Labrador Retriever Dogs

The first rule anyone considering getting a Labrador is to carefully consider the breeder. This is so important as the time spent in advance will save much time and trouble in years to come.

Avoid the Color Sale
I am still amazed that from time to time I will see an ad in the paper advertising a litter with 1 rare Chocolate Lab? If you find a breeder whose idea of qualifying you as an owner of one of their pups is asking what color you prefer…. RUN and RUN fast. When talking to a reputable breeder they are more interested in what type of life you will provide to their pup and the color of the pups most likely will no even be mentioned.

Ask Plenty of Questions
If someone is calling their self a breeder, they should be only be breeding to improve the breed. Now how are they going to improve the breed if they do not know it inside and out. Do your research ahead of time and make a list of questions. Ask about the labs history, traits, health issues etc… You will quickly find out if this is the type of breeder you can trust. For instance when getting our Lab our first question was “Why are your breeding Labs”? For this answer we got many I really love the breed. If you get this type of stock response dig deeper. Ask why do you want to breed though, you ca love the breed by simply having one? We knew we found we found the right breeder for us when the response was, “I feel that the Labs in the United States have over time lost the Sporting Ability. I am trying to improve a proven champion conformation line by installing champion field characteristics”. Now this is what we wanted to hear and obvisouly someone that understood the breed standard.

Be Prepared to Have Questions Asked
If you are offered a pup without any questions being asked about you and your lifestyle, do nottake it as a compliment that you seem like a great person, RUN… Yes you will most likely do a lot of running away when searching. Most breeders love the pups and want first most to know they are placed in a suitable environment. Be prepared to answer questions about who will care for the dog, where will the dog stay, what will you do for exercise etc… Also many will ask many personality type questions such as if you prefer the outdoors or indoors. This is to make sure the Lab is right for you. In many cases a breeder will turn away potential buyers they do not feel would do with a Lab added to their house.

Check on CERTs
This is so important and a must to do. Make sure that at least the parents have been Hip and Elbow certified. This helps reduce the chance that your pup will develop Hip Dysplasia or Elbow Dysplasia. Also see if the parents have Eye CERTS on their pedigrees. Labs have been known to be prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy and breeding stock should have their eyes checked annually to ensure they have not developed thislate onset health problem that can be passed to the pups.

Decide What You Are Looking For
The most important thing to do is consider what you and your Lab will do together. Are you looking to join in confirmation competition? If so you will want to check the bloodlines and research the ancestry of the line to see what champions your puppy is coming from. Maybe you are looking for a hunting companion? In this case a review of the ancestry can show past field trial champions. Maybe you are just looking for a companion? In this case, the amount of show champions do not matter, focus on finding a healthy pup from a good line.

Although time consuming, these suggestions will greatly help you in finding the right Lab for you. The short time spent researching will lead to years of companionship that is unbelievable.

Those cute, adorable, fuzzy, warm chewing machines that we refer to as Lab puppies. If you have never owned a Lab, get ready for a wild ride. If you are a Lab owner, you know right where this is going and we hope to offer some tips to help.

The Problem
Chewingitis A non-stop desire to have something in the mouth to chew on at all times, all hours of the day. In some cases this turns from a desire to pure need.

Ok so this is not really a disease but it sums up the Labs desire to chew. Out of all the different breeds I have been privileged to own none even come close with the desire to chew than a Lab pup. From stories being told of a Lab pulling up boards off a deck (true story) to my first hand experience with this chewing desire, it is a problem that needs controlled and controlled quickly otherwise your life will be turned upside down.

The Root of Chewingitis
In most cases the problem seems to stem from boredom. This is not to say that your Lab is not being stimulated, it just needs more. Labs are known and loved for their never-ending endurance. In the wrong situation this can quickly turn from a desired trait to a nightmare. The Labrador desires a lot of stimulation and if is not being provided, it will create some for itself. Do not try to accomplish this non-stop simulation yourself as you would most likely die of exhaustion within a few days. Instead try some of these great tricks for treating Chewingitis.

Teething
This will be your first experience with Chewingitis. During the teething stage, the puppy teeth are coming out and the adult teeth are coming in. This makes your pups mouth very sensitive and they are just like a baby with teeth coming in and need to chew on something. Whether that something is your shoe or a toy is up to you….

One of the best remedies I have found for this is ice cubes. I cannot even begin to think of the amount of ice we would go through when teething. The cold ice helps dull the pain all the while filling the pups mouth (this prevents it having your shoe in there).

After Teething
After the teething has stopped the Chewingitis does not regress. Often they have simply moved on from shoes to new items they can reach. Yes that means put those remote controls, credit cards, and any other valuable in an inaccessible place.

Why this desire is continued is still beyond me. All I know is it does not stop and lot soft work needs to be done to keep that pup happy.

A Tired Puppy Is A Happy Puppy
Plan on lots of walks and time to run and play. This helps get a lot of the pent up energy out and will make for a much more relaxing evening indoors for everyone. Plan on a brisk morning walk to start the day and an evening walk. The pup also needs a chance to stretch its legs by running off leash. If you have a back yard, you can try a variety of games. From fetch (hey, they are retrievers you know) to finding hidden items try to find items that stimulate both the mind and body of your Lab.

What to Chew
Do not even think about those soft plastic or stuffed toys offered at pet stores. This results in about 5 seconds of pure mayhem ended with a loss of $5.00. Kind of reminds one of a Tornado hitting a matchbox toy car…

One of the best toys I found is the Kong. These come in both a Red and Black color, get the black one. The Red is a softer rubber and will not last very long. Try stuffing the Kong with a variety of treats (our favorite is still to fill it with peanut butter and freeze it). The Kong not only gives your Lab puppy something to chew on but also provides mental stimulation as they try to figure out the quickest way to get the goodies out from inside.

Another great toy is a hard plastic treat ball. Make sure it is large enough for the Lab not to get its’ mouth around otherwise you will end up with another soft plastic toy tornado. Lets face it, Labs love to eat and this treat ball is the perfect stimulation for the eater. They push the ball, push the ball and finally a treat is dispensed. Another great mind stimulation toy.

Is Chewingitis Curable?
Of course… Usually a Labrador Retriever will reach maturity between the ages of 1 and 2 years. During this time they will finish finishing their bodies out and slow down on the chewing. They become much calmer and controlled but will still need lots of time to play. Of course the playtime so fun with a Lab this is never a problem as you both will have years of enjoyment with each other.

One of the and most important and sometimes most difficult things dog owners must do is chose a vet. If you hae had pets before or family and friends that have had pets, this is often done by referral. If you are new to the pet world, what do you do?

As with any important decision you should first have a plan. Make a list of potential vets by use of referrals and your local phonebook. Once you have a list, the process of selecting your vet begins. Schedule an appointment with each vet and plan y explaining you are looking for a vet and would like to meet with them for a few minutes to go over some questions.

If you already have your dog when going to interview with the vet, take him along. This will be a great way to see if your pup is going to be comfortable at the office and with the doctor. Just make sure to ask if you can bring him along first.

Typical questions you may want to ask include:

1. Ask about fees and services. If you know your dog will need a special service ask about it upfront.
2. Opinion on the proper age to Spay and Neuter if needed.
3. Experience, educational background.
4. Observe their interaction with your dog.
5. Observe other patients and overall cleanness of the facility.

Once you have interviewed each candidate you will need to make your decision by trying who best matched what you are looking for. Remember if the vet does not work out, it is OK to switch but hopefully by doing some upfront work you can find a vet to serve yours and your pups needs.

If you have looked at pedigrees for Labrador Retrievers or other dogs you will notice they contain several abbreviations along the dogs heritage. What do all of these mean and how does it affect your Labrador Retriever? Read on for an explanation of common pedigree titles.

BIS – Best in Show. Thyis is awarded to dogs that has won a Best In Show award in Confirmation competition.

BISS – Best in Specialty Show. Simular to Best in Show, this is awarded to a dog judged as the top dog at a speciality show. A specilaity show is a show that only one breed is shown.

CD – Companion Dog. A title awarded by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for a dog that successfully passes three Novice Obedience items. A passing score is 170 out of 200 possible points.

CDX – Companion Dog Excellent. This is an advanced obedience title awarded to a dog who successfully qualifies in Open Obedience Class three times. Awarded at AKC licensed dog shows.

OTCH – Obedience Trial Champion. Advanced Obeidiance Title earned by receiving a minimum of 100 points at AKC licensed shows. Resrictions include the dog must win at least one first place in Open B and Utility and an additional first in either. The first places must e awarded by different judges.

CGC – Canine Good Citizen. This AKC Title shows a dog has passed a that evaluates temperament, manners and behavior.

CH – Champion. A title awarded by the AKC to a dog that has acquired at least 15 points. Requirements include at least 6 different points need to come from two separate Major wins and wins must come from at least three separate judges. The title is often preceded by the country the title was won (i.e. Amer CH= American Champion).

CQN – Certificate of Natural Qualities. This title is awarded by the International Canine Federation for completion of Breed Working Test that is required for conformation.

HCT – Herding Capability Tested. Offered by The American Herding Breed Association that certifies the dog has a presence of natural instinct to herd.

HIC – Herding Instinct Certified . A title offered by The American Herding Breed Association that certifies the dog has a presence of natural instinct to herd.

NAFC – National Amateur Field Champion. Awarded by the AKC for dogs that win first place in the National Amateur Championship stake.

NCH – Nite Champion. A title where the dog must earn 100 points and have one first place finish in a licensed AKC Nite Hunt.

NFC – National Field Champion. Title offered by the AKC where the dog must win first place in a National Open Championship stake.

NOC – National Obedience Champion. Title awarded to the Annual National Obedience Invitational winner. Award is given once each year.

NGDC – National Gun Dog Champion. Title offered by the AKC where the dog must win first place in a National Open Gun Dog Championship stake.

NOGDC – National Open Gun Dog Champion: AKC title where the dog must win first place in a National Open Gun Dog Championship stake.

OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This certifies that an animal has dysplasia-free hips. The test is conducted after the age of two by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and is recommended for any large breed.

TT – Temperament Tested. Awarded by American Temperament Test Society to dogs that successfully pass the a test that evaluates temperament balance.

TDI – Therapy Dog.  A title given by Therapy Dog International for dogs doing therapy work. Requires the dog to pass a temperament test and work in situations that therapy is provided to humans.

TD – Tracking Dog. A title offered by the AKC for dogs who pass a tracking test.

TDX – Tracking Dog Excellent. A title offered by the AKC to dogs who pass advanced tracking tests and requirements.

UD – Utility Dog. This is a title offered by the AKC to dogs who meet the requirements of points winning in the Utility Obedience classes. Can be combined with the TD or the TDX and would show as UDT or UDTX.