Dogs in the Spotlight: Labrador Retriever
According to the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers have been the most popular dog in the U.S. since 1991. There are good reasons we love Labradors (Labs) so much. This breed is intelligent, obedient, and ever so eager to please their owners, and because of those qualities, they’re excellent companion dogs.
Ancestors of the Lab came from coastal fishing towns along the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Locals bred small water dogs with Newfoundlands, creating a new breed known as the Lesser Newfoundland. Fishermen used this new breed to retrieve fish that fell off the hook or jumped out of the boat. Over time, the Lesser Newfoundlands become what we call Labrador Retrievers today.
Size, build, and appearance
Labrador Retrievers are considered medium to large dogs. Males weigh approximately 65-80 lbs., and females generally weigh about 55-70 lbs.
They are muscular, hearty, and have what breeders call a “square” build — meaning they’re just slightly longer than tall. Powerful legs make them good runners and swimmers. Webbed feet and otter-like tails add to their swimming abilities. Their coats are made of short, straight, waterproof fur with a dense undercoat that serves them well in almost any weather.
Labs have broad heads with strong jaws. Despite their strength, they have a “soft mouth” — another unique feature that makes them excellent hunting and fishing dogs. The combination of strong jaws and soft mouths let them carry fowl and fish — both large and small — without damaging them.
Lifespan
Labradors typically have a lifespan of 10-14 years provided they aren’t experiencing genetic disorders, which can shorten lifespans significantly, depending on the condition. For this reason, if you’re getting a purebred Lab, make sure you’re getting him or her from a reputable breeder. You should also ask if your breeder has had their dogs tested for genetic complications.
Personality traits
Labradors have a charming, even-keeled personality. They’re highly intelligent, devoted, gentle, hard-working, willing to please, and love being with their owners.
The combination of their builds, love of work, and personality traits make them excellent companion dogs. They are a favored breed for several different roles:
Guide dogs
Their amenable, but hard-working, personalities make Labs the ideal guide dog. In fact, German Shepards historically were the preferred guide dog for people with disabilities, but over time Labs replaced them. Unlike Shepherds, which can be overly protective, Labs are good with strangers and crowds, and stay calm under stress.
Military dogs
Labrador Retrievers’ became essential members of military combat tracking teams during the Vietnam War. Because of their strong sense of smell and strong bodies, they were often instrumental in helping locate enemies and retrieve wounded soldiers.
Hunting and fishing dogs
The innate drive to retrieve objects coupled with their hearty builds have made Labs favorite hunting companions from the get-go. On top of their retrieving instincts, they’re also known for having innate fishing instincts. Some Labs are known for “tolling”, or gently pawing the water in an attempt to attract fish to the surface.
Health-related complications
As delightful as their personalities are, breeding has left Labrador Retrievers with some less-than-ideal health conditions.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Labs have a tendency toward a hereditary malformation of the head of the femur or humerus. This is known as dysplasia, and it causes the ball-shaped bone to not properly fit the joint socket. This poor fit can result in pain and make it difficult for Labs to stand up, run, jump, or climb stairs.
Some dogs require no treatment, but if yours does, a range of traditional and non-traditional treatments are available to help ease symptoms and discomfort.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of joints that make every day activity a bit more challenging and uncomfortable. It is especially common in older Labs but can occur in younger Labs as well. Arthritis in Labs can be caused by a range of factors, including infection, immune-related diseases, injury, and age-related wear and tear.
Hypothyroidism
Caused by low hormone production in the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism can result in lethargy, hair loss, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Hormone replacement therapy can help correct this condition.
Seizures or epilepsy
Seizures in dogs occur when abnormal and uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity occur in the brain. A seizure can result in confusion, loss of consciousness, uncontrollable jerking or shaking, drooling, collapsing, foaming at the mouth, tongue chewing, and sometimes a loss of urinary and bowel functions.
Seizures can be caused by a range of conditions related to genetics, exposure to toxins, or electrolyte or metabolic disturbances in the body.
Laryngeal Paralysis
Sometimes the muscles within or around larynx morph, causing a restriction of airflow through the larynx. This is called Laryngeal Paralysis, which causes coughing, “barking”, or “honking” sound when the dogs get excited. When this condition restricts breathing and airflow, exercise and physical movement can be limited. This lack of movement can then lead to weight gain, further contributing to a Lab’s health decline.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
PRA describes a group of genetic diseases that degenerate the retina, or the lining at the back of the eye that reflects and processes light. Over time, PRA diseases cause the retina to stop working altogether, leading to vision loss, and sometimes eventual blindness. Testing can now be done to help identify dogs that may be carriers, so be sure to ask a breeder if they’ve done testing before getting your heart set on a specific dog or puppy.
Please note that this blog is intended to inform only and is not intended as a tool for diagnosis. If your pet is suffering from any of the above conditions, please consult with a veterinarian.
Medical breakthroughs for furry friends
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to treat or manage common health conditions in Labrador Retrievers — and new advancements for health support are showing even more promising results.
One extraordinary breakthrough is stem cell therapy for dogs, utilizing your pup’s own stem cells to alleviate age-related illness and injury. Stem cell therapies have improved the quality of life of thousands of dogs with common canine concerns such as osteoarthritis, chronic dry eye, allergic skin conditions, and more.
If you have your heart set on a Labrador Retriever, don’t be swayed by fear of health conditions. There is a lot you can do to minimize health risks, like working with a reputable breeder, managing your dog’s weight, keeping them active, banking stem cells, and other non-traditional treatments, like acupuncture.
Learn more about regenerative medicine and its potential for increasing the happy, healthy years you and your Labrador Retriever spend together.
