long time ago, fishermen used labrador retrievers for fishing, letting them pull ropes between boats and bringing in nets.
- Although their name is labrador retriever, they do not come from labradors but from a Newfoundland breed (a large working dog).
- A single litter can have brown, white, and black fur, regardless of the color of the parents.
- Some sources claim that labrador retrievers can smell and detect early stages of cancer.
Labrador retrievers are good service dogs.
Labrador retrievers are a perfect fit for service dogs as they are loyal and trustworthy. They are frequently trained to provide assistance to people with disabilities. Furthermore, Labrador retrievers have soft mouths which allow them to pick up things for their owners without damaging them.
Labrador retrievers are good swimmers.
Labrador retrievers have webbed toes (two or more fingers fused together) which make them good swimmers. Their webbed toes also serve as their “snowshoe” during the cold weather. In fact, this prevents snow from building up between their toes.
One of the most common problems of labrador retrievers is hip or elbow dysplasia.
Labrador retrievers are prone to joint problems, including hip or elbow dysplasia. Hip or elbow dysplasia is a genetic disorder that affects the hip and elbow joints and may be due to obesity and lack of exercise. Although not totally preventable, labrador retrievers will have less chance of suffering from this illness if they maintain a healthy weight and eat high-quality foods with lots of vitamins and nutrients.
A labrador retriever is susceptible to an ear infection.
Labrador retrievers are susceptible to ear infections because their large and floppy ears are suitable breeding grounds for bacteria. To prevent ear infections, it is important to keep their ears clean and dry. Always remove excessive hair in the ears and look for signs of infections.
Labrador retrievers shed hair throughout the year.
Shedding a lot of hair is another known characteristic of labrador retrievers. Throughout the year, they shed a small amount of hair, but during the molting or shedding season, it increases. Moreover, during spring, labrador retrievers shed their winter coat or undercoat to prepare for the warmer months.
The labrador retriever was the first dog featured on the cover of ‘Life Magazine’.
The popular American magazine, Life Magazine, featured the first dog on the cover on December 12, 1938. Life Magazine displayed a labrador retriever named ‘Blind of Arden’, which belonged to W. Averell Harriman, a resident of the state of New York.
Labrador Retrievers came from an extinct breed.
The ancestry of Labrador retriever is the St. John’s Water Dog, an extinct breed of dog. The St. John’s Water Dog helped the fishermen in Newfoundland. Their water-repellant coat and short hair, temperament were perfect for this work.
‘Adjutant’ was one of the oldest known labrador retrievers.
One of the oldest known Labrador retrievers is ‘Adjutant’, who was born in August 1936 and died in November 1963 at the age of 27 years and 3 months. Adjutant lived in Lincolnshire in the UK, and regardless of the breed, was the 7th oldest dog in history.
A labrador retriever can give birth twice a year.
Generally, every time a female labrador retriever goes into heat, it can get pregnant. They can give birth twice a year, and have a gestation period of approximately 63 days from conception, although gestation may vary by several days. Meanwhile, labrador retrievers become sexually mature at the age of 18 to 24 months.
They almost became extinct in the 1800s.
Did you know that labrador retrievers almost disappeared in the 1800s? During the 1800s, Newfoundland implemented raised taxes on dogs, and limited one dog per household. The laws aimed to encourage people to raise sheep and stop dogs from becoming a threat. Some sources claimed that importing of dogs during this time was banned.