The Labrador retriever may have originated in Canada, but it apparently America’s most favorite dog breed. Among many other things, it is known for its voracious appetite and tendency to be overweight, as well as its gentleness, intelligence and industriousness. And like any other dogs, Labrador retrievers also have special requirements when it comes to key aspects of care.
Food
Labs should eat high-quality dog food, whether commercial or home-prepared, so that their need for strong bones can be addressed, especially considering that they are often weighty. These pets should get sufficient amounts of lean protein and L-carnitine too so they can develop solid muscle mass, together with glucosamine, phosphorous and other sugars and minerals that add strength to their skeletons. For their coat, Labs should should eat food rich in vitamins A and B, biotin and fatty acids.
Meal Schedule
With a balanced feeding schedule, a Lab’s hunger and blood glucose levels can be kept in check. A Lab that is younger than 4 months should eat four times a day, and if between 4 months and 12 months of age, feeding should be thrice everyday. Upon reaching the age of 1 year, it should have only two balanced meals a day.
Teaching Commands
By the age of three months, a Lab retriever is typically trainable with simple commands such as “sit” or “come.” As it matures, it will develop into a large and powerful canine, so training it while it’s young is always smart.
Basic Grooming
Twice a week, a Lab’s coat must be brushed using a slicker grooming brush that is made to pull out loose hairs. The Lab sheds its undercoat twice yearly, to be replaced with a whole new layer of soft fur. With extra grooming, the removal of the undercoat can be extradited and there will be less loose hair lying around. A monthly bath is usually good enough for a Lab, but this can be more frequent if there’s a body of water nearby, such as a river or lake – Labs are enthusiastic swimmers! Very importantly, the pet should be toweled dry after each swim so that coat won’t keep water. Very importantly, since a Lab’s ears are floppy and prone to problems, the inside has to be cleaned regularly with an ear-cleaning solution. If there seems to be a foul odor or discharge, or if anything in the ear looks swollen, that could indicate infection.
Exercise
Finally, considering Labrador retrievers’ tendency to be overweight, as we have mentioned, it is crucial for them to be physically active at least two hours everyday. Chasing and fetching a ball can be a healthy routine that is not only physically stimulating but mentally as well (while the dog learns commands).