Labrador Retrievers are gifted dogs with versatile skills and are used in the law enforcement agencies of countries, serving as guide dogs and being part of rescue teams around the world.
The word “retriever” is literally translated from English as “find and bring.”
A balanced psyche and unconditional love for people have become the hallmark of this breed, which began in the 1830s. laid by fishermen from St. John's, Fr. Newfoundland, who brought the ancestors of Labrador Retrievers to the UK.
History of appearance
After the fishermen from the island. Newfoundland brought the ancestors of Labrador retrievers to the islands of Great Britain, and the dogs quickly fell in love with the local residents. They swam beautifully and helped fishermen pull their nets ashore.
A new breed of Labrador Retriever was developed until the end of the 19th century. by mixing the blood of imported dogs with the blood of other retrievers and setters. This added to the hunting qualities of this breed.
In 1903, the English Kennel Club recognized Labradors as an independent breed for the first time. It is noteworthy that the first Labradors were exclusively black - fawn and chocolate colors were not recognized. And only 20 years later, in 1924. a fawn color was recorded, and even later a chocolate color.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
Labrador Retrievers should not be shy or afraid of people. Labradors are naturally curious, sociable and cheerful. When it comes to choosing a show breeding black Labrador, simply matching all the exterior qualities is not enough - special attention should be paid to the puppy’s mother (preferably, she has champion titles and is liked by type and temperament). When standing, the Black Labrador puppy should be compact with rounded ribs and good angulation of the limbs, the ribs should be palpable but not visualized. When looking at the dog from above, the body should resemble a barrel.
Purpose
According to sources, dogs used to help fishermen get nets out of the water. They are really very strong and can swim. Now they are used to help disabled people as guide dogs. Labradors are excellent detectives and rescuers. Security qualities are weakly expressed, because the animals are very friendly. If a stranger wants to play with a pet, he will only be happy.
Character traits
The character of a black Labrador is no different from the character of a fawn or chocolate Labrador - coat color does not in any way affect the temperament and behavior of Labradors.
Black dogs, despite their more menacing appearance due to their color (people who do not understand dog breeds often confuse them with Rottweilers), are just as friendly and open to all living things as fawn dogs. They, like Labradors of other colors, remain puppies (experts say that Labradors mature psychologically only at the age of three), while maintaining a curious, perky and cheerful disposition throughout their lives.
Possessing an excellent sense of smell, they swim and dive with pleasure.
Labradors love children very much and leaving even the smallest child in the room with a Labrador is not scary. The baby can crawl on it, ruffle its ears, pull its tail, but the most that a Labrador will do in such situations is to move aside. Labradors are distinguished by an excellent balanced psyche - nothing can piss them off and force them to bite a person or otherwise harm him.
They are smart and obedient, easy to train (7th place in the ranking of dogs according to their ability to train by Stanley Coren), confident in their abilities, persistent in achieving goals, always ready to please a person and experiencing great joy from contact with him. All of these personality traits combine to make the Labrador Retriever an ideal family dog. In the family they do not single out one person, but love all its members equally.
NOTE!
Their hunting qualities, together with a remarkable visual memory and the ability to retain in their mind the places where several birds fell at once, make them almost ready-made companions for hunters.
Other types of retrievers
The breeds included in the group of retrievers differ in appearance and size, but they have one specialization - all retrievers were originally bred for gun hunting.
Nova Shatland duck (Toller)
The smallest representative of the group: height at withers up to 53 cm, weight up to 25 kg. Bred in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia for hunting waterfowl.
Tollers are fast, energetic, have excellent working qualities, but at the same time they can be stubborn and self-willed. While working, they are concentrated, attentive, and persistent.
Compact format. The medium-length, thick coat has a dense, waterproof undercoat. The color of the fiery fox is reddish-red.
Curly-Coated (Curly-Coated)
An Old English breed, known since the beginning of the 19th century. Even among retrievers, it stands out for its intelligence, courage and keen sense of smell. The main breed characteristic is curly dark brown or black wool, reminiscent of astrakhan fur.
Height up to 69 cm, weight up to 35 kg. The dogs are calm, independent, excellent watchdogs and hunters.
Flat-haired (Flat-Coadet)
The homeland of flats is the British Isles. Height at withers up to 61 cm, weight up to 36 kg. Good swimmers, used for hunting wading and waterfowl.
Flat-Coated Retrievers make excellent athletes. They often achieve success in agility and flyball. Active, cheerful dogs are always ready for long hikes, games, and work. Color black or chocolate.
Chesapeake Bay
Bred on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay in the USA. A powerful, beautiful, strong dog, exceptionally efficient and hardy. Height up to 66 cm, weight up to 34 kg. The coat is short and harsh. Camouflage color - shades of brown, withered grass, reeds.
Dogs are used to hunt waterfowl, marsh and land birds and as guards. Loyal to their owner, smart, cheerful.
Golden (Gold, Golden)
The Golden Retriever is confused with the fawn Golden Labrador. The dogs are similar not only in appearance, but also in type of temperament and purpose. Just like Labradors, goldens are used not only for hunting, but also as companion dogs. They are often hired to work at customs, used as rescuers, guide dogs, therapy dogs and caregivers.
They differ from Labradors in their long, wavy, silky coat. Height up to 61 cm. Color - all shades of golden and cream, except red and red.
NOTE! All retrievers attract with their charm and originality. They are not characterized by aggression, but at the same time, they are endowed with courage and bravery. These dogs are infinitely devoted to their owner and his family.
It is not for nothing that the Labrador and Golden Retriever are firmly in the lead in the ranking of the most popular breeds in the world.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the breed are:
- low maintenance (no haircut or clothing required);
- calm, balanced character;
- easy to train (suitable even for novice dog breeders);
- bark a little;
- are not aggressive towards other animals and get along well with cats and other living creatures;
- Despite their large size, they are suitable for apartment living, subject to regular and active walks for at least 2 hours a day.
Speaking about Labradors, it is difficult to name their shortcomings, because the disadvantages of this breed are most likely the result of the incorrect behavior of their owners.
And yet, you can try to streamline those negative aspects that are attributed to Labradors and figure out how critical this is:
- Tendency to chew: Dogs of this breed, especially puppies, really like to chew things. This trait can be corrected by devoting sufficient time to the dog (they chew mainly when no one is home, because they are highly dependent on humans and experience stress due to the long absence of their owners) and actively walking the pet, during which it will throw out all the accumulated energy and he will no longer want to be active at home.
- They do not know how to protect and protect. Yes. Labradors are not protectors or guards, but if for some this is a minus, then for others it is a definite plus. A breed that does not have the aggression gene and is culled for this trait is not intended for protection, but for other purposes. This is a companion dog, the only breed that serves as a guide dog for the visually impaired. Those who need a guard get a different breed.
- Labradors are too trusting and will follow anyone they meet. Again, this is not a minus, but a feature of the breed. They were bred like dogs used in hunting game, when often several people go hunting at once: they must trust all people, not just the owner. And if suddenly the owner, for example, twists his leg and cannot walk further, he must continue his work and bring the shot bird to another hunter, thereby obtaining food for the family. If we talk about the modern world, then Labradors can be safely left for foster care without worrying that the dog will be very stressed. Therefore, the question of the gullibility of the breed is, again, a question of taste and the purpose of owning a dog.
- Labradors are susceptible to food allergies. Perhaps this is the only real disadvantage of the breed, which often really creates a problem for the owners, which, however, is quite possible to solve. Fawn Labradors are more prone to allergies; black Labradors suffer from it less. However, such a problem exists and you just need to intelligently and carefully approach the issue of nutrition and choose the right food or natural food, while excluding foods that are not suitable for this breed (mainly chicken and various cereals).
As you can see, this beautiful breed has many more advantages than disadvantages, and even those can be solved if desired.
Where to keep the breed
The ideal place of residence for such an active dog, of course, would be a large country house and a huge yard. There she will be able to give free rein to her unbridled energy and natural instincts.
However, if you provide the retriever with constant exercise and long walks, he will get along well in an apartment. When keeping this breed, one should take into account the fact that the Flat is by nature a tracker, a hard worker and an unsurpassed fetcher.
If all these qualities are satisfied, he will be happy anywhere. This is an ideal pet for active, sporty people, who will happily go with the owner both for a run and for a hunt.
Dimensions, weight and photos of dogs
Main characteristics of the black Labrador:
| Characteristics | Description |
| Adult dog height | 54-57 cm |
| Adult dog weight | 25-40 kg |
| Color | Solid black (resin), white breast option allowed. No other color variations are acceptable in black Labradors: black with mottled spots or tan is considered a disqualifying fault. |
| Wool | Short, dense, hard to the touch, with undercoat. The longhaired Labrador is considered a breeding match. |
| Tail | Very thick at the base, tapering towards the end, evenly covered with thick hair. Can wave happily, but should not curl over its back |
| Torso | Strong build, strong bones |
Also, although the external black color of Labradors is absolutely the same, genetically dogs can carry different colors:
- pure black;
- black and white;
- black, carrying chocolate;
- black carrying fawn;
- black, chocolate-bearing and fawn.
Feeding Labradors
An adult dog needs to be fed twice a day. Basically, dogs are fed meat, fish, porridge, milk and vegetable mixtures. Formulas are usually given in the morning, and meat products in the evening.
The serving size is determined individually. To do this, you need to watch the dog during feeding and decide whether it eats its portion or not.
Nutrition should be balanced and complete. It is prohibited to give sweet and salty foods to Labradors, including various sausages and sausages. You can buy ready-made dry or wet food and give it to your dog.
Life expectancy and illness
The lifespan of a black Labrador, like other Labradors, ranges from 10 to 14 years. As with people, this figure depends on the conditions and lifestyle, nutrition, individual characteristics of a particular individual and diseases to which the Labrador is susceptible and can fall ill.
The Labrador Retriever is a large dog and, first of all, often suffers from joint problems, elbow and knee dysplasia, and in old age, osteoarthritis. These diseases are directly related to the breed's tendency to gain excess weight, which over time puts unnecessary stress on the joints and skeletal system.
Heart and sugar problems are the second most common problems in Labradors.
Much in the physical condition and health of Labradors depends on their owners - if the pet is regularly given a sufficient amount of physical activity, monitors the intake of all necessary substances in its body, and does not overfeed, many health problems can be avoided as much as possible.
Nowadays, all responsible breeders test for dysplasia and other genetic diseases of their dogs before breeding to ensure healthy offspring free from these diseases.
IMPORTANT!
Unfortunately, Labradors are prone to developing cancer and this leads to deaths even among young dogs.
Health
Flat-coated retrievers are more likely to suffer from cancer than other dog breeds. A study conducted by the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA) found that the average life expectancy of dogs is about 8 years, with a large percentage dying from cancer.
Later studies in Denmark and England came to a life expectancy of 10 years.
However, they suffer much less from hip dysplasia than other dogs. According to statistics from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, only 3% of the population suffers from this disease.
Basic rules of care
Caring for a Labrador will not be difficult and will not take much time or money.
- Wool . The first thing that speaks about the condition of a Labrador’s body is its coat. It should be shiny and growing evenly. Labradors do not need any haircuts; it is enough to comb them thoroughly twice a week (the best option for this is a special furminator comb, which combs out excess hair and undercoat without damaging the guard hair).
- Ears . About once every two weeks, the inside of the ears is wiped with a cotton swab soaked in a special lotion or regular chlorhexidine. The ears are also a kind of litmus test for a Labrador's health; they are often the first to signal a dog's allergic reaction to food.
- Paws . It is necessary to wash the paws daily and then wipe them dry, and in winter, when the animal’s toe pads are negatively affected by severe frosts and aggressive reagents, you need to treat them daily with a rich cream (it should be without fragrances and unnecessary additives, as natural as possible, because the pet can lick paws after the procedure: the most common baby cream or special veterinary cream “Zorka” will do). Before a walk, it is useful to lubricate the paws with special wax; it can also be found in a pet store.
- Claws . Regular nail trimming is necessary for every dog. Claws are trimmed as needed at the veterinarian or independently with a special nail clipper (sold in pet stores, there are different sizes depending on the size of the dog and different types: guillotine, sickle-shaped). When trimming nails yourself, you need to act very carefully: dogs have blood vessels in their nails and, in order not to damage them, the very tip is cut off. In black Labradors, unlike fawn Labradors, the claws are black and the blood vessels are difficult to see, so you should not take risks if you do not have confidence in your knowledge and sufficient experience: it is better to consult a doctor.
- Teeth . It is necessary to ensure the absence of plaque and tartar. To do this, the dog is given chewable treats and toys to help clean the teeth. You can brush your teeth yourself with a special brush or take your pet to the veterinarian every six months to a year to have their teeth cleaned using professional equipment.
- Water treatments . Often you should not completely wash your dog, only if it is heavily soiled, and you can even wash it with Labrador shampoo 1-2 times a year, otherwise the special water-repellent impregnation of the coat will be washed off. For minor stains, wipe the dog with a wet cloth.
What is the best food to feed?
Feeding with natural food
This method of feeding is called traditional. In this case, the puppies' diet includes only natural products.
- You know exactly what foods are included in the animal's food.
- This way of eating is much better.
- The pet will receive only good foods, which will only strengthen its health and immunity.
- It takes a lot of time to prepare.
- After eating, you need to brush your pet's teeth, as food remains remain in the mouth.
- This feeding method is more expensive than feeding dry food.
Approximate menu for the week:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Resurrection | |
| 7.00 | cottage cheese mixed with milk | oatmeal with a teaspoon of honey* | buckwheat | rice porrige | cottage cheese mixed with sour cream | oatmeal | rice porrige |
| 10.00 | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | boiled chicken eggs | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth |
| 14.00 | milk | kefir | Ryazhenka | yogurt | milk | cottage cheese | sour cream |
| 18.00 | boiled chicken eggs | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | boiled chicken eggs | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth | porridge with meat and vegetables, cooked in meat broth |
| 22.00 | raw chicken meat | raw beef meat | raw fish (not river fish) | raw beef | raw chicken meat | raw beef meat | raw fish (not river fish) |
*-honey should be added if there is no allergy.
Your puppy's food intake should be 6-8% of the dog's weight.
For example, if your pet weighs 8 kilograms, then 8% is 640 grams.
But watch how your pet eats. If he licks the bowl after eating, it means he is not full.
Prohibited Products
Foods that should not be given:
- sausages
- chocolate
- onion
- garlic
- tubular and boiled bones
- raw dough
- raw fish
- sausage
- grapes and raisins
- pork meat
- potato
- stale food.
If you ignore this list and feed these foods to your pet, it will affect his well-being . Eating such food will lead to indigestion, intestinal problems and loss of appetite for your pet.
Dry food
If you plan to take your pet from other people, then you should find out what food the puppy is currently accustomed to . The issue of choosing dry food must be approached responsibly.
Poor quality food will only cause harm to the dog, and even more so to the puppy. Conversely, high-quality food will help keep your pet healthy.
- No need to spend a lot of time cooking.
- From a financial point of view, dry ball feeding is more profitable.
- Dry food is easier to take with you to another place.
- High-quality food contains all the necessary vitamins.
- You don't know for sure what the food consists of.
- In many ways, dry food is inferior to traditional feeding: it often causes allergies.
- Any dry food contains chemical additives.
The norm for feeding a two-month-old Labrador puppy is 5-6 times a day. The size of the servings again depends on the weight of the dog. At 8 kg you can give approximately 128 grams at a time.
Thus, dry food and traditional food have their advantages and disadvantages . Each owner himself chooses, based on his time and budget, how to feed his pet.
Mixed nutrition
This type of feeding should also be mentioned. It involves alternating the first two types. However, you should not give both food and stew at one meal.
You should maintain a balance between the two types of feeding your pet..
An equally important issue is the choice of dishes from which your pet will eat. It is best to purchase stainless steel cookware.
How puppies develop
The table provides information on the development of Labrador puppies by month:
| Age | Development | Height, cm | Weight, kg. |
| 1-15 day |
| 15-18 | 0,4-0,55 |
| from 15 days to 1 month |
| 23-23,5 | 3,4-3,8 |
| 2 months |
| 30-32,5 | 7-8 |
| 3 months |
| 39,5-42 | 12-14 |
| 4 months |
| 44-46 | 17-19 |
| 5 months |
| 48-51 | 21-22 |
| 6 months |
| 50-55 | 24-26 |
What vaccinations should I get?
There are a number of diseases that threaten the life and health of your pet. These are rabies, hepatitis, various infectious diseases, etc.
Mandatory vaccination for a two-month-old Labrador is Nobivac DHPPi + Nobivac Lepto or Eurican DHPPI2-L.
Then, after 3-4 weeks, Nobivac DHPPi + Nobivac Lepto or Eurican DHPPI2-L is done. Other vaccinations are given at a later age.
Popular nicknames
Many dog breeders name their pets based on their color.
Below are the most popular names for black Labradors:
- for a black boy : Hades, Bruno, Black, Blade, Bond, Boomer, Woland, Dark, Diesel, Moor, Neo, Nero, Noir, Onyx, Richie, Romeo, Swart, Sirius, Charlie;
- for a black girl : Bagheera, Bonnie, Bertha, Blackie, Verona, Vendetta, Karma, Lara, Infinity, Audrey, Panther, Tiara, Shadow.
Of course, the list is not limited to these names for boys and girls. Each owner decides for himself what to name his pet. The main thing to remember here is that the nickname suits the animal.
Upbringing
All retrievers are easy to educate and train. It is advisable to start classes at puppyhood. Training should be soft, it is best to use play forms and fetch. When adding physical activity, it is important to consider that retrievers do not tolerate intense exercise well, so exercise should be regular and short-lived.
When training, you first need to focus on basic commands and training in training, then add various tricks. Working dogs are trained according to special programs; retrievers lend themselves well to training in hunting skills, searching for objects, and accompanying.
Price range
Prices for black Labradors with a properly issued puppy card vary around 40-60 thousand rubles.
NOTE!
Despite the fact that Labrador puppies are in high demand, there are enough Labrador kennels in Russia, the competition between them is high, so you can try to bargain with the breeder and get a small discount.
Interesting Facts
During the existence of the breed, a lot of interesting things happened to it:
- It is believed that black Labradors are smarter than their fawn and chocolate counterparts. According to hunters, dark dogs are better at searching for shot game.
- According to one version, the breed was named after the blue-black rock labradorite.
- Black Labradors are capable of diving to a depth of 10 meters. Dogs of this breed can swim underwater for at least 20 m.
How to choose a puppy?
First, you need to decide for what purpose the puppy is being purchased (breeding, exhibition work, just for the family) and find out which clubs or nurseries that are part of the RKF structure have litters with a puppy that previously meets the requirements.
When choosing a puppy, you need to focus on your intuition and the call of your heart, but also not forget about the characteristics that are unacceptable for a purebred Labrador:
- timidity;
- aggressiveness;
- continuous barking;
- inappropriate behavior;
- eyes with a predatory, evil expression;
- gross defects in the exterior: erect or semi-erect ears, malocclusion, umbilical/inguinal hernia, tail bent or curled over the back, large white spot on the chest or in other places (in black Labradors only a small white spot is allowed and only on the chest).
You can ask the breeder which puppies have what kind of character, and observe them yourself (usually the most active puppy tries to change the nipple offered to him for one more filled with milk). There is no need to rush when choosing a puppy, because he will be a member of the family for the next 10-14 years.
When choosing between a girl and a boy, it is worth considering for what purpose the puppy is purchased:
- if as just a pet, gender doesn’t really matter, except that the girl will be more flexible. However, having chosen a female, the owner should be prepared for the fact that his pet will be in heat. But at the same time, an adult male will be constantly in search of a female in heat;
- for breeding it is better to choose a black girl;
- For exhibitions, a boy is more suitable - usually males are more conforming than females.
"To me!"
This command should also be taught from the very first days of the puppy’s appearance. Every time you feed him and put the bowl down, call your pet by name, adding the command itself (for example: “Gray, come to me!”).
During walks, reinforce this command. When the puppy happily runs towards you, say “Come to me!” and give a treat.
If at first he doesn’t want to come, then sit down and clap your hands (such an action will arouse curiosity), call him, then give him a treat. Don't hit or punish your puppy if he does something wrong. When raising a Labrador, you need to achieve unconditional obedience. After which you can move on to training.
