Labrador retriever facts

Retriever pet care guide

• Do Labradors shed?

The Labrador retriever does shed and they have a double coat, the undercoat is soft and downy with the outer coat being a harsher coat and what is called the guard coat. The Labrador would usually shed their coat twice a year though they are only moderate shedders; they don’t shed as much as certain other breeds, for example the German Shepard. Although they shed twice a year they will shed throughout the year a little especially if you live in a hot climate.

• How much should I groom the Labrador?

To help keep them clean and healthy the Labrador should be groomed once per week, this will also help to keep shedding to a minimum, you should also keep a regular check on their toenails and have them clipped or clip them yourself with clippers bought from your vets or pet store. A bath including shampoo should only be done when absolutely necessary as this can take away the oils from the coat.

• Are Labradors hyper active?

Hyperactivity isn’t particularly a trait with the breed however just like humans dogs are different and you can occasionally come across a Labrador that is hyper active. A puppy will always have plenty of energy to spare as it’s growing up but then all puppies do and this is only a normal thing, if a puppy wasn’t energetic then there would be something seriously wrong. By about the age of 18 months however this usually starts to phase out as the puppy matures into a full grown dog.

• What are Labradors like with children?

Labradors overall are excellent with children and they make a very good family pet, however you should never leave a young child alone with any animal no matter how well behaved the animal is. Overall the Labrador is one of the best breeds to have around children as they are usually very gentle and well tempered.

• Do Labradors make good guard dogs?

Some Labradors make excellent guard dogs and most will be protective of family with strangers, though the Labrador isn’t specifically bred as a guard dog and they are sensitive, gentle dogs overall. If your main purpose for getting a dog is for a guard dog then you would probably be better off with another breed such as the German Shepard or rottweiler.

• What kind of work are Labradors suitable for?

Labradors make excellent hunting and field dogs as well as the perfect pet, they are also the number one choice for guide dogs for the blind and they are often used in therapy due to their gentle and sensitive nature. They also work as excellent bomb, narcotic and arson dogs as their sense of smell and disposition make them very reliable in this field.