Sunday, June 9, 2013

Guide To Buying Lab Puppies For Sale California Dog Owners Will Find Helpful

By Lucille Lamb


There are many reasons why the Labrador Retriever is consistently the number one family and hunting dog. They are not only very loving and gentle but also intelligent, which is why they are commonly used for guiding the blind, and in police and search work. If one is interested in buying Lab puppies for sale California residents should ensure they are able to meet all this dog's needs.

The first Labs were bred in Newfoundland, Canada in the 19th century. They were mostly used to help fishermen in various ways. As they were crossed with Setters, Spaniels, and other types of Retrievers they eventually developed into a hunting dog, and they are still used in this way for their superb retrieving skills.

Labradors are grouped into two sub-types, English and American. The main difference between these two types is their build, English labs have a heavier more stout frame whereas the American Labs are more slender and tall. Their short fur grows in a double-coat, which may be chocolate, black, yellow, or more rarely silver in color. Males are bigger than females, with most Labs standing between 21 and 24 inches tall and weigh 60-80 pounds.

This dog loves humans of all ages and thrive on receiving attention from them. Labs make wonderful companions for children and also get along well with other animals. The American breed tends to be more excitable than their calmer English counterparts. They are very smart and easy to train, but must be taught early to heel or they can be challenging to control outdoors.

Labradors require a fair amount of exercise in order to stay healthy and sufficiently stimulated so that they don't get bored and into trouble. Taking the dog on a long walk will usually satisfy it, but the human must lead at all times. This breed is a strong swimmer, which means they also like to paddle in water if there is a swimming pool. Playing games of fetch is a good way for these dogs to practice their retrieving skills.

Veterinary care is necessary for good health and it is important to not overfeed a Lab or it can become overweight and develop illnesses associated with this. These dogs are sometimes susceptible to particular disorders which they need to be checked for, namely mast cell tumors, cataracts, gastric torsion, and hip and elbow dysplasia. A well cared-for Lab can live 10-12 years.

A Labrador does not need much in the way of grooming. Only regular baths, and brushing is necessary. Their fur grows in two layers, the upper one being coarse and the underneath one being soft and sheds quite heavily, so they will require frequent brushing to get rid of loose fur.

Normally six to eight puppies are born in a litter, which the breeder keeps with their mother until they are eight weeks of age or older. By this age the breeder usually has a good sense of each pup's personality which can help to match each dog with the most suitable owner. If looking to buy Lab puppies for sale California dog owners should first make sure the pups were raised in a clean and healthy environment and also confirm that the parents are not afflicted with any genetic health problems.




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