General Information
General Description
(Lab, Black Labrador Retriever, Yellow Labrador Retriever, Chocolate Labrador Retriever, ) The Labrador Retriever is a strong, medium-sized dog with an athletic, well-balanced appearance. They are a short-coupled breed with a body that is the same or just longer than it is tall. Their back is strong, their topline is level, and their wide, strong loin denotes flexibility. They have a comparatively long neck that is muscular and rises in an arch from the shoulders. Their underbelly is almost straight, with little to no tuck-up being present in adult specimens. Forequarters of this breed are well-muscled, balanced, and sturdy. They have shoulders that are well laid-back and form a 90 degree angle with the upper arm. In addition to enhancing mobility of the dog’s forelegs, this angle allows the dog to achieve a strong forward reach. When perceived from the front, the Labrador Retriever’s front legs are straight and well-boned. Elbows of this breed are located directly under the withers. Their compact feet are strong and feature a set of well-arched toes and well-developed pads. They have sturdy, well let-down hock joints that do not slip or hyper-extend when the dog is standing. The angulations of the stifle and hock joints are designed to achieve ideal balance, drive, and traction. The tail of the Labrador Retriever is thick at its base, and it gradually tapers toward its tip. It is of medium length and it extends no longer than to the hock. The tail’s peculiar and distinctive appearance is often referred to as the “otter” tail. The skull of the Labrador Retriever is wide and well-developed. They have a slightly pronounced brow that prevents the skull from being in a straight line with the nose. Their wedge-shaped head is clean-cut and the skull’s bony structure is well-chiseled beneath the eyes. They have a well-proportioned muzzle and a wide nose with well-developed nostrils. Teeth of this breed are strong and close in a scissors bite, and eyes are medium-sized, set far apart, and are brown or hazel in color. The breed’s ears are set relatively far back, somewhat low on the skull, and are well in proportion. They hang comparatively close to the dog’s head. The Labrador Retriever’s coat is short-haired, straight, and very dense. They have a soft, weather-resistant, protective undercoat. Coat colors for this breed include black, yellow, and chocolate. A small white patch on the dog’s chest may be present.Average life expectancy is 9-12 years.
Character
The Labrador Retriever is an exceptional family companion. They are sweet, affectionate, and patient, and they constantly aim to please. They are highly intelligent, good-natured, and they love to play. Their temperament is reliable and friendly, and they get along very well with children and other dogs. They need to feel as though they are part of the family. This breed is very easy to train. They are not natural guard dogs, but they will bark if they detect a threat. If left unattended for extended periods of time, the Labrador Retriever can become mischievous. Potential owners of this breed should ensure they purchase specimens from a reputable breeder.
Size
21-28 inches*
Female: 21-24 inches Male: 24-28 inchesMale: 24-28 inches Female: 21-24 inches
Male: 51-57cm Female: 56-52 cm
Weight
55 – 100 poundsGeneral Health
Like many other large dog breeds, the Labrador Retriever is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Other health concerns include eye problems like PRA. This breed typically lives for 10 to 12 years.*
The average litter size is 8 puppies. Labradors can live more than 12 years if their body weight is kept under control and the dog undergoes regular natural mental and physical exercise. They enjoy freely running on an open field, searching for toys and sniffing practice. Proper diet is also a major factor in long life. Some Labradors may be prone to epilepsy and all are prone to bloat.This breed is prone to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures of the knee. Avoid running them down hills and never throw toys underhand, forcing them to jump.
This breed is also prone to ear infection. Buildup will occur in the folds of the ear and will need to be cleaned regularly.
Maintenance
The smooth, short-haired, double coat of the Labrador Retriever is easy to groom and take care of. It should be combed and brushed regularly with a firm bristle brush, and extra attention to be given to the dog’s undercoat. This breed should be bathed or dry shampooed only as necessary. They are average shedders.*
About 80 percent of Labradors love water and enjoy splashing in their water bowls. The other 20 percent of Labradors do not like water as tested by veterinarians. The results show that yellow labs are more likely to dislike water. Exposing labs to swimming at a young age is recommended.Labradors won't swim until there about 3-5 months old. Be sure to give them a lot of praise when they do and they will become masterful swimmers.
Ideal Environment
The Labrador Retriever is content to live in a small household or apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are a comparatively active breed indoors, and they are happiest with at least an average-sized yard. They are a highly energetic breed that is eager for any opportunity to run around and play. They require a substantial amount of daily physical activity. They like to eat and they have a propensity to become overweight.*
The Brittany Spaniel should be taken out for runs, or at least daily walks. It is recommended to have a back yard for it to play in. This dog enjoys strenuous exercise and loves to play and interact with it's owners.This breed requires a fair amount of daily exercise. At least two 30 minute walks a day and off leash time if possible.
Dog Vomiting - What Is The Cause And Suggested Treatment For Vomiting In Dogs?
There can be several common reasons for his/her current upset stomach. Did you recently switch his dog food to an entirely different kind? The quick transition may have been too abrupt for his system, especially if he was used to eating the old kibble for a long period of time. You should gradually introduce a new diet by mixing the new food in with the old.
Do you have a large breed dog that is growing very rapidly? Often dogs in this situation vomit up stomach vile in the morning because they are hungry and their bodies are developing faster than their meals can keep up with.
Did he manage to get himself into any food scraps that are toxic to dogs such as grapes, raisons, chocolate, avocados, baby food, alcohol, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, onions, or coffee?
Extreme food allergies have been known to cause bellyaches. Was he recently gnawing on a bone or cheap toy that crumbled and could have become lodged in his throat? Any of these reasons could explain his vomiting (throwing up).
Examine the intensity and consistency of your dog's vomit (sound gross I agree!). Has he been projectile vomiting? This force could mean a foreign object is stuck inside him and his body is working to get it out immediately. Does the substance have an obvious food appearance in it? This is most likely due to him eating a food that is toxic or spoiled. Is his vomit frothy and foamy? He could just have an upset stomach from a switch of diet or stress due to some new changes in his life.
Dogs eat grass to induce vomiting. Grass serves as nature's remedy for this purpose. If you see your dog consuming abnormal amounts of grass then he has a bellyache - but don't expect the grass to cure everything.
Treatment For Dog Vomiting
You should fast your adult dog for 12-24 hours after you notice him vomiting. If you have a puppy then the fast should not go on for so long due to his smaller body. This will give his stomach a rest and increase his ability to regulate his digestive system. Small amounts of water are ok. Keeping ice cubes in a bowl will provide him with a constant amount of water as they melt throughout the day.
At the end of the fast you can offer him a small bland diet that is 2/3 white rice and 1/3 boiled chicken breast. If he is able to keep the food down then give him another meal 4 hours later. If it looks like he is recovering steadily then you can continue with his normal sized meals on the bland diet for the next couple of days.
All types of dog vomiting should be a reason for concern, especially if it is a prolonged problem with several different bouts. It is best to take your dog to a vet sooner rather than later. A dog that is vomiting frequently is considered an emergency due to the drastic way vomiting dehydrates the body. If the issue is left neglected then your dog's health is at serious risk.
Dog Throwing Up
The vet may prescribe some Flagyl for your dog to control his vomiting. Flagyl is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and certain parasites. If his condition has drastically weakened in a short amount of time then the vet may inject IV fluids to hydrate him and give his immune system a chance to recover to its normal state.
If you are certain he ingested something poisonous then the vet will induce vomiting. Some people do this at home by using a syringe to shoot 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide down the dog's throat and then adding 1 teaspoon of salt to the back of their throat. The mix will make him throw up. The vet has a quicker prescription drug for this purpose that is actually dropped in the eye called Apomorphine. One drop will make him expel the toxic food. If done immediately after vomiting, an activated charcoal tablet with 2 teaspoons of water will coat his inner lining and suck out any remaining toxins before the toxins have time to reach his bloodstream.
If he has something lodged in his throat or belly then the vet will feel around to decipher if there is distinct pain in a certain spot on his stomach. If so, x-rays or ultrasounds need to be taken to identify the exact location and shape of the object. Some objects can pass safely but others may need surgery to be removed.
Second to undergoing surgery, the worst-case scenario is that your dog has kidney failure, pancreatitis, peritonitis, a hernia, or stomach cancer. Any of these will result in multiple trips to the vet for various medications to alleviate his suffering.
Vomiting should not be a common experience for your dog if he is in optimal health. If he has been vomiting and has diarrhea at the same time then you should bring him to an emergency hospital right away. This kind of issue should not be treated lightly because of the rapid way it can debilitate your dog's immune system.
Any kind of tummy ache for your little friend should be thoroughly investigated because nobody wants to feel sick longer than they need to.
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