Dog Breeds - Labrador Retriever

It is believe that the Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland as a descendent of the now extinct St. John’s Water Dog. Originally known as the “St. John dog” or “lesser Newfoundland” they were finally given the name Labrador Retriever by Earl of Malmesbury of England to help differentiate them from the Newfoundland breed. Labrador Retrievers love to swim and Canadian fisherman originally used them to retrieve their nets from icy water to shore.

Labrador Retrievers are a hard working breed that are used for drug detection, as service dogs for the disabled, and as guide dogs for the blind. Their temperament is calm and gentle, making them ideal pets for families with children. Labradors are social and love to feel included in any activity involving their family. They are very intelligent and easy to train.

A major health issue that is worsening for Labrador Retrievers is obesity. Labs naturally have very hearty appetites and most have perfected the art of begging for treats! A Labrador’s diet should be closely monitored and they should be taught from a young age that begging for table scraps is unacceptable. Owners must also ensure that their Labrador Retrievers receive adequate exercise which helps fight obesity, a major cause of many devastating health problems. A healthy Lab should have a slight hourglass figure. Any excessive weight puts them at risk of arthritis, diabetes and hip dysplasia. The floppy ears of a Labrador Retriever helps to trap warm and moist air which is a breeding ground for infection. This can be easily avoided with frequent cleaning.

Labradors Retrievers are a curious breed that love to explore. If left to roam they can easily become separated from their owner and therefore should be microchipped for permanent identification. As with most energetic breeds, the Labrador Retriever may resort to destructive behavior if left alone for long periods of time or if they do not receive enough exercise. In general this breed is very friendly towards humans, and consequently do not make good guard dogs, but they do make adequate watchdogs, alerting their owner when someone approaches.

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Labrador Retriever Breed Information
Breed Group	Sporting Group
Coat	Dense, short, straight and hard outercoat with a water-resistant undercoat
Color(s)	Yellow, black and chocolate
Size	21-24 inches
Weight	55-80 lbs
Exercise:	Require a lot of exercise or they may become overweight
Temperament	Affectionate, intelligent, patient, loyal
Trainability	Easily trained
Average Lifespan	10-12 years
Common Health Problems	Hip dysplasia, Eye problems, Luxating patella, Progressive retinol atrophy, Ear infections, Diabetes, hypothyroidism
Most PetCare Clients Insure Labrador Retrievers with:	QuickCare Gold for Dogs

My experience with PetCare Insurance has been great. I have a 7-year-old Standard Poodle named Winston. When he was a puppy, our vet suggested pet insurance. I am so glad that we followed his advice. Several weeks ago, Winston ingested a foreign object which required surgery to remove. He has recovered well from the surgery. I submitted my first claim since signing up for PetCare. I was a little apprehensive since I had not dealt with a pet insurance company before. During the entire process, I was kept up to date and received my check promptly. My claim was $1885.50 and my insurance check was $1835.50. I highly recommend PetCare.

Client: Kathy Olin Pet: Winston, Standard Poodle, 7 years Condition: Foreign Body Ingestion
Claim Submitted: $1885.50 Claim Paid: $1835.50

Dog Breeds - Labrador Retriever

QuickCare Gold for Dogs