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 | Lovable Labs
Labrador retrievers are America's favorite breed of dog, according to AKC (American Kennel Club) statistics. There are more labs registered in America every year than any other breed, and there is a good reason why this breed is so popular. Labs are smart, fun (and funny), great family dogs, active, and good with kids and people in general. They are also adorable, both as puppies and when full-grown.
Labs are energetic, and love to run and play. They are well know for their hunting skills, as hunters have used them for many years to retrieve game, both in and out of the water. Most labs love to play in the water, and no matter what they are doing, they seem to have a constant grin on their face. If everyone could look at life as happy as a lab does, the world would have no problem greater than picking which toy to play with. They excel at learning tricks and are excellent with people of all ages. Many labs work in search and rescue, and many more work as service dogs, aiding people with disabilities, allowing them greater independence.
Labs come in 3 colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. Labs advertised as being "silver" or "white" are not actually a different color. They are just a lighter shade of yellow. Labradors have a short coat of hair, and generally weigh between fifty-five and eighty pounds. Find out what you can about the parents, because some Labradors have been known to reach nearly one hundred pounds, while others are closer to fifty. Labradors go through a stage when they are one to two years old that many compare to their "teenage" years. Be sure your dog goes through obedience training and make sure you will be able to give plenty of exercise, especially during the adolescent period in their lives. They need a way to burn off that excess energy!
Some health concerns with labs are hip dysplasia, which is a degenerative and usually hereditary disease of the hip and elbow sockets. Another concern is a condition called bloat, which is a twisting of the stomach that results in a rapid swelling of the abdomen. If not caught in time, it not only causes pain, but death. If a dog is suspected to have bloat, it should be taken to a veterinarian right away. Deep-chested breeds of dogs are more susceptible to this condition.
Another hereditary disease to watch for is hereditary myopathy, a muscle disorder. When purchasing a new puppy, always do research on the breed and any major health concerns that that breed has. Every breed has different problems they might develop depending on genetics and care, and you should be aware of these. Find a breeder who tests their breeding dogs for the hereditary diseases and conditions, because if the parents and ancestors have been tested and found to be negative for them, it increases your chances of getting a puppy that is also free of these and other problems.
Labs are truly a wonderful breed. They bring smiles wherever they go, because they take a happy-go-lucky look at life, and wear a constant "lab grin." Their tails rarely stop moving. Of all that labs excel at, they are best at being your friend, and can give you a smile, just by looking at you in the most excited Labrador manner possible. Labrador retrievers are great dogs, and wonderful friends, which probably explains why many lab owners have more than one, and the ones who have one, often wish for another. Their smile is contagious, and maybe that is what makes them so endearing to so many pet lovers across America, and across the world.
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