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The popularity of the
Labrador Retriever keeps increasing - and for good
reason. This particular breed of dog has an
outstanding temperament, it is smart, thus making it
easy to train, a gorgeous dog in appearance, and
highly loyal to its family. The Lab also loves
children and other animals, even being gentle. As
you will discover in this article, the Labrador is
also a fascinating breed so we have pulled some
questions together for you, providing you with
answers for each.
1. I’ve heard the Labrador Retriever is very
popular, being one of the best selling dog breeds –
is this true?
Not only is the Lab one of the best selling dog
breeds, it IS the best selling dog breed. According
to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador is rated
number one, followed by the Golden Retriever, German
Shepherd, Beagle, and Yorkshire Terrier.
2. Why are Labradors
such good swimmers?
Unlike other dog breeds, the Lab has webbed feet.
Therefore, when it swims, it is able to paddle much
like that of a person wearing flippers.
3. Is the Golden Lab an actual breed?
No, there is no such breed as the “Golden Lab”.
However, there is a Golden Retriever or a Labrador,
which comes with a yellow coat. For this reason, you
might hear of this Lab as the “Yellow Labrador”.
4. What are the various skills seen with the
Labrador?
Originating from Newfoundland, this breed was taught
early on to help haul in fishermen’s nets by jumping
into icy waters. As the breed was interbred and
refined in the 19th century, it was used for
hunting. Today, the Labrador Retriever is a Jack of
all Trades to include tracking, retrieving, hunting,
drug detection, guides for the blind, service dogs
for the deaf and other disabilities, search and
rescue, watchdog, law enforcement, and tests
associated with obedience and agility.
5. Can Labradors live inside or outside the home?
The answer is yes. Although a large dog, the Lab
does well in an apartment or home without a yard, as
long as it is provided with daily exercise. However,
when provided a quality doghouse, the Lab can also
be kept outside.
6. Is the Labrador Retriever a Healthy Breed of
dog?
For the most part, yes, living up to 12 or 13 years
if fed and exercised properly. However, this breed
is prone to some illnesses to include Hip Dysplasia
or Elbow Dysplasia, in which the bone in the socket
becomes loose. The result is pain and inflammation
that requires some form of treatment. Other than
that, the Lab tends to get ear infections due to
moisture being trapped underneath the floppy ears.
7. Are there physical differences between the
different colored dogs?
Interestingly, there are some differences. For
instance, the black Lab has a broad appearance with
ears hanging close to the head. The yellow Lab has a
black, brown, or pinkish colored nose, which is
often referred to as “snow nose”.
8. Why are Labradors so great at hunting?
The Lab is an excellent hunter for two reasons.
First, they are highly trainable, willing to do
whatever it takes to mind and please its master.
Second, the Labrador has an incredible ability to
smell. A human has approximately five million
smelling receptors while a Labrador has around 200
million, making its tracking ability unmatched.
9. I’m interested in showing my Lab – are there
any disqualifiers?
There are disqualifications to include too low or
too high weight outside the standard set for this
breed. Additionally, a completely pink nose or a
nose lacking pigmentation would be disqualified.
Other disqualifications include eye rims without
pigmentation, docking of the tail, or other color
combinations other than yellow, black, and
chocolate.
10. Can a female Lab give birth to more than one
color puppy?
Yes, and in fact, this is normal. For instance, if a
black female is bred to a yellow male, you could end
up with a mixed black and yellow litter. However, if
there is also chocolate in the female or male’s
bloodline, you might see one or more chocolate Labs
mixed in with the yellow and black. Additionally,
you could end up with an all black or all yellow
litter.
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