Breed Profile - Labrador Retriever
by: Stephanie Bayliss
BREED FOCUS - Labrador Retriever
History
Labradors originated from the coast of Newfoundland in the 17 th Century. They were trained by fishermen, to collect the nets from the icy waters and for this reason, were bought to Poole Harbour in the UK in the 19 th Century.
With such an attractive dog, the fishermen were often offered money for them and they very soon were found to be extremely effective as gun dogs.
The Earl of Malmesbury was a huge fan and began breeding these dogs, and named them ? Labradors?
Appearance
Labradors are extremely attractive dogs, with kind faces and gentle eyes. They are strongly built and broad through their chest and rib cage.
According to the Kennel Club, Labradors should stand at approximately 55-56 cm tall for females and 56-57 cm tall for males.
Labradors have a short, dense coat which has a waterproof undercoat. They come in 3 solid colours; yellow, black and chocolate. Yellow Labradors can range in colour from a light cream to red fox.
Temperament
Labradors make one of the best family pets, being friendly, kind patient and very forgiving. They will bond with children and adults alike and just love to be a part of the family. They are not a good guard dog, and will welcome strangers like old family friends. They like other dogs and are good with other animals too.
Grooming
With their short coats, they will only require a minimal amount of time spent on grooming.
Exercise
Labradors love to be outside; they appreciate long walks where they can run off lead. But do beware; because of their love for water, it is likely that they will become oblivious to your shouts of ?NO?, as they head for the nearest muddy water hole, to wallow like a hippo! Care should be taken around large expanses of water, as they will swim and swim!
Health Problems
When you purchase a Labrador puppy, you must check that the breeder screens for hereditary problems, especially Hip and Elbow dysplasia. You should also be aware that progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy are also hereditary problems.
Henry?s story
Henry is a 7 year old typical Labrador who lives with Kim and Leon, and their 4 year old son, Max. Henry is extremely patient with Max, who has been known to use Henry as a step up to the settee and often follows Henry around, grabbing him and stroking him and generally giving him no time to himself!! Henry sometimes sneaks into Max?s bedroom at night and falls asleep in there ? maybe he wants to keep an eye on his buddy.
Henry loves his walks with a passion, but will head straight for any patch of water or muddy hole, and will lie down in it so that his perfect, pale yellow coat turns muddy brown - whatever the weather!!
About The Author
Stephanie Bayliss has written many articles on dog training which can be found at the Kennel Corner website at www.kennel-corner.co.uk.
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Internet Forums - Six Ways To Avoid Disaster
Internet Forums - Six Ways To Avoid Disaster
by: Elaine Currie
Internet Forums are highly popular, they cater for all tastes and deal with every topic imaginable. People visit Internet forums for a variety of reasons, the most common being the search for information or entertainment. The Internet forum is a safe environment if you behave sensibly but you can find yourself in dangerous territory if you ignore the following warnings.
Don't Join Internet Forum Flame Wars
An Internet Forum flame war is to be avoided at all costs. The airing of differing points of view, debate and discussion are healthy things for an Internet forum: they keep it lively. An Internet forum flame war can make entertaining reading but don't be tempted to join in or start one. If you make a habit of leaping into forum flame wars, you will acquire a reputation as a trouble-maker and you could find yourself barred from a forum because of your behaviour. Another good...
Internet Forums - Six Ways To Avoid Disaster
Puppy training > Internet Forums - Six Ways To Avoid Disaster
4 to 8 Dog Agility Jumps Makes Ideal Training
4 to 8 Dog Agility Jumps Makes Ideal Training
by: Brad Carlson
We are often asked, "How many jumps should I start with?"
You can never have too many single jumps to practice agility.
A good starting place is four jumps.
This is the absolute minimum number of jumps that we recommend.
You can teach a variety of skills, drills, and exercises with four jumps.
Four jumps will allow you to work on a short jump chute or jump grid.
You can setup a "box" with your jumps and practice handling, collection, and 270 degree jumps.
You can teach your dog jumping left and right.
You can be outside the box and send your dog or you can handle from the inside of the box.
Your jumps can be setup in a horizontal line, so that you can practice serpentines and threadles.
Go the next step and get eight jumps.
Now you can setup two boxes with one introductory jump.
Puppy training > 4 to 8 Dog Agility Jumps Makes Ideal Training
Training Your German Shepherd Dog
Training Your German Shepherd Dog
by: Jayne Shenstone
The German Shepherd Dog truly is a wonderful animal and not only do they make good working dogs, they also make superb family pets. They are however very different from other pet breeds and need to be handled and trained with a different approach to say your average labrador or poodle for instance.
The German Shepherd Dog is a large, strong athletic dog, which needs a lot of mental stimulation and exercise but a well trained shepherd can learn to do almost anything. These dogs positively thrive on challenging activities and they are so willing to serve their master and please. As a working dog used by most police forces, the very look of a GSD is usually enough to act as a deterrent but when called into action there are few dogs that can match the German Shepherd as an all rounder.
If you are considering becoming an owner of a GSD then you need to consider the commitment to training...
Training Your German Shepherd Dog
Puppy training > Training Your German Shepherd Dog
Sports First Aid Kit: Are You Prepared?
Sports First Aid Kit: Are You Prepared?
by: Louise Roach
Do you have an active family? Are your kids involved in soccer or little league? What sports are high on your priority list ? running, golf, tennis?
American Sports Data, Inc. estimates:
- 50.6 million people over the age of 6 exercise frequently, participating in single activities (running, cycling, treadmill)
- 39.9 million participate in recreational sports (basketball,...
Puppy training > Sports First Aid Kit: Are You Prepared?
Sweeten Someone?s Childhood
Sweeten Someone?s Childhood
by: Jean Fisher
We live in times when the innocence of childhood is being lost earlier than ever before. What can we as parents, grandparents and caretakers do to postpone the inevitable? What can we do to create memories and experiences for our children (and ourselves) to treasure for a lifetime?
Get outside as much as possible. It was a beautiful, rainy, Spring day here in Northern Arizona and I needed to return some books...
Puppy training
Puppy training > Sweeten Someone?s Childhood
Puppy training Breed Profile - Labrador Retriever toyo tires