The Labrador as seen by a dog trainer

Origin:

It was born in the late nineteenth century and had a lot of success after the First World War (1914-1918).

The exact origins are unclear but it seems that the Labrador had a long stay on the island of Newfoundland, where it acquired the love for water. Living at that inhospitable land, the Labrador acquired extraordinary resistance and increased sense of search and recovery as it was used for hunting and to retrieve prey falling into the water.

Physical Attributes:

It is an active dog that likes to play, and is used as an assistance dog, guide dog, for detection etc. It is a breed compatible with active people who like sports and long walks.

Being so active, when they are older, it is important to be careful for heart attacks as their body cannot keep up with their need to run and play.

Temperament:

They usually have a friendly and easy-going temperament, but like everything, this also depends on the education they receive. The Labradors are usually easy to train, obedient, able to understand quickly and well, have a great memory. It is an excellent companion dog. In short, we can say that the Labrador is a docile, adaptable and friendly dog.

Grooming:

Simple brushing, bathing and regular hygiene care.

Maintenance:

The cost of maintenance is reasonable, the amount of daily food for this breed will be about 500 g to 600 g, of course, this also depends on their physical activity and their metabolism which, like in people, defines their likelihood for obesity.

Training:

All dogs, regardless of their breed, need education, but for Labradors this is critical. As it is a strong, active and very friendly dog, many owners assume they will simply behave well. Leaving all that energy and intelligence uncontrolled usually turns into a mess at home, unbearable walks and etc. With training, we can channel that energy and intelligence into strengthening the ties with our dog.

Walks:

The Labrador is a breed that needs daily exercise, therefore we meet their needs with long walks and a lot of time playing with them. So, if we are very inactive people this might not be the most adequate breed for us.

More Breeds

You can check Mario’s advice on other dog breeds here

More information from experts of your Labrador Retriever

Care guide for the hygiene of your Labrador Retriever

In our blog you can also find a care guide for the hygiene of your Labrador Retriever developed by a group of experts. It explains how often you should bath your dog, trim its nails, clear its ears etc. and which are the most adequate tools.