Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers 101

Are Labrador Retrievers the Right Dog for You?

The original Labrador retrievers were bred for retrieving game and water fowl and for their excellent swimming ability. However, today's Labrador retrievers are more likely to be encountered serving as guide dogs for the blind or service dogs for disabled people.

Given the right care and attention Labrador retrievers make excellent family pets but they do need plenty of exercise. Do bear in mind that Labrador retrievers were bred to retrieve and live a very active life and this is where they are in their element. If you allow your Labrador retrievers to join you in all your activities, work off some energy and swim to his hearts content he will be a happy companion for years to come.

In general Labrador retrievers need plenty of training to transform them into the well-behaved dogs you see on TV! They will simply eat where they want, sleep where they want and go to the bathroom where they want unless you teach them otherwise.

How much do they weigh? Labrador retrievers are heavy-set dogs and weigh about 60lbs. What about grooming? They have straight, thick coats that are very water resistant. Male dogs will have coarser, thicker coats than females. They will need average levels of grooming. What color should their eyes be? The eyes of Labrador retrievers are usually a caramel brown color and really exemplify their gentle disposition.

What do they like to do? Labrador retrievers are at home in water of all kinds and will happily enter icy water to retrieve water fowl for very little reward. They are still used by many people in the United States as hunting dogs. But will Labrador retrievers make a great pet for you and your family? Labradors with training are smart, energetic and disciplined but your average untrained Labrador knows nothing about how to behave!

Labrador retrievers love to chew, dig and bark, jump on almost everybody and tend to grow very fast. This means that younger dogs may be the size of large adult dogs but still have the brain of a puppy. Labrador retrievers take about four years before they can be considered mentally mature.

Labrador retrievers require plenty of patient training to help them to become upstanding members of both canine and human society. It may take several months to train your dog but if you can be as loyal to your pet as he is to you the reward will be a loving dog with plenty of energy and discipline. Not all Labrador retrievers have a good temperament and the right dog will need to be chosen with care.

On the pages ahead, find little-known facts on Labrador Puppies, Labrador Training, Labrador Breeders, Labrador Kennels, Labrador Rescue, and Labrador Retriever Pictures.

Another great source of information about labrador retriever is the American Kennel Club page on labrador retrievers.

Today's Labrador Retrievers News
Doggy odor in Labrador Retrievers
Why does a Labrador have doggy odor?

Like any other animal, dogs will walk, run, and play in areas that might result in their gathering dirt, disease, or odor. The Labrador retriever may begin to produce odor due to a number of factors, such as oily skin, dirt accumulation, ear or anal infections, and dental/plaque buildup. Not only can odor be offensive, it can be a sign of an unhealthy retriever. If a Labrador retriever is not monitored, and the sources of doggy odor are not removed, the Labrador retriever will develop chronic physical problems.

What to do About Doggy Odor?

When a Labrador retriever begins to emit doggy odor, closely inspect the dog from head to tail. Check the retriever’s ears for debris, red skin, and odor. If an ear infection is present, it could be the result of the dog’s ears not being properly ventilated. Ear infections are common in dogs with ears that are floppy or folded over. If the dog’s ears are not properly ventilated, the inside becomes moist and warm, and infection can easily result.

Look in the dog’s mouth for plaque buildup on the teeth, and for discolored or missing teeth. In addition to the well-known “dog breath,” additional odor may be coming from the dog’s mouth as a result of food buildup and poor oral hygiene. Check the retriever’s feet; there may be a cut or infection on the dog’s foot pads. This type of injury should be immediately cleaned and bandaged. Run your fingers through the dog’s coat, and make sure you inspect all sides of the coat. There may be a concealed skin injury underneath the Labrador’s fur. Also, check for an oily or greasy texture appearing on the retriever’s coat. The coat might be producing dandruff or the skin may be flaky.

One of the most prominent areas for odor generation is the retriever’s backside. There could be anal infection, a buildup of feces on the dog’s coat, or the Labrador might be constipated or have diarrhea, both of which will produce significant odor.

As you are inspecting the retriever’s body, take detailed notes on what you see, smell, feel, and hear. These notes will become valuable when you take the dog to a veterinarian. Also, it will document signs or symptoms that you might forget to tell the veterinarian.

If your dog is exhibiting odor and is found to have an infection or illness, take proactive measures to protect your Labrador retriever. Take action and make a dog-care schedule for your Labrador.

Dogs need to be kept clean, but caution must be taken not to give the Labrador too many baths. If the dog is bathed every week, the retriever’s coat is deprived of natural oils. As a result, over- bathing a Labrador can increase odor. A dog should be bathed once a month.

Part of maintaining a clean home includes washing animal bedding, play toys, and the dog’s collar. After washing the Labrador’s bedding, make sure that the bedding is completely dry before allowing the dog to sleep on it. If the bedding has been removed from the dryer or brought in from a clothes line, vacuum the bedding with a small hand vacuum; this will remove any debris that was left by the dryer.

A Labrador retriever should be monitored when it goes outside, especially if your home is in a rural and/or wooded area. The dog might be picking up odors from discarded garbage or a dead animal carcass. Odors from rotting food or meat are extremely pungent. Also, they can induce vomiting if eaten. If your Labrador is allowed to go into wooded areas or alleys, follow the dog to see if he is eating carrion or miscellaneous garbage.

When dogs have odor emitting from their teeth or gums, it can be treated with a professional brushing which can include removing plaque from the dog’s mouth. Ask the vet about dog treats that are designed to help keep teeth and gums clean. Make teeth inspection a regular part of your dog’s cleaning schedule.

When your retriever has been playing in dirt or mud, keep two or three old towels ready to clean the dog’s coat. One towel can be put in water and used to clean the dog’s coat, and the other towel can remain dry and used to dry the dog’s coat. Dogs enjoy physical attention and respond well to having their coats cleaned.

Brushing the retriever on a daily basis helps to reduce smell, remove excess fur, and stimulate new hair growth.

Finally, ask your veterinarian about changing the Labrador’s diet. Dog food that contains solid meat promotes healthy skin, teeth, gums, and stools. High-quality food is available through a veterinarian or at large-scale pet shops. When shopping at a pet store, ask the store staff for recommendations.

Animal odors can result from a number of different sources. To make sure that your Labrador retriever is free of odor, it is necessary to perform regular visual checkups. The doggy odor will be removed when the dog’s body is inspected thoroughly, cleaned regularly, and taken to the veterinarian for regular checkups.

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Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dogs of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog
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