DOG FAQ - Are Labrador Retrievers hyper?

Labrador Retrievers are active dogs especially in puppy hood. And Labrador Retrievers often do not fully mature until around 3 years of age! This means you will have a dog that is mentally a puppy (with a puppy's energy) until this age regardless of its physical size! Often a Labrador Retriever puppy is labeled hyperactive when it is simply a normal, exuberant and bouncy puppy.

If you are prepared to deal with this period of time in their lives, you will not have problems. It is the people caught unprepared who then label their puppy hyperactive and incorrigible and dump it. We would like to stress that such dogs, untrained and unexercised, WILL be a huge problem for their owners, becoming destructive, unmanageable, and in many cases escape artists. Once under proper discipline (which does NOT mean beating the dog!), most of these Labs will shape up into good pets.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - What is the difference between Golden Retriever and Yellow Labrador?

The Golden Retriever is a separate breed from the Labrador Retriever, although there are similarities. Sometimes the term is used informally to refer to a Labrador / Golden Retriever mix.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are there golden Labrador Retrievers?

Labrador Retrievers come in three colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. Yellow Labrador Retrievers are often mistakenly called "golden Labrador Retrievers." The term yellow refers to a range of color from nearly white to gold to fox-red.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Labrador Retrievers bark a lot?

Bored Labrador Retrievers can, but excessive barking is not generally typical of the breed. Labrador Retrievers often give a warning bark in response to an unusual event that they feel needs your attention, such as "Hey, a car pulled into the driveway!"

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Are there differences between Labrador Retrievers of different colors?

Aside from the color itself, there are no differences. Many people feel that black Labrador Retrievers are better hunters, yellow dogs are lazier, and chocolate dogs are hardheaded and stubborn. None of this is true. The reason is pure genetics. Coat color in normally colored Labrador is determined by two genes unrelated to anything else about the dog. It is perfectly possible to get all three colors in the same litter, therefore the notion that there is a color based difference in temperament and/or ability is absurd.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Labrador Retrievers like to swim?

Labrador Retriever love to swim. In general, they take to swimming quite naturally. But don't be alarmed if your little puppy is unsure about swimming the first time--they have to learn about swimming just like anything else. Never throw a young puppy into the water! If you have an adult dog around that enjoys swimming, the pup will probably follow it in happily.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - What kind of work can Labradors do?

Besides hunting, doing field trials, and being terrific pets? Quite a bit. Many Labrador Retrievers are used as Service and Therapy dogs, for example. Still others do very well in Search and Rescue work, as well as making excellent Bomb, Narcotic, and Arson dogs. Their nose, disposition, and trainability make them particularly suitable for these types of activities and the breed has a distinguished history in these endeavors. Interestingly, in comparison to other breeds, such as Goldens, there are relatively few Labrador Retrievers in obedience competition. No one is quite certain why, although of course several theories have been advanced, from Labrador Retrievers are a little too "disobedient" (a necessary ability in Service work -- to disobey an unsafe command), to most people with Labrador Retrievers being involved in other activities such as Hunt Tests.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Labrador Retrievers make good guard dogs?

Labrador Retrievers are not reliable guards. Some can be protective and most will probably bark if they hear or see something they don't like -- particularly if it is near their yard. If your main purpose in getting a dog is to have a guard dog, a Labrador Retriever is not a good choice, but if you want an "alarm" barker, most Labrador Retrievers are fine.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Labrador Retrievers are popular, aren't they?

Yes. Since 1991, Labrador Retrievers have been the top registered dog with the AKC. At the end of 1997, President Clinton got a chocolate Labrador. This means that there are a lot of people out there breeding Labrador Retrievers hoping to make a few quick bucks (as opposed to improving the breed). You need to be very careful about where you get your Labrador Retriever. Disreputable breeders are the primary source for hyper, ill-behaved and ill-favored Labrador Retrievers.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - What is "butt-tucking"?

"Butt-tucking" (not limited to Labrador Retriever) is when your puppy suddenly starts running in circles at top speed with his rear tucked under him. Most Labrador Retriever do this. It does not indicate a problem with your Labrador Retriever, either with its temperament or its joints. However, you will want to keep a sharp eye out that you are not injured during this free-for-all!

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - How much grooming do Labrador Retrievers need?

Labrador Retrievers need to be brushed on a regular basis (about once a week) to keep them clean. This will also help keep the shedding under control. A "slicker" type brush, which you can buy at any pet store, works nicely. Labrador Retrievers, like all dogs, need to have their toenails clipped regularly. You can get a canine nail clipper at any pet store and your vet can demonstrate to you the best way to clip their nails.

Labrador Retrievers do not need to be bathed frequently. The Labrador Retrievers coat does not need constant attention. A true bath, which includes shampooing the coat, is only necessary if the dog smells bad. Generally, if a dog is merely dusty or muddy, you can rinse them off with plain water or wait until they are dry and brush the dirt out to restore them to cleanliness. Shampooing them too often is not a good idea as shampoo tends to strip the natural oils out of their coats. A properly oily coat repels dirt and sheds water easily. In general, Labrador Retrievers coats are low-maintenance.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Labrador Retrievers don't shed, do they?

Actually, they do. Labrador Retrievers have what is called a double coat. This means that they have a soft, downy undercoat and a harder guard coat. These two types of coat help keep the dog warm and dry while swimming in cold waters when retrieving ducks. Generally Labrador Retrievers will shed their coat twice a year. This is called "blowing" their coat. They are moderate shedders, not enthusiastic ones such as Alaskan Malamutes or German Shepherd Dogs. There will be a certain amount of hair loss throughout the year, especially in more temperate climates. This varies individually; some Labrador Retrievers shed less than others, especially if they happen to have an incorrect coat.

Labrador Retriever - Dog Lover