Labradors are one of the most well known and most popular choices for dog lovers across the nation. A Labrador puppy that is trained well will be a loyal and playful friend as well as a dependable hunter (if it is a retriever) for its owner. When choosing a Labrador, there are a lot of questions to consider. You have probably wondered if the color of the lab makes a difference in the quality of the puppy that you choose. You may also wonder how to find a Labrador puppy that has been bred well.
What to Look for When Buying a Labrador Puppy
Does Color Make a Difference?
Some people claim that black Labradors make the best Labrador retrievers, but this is false. When purchasing a Labrador from a professional breeder, you should pay more attention to the genetics or the disposition (see paragraph below) of the particular puppy than to its color. However, if you would like a Labrador puppy for purely aesthetic reasons, then feel free to choose the color of your choice.
Choosing a Labrador Puppy With the Right Disposition
When choosing a Labrador puppy, most potential dog owners want a dog with a mellow yet playful disposition. Many well-meaning people offer advice like, “Let the puppy choose you.” They say this assuming that the puppy which runs to you first will probably be the puppy that would get along best with you. That doesn’t make sense. That puppy may be the bossiest and most aggressive puppy in its litter. Aggressive puppies do not make the best pets. Here are some tips for choosing your Labrador puppy:
Evaluate the entire litter
If you notice that the entire litter is shy or overly reserved, then regardless of whether there are one or two ‘friendlier’ puppies, you should probably avoid that litter. The genetics found in that litter are not what you are looking for. The same goes for a hyperactive litter.
Look for puppies that are trusting
Well-bred puppies are curious and trusting. Take out your car keys or make other noises. Do some of the puppies respond? Do they seem scared or lethargic? Take that into consideration.
Look for personality traits
Look for traits in the puppy that you would look for in a human roommate. Ask yourself which puppies are bossy? Which ones are noisy? Which puppies are shy? Which are submissive? The last one would be a super strange thing to look for in a human roommate…but to each his own. Chances are, you will opt for the puppy that doesn’t bite or claw when he interacts with the other puppies in his litter. You want a pup that can interact and hold its own with other puppies.
Wondering how much it costs to own a dog? Read our article about it!
How Long Do Labradors Live?
What is the average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever? They can live on average between 10 and 14 years.
How to Train a Labrador Puppy?
How to Stop a Labrador From Barking?
Just like with any dog, you need patience and strong training.
Why Do Labradors Stink?
Bred to work in and around water, Labradors have a dense double coat with an oily outer layer which offers almost perfect waterproofing. These oils in your dog’s fur are part of the source of his distinctive doggy smell. And they can smell particularly strong when your dog is damp and dry off after a swim.
Do Labs smell worse than other dogs?
Each dog has its own unique scent signature. Biology plays a role for the stinky smell Labradors can have. Even though all Labradors smell to some extent, no two Labs will smell exactly alike. If your dog goes for a swim more often than most labs, chances are that they may smell a bit funkier than most if their coat doesn’t dry properly.
How do I stop my Labrador from smelling?
There are things that you can do to help your dog smell better. You really need to dry your dog’s coat properly. When you wash your pup, you need to make sure that you get rid of the rancid oils in the fur. We wrote an article on how to wash your dog. Check it out to help you get started freshening up your dog.
What Size of Crate for a Labrador?
Most adult Labs require a crate that’s between 36 inches and 42 inches. An especially large Labrador might even need a 48-inch crate. What we did with our puppy was buying the final sized crate with a divider to limit the space when your dog is small.
What Is a Labrador vs a Labrador Retriever?
Nothing! Nada! Zip! Actually, there is no difference between a Labrador retriever and a Labrador. Both words refer to the same dog. The official name of the dog breed is Labrador Retriever.
What Size of Collar for a Labrador Puppy?
You need a puppy collar that’s at least 9 inches long. We strongly recommend you go for a Zeedog collar. They are awesome and they have a line that is waterproof. That’s kind of a must when you own a water dog!
What Colors Do Labrador Retrievers Come In?
Labradors come in 3 colors; black, yellow and chocolate. Black is the most well-known color. It’s a dominant color for this breed. What is the rarest color of lab? If breeders didn’t influence outcomes, chocolate Labradors would be the rarest. Of the nine possible E and B gene combinations, only two produce a chocolate coat.
At What Age Is a Labrador Fully Grown?
We asked our vet and apparently they are considered officially fully grown during their second year. Most of the growth will get done during your puppy’s first birthday. You get a good idea of what your “final version” looks like around 9 months.
What Is the Average Weight of a Labrador Retriever?
Labrador might weigh between 55 and 70 lbs. An adult male Lab will weigh 65 – 80 lbs. If you are talking in kilos, it’s more Labrador male: 29–36 kg and female: 25–32 kg.
